POV: Jason Brooks*

Jason pulled the Kong mask back over his head, his heart hammering in his chest as he lay down on the ground. The fur of the suit felt heavy and oppressive, but that was nothing compared to the weight of the dread that settled deep in his gut. He could still feel Godzilla's eyes on him—those cold, unblinking eyes that hadn't moved an inch during the break.

The director's voice rang out, sharp and clear. "Alright, everyone! In position. And… one, two, three… action!"

For a moment, nothing happened.

Jason could hear his own shallow breathing inside the mask, the muffled sounds of the crew in the background. He braced himself, waiting for the next move in the scripted fight. He was supposed to scramble to his feet, throw a few wild punches, and then get knocked back by Godzilla's massive tail.

But Godzilla wasn't moving.

A heavy silence fell over the set as everyone waited for the next beat. Jason's pulse quickened. He slowly pushed himself up on his elbows, glancing up at the towering figure of Godzilla. The creature stood just as it had during the break, perfectly still, eyes fixed on him. It was as if the suit had fused entirely with Quest—there was no sign of human movement beneath the heavy skin and bones of the massive creature.

"Quest?" Jason whispered under his breath, though he knew it was futile. "Are you going to move?"

There was no response.

Jason's hands trembled as he got to his feet, trying to follow the script. He threw a weak punch into the air, his mind racing. *Come on, Quest. Move!*

But Godzilla still didn't react.

Behind the cameras, Alan Kessler shifted in his director's chair, his face pale. "Quest, we need movement!" he called out. "Jason, keep going. He'll follow."

Jason nodded, trying to suppress the rising panic in his chest. He threw another punch, this one stronger, aimed at the massive chest of the monster. It was all for show, of course, but the choreography required Godzilla to react—*Quest* to react.

But nothing. Godzilla remained frozen.

The tension on set was suffocating. Everyone knew something was off, but no one dared say it out loud. The government's orders to continue filming had been clear, and no one wanted to face the consequences of defying them.

Jason was about to throw another punch when, without warning, Godzilla's arm shot out.

The speed and force were unlike anything Jason had seen before. The massive clawed hand slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward across the set. He crashed to the ground, his breath knocked out of him, his entire body throbbing with pain.

For a split second, everything went silent.

Then, Jason heard it. A deep, rumbling growl that seemed to shake the very air around him. It wasn't just Godzilla's roar—it was something more. It was Quest's voice, distorted and broken, mixed with the primal sound of the beast. The sound was glitchy, unnatural, like a scream trapped inside the machine.

Jason's heart pounded as he struggled to sit up, every muscle in his body screaming in pain. He looked up at Godzilla, the towering figure standing over him, and felt a wave of dread wash over him.

The creature's eyes—Quest's eyes—were fixed on him, but they were different now. Darker. Filled with an emotion that Jason could only describe as hatred. It wasn't part of the script. It wasn't part of the act.

This was something else.

Jason's breath hitched in his throat as Godzilla took a slow, deliberate step toward him. The ground seemed to shake beneath its massive weight, and for the first time since filming began, Jason felt real, unbridled fear.

"Cut!" Alan's voice rang out, sharp and panicked. "Cut! Quest, stop!"

But Godzilla didn't stop.

Jason scrambled to his feet, his entire body trembling as he backed away from the advancing creature. The crew scattered, rushing to get out of the way as the massive form of Godzilla moved closer and closer.

"Quest!" Jason shouted, his voice hoarse. "Quest, what are you doing?!"

But the creature didn't respond. It just kept coming.

Jason's mind raced. This wasn't part of the script. This wasn't part of *anything*. Godzilla—*Quest*—wasn't acting anymore.

It was hunting.