A/N: Hello, fellow readers. I have returned once again with a new chapter to start off the new year. So, while looking at the old 'Ultratech Strikes' chapter, it didn't make any sense. So, with helpful advice from my writing buddy, Evo, I decided to rework and split it to new chapters. Make sure to keep an eye out for those. That said, grab some snacks and happy reading!

Disclaimer: Don't forget to check the sign before reading. If you missed it, here it is: "I do not own Killer Instinct or Carrie."

"Wait a minute. Do you mean Carrie was in a cult?" Orchid asked. TJ told her and Jago about his discussion with Carrie last night. As morning arrived, the boxer discovered the half-siblings and led them away, hiding behind a hut.

"Maybe not the kid herself, but her mom... look, I'm not one to judge people, but the way Carrie described her lifestyle sounds fishy. What kind of Christians separate themselves from the world?"

"Several," Orchid said. "The Amish is one such example. Some Protestant religious groups follow the doctrine of non-fellowship, meaning they shouldn't associate with those 'of the world.'"

"Okay, fair points," TJ said, "but Carrie and her mama don't appear to be that type. They're not Amish, as she doesn't know what that is. She has no clue what Christian sect they follow. It's like their own thing."

Jago scratched his chin. "When I brought Carrie to the hospital in Tibet for her stab wound, she was ignorant about the place. Even the doctor informed me about Carrie's blank medical records. I assumed her family couldn't afford an annual check-up. Carrie also told me how her mother thought the menstrual cycle was sinful. I never understood the concept, but now that you're mentioning this cult thing…"

Orchid furrowed her brow, concerned. "It sounds off, even for standard religions. It's one thing to have strict beliefs, but ignoring basic health needs? That's a red flag. I'll dig into the mother's background to discover signs of cult-like behavior, but I can't promise any answers."

"Jago?" Carrie peeked behind the hut, with Pemba following.

"Give me a minute. We'll head to the waterfall soon," the monk said. Carrie and Pemba nodded and left. Once the women were out of earshot, Jago returned to Orchid and TJ, lowering his voice. "So, what do we do if we discover she's in a sect without her knowledge?"

"We'll cross that bridge once I find the information," Orchid said. "Also, we should focus on making Carrie feel safe and supported."

"Oi, TJ!" Pedro's voice called. The boxer recoiled as he peeked out. The young man stood at the gate entrance, waving with a broad grin.

TJ cursed, gritting his teeth as he remembered the outrageous bet.

"Oh, you're about to endure Maya's cardio run, right?" Orchid rested her hand on the boxer's shoulder. "All I can say is good luck."

"Ugh, don't remind me." TJ groaned, rolling his eyes. He straightened himself, shaking off his irritation, and plastered on a determined expression. "Alright, Pedro, let's do this!"

The path ahead was a breathtaking testament to ancient engineering, each step carved from natural stone. Moss-covered slabs formed a zigzagging staircase, guiding travelers toward the majestic snowy peaks above. The rocks, weathered by centuries of footfalls, whispered stories of Inca messengers who once raced along this route with messages of urgency and hope.

When TJ and Pedro arrived at the starting point, Maya was already there, with seasoned warriors and young trainees, preparing for their morning cardio. They first stretched their muscles. After Maya gave everyone the safety brief, the group began their ascension. At first, TJ kept pace with everyone. However, at a quarter of a mile, he lagged by twenty steps, panting. To keep himself focused, he threw punches, pretending to fight an opponent.

Glancing behind, Maya encouraged Pedro to lead the group. She approached the tired yet determined boxer and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," TJ huffed, catching his breath between words. "I'm giving those stones a run for their money."

"Come. I'll stay by you." Maya and TJ resumed their climb.

"Man, how do you guys handle this?"

"Years of practice and resilience. Not to mention, our ancestors had chasquis back then."

"The hell is that?"

"About 600 years ago, the Inca Empire never had horses in the Andes. Instead, they had chasquis, who had to be the fittest and fastest. They were couriers who delivered messages between cities. Chasquis were also responsible for tracking the enemy and relaying information to the army."

"So they were like the ancient version of express mail, but with killer calves?"

Maya chuckled. "That's right, and with stamina that puts even modern-day runners to shame."

TJ groaned. "I can't imagine doing this every day. My calves are on fire just thinking about it. Somehow, these stairs keep telling me I should've stayed in bed."

"Oh, stop complaining. Besides, Pedro told me of your backgammon bet last night."

"I'll be honest. I thought Orchid had the game in the bag until Jago's sneaky ass came up with a surprising plan. So, why do you do it?"

"Is it obvious? It's to stay in shape-"

"No, not this. I mean, why do you fight Ultratech? I'm sure Orchid and her faction are in the same boat, too."

Maya fell silent for a while. "I've asked myself the same question while searching for Kan-Ra. Most of us know the evil Ultratech has unleashed."

"No shit. Still, I can't help but wonder if it's worth the effort. It's like we're fighting someone out of our weight class."

"That's why we're not facing Ultratech head-on. Once the informants relay the message to any weaknesses in the corporation, we'll exploit them."

"I wish them luck because finding Ultratech's weakness is like finding a needle in a haystack. So, any updates on locating this Kan-Ra fool?"

"Nothing yet. I sent a few warriors to Sabrewulf Castle to retrieve a relic that tracks the sorcerer. I also asked Orchid to have some of her operatives assist in the mission."

"Wait, you mean that ominous castle in Germany?" TJ asked. "Will the Baron be there?"

"Hard to say," Maya said. "My team knows how to deal with someone of his condition, but we'll have to be cautious."

"Chefe!" A young boy raced down the stairs, finding the duo. "I dunno what happened, but you must come!"

"Hey, calm yourself. What's wrong?"

"Everyone is at the checkpoint taking a break when we saw it: dead alpacas everywhere! It's as if something killed them but didn't eat them!"

Maya and TJ exchanged worried glances, their minds racing over the gruesome discovery. "Lead the way."

The boy nodded, and they rushed to the checkpoint. Upon arrival, they found Pedro, the trainers, and the students staring at the carnage. Dark patches stained the stairs, evidence of the horror that had unfolded. A chill hung in the air, and silence lingered, broken only by the whispers of the wind and the distant cries of scavenging birds.

"What the hell happened here?" TJ asked.

Pedro shook his head. "You got me. We were resting when everything became quiet. Then we saw… this." He gestured at the lifeless animals, his voice trembling. "No signs of struggle, no tracks, nothing to explain."

Maya narrowed her eyes. "Pedro, you and the trainers take the students to safety. Also, contact the command center and ask them to scan the entire area. I know they did a quick one this morning, but sometimes, things get overlooked."

"Yes, Chefe."

Maya unsheathed her daggers while Pedro and the teachers led the trainees away. "Come, TJ. We should investigate."

"Wait, so we're heading towards whatever did this shit, not far away from it?" the boxer asked.

"As a member and leader of the Night Guard, I must ensure everyone's safety. Since you're here anyway, I could use some backup."

TJ paused, glancing back at the retreating group. I didn't sign up for this. "Alright, alright, I'm with you. Let's see what we're dealing with."

The duo continued their ascent, following the bloody trail. As they moved further up the path, Maya's keen eyes caught sight of something unusual etched into the stone walls. "Look at this." She pointed to a series of deep claw marks that marred the ancient stone. "These aren't natural. Whatever made them possessed incredible strength."

TJ swallowed hard, his voice betraying his unease. "Are we sure we want to keep moving? Those marks resemble something from a nightmare. What if it's still out there?"

Maya's communicator came to life, interrupting their tense moment.

"Chefe, this is Command," a voice crackled. "We've detected an unusual energy signature right where you are. It's unlike anything we've seen before and seems to fluctuate."

Maya exchanged a worried glance with TJ, her resolve hardening. "Understood. We'll proceed with caution and report back any findings. Inform the warriors to evacuate the locals to safety zones, but do so discreetly. I don't want panic spreading around the citadel. If the residents say anything, say it's the regular drill we've practiced before."

"Copy that," the voice said. "We'll coordinate a smooth evacuation and monitor energy levels. Stay alert and keep us updated on your status."

Maya nodded, her grip tightening on her daggers as she and TJ continued.

"No sentry guns here?" the boxer asked.

"Only because we deemed this area safe. Now, I'm considering adding some here."

"Better late than never. Let's hope whatever this thing is doesn't target us."

A growl reached their ears as they advanced, freezing them in place. They remained close to the wall, being cautious.

When they reached a corner, Maya motioned TJ to wait as the growl got louder. Once she craned her neck to peek at the corner, she saw the backside of a massive creature, its skin a swirling mass of shadows and ethereal light. It hunched over the alpaca it had just slain, its form flickering between this world and another. Its spines glistened with a dark, oily sheen. As it shifted, the surrounding air distorted, making it difficult for Maya to focus on its actual form.

Maya's heart pounded, and she fought the instinct to flee. Her mind raced as she tried to comprehend the creature's otherworldly presence. Despite the fear clawing at her insides, she tightened her grip on her weapons, determined to face whatever lay ahead.

"Psst, Maya, what do you see?" TJ whispered.

"Um, you might wanna see this," the monster hunter whispered back.

With furrowed brows, TJ peered behind the corner. His eyes widened in shock as he spotted the monstrous being. Despite his usual bravado, a chill ran down his spine. "What the fuck is that?"

"A shadow creature, and it's phasing in and out of reality."

"Any ideas how to kill that motherfucker?"

Maya breathed, her eyes never leaving the beast. "We'll have to disrupt its phasing ability first. I have a talisman that stabilizes its form." She reached into her pouch and retrieved a small, glowing amulet etched with intricate runes. "We need to get close enough to activate it. Once it's anchored in our reality, we can strike."

"So it needs a distraction. If so, not a problem."

"Just be careful."

TJ nodded, scanning the area for anything to aid their plan. He spotted a pile of loose rocks nearby and crouched low, using the wall for cover as he crept toward them. Despite his lack of stealth, he made sure not to make any noise that could betray his presence. He tossed a rock in the opposite direction, drawing the creature's attention away from their position. The shadow beast turned its head, its focus diverted, allowing Maya to inch closer with the talisman.

Maya took a deep breath and held the amulet, its warmth pulsing beneath her fingers. As she approached the creature, she whispered the incantation etched into her mind, willing the talisman to unleash its power. The runes on the amulet flared to life, casting a brilliant light that pierced the swirling shadows, anchoring the beast to their realm.

The shadow creature roared as the light enveloped it, its form wavering between dimensions. It writhed in agony, trying to shake off the amulet's binding force. Its once intangible silhouette solidified, revealing grotesque features as it struggled to resist the talisman's magic.

"Oh, that is one, ugly motherfucker!" TJ said.

"No time to admire it!" With her daggers ready, Maya leaped toward the creature and stabbed its eyes.

The beast screeched and writhed as it tried to dislodge Maya. Its claws flailed in desperation, but the talisman's power weakened its movements, allowing Maya to maintain her grip. Black ichor oozed from the wounds, hissing as it met the ground, and the creature's strength waned with each passing moment.

Maya drove her daggers deeper into the beast's eyes, twisting them to ensure maximum damage. As the creature's pained howls filled the air, she withdrew one blade and plunged it into the monster's throat, severing its vocal cords and silencing its cries. The shadow beast trembled, but with the talisman's power still anchoring it, it grew weaker until it collapsed, lifeless, at her feet.

"Yeah, baby, that's what the fuck I'm talking about!" TJ emerged from his hiding spot. "You've got some serious skills, Maya! I think I'm falling for you faster than that beast did."

Maya rolled her eyes. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

A chilling breeze swept through the area as they headed out, and the air shimmered. Maya's instincts screamed a warning as another creature similar to the one she killed materialized, its form coalescing from the distorted space. Its gleaming eyes glared at the duo with malicious intent.

"Another one? It's even uglier than the last one!" TJ said.

Maya's heart sank as she recognized the familiar dark aura surrounding this new creature. "Damn it! That first one was a scout. This one must be part of a larger pack!"

As the creature lunged to attack, Maya grabbed TJ's arm and sprinted away, avoiding its claw swipes in time.

As they dashed down the rocky path, Maya tapped into her communicator. "Command center, this is Maya. We've encountered a shadow beast scout, and there's more on the way. Prepare defenses and alert all warriors—these things are not coming for a visit!" Dodging another swipe from the pursuing creature, she urged TJ to pick up the pace, knowing they had to reach the base before the entire pack descended.

The creature's form flickered, shifting between realities as it slipped through obstacles. Its long, sinewy limbs stretched, allowing it to close the distance between them with alarming speed. Maya glanced back in horror as the creature's shadowy tendrils reached out, attempting to ensnare them in a chilling grip, its eyes glowing with a malevolent promise of destruction.

"Holy shit! Why are these things so damn fast?" TJ yelled, his voice tinged with panic. His footsteps echoed his urgency as he sprinted alongside Maya, dodging the creature's relentless claws.

As they neared the citadel, a deafening alarm klaxon blared through the structure, alerting everyone within its walls to the danger. The sound roused the warriors inside, who armed themselves, ready to defend against the impending invasion. Maya and TJ pushed themselves harder, knowing that reaching the citadel's safety was their only hope of survival against the relentless shadow beasts.

Just as the creature was within reach, a massive shadow swept overhead. As a giant bird, Pemba swooped down with a loud screech, her talons extended. She snatched Maya and TJ, lifting them high above the ground and out of the creature's reach.

The monster roared in frustration as Pemba flew away with her two precious cargo.

Maya chuckled, clinging to Pemba's leg. "I can't believe we made it out of there!"

TJ nodded, breathless but grateful, "I owe you one, Pems. You saved our skins!"

Pemba chirped in gratitude. The translation device interpreted the words she spoke in her mother tongue. "Thank goodness I found you two. Everyone is getting prepared for some fight. What's going on?"

"We stumbled upon a scout from a pack of shadow beasts," Maya explained, still catching her breath. "These creatures are unlike anything we've faced before—they're fast, relentless, and shift between dimensions. We must prepare for a full-scale assault. If they reach the citadel, it could mean disaster for everyone."

"Huh. That would explain the strange evacuations," Pemba said, with the translation device interpreting her native Tibetan language.

"We have to get ready," Maya said. "We can't let those creatures breach the citadel walls, or we risk losing everything."

TJ nodded. "Let's give those dimension-shifting fuckers a fight they won't forget."

A/N: What do you all think about those Dimensional Shamblers? Those things are terrifying, and this is only the beginning. It's time for my brain to rest, so I'll see you later.