Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

"Andrew, watch out!" Tiana cried in alarm.

Andrew remained perfectly still, staring intently at the Deathbug on his shoulder.

The creature was not particularly large-only about half the size of his palm. However, Andrew knew that one bite from this thing could knock him unconscious instantly, even with his resistance to toxins.

"Andy, don't move. I'll swat it for you," Logan whispered.

Andrew quickly warned, "Don't! This bug's blood is hotter than molten lava and extremely poisonous. Just one drop could make my skin rot away."

Logan immediately froze, not daring to move another muscle.

"Mr. Lloyd, how can we help you?" Chantelle asked with tears in her voice.

Instead of answering, Andrew slowly brought his torch closer to the Deathbug on his shoulder. As the firelight and heat approached, the creature let out a shrill shriek and flew up frantically, beating its wings.

Seizing the opportunity, Andrew kicked it mid-air, sending it flying. The bug smashed against the bronze door with a wet splat, exploding on impact.

Everyone exhaled in relief, feeling much more relaxed.

However, Andrew frowned and hushed them. "Do you hear that? Something's not right."

Logan tilted his head in confusion. "Not right? I don't hear anything."

Natasha said uncertainly, "The buzzing from those bugs seems to have disappeared."

Tiana chimed in, "You're right... those Deathbugs that were swarming everywhere just vanished completely."

Indeed, the loud buzzing that had filled the air moments before had suddenly ceased. This abrupt silence was so unexpected that the vast underground chamber fell eerily quiet, making everyone deeply uncomfortable.

Andrew glanced around at the surrounding darkness, still able to make out the passage they had emerged from. However, the hundreds or thousands of Deathbugs that had been flying around were nowhere to be seen.

It was as if they had all vanished into thin air in an instant, leaving only the one he had kicked to death against the door.

"Strange, where did all those nasty bugs go?" Lenny muttered, walking a few steps in either direction but finding nothing.

Andrew looked thoughtful and suddenly raised his head to look upward. What he saw made his heart skip a beat. Nonetheless, he quickly masked his expression and lowered his gaze.

"Mr. Lloyd, what's wrong?" Chantelle asked.

Andrew forced a smile and said, "Nothing. Come on, let's look around."

Chantelle looked puzzled. "Mr. Lloyd, why did your face suddenly turn so pale?"

Tiana also noticed and said, "Andy, you weren't bitten by a Deathbug, were you? You look really scary right now."

Andrew waved dismissively. "I'm fine, really. Let's go find a way into the tomb chamber."

Just then, Lenny wiped his face and said in confusion, "Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Keller, do you feel like it's raining?"

Logan continued feeling along the tomb chamber door and cursed, "You damn fool! Where would rain come from in this underground world? I think you've lost your mind!"

Lenny wiped his face again and protested, "I'm not making it up! Look at my face and hands-there's is

water on them. Ugh, the wat

disgusting. It's all sticky, like spit!"

More drops fell on his face as he spoke, accompanied by a long, thin tongue that dangled down like a whip.

The tongue licked Lenny's face several times. He seemed even more confusednoveldrama

and said, "It really is raining, Mr. Keller. I'm not lying to you."

if

Logan's voice trembled as he said, "Lenny, don't move. Stay absolutely still, even you want to..."

Tiana, Chantelle, and Natasha had already started backing away, their lips quivering as they covered their mouths with their hands. They could not help but look up, following the dangling tongue toward whatever lurked above.

"Don't look!" Andrew shouted.

However, it was too late. Chantelle had already glanced upward.