The way the man stood, unnaturally still. Too still. And his scent, faint but wrong. Not quite alive. Not quite dead.
Theo's system pinged in the back of his mind, confirming what his instincts already whispered.
[Target Identified: Meteorborn Husk]
Theo narrowed his eyes. "You're not trapped," he muttered.
The man smiled, too wide, too wrong.
[Ding! Accept Main Quest: Unmask the Husk? YES / NO]
"YES," Theo growled, accepting the quest.
He stood, placing himself between Lexa and the threat.
"Sorry," he muttered, "but if you're already lost... I don't have the luxury to hold back."
The thing took another slow step, twitching, as if trying to remember how legs worked. Its movements were jerky and unnatural, arms limp, then rigid, then limp again.
"Shadow Step," Theo whispered.
Darkness snaked beneath him. In a blink, he disappeared, reappearing behind the MHusk.
The creature turned its head the wrong way first before swiveling its neck toward him with a sickening pop.
