Beneath the Surface
The corridors groaned as the old structure creaked above them. The group advanced through the underground levels of the facility, their steps cautious, weapons always ready. After their deadly encounter with Birkin and the narrow escape from the Tyrant, tension hung heavily in the air.
— This place feels like it's breathing — Leon muttered, his eyes scanning the dim lights overhead.
Erick walked ahead, his ears focused on every faint sound. He didn't speak much, but his shoulders were tense. He knew something was wrong. The silence was too deep, unnatural.
Claire kept close to Sherry, one hand always on her weapon. Ada walked near Leon, observing the environment and the others carefully — especially Erick.
— This isn't just an escape anymore, is it? — she asked, her voice calm but direct.
— It hasn't been for a while — Erick replied without turning. — We're part of this now, like it or not.
Ada narrowed her eyes, clearly curious about him.
— You don't act like someone caught by surprise.
Erick stopped walking and turned toward her.
— That's because I wasn't.
Silence. Claire looked at him, confused. Leon tensed.
— What do you mean by that? — he asked.
— I had… dreams. Visions. I saw this place. These monsters. Even Birkin. I just didn't know when or how.
Sherry looked up at him, a bit frightened.
— Are you saying… you knew what would happen?
Erick sighed.
— Not exactly. But I had a feeling. Like I was thrown here for a reason.
— That doesn't make sense — Leon said, stepping closer. — Are you saying this is all fate?
— I'm saying we don't have the luxury of pretending this is normal — Erick snapped, his voice sharper than he intended. — We've fought monsters, escaped death, and we're still here. Either we move forward or we die.
Ada tilted her head slightly, intrigued by the change in his tone.
— You're scared — Claire said gently.
Erick looked at her, surprised by her calm voice.
— Of course I'm scared. I'm just hiding it better than before.
She smiled faintly.
— You're not alone, Erick. We're all terrified.
Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the floor beneath them. A deep, guttural sound echoed through the hallway.
— That came from below — Leon said, raising his pistol.
Erick took a deep breath.
— Something's coming.
The tremor passed, but the silence that followed was even more disturbing. The group exchanged tense glances. The sound had come from below, echoing like the roar of something ancient.
— That wasn't just Birkin — Ada murmured, hand on her pistol.
Erick approached the wall, placing his palm against it. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to hear, feel, predict.
Claire watched him carefully.
— Are you sensing something?
— More than one — he replied, eyes still shut. — Heavy… huge. They're getting closer slowly. One of them drags its steps. The other is fast. Very fast.
Sherry clung to Claire's arm.
— Let's get out of here…
Leon moved to the central terminal.
— The evacuation protocol is almost ready. If we activate the second train, we can escape through an alternate route.
Ada gave a dry smile.
— You want to improvise on a cargo train that may not even work?
— Better than becoming monster chow.
Erick stared at the dark hallway from where the sounds were coming.
— We won't escape without fighting. They'll catch us. And if it's what I think it is… it's worse than Birkin.
— Worse? — Claire repeated, voice faltering slightly.
— Tyrant.
The name dropped like a sentence. Leon clenched his fists.
— Not again.
— Not the same as before — Erick said, voice low. — This one's… refined. And he's not alone.
Ada pulled up a digital map on the console.
— There's a B.O.W. test lab right under us. Probably where they came from.
— Then we need to leave now — Claire said.
— Agreed — Erick nodded, tossing her one of Leon's spare pistols. — Keep this close.
Claire caught the gun, holding it firmly.
— I'm getting used to it.
Minutes Later – Transport Sector
The group crossed the access tunnels toward the second train. Lights flickered, and shadows danced in the corners of their vision. The air smelled of burnt chemicals, mold, and rust.
Erick suddenly raised a hand.
— Something's moving through the vents.
Everyone turned. The sound was distinct — claws scraping metal. Subtle. Fast.
Out of nowhere, a humanoid creature mutated beyond recognition dropped from the ceiling right on top of Leon.
Erick moved instantly — activating his Instinctive Leap, he jumped across the rails and slammed into the creature, pushing it away. His raccoon claws shimmered for an instant before tearing through the monster's jaw.
— Get up, Leon! — he shouted.
Leon stood, dazed, and shot at a second figure approaching in the shadows — a zombified woman with stretched limbs and black veins pulsing on her face.
Ada fired with precision, exploding the second creature's head.
— They're releasing the failed experiments to slow us down.
Erick eyed the twisted creatures.
— They're flushing the labs. Clearing the trash before escaping themselves.
Claire grabbed his arm.
— Are you hurt?
— No. Just annoyed.
Cargo Train Control Room
They finally reached the terminal. The train was waiting, but the system required a launch code — and the panel was damaged.
Ada clicked her tongue.
— No code, no train.
Leon kicked the wall.
— So we're trapped?
Erick approached, eyeing the burned wires. He took a deep breath.
— Cover me. I'm gonna try a workaround.
— You know how to do this? — Claire asked.
— Kind of. Before all this, I used to mess with car alarms. Practice. — He smirked slightly, tension still in his eyes.
While he worked, the heavy steps echoed again. Louder this time. Closer.
CLANG
A chunk of metal wall was thrown aside. The creature stepping out was massive, gray-skinned, noseless, hollow-eyed, and with arms like tree trunks. A modified Tyrant.
Behind it, a smaller B.O.W. moved like a living shadow.
— Get that train running — Erick shouted. — I'll hold them off!
Claire grabbed his arm.
— You can't do it alone!
— I'm not alone. I've got you. And this.
He activated Snow Leopard's Fury.
His eyes flashed for a second. Veins in his arms pulsed with energy. Erick charged the Tyrant, dodging the first punch and leaping over the creature, claws sinking into its shoulder.
The smaller creature tried to ambush him, but Claire screamed:
— Erick, down!
He dropped and rolled as bullets tore through the creature's chest. Leon covered the other side, shooting the Tyrant's legs to slow it down.
Ada finished hotwiring the system.
— Forced the code. Train's ready!
— GET IN THE TRAIN! NOW! — Erick yelled.
The group ran. Erick followed last. The Tyrant pursued him, but a well-placed grenade from Ada collapsed the tunnel entrance long enough for the door to seal shut.
Inside the train, everyone was panting. Sherry clung to Claire. Leon looked at Erick — with less anger now… and maybe a hint of respect.
Erick sat in the corner, body trembling.
— This is far from over — he muttered. — Something's wrong with this facility… more than usual. And they know who I am.
Ada stared at him, eyes narrow.
— And I think you know more than you're saying.
Erick didn't respond.
But inside, something stirred. A growing feeling that events were off track, like the world itself was bending around him — trying to push him out. Or swallow him whole.
And somewhere deep in the abandoned corridors of Umbrella… William Birkin smiled.