"What the flip!" Jay muttered. Her eyes snapped left and right, scanning the chaos. Even after the word left her lips, her mouth hung slightly open, refusing to seal.
The damage was undeniable. The once-calm street, lined with market stalls and children laughing, with people moving through their daily lives, now looked like a nightmare. The building across from Kaelen's home had been reduced to dust, ash, and splinters. A deep crater stretched down the road, tearing the familiar path into something foreign. But none of that was the worst part. The most disturbing was the scattered bodies across the street. A torso without limbs. A head without a body. Limbs, both children and adults, and even animals, laid the streets like discarded toys.
Kaelen's gaze crawled over the destruction. His chest tightened as he realized their building was one of the few still standing.
"What do you think the attack was?" Lira asked. She appeared beside him in a breath, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes stayed fixed to the east.
"A plasma blast," he said. His mind drifted to the ionized air he'd smelled before the explosion, the same faint, metallic tang that still lingered in the air "Most likely."
'Why now?' he thought. 'Why did this happen the moment my senses heightened?' He tilted his head, staring at the sky. The Veil's glow was barely visible through the dust and fog, a pale smear that seemed to mock him. Last night the sky had been clear, the stars bright. Now it looked like someone had smeared ash across the heavens. 'Are you mocking me?' he wanted to scream.
His eyes darted back to the ruined homes. "Did you hear that?"
"What?" Lira frowned, confusion flashing over her face. Everyone now had their gaze fixed on Kaelen. The only sound they could hear was their breath, yet each of them drew shallow breaths, as if drawing in too much air would attract unwanted attention.
His ears twitched. "That…"
His mother gripped his arm tightly. Her other hand slid into his hair, fingers running through the strands gently. "You've been stressed lately, honey," she said, her voice calm, a contrast to the chaos. "Don't stare at them. Let's get to the shelter."
"Mom—" He turned his head toward one of the homes before he could finish the words. He jerked his arm free of her grip and bolted toward a half-collapsed building.
His hands dove into the rubble, tearing through blocks, splintered wood, bent iron, shards of broken ornaments. He shoved pieces aside, tossed them over his shoulder, digging deeper, desperate for whatever was underneath.
"Kaelen…" Seren covered her mouth, her voice barely a whisper. 'Please, ease his stress if you're watching.'
"They won't make it, Kaelen," Mel appeared beside him, her tone as calm as always. Her gaze flicked south. "You're attracting unwanted attention."
He didn't turn or stop.
"Their aether is weak," she continued. "Even if you did help, they won't make it." Her hand settled lightly on his shoulder, but her focus never shifted from the south. "You're wasting your strength."
"Kaelen," Lira called, stepping closer. "We have to—Oh my God." She dropped to her knees beside him, helping him dig through the debris. Seren, Jay, and Penelope followed, after they saw what Kaelen was digging out.
Underneath the rubble was a man frozen in a shielding pose, his back turned to the ceiling. His body twisted around something small. A jagged metal rod was buried deep in his skull. A thick wooden beam pinned his hip. Beneath him lay a girl, no older than six, her tiny frame curled beneath his protective form.
Lira pulled her out carefully, fingers brushing the girl's hand as she checked for a pulse. "There's no pulse," she whispered.
"There has to be," Kaelen snapped. He took the girl from Lira's arms and started performing CPR: hard, rhythmic compressions, his breaths quick and shallow.
"Kaelen!"
He didn't answer.
"Kaelen!"
He kept going.
"Kaelen!" His mother's hand clamped onto his shoulders and pulled him into a tight embrace. "She's gone."
Kaelen's body went rigid. His teeth ground against each other. His hands curled into fists, his nails digging into his palms so hard his knuckles turned white.
"You couldn't have helped it," her voice cracked. "It's not your fault, honey. Please don't blame yourself."
Penelope's shoulders slumped. She turned her head away, unable to watch.
"You knew they were there," Kaelen's tone rose. His gaze snapped to Mel. "You knew she was still alive… yet you left her to die." His voice climbed higher, cracking with anger and grief. "Tell me. How many more can you sense? How many more are you willing to let loose their lives?"
"Kaelen—"
"I'm not speaking to you, Lira." He refused to turn toward her, his attention locked on Mel. "Answer me."
"They were going to die," Mel was unbothered. "You're wasting your breath."
"No! She wasn't!" His voice carried across the ruined street, echoing off the walls that still stood. "She wasn't!"
"Kaelen…" Jay stepped closer, her fingers extending to him but didn't make contact. She glanced around nervously. "We understand your pain… but if this keeps going, we'll be next."
"She died despite your efforts," Mel said, her expression unchanged. "You're not being logical."
"It doesn't cost you to—"
"You're mistaken about something."
GRRROOOAAAARRR!
A deep, strange roar cut through the air, shaking the ground beneath them.
"Er—Guys…" Jay's voice trembled.
"I'm only obligated to protecting Penelope," Mel said, stepping closer to Kaelen. She stood inches from his face, her blindfold fluttering in the gentle wind. "I will do anything to protect her. Even if it means dispatching unnecessary burdens." Her expression remained empty, but her voice carried a dangerous edge. "You have your mom, Lira, and Jay to protect. Is this a wise decision?"
"Enough." Penelope's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She stepped forward, her gaze shifting between them. "I won't take kindly to threats aimed at my benefactor, Mel." Her eyes softened as they settled on Kaelen. "She's right. You're not in a state of reasoning right now."
She moved closer to him, her hand found his shoulder. "It isn't your fault, Kaelen." Her gaze flicked to his mother, then back to him. "Getting your mother to safety should be your priority. Please don't burden her worry further."
Penelope stepped back and turned to Mel, lowering her voice as they spoke in hushed tones.
'Fuck! What's wrong with me?' Kaelen's eyes met his mother's. She stared back at him, her own worry barely concealed. 'You're my priority, Mom. I'm sorry.'
He closed the distance between them and pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry, Mom," he whispered into her hair.
Her arms wrapped around him, her fingers running through his hair. "It's okay, darling," she murmured, pulling him closer.
He stepped back, and she let her hands fall.
"I was irresponsible and unreasonable," his voice was calm now. "I put everyone at risk." His gaze flicked to Mel. "I'm sorry."
Mel said nothing. Her eyes shifted to the south once more. "How far is the shelter east?"
"Roughly twelve miles, or more."
She turned and started walking, without giving any comment. They followed, their footsteps crunching over debris and broken glass.
...
Their journey so far hadn't been easy. Fog had swallowed the entire district, thick and heavy, like a suffocating blanket. It was normal for the lower tiers below the sixth, but it did nothing to help their situation. They'd paired up to navigate safely.
Kaelen sticked with his mother. Their navigation was relatively easy, the fog barely interfered with his heightened senses, except for the occasional sneeze that burst out when dust and ash filled his nostrils.
Jay and Lira formed the perfect pair. Their abilities worked together beautifully, carving a path through the fog with an almost effortless precision.
Mel and Penelope stayed close, moving in easy, synchronized steps. Mel didn't need to rely on sight, her aether sense guided her like an invisible map. To her, this was just another stroll.
"This is really creepy," Jay whispered. Her hand tightened around Lira's. "I feel like we're walking into one of those horror movies."
"Jay."
"I'm sorry."
The district was in ruins. Craters dotted the ground like scars, buildings reduced to rubble, blood painting the streets in ugly streaks and red splatters.
RATTLE! RATTLE!!
Their breaths paused as they all came to a sudden stop.
Kaelen stepped in front of his mother, using his body to shield her. "Stay behind me."
"What are you doing? You, come behind me," Seren whispered, her fingers curling tighter around his wrist.
"Thanks, Mom," he said, his gaze staying ahead. "But I'm the one with a combat ability." He swallowed hard. "Please stay put."
RATTLE. RATTLE. RATTLE.
Jay's grip tightened around Lira's wrist. 'If you're there,' she thought, her heart hammering. 'It's now or never.'
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Hehe. I was scared for a second. It's not—"
RRROOOAAAARRR!
"Aaaargh!"
BAM!
Kaelen's fist slammed into the beast mid-lunge, his body twisting into the punch. The force of the impact sent it flying backward.
CRASHHH!
The beast slammed into a pile of debris, collapsing into a lifeless heap.
Kaelen scooped his mother up, her legs draping over one shoulder, her upper body cradled against his other. "Move," he said, his voice firm. Without waiting, he took off, kicking up dust behind him. The others followed.
"Stay focused, Jay,"
"I'm sorry," Jay panted, "but I didn't think a beast would really lunge at me like some scary-movie cliché shit."
"This isn't a movie, Jay." Lira snapped.
"I know, I know. Cut me some slack."
"You jinxed us."
"Spare me already."
Kaelen's gaze snapped to Mel, who was ahead of them, Penelope following closely behind. "Why didn't you warn us?"
"You heard the rattles. What else do you want for confirmation?"
'You're the only reason we're all walking confidently in this fog. Why do you have to be difficult?'
"Stop," Mel said suddenly. Her arm shot out, pressing against Penelope's chest to halt her. The others followed suit, freezing in place.
"What's wrong?"
Mel tilted her head upward, her body shifting into a fighting stance.
"Mel?" Golden light flickered as two shining lances appeared in Penelope's hands, cutting through the fog and dust.
Kaelen set his mother down beside Lira. "Take care of her."
"Kaelen…" Seren's hand reached for his shoulder.
"Please stay with them, Mom," he said, stepping toward Mel. "You should stay back." His eyes flicked to Penelope, then back to Mel.
"Shouldn't you stay with your mother." Her attention was fixed to the sky.
"Probably." His fingers curled into fists as he also assumed a fighting stance. His was pathetic compared to Mel's. "But whatever it is, I know can't outrun it."
Mel's head turned to him briefly before returning to the sky.
"…What exactly are you two talking—"
BOOOOMMM!
Dust exploded outward, rising in a thick cloud. Debris, shattered rocks, splintered wood, and sharp shards of metal shot through the air. The ground trembled under the impact.
Earth surged forward, encasing Jay, Lira, and Seren in a protective dome. Penelope's hand shot up, a golden shield forming in a square wall that stopped the flying shards. Kaelen's head dipped, his arms crossed in an X style. The debris tore through his clothes but barely left scratches on his skin. The shards bounced off Mel like they'd hit stone, losing velocity the moment they contacted her body.
When the dust finally settled, the fog had thinned just enough to reveal their attacker.
A figure stood in the center of the crater, clad in silver armor that fit her like a second skin. In one hand, she held a long silver sword, its edge gleaming with residual energy. In the other, dangled the head of a beast, black blood dripping from the severed neck.
Her presence was heavy and oppressive, like the air itself had been given weight. There was no flashing ceremonial energy, no crackling aura, but the atmosphere around her felt dense, almost suffocating.
Kaelen looked up, his eyes tracking the figure from toe to head. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her face.
Her lips were a cool berry shade, slightly parted. Her jet-black hair was braided into two thick strands that fell over her shoulders, framing her face. Her eyes were icy gray, carrying a mystery that made his stomach twist. Her skin was a dark tan, smooth like porcelain, with crystalline veins pulsing faintly beneath the surface, like hidden rivers of light.
"An aetherian…" Kaelen muttered
"Civilians?" the woman muttered. Her gaze moved from Kaelen to Mel, then to Penelope, before settling on the slowly retreating earth wall that had shielded Jay, Lira, and Seren.
Thud. The beast's head fell and rolled, stopping a few meters from them.
"What are you all doing here?" she asked, her voice calm, but underneath existed a pressure that made the air feel heavy.
Penelope stepped forward. "You're a Paragon, I take it?"
"Who's asking?" The woman's gaze slid over Penelope, disdain curling at the edge of her words.
"Penelope Divian."
"Impersonating an influential family's name is a serious offense," the Paragon's voice carried a chill. "But I'll let it go. Let's get you to the shelter."
Penelope didn't bother arguing. She reached beneath the fabric hanging around her collarbone and pulled out a necklace. It was gold, with the Divian insignia etched into it, but the halo surrounding the spear emblem glowed faintly, pulsing like a living flame.
"What's a Divian doing here?"
"It's of no importance," Penelope replied smoothly. "What's the current situation?"
"Why haven't you evacuated?"
"That's what we're trying to do," Penelope shot back. "What's the current situation?"
"It's classified." The woman's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "I'll escort you to a shelter." She stepped forward, her hand shot out, reaching for Penelope's waist.
Mel's fingers closed around her wrist, stopping her.
"What are you doing?" The Paragon's gaze snapped to her, her eyes flicking with disgust. "Get your hand off me."
Mel's expression stayed calm, but her grip didn't loosen.
"It's okay, Mel," Penelope said. "You should get her to safety." She nodded toward Seren.
"The priority is getting you to safety," Mel said.
"No, Mel. Getting the civilians to safety should be the priority."
"While your 'priorities' are sweet," the Paragon said, rolling her eyes, "if I don't prioritize getting a member of a high-ranking affiliation to safety, I'm the one who's going to get lectured."
Her hands reached toward Penelope once more, but Penelope stepped back.
"I acknowledge your diligent 'concern,'" Her head rose high, "but my decision is rendered and it's not subject to your appeal. Get her to safety."
The Paragon held Penelope's gaze for a long moment. Finally, she let out a disdainful sound. "Tch. This is why I hate dealing with..." She didn't finish it. Her eyes flicked over Seren, scanning her quickly, then returned to Penelope. "I'll escort you to the shelter. Let's go."
A small smile tugged at Penelope's lips. "Appreciated."
"Where are you lot heading?"
"The east,"
"Haa," the Paragon sighed. "The east shelter's been destroyed. We head west." She strode forward without looking back.
'Just what's going on?' Kaelen's thoughts chased after questions he couldn't answer.
He fell into step beside his mother, Penelope at his side, Mel trailing behind like a shadow.
"Thank you," he eyes tracked Penelope briefly, before turning his attention to his mother.
"It isn't me you should thank," A small smile touched her lips.
"Still, you have my thanks."
"If you're so desperate to thank me—" She wrapped her arms around his, locking it in an embrace. "—become mine."
His eyes tracked her once more, before shifting to his mother, "I'll think about it."
Her hand covered her lips, stifling a short burst of laughter.
...
The journey wasn't difficult with Mel and the Paragon leading the way. They cut down C-rank and lower-level beasts that ventured too close.
"Shouldn't you harvest the beasts crystals?" Jay asked, eyeing the corpses.
"Jay!"
"The slain beast materials belong to the enclave," the Paragon didn't spare her a glance. "When all of this is over, the harvesting team will take care of it."
"Anyway, what's your name, Lady?"
"Jay!"
"It's okay," the Paragon's icy gaze shifted to Jay and Lira briefly before returning forward. "The silence has been awkward enough." A faint smile touched her lips. "It's Tessa. Tessa Tal."
"That's a beautiful name,"
"Thank you, Jay." A grin flickered across Tessa's face. "Yours is too."
"The shelter," Lira said suddenly, her voice rising with a mix of relief and dread.
'Finally,' Kaelen thought. 'We're almost there.'
The shelter came into view as they rounded a crumbling corner. The sight that greeted them slammed the joy out of the air.
A long line of people snaked around the entrance, bodies pressed shoulder to shoulder, trying to push their way in. The scene was gruesome. Some had lost limbs, others dragged lifeless bodies they refused to let go of. Children clung to strangers, their faces smeared with tears and dust. Adult voices wailed, raw and broken, echoing off the metal walls of the structure. A woman wailed over a body, her hands pressed against its chest as if she could push the life back in. A child stood alone, her face blank, her lips moving around words no one was there to hear.
Medical teams worked frantically, but their efforts looked meaningless against the sheer scale of the disaster. Too many people, too many wounds.
Military officials lined the perimeter, barking orders and trying to keep order in the chaos. Some wore heavy armor, others were clad in lighter, more practical gear. Their faces were streaked with dust and sweat, their eyes hollow with exhaustion.
"Wait here. I'll return soon," Tessa said. Her armored boots crunched over the ground as she strode toward the chaos without hesitation.
...
"Salute to the Paragon," a soldier called out, stepping forward. His hand snapped to his brow in a crisp salute, despite the dust coating his dark and gray patterned uniform. His shoulder was straight, his posture rigid, even as the world fell apart.
"At ease, Major," Tessa's tone was sharp but controlled. "We have a Code X-1 VIP-E-1."
"A politician?"
"A Divian,"
"What are they doing on this tier?"
"Beats me," She said. "But we have to prepare—"
"About that, Paragon Tessa." The Major's voice dropped, his eyes moved away for a moment. "It's getting worse. We have a Code K-6 estimate."
"How many have we lost in numbers?"
"An estimate of seven thousand civilians and three hundred and seventy-four soldiers."
"Fuck," Tessa hissed through her teeth. Her fist clenched so hard, the gloves around her fingers threatened to tear. The air around her grew heavier, the ground beneath her feet cracked slightly. "Those bastards will pay."
The Major's lips parted, then closed. He opened them again, exhaling before continuing. "We've issued a Code S-Healer-2."
"What are the higher-ups doing?" The other Paragons?"
"That's the problem, Paragon," he exhaled slowly. "We now have a Code A-8."
"A full infiltration doesn't hinder us,"
"That's the issue. We're trapped."
"Trapped?" Tessa's tone rose despite her attempt to keep it level. "Explain."
"They've locked the entirety of this tier in a Vevian force field."
"Hostiles or ours?"
"Unconfirmed."
"Any attempt of communication to the outside?"
"It's a Code V-2. All comms are down."
Silence pressed between them, heavy and suffocating.
"It's a Red, Silver, and Black situation," the Major said finally. "What's your command, Paragon?"
"How many Paragons do we have on this tier?"
"Three," he said. "Excluding you, that is."
"Hostiles?"
"No specific estimate, but it's a single-digit thousand to two digits thousand."
"Sentients?"
"Unconfirmed."
"Ranks?"
The Major hesitated, his eyes shifted away once more.
"You don't know that either, Major?" Tessa's voice was icy now.
He kept his head down, unwilling to face her gaze.
"Get ready to issue a Code S-Combatant."
"We have," he said quickly. "All adventurers—"
"I'm not speaking about adventurers or guilds, Major."
"Civilians?" His voice broke slightly.
"Yes, civilians."
"Respectfully, Paragon—"
"Don't, Major." Her voice was calm, but the ground beneath her feet cracked again, spider-webbing outward in jagged lines.
KRAAK.
The Major's knees buckled, his feet sinking deeper into the earth as the pressure crushed down on him. He gritted his teeth, his arms trembling under the strain. Every soldier nearby either collapsed or fell to their knees, the weight of her presence pressing them to the ground.
"Hrk… We… still have… soldiers… to… spare," he managed between labored breaths.
"You've failed to carry out your duties properly," Tessa's eyes pinned him. "And your reactions to actions are slow. You're running on thin ice, Major. Do as I command."
"Haa… Haa… Haa…" The Major collapsed to his knees, his breaths ragged and painful. His eyes tracked the retreating figure of Tessa as the pressure lifted from his body.
'Fuck… I'm fucked.'