[All personnel retreat behind combat lines.]
[All personnel retreat behind combat lines.]
Markus's communication watch beeped.
The beast purge is nearing completion, infusing mana into the base of his feet. He used spatial leaps to jump through space, reaching the south-western gate within minutes.
'Rustle Rustle'
'Rustle Rustle'
Several groups of awakeners ran by Markus, some with visible wounds, some with damaged equipment, and almost everyone was stained with the blood of beasts all over their bodies.
The battle has been intense over the past few hours, and awakeners battling beasts within their domains had an inherent disadvantage. Some could even be seen with large gaping wounds or missing a limb or two.
'RUMBLE RUMBLE'
The two commanders who had been battling with General Braum ran past Markus, reaching the gates within seconds.
"HURRY UP, THE GENERAL IS BEGINNING TERRAFORMING!!!"
The awakeners emerging from the forest picked up their fellow injured comrades on their backs and made a beeline for the city gates.
On the borders of the black zone, General Braum anchored himself into the ground, resonating with the Earthen laws beneath his feet.
A pulse echoed within a 500-meter radius outward.
"BOOM"
And another pulse, its intensity gradually increasing.
"BOOM"
..
"BOOM"
..
"BOOM"
..
"BOOM"
..
The ground beneath him folded in space, all the dense flora and fauna surrounding him swallowed by the soil below.
The effects of the General's terraforming abilities could be felt in the city; lamps were shaking, windows were vibrating, and the ground was answering to the call of the General's will.
Within minutes, the area surrounding the general turned from a dense green forest domain into a plain, flat brown clearing.
Soldiers and awakeners stared at the geological marvel that had happened before them. This was not a natural disaster, this was a made-made event, akin to an act of the gods.
Dust clouded the air, and the smell of the pollen from the forest's destruction spread through the city.
Citizens were warned to wear face masks and to cover their eyes with protection before leaving for the outdoors.
Pollen from mana-rich herbs nurtured by the Forbidden Forest could be harmful to the average citizen.
Several people who were roaming the streets before the warning announcement collapsed due to mana poisoning and harmful bacteria and viruses floating in the air.
The city hospitals deployed emergency vehicles, equipped with state-of-the-art med-pods and paramedics, to assist in the recovery of the sudden outbreak.
Military doctors could be seen deployed in full force to heal injured awakeners; several emergency medical pods were filled with awakeners with serious injuries.
Wounds could be seen closing up as the green medical liquid healed the body at a cellular level, and lost limbs could be regrown in a matter of days.
Markus, sensing his core about to expand, headed straight for the bunk he had slept in the night before.
He deployed a spatial domain and took out his prayer mat to meditate and focus on his breakthrough.
[Law of Space: 41%]
..
..
..
[Law of Space: 45%]
..
..
..
[Law of Space: 50%]
Markus's spatial core solidified at a respectable 8cm.
**
[Hello, Son]
Finally, communications with the system were unlocked.
'Hello, Mom, how are you?'
[It has been over 2 million years; we have waited for such a long time for you to awaken, my dear son.]
[Your adoptive parents named you well, Markus]
'2 Million Years?! This planet is only 2,160+ years old!'
[We exist in the true universe; the time dilation is about 1000 times greater than that of where you are now, my son.]
'Where am I now?'
[You exist within a black hole, formed by the sacrifice of your father and me; the planet Gaia exists to protect you from external forces too strong for us to contend with.]
'What about my father?'
[Chronos is currently recovering in the river of time. You will get your chance to converse with him when you master the laws of space at 100% and unlock the element of time.]
'Will I be able to meet you both?'
[Eventually, we are primordial beings of law; we cannot die, however, our physical forms need to be rebuilt. You will be able to figure that out once you transcend space and time.]
Markus, overwhelmed by emotions, let a tear slip. For the first time in his life, he found his true purpose: to reunite with his birth parents and escape the black hole to avenge their physical deaths.
**
"Knock Knock"
Markus released his spatial domain and kept the prayer cushion within his inventory. He peered through space and saw Major Celeste standing by the bunk doors, waiting for Markus to answer.
"Come in, I'm currently alone, resting after the purge before," Markus said, lying down on his bed with his eyes closed.
Celeste made herself comfortable sitting on a stool beside Markus's bunk bed.
"General Braum would like to have a chat. Head over once you're feeling better," Celeste rested her palm on his shoulder, "I have a younger brother like you, in the military academy, don't bully him too much if you meet in the inter-school friendlies next week."
"You're a monster, you know that?" Celeste chuckled. A first-year student, able to hold his ground amongst veterans in their 30s and 40s, is unseen throughout the history of the Valerian Empire.
The most talented royals, such as the current Emperor and his progeny, have never displayed such immense potential in the first year of their awakening.
"Watch your back, there are whispers in the wind, rumors in dark alleys surrounding your potential." Celeste warned, squeezing Markus's shoulder.
Markus smiled and nodded calmly towards her, "Don't worry, unless they want the Blackwells laying waste to an entire region, they wouldn't dare make a move against me."
"My grandpa is pretty famous for his short temper, even before he ascended into tier 7, now with his mastery of the laws of fire, I doubt anyone would dare go against us without risking everything."
Markus held her hand, grasping his shoulder, relieving her of her worries.
Major Celeste was a mere Tier-3 Wind elemental awakener. She has worked her way through the ranks with dedication and loyalty to the Empire and its people.
"Let's not keep the General waiting. I'll have a proper nap after the chat," Markus slipped into his academy boots, letting Celeste lead the way.
Markus followed Celeste through the corridors of the command tower, the air still tasting of pulverised emerald leaves and dry earth.
Every soldier they passed snapped to a sharp salute—not for him, but for the Major—yet their eyes lingered on the boy with the cold, starlight-tinted gaze.
As they reached the heavy oak doors of the General's office, Markus felt a thrum of power behind the wood—the heavy, tectonic weight of Braum Braveheart's presence.
"I'll be waiting outside, don't worry, he's a nice guy, remember to salute on your way in," Celeste reminded.
Markus took a breath, adjusted his student badge, and stepped inside.
General Braum Braveheart stood by the window, his massive frame silhouetted against the setting sun. He didn't turn around immediately.
"That shot you took," Braum's voice rumbled, vibrating the very floorboards Markus stood on.
"Most veterans wouldn't have the stomach even to draw their bow in that beast's presence."
The General walked toward his desk and tossed a heavy, leather-bound folder onto the surface. It was stamped with the Gold Lion of the Imperial Infantry.
"The Academy will teach you how to refine your mana. They'll give you awards and pat you on the back for winning 'friendlies' against children who think a Tier 2 portal is an adventure," Braum said, leaning his massive weight against the desk. "But the Academy is a greenhouse. And looking at you, Markus... you weren't built for a greenhouse."
"I'm authorised by the Emperor to extend an early-track Commission," Braum stated firmly. "Upon your graduation—or even sooner, if your 'Mastery' continues at this breakneck speed—I want you in the Northern Vanguard."
Markus paused, taking a moment to consider his words, "I'm not sure if I'm a good fit for the military General."
"During the past few weeks, I have been enjoying my time travelling within the Empire, exploring the cities, meeting new people."
Braum let out a short, dry chuckle. "I expected as much. You have the eyes of a man who looks past the horizon." Braum tossed an intricately carved badge.
"This is my family's emblem. If you find yourself in any trouble, it should help you get out of most situations."
Braum retrieved a Tier-7 core from within his spatial ring. "Consider this a bonus for the assist today, it came from one of the smaller Tier-7 Silverback Gorillas."
"Thank you, General," Markus raised a fist to his chest and saluted Braum, leaving the rustic office.