The plaza fell into complete silence. Hundreds of observers held their breath as the black-armored hunters encircled Lyra's group. The leading hunter remained composed and still, his silver spear emitting a faint glow beneath the evening sky.
The atmosphere was perilous, disciplined, and markedly different from that of ordinary soldiers; these men had been specially trained to handle individuals like Lyra.
Kael was the first to step forward. "You are mistaken." The hunter did not even glance at him. "Possibly," he replied, his gaze still fixed on Lyra.
"However, the kingdom cannot afford to ignore her presence any longer." Rylan crossed his arms. "It is remarkable how you all excel at making introductions uncomfortable."
No one responded with laughter. Selene discreetly moved closer to Lyra, lowering her voice so only the group could hear. "Do not underestimate them." Lyra detected the seriousness in her tone.
"You have previous experience facing hunters," she noted. Selene's silence confirmed the statement. The lead hunter spoke again. "Proceed peacefully."
Kael's expression hardened immediately. "And if she refuses?" he asked. The hunter slightly raised his spear. "Then we will enforce compliance."
The gathering retreated further, with fear spreading through the plaza as if by contagion, not of the hunters but of what might occur should Lyra resist. This realisation was more painful than she anticipated. Recently, she had saved lives, yet now she was perceived as a potential catastrophe.
Elias suddenly rejoined her. "She is not your enemy," he asserted. The official responded with anger: "Her influence has already corrupted you!" "I chose to stand here," Elias replied.
"And people are dying because anomalies continue to manifest," he added, resonating with the crowd's unease.
Everyone had already heard stories of cities damaged, families displaced, homes destroyed by strange phenomena. Rapid change had destabilised the world, creating a need for someone to blame. Lyra understood this, despite her internal resistance.
The lead hunter lowered his voice. "Listen carefully." His tone carried a hint of humanity. "We do not take pleasure in killing frightened individuals who suddenly acquire dangerous abilities." Lyra scrutinised him.
"You have eliminated anomalies before." His silence extended uncomfortably before he finally responded.
"Yes."
No pride or cruelty accompanied the reply, just the truth. Kael stepped closer to Lyra. "We are leaving." The hunters immediately raised their weapons, heightening tension in the plaza. One misstep could lead to catastrophe.
Suddenly, a stone struck Lyra's shoulder, freezing everyone in place. A terrified civilian trembled at the rear of the crowd. "You have ruined everything!" he shouted.
Others joined in with accusations.
"My brother awakened last week. "Our district was destroyed." People are dying!" The crowd's fear morphed into anger, which then spread rapidly. Rylan muttered quietly, "This is becoming problematic."
Lyra examined her surroundings. Her emotions were not hatred but despair, which was worse, as desperate individuals often believed dangerous falsehoods.
The lead hunter noticed her expression. "You see it now," he stated. Lyra responded. "The kingdom fears losing control." He nodded once. "And fear fuels violence."
For a moment, they understood each other perfectly. Then chaos erupted.
An explosion shattered the eastern section of the plaza, accompanied by screams and billowing smoke. People fled panic-stricken. Kael quickly shielded Lyra while Rylan moved to assist civilians.
"What occurred?" asked Rylan.
"That was not us," answered a figure emerging from the smoke, cloaked in darkness with glowing red eyes and unstable energy radiating from their body, an anomaly, but unlike Elias, this one was smiling.
The creature dramatically raised both hands.
"See?"
Its voice echoed wildly. "They fear us regardless of our actions!" Panic intensified among the crowd. The anomaly laughed. "So why pretend to be human anymore?"
Selene's face darkened immediately."Oh no," she whispered. Lyra looked at her sharply. "Do you know him?" she asked.
"Not personally," Selene replied grimly, "but I understand what he is."
The rogue anomaly spread its arms as unstable energy exploded around him. "Stop begging for acceptance!" His gaze was fixed firmly on Lyra. "You should be leading us!"
A heavy silence descended. The captain of the hunters raised his weapon.
"Stand down!" he commanded. The rogue laughed louder. "You still do not comprehend." His expression twisted into fury. "The world has already declared war on us!"
He suddenly unleashed a massive energy blast into the crowded plaza. Lyra reacted instantly." Move!" she shouted.
Kael created flame barriers. Rylan propelled civilians away with lightning strikes. Shadows cast by the anomaly obscured debris, yet the blast continued to grow too large, too unstable.
It was not an escape attempt but an effort to incite a massacre.
Lyra immediately stepped forward.
"No."
Her power surged outward more potent, sharper, controlled. The entire plaza trembled under the force. The rogue anomaly stared in disbelief. "How are you controlling it?" he demanded.
Lyra pushed harder, "Power is not an excuse to become a monster!"
She redirected the explosion upward, where it shattered harmlessly across the sky like fractured lightning. The crowd remained silent, breathless and alive.
The rogue anomaly's expression twisted with hatred. "You are weak." He vanished into the smoke before anyone could intervene.
A heavy silence settled over the destroyed plaza until something unexpected occurred: the hunter captain slowly lowered his weapon, viewing Lyra with doubt rather than trust. Suddenly, a terrified guard shouted from the northern wall.
"More anomalies are approaching!" In the distance, dozens of glowing lights appeared beyond the kingdom's gates.