Navigating the Aftermath
The crumbling tower finally met the ground with a deafening roar, sending shockwaves through the city. Dust and debris clouded the air, settling like a mournful shroud over the devastation. Within the golden barrier cast by the king, the survivors braced themselves against the violent tremors. Though the runes flickered under the strain, the magic held firm, a testament to the king's power and resolve.
From amidst the wreckage, the Elven woman who had rescued Ziraiah emerged. Her shield, battered but intact, hung loosely at her side. She bent down and shook Ziraiah gently. "Can you move?" Her voice, though calm, carried urgency.
Ziraiah's eyes fluttered open, her face pale with disbelief. "What… what just happened?"
The woman smiled faintly as she inspected Ziraiah for injuries. "You're fine. Don't worry—the dizziness will pass."
Ziraiah nodded weakly, whispering, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," the woman replied, her voice steady but devoid of warmth. Without warning, she bound Ziraiah's hands with deft precision. The younger girl blinked in confusion, trying to protest, but her words were cut off.
"Sorry," the woman said flatly, hoisting Ziraiah over her shoulder with practiced ease. "You'll feel dizzy for a while longer." Before Ziraiah could muster another word, the woman shot forward, leaving behind a deafening sonic boom as she vanished into the horizon.
---
Far from the chaos of the tower, in the ruined corridors of the castle, a tall Elven man strode through the destruction. Dust swirled around him as he surveyed the scene with calm detachment. With a subtle nod, he spoke into a communication device concealed in his palm. "Anuel has the girl. Sumshus, it's time."
Miles away, in the dimly lit corner of a bustling bar, a man with vivid orange skin, piercing blue eyes, and hair the color of the sea sat at ease. Hearing the command, he smirked. "Understood, boss." He downed his drink, the glass clinking softly as he set it on the counter. Standing, he flipped a coin onto the bar.
"This is more than the cost," the bartender remarked.
Sumshus grinned, his voice smooth and ominous. "Keep the change. Not like you'll have time to spend it." He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing just as an earth-shattering explosion erupted behind him. A massive green tornado of energy spiraled skyward, obliterating the bar and everything in its vicinity.
The tornado was a ferocious spectacle, its narrow base anchoring a chaotic vortex that widened as it ascended. It twisted with violent energy, reaching 400 meters into the air and obliterating everything it touched. The entire city turned its gaze toward the monstrous phenomenon, the very earth trembling beneath its might. Houses, objects, and even people were lifted into the storm's merciless grasp.
Sumshus stood within the eye of the tornado, his face calm but his mind racing. "At this size, I can maintain it for about five minutes. Boss, you'd better finish soon."
Across the city, screams pierced the air as the green vortex consumed everything in its path. Families clung to each other, their faces etched with terror as their homes were ripped apart. Market stalls overturned, sending wares spiraling into the storm.
"Run!" a vendor shouted, dragging his child as debris rained down around them. A mother shielded her baby with her body, her cries lost in the roaring winds.
From the safety of a distant rooftop, an elderly man gazed at the destruction, his voice trembling as he whispered, "The gods have abandoned us."
---
Chaos in the Courtyard
Valerius, standing amidst the rubble, stared in horror at the distant tornado. "What the hell is that?"
Before anyone could answer, a guard stumbled into the scene, his face pale with fear. "My lord! The Sulstice Gloves have been stolen!"
The king's head snapped toward the guard, his eyes alight with fury. "What? How?"
"All the guards were found unconscious, my lord, and the door—it… disappeared."
The king's voice turned sharper, a blade honed by rage. "Doors do not simply vanish! Summon the spell warriors immediately!"
The guard hesitated, his trembling form betraying his terror. "W-we cannot wake them, Your Majesty."
"What?" The king's voice reverberated with power, his aura expanding like a storm unleashed. The sheer weight of his presence forced the guard to his knees, his forehead pressed against the ground in abject submission.
"They… they gathered last night, my lord," the guard stammered. "We found them moments ago, collapsed on the floor. Poisoned, we believe."
The king's fury burned brighter, yet his voice turned cold as ice. "Very well. If my warriors are incapacitated, I shall rectify this debacle myself."
While the king raged, the people below faced a nightmare as a result of Beily's attack. Entire neighborhoods lay in ruins, the once-bustling streets now reduced to rubble.
A boy crouched beneath a shattered archway, clutching a broken toy as tears streamed down his face. "Mama… where's Mama?"
"Stay with me!" a soldier barked, pulling a wounded comrade from the wreckage. Around them, survivors gathered, their eyes wide with disbelief as they surveyed the carnage. "What is happening to us?"
The cries of the wounded mingled with the sobs of the grieving, their voices carried by the wind like a mournful hymn to a city undone.
---
Desperation and Determination
Nearby, Valerius frantically searched the rubble, his voice rising in desperation. "Ziraiah! Ziraiah!" He ran to Eryndor, his panic evident. "Eryndor, I can't find Ziraiah!"
Eryndor's expression darkened, his gaze scanning the ruins with precision. "Then we search until we do."
Above them, on the edge of a fractured hallway, the same Elven man who had coordinated the theft stood watching. A sly smile played on his lips as he observed the chaos below. "It seems the king is finally making his move."
---
The Chase
Far from the crumbling castle, the Elven woman carrying Ziraiah sprinted across the terrain, her speed leaving shockwaves in her wake. "Too fast for you, little girl?" she teased, her tone laced with mockery. "Don't worry. I'll slow down. We've gotten far enough."
At the Hefestir Hospital, Kaelan stepped outside just in time to see the woman blur past him. His enhanced reflexes allowed him to catch a clear glimpse of Ziraiah draped over her shoulder. His eyes widened in recognition. "Ziraiah?"
Without hesitation, Kaelan bolted after them. His strides grew longer, his speed increasing with every step as the two figures ahead came into view. Catching up, his eyes locked with the Elven woman's. Her expression was calm, almost playful, as she brought two fingers to her lips, kissed them, and gestured toward Kaelan.
Adjusting Ziraiah's position, she cradled the unconscious girl protectively before accelerating once more. The force of her speed caused another sonic boom, throwing Kaelan off balance.
Determined, Kaelan pushed himself to the limit, his feet carving deep craters into the ground as he skidded to a halt. Breathing heavily, he muttered, "Who… was that?"
---
A Stone in Flight
Meanwhile, in the castle, the Elven man approached the massive stone bearing Elvhein script. His hands, straightened like blades, struck the base of the monolith with surgical precision. The stone cleaved effortlessly, as though it were mere parchment.
Guards arrived at the scene, but before they could react, the Elven man vanished. When he reappeared, the guards collapsed, their heads severed with blinding speed. The man stepped beneath the falling monolith, catching it with ease. Bracing himself, he muttered, "This angle will do." With a powerful stomp, he adjusted his stance and hurled the stone through a castle window. The resulting sonic boom echoed like a thunderclap, shaking the already unstable ruins.
The stone's flight tore through the air, an unstoppable missile. Far from the chaos, two towering Valphraxsis children stood watching.
The younger girl pointed. "Festron, it's coming."
"I see it," the older boy replied, bracing himself. The stone hurtled toward him with unrelenting force. With a determined grin, Festron caught the projectile, his feet skidding against the ground as he absorbed the impact. Trembling with effort, he raised a shaky thumbs-up. "Told you I could catch it."
The girl clapped excitedly. "You did it, Festron!"
---
Dreados Revealed
Back at the ruins, Eryndor sat amidst the rubble, his head in his hands. "No. This can't happen again." His voice broke, and he yelled, "I won't allow it!"
A deep, mocking voice interrupted him. "Won't allow what?"
Eryndor looked up to see the Elven man standing near the barrier protecting the queen and the princess. The man tapped the glowing shield, a smirk curling his lips. "Impressive magic. But nothing I can't handle."
He turned to the siblings. "You Elvheins are coming with me."
Valerius stepped forward, defiant. "Why would we?"
The man answered. " Because, I said so."
To Be Continued…