Ash and Kael shared a look. Max's hands flew across the table, adjusting wires and twisting nodes like he was building a bomb from memory. His focus didn't waver, not for a second.
Kael's eyes drifted to the side, landing on the black-stone bowl tucked into the corner. Its thick surface was slick with the faint sheen of Nightveil.
His brow furrowed. He jabbed a finger toward it.
"By the way… what's that?"
Ash followed his line of sight.
"That's Plan B. In case things don't go as planned."
Kael straightened.
"Wait—you guys already have an evacuation plan?"
Ash gave a short nod.
"Plan A is simple: contact headquarters and get help. If all goes well, they'll send ships to evacuate everyone."
Kael folded his arms.
"That makes sense. But Plan B? It's not like headquarters is just going to ignore us."
Ash leaned on the edge of the table, tapping a slow rhythm with his fingers.
"Plan B is for if that thing moves before help arrives. It's still regenerating, but if it attacks too soon—"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"I see."
RUMBLE.
The ground shifted underfoot, faint but steady. The tremor rolled through the inn like a breath held too long.
Max hunched over the communicator, twisting dials and bridging circuits with the care of someone threading a needle mid-storm. Sparks hissed once, then stilled.
Crackling static gave way to a woman's voice—clean, distant, and clipped.
"And that's all. I'll send the rest of the files after I finish checking them."
Another voice came through, deeper and rough around the edges.
"What about the incident at Raven's Peak? The settlement there is in chaos."
The woman didn't answer right away. Then a sharp sigh came through.
"We sent Team Grandzero. They should be able to handle it."
A third voice broke in, faster.
"We just got another call from Coalhaven Settlement. They're reporting massive destruction in the coal mines."
The woman groaned.
"Another one?"
Kael leaned in, brows lifted.
"They sound overloaded."
Max didn't respond. His expression said enough.
He reached forward, pressing a button. His voice cut clean through the feed.
"Hello. Redirect me to Rowan."
Silence held the line.
Then the voice returned, cautious now.
"Who are you, and why do you need to speak with the boss?"
Max leaned in, his tone even.
"Just tell him it's Max."
A pause. On the other end, something metal crashed to the floor. A sharp breath followed.
"Wait… Max? As in Maxwell Burns? Son of Flame?"
Max dragged his fingers down his face.
"Yeah. Now, connect me to Rowan. This is urgent."
"Understood, sir. Redirecting now." A short beep echoed.
Ash crossed his arms, gaze narrowing.
"What do you think is going on over there? Headquarters sounds like a mess."
Kael shifted beside him, eyes on the communicator.
"We'll ask Rowan when we get through."
Max's voice dropped low.
"I have a guess."
Ash tilted his head, but didn't get a chance to speak.
BEEP.
RUMBLE.
The floor pitched beneath them. Shelves rattled, dust shaking loose from the ceiling in thin veils. Cracks groaned through the wood frame of the inn.
Ash glanced at the floorboards, then toward the nearest window.
"I don't like this… What the hell is that thing doing down there?"
No one answered.
BZZT.
The static gave way to a voice. Familiar. Raw with urgency.
"Max, is that you?!"
Max leaned over the communicator.
"Yeah, it's me, Rowan."
Relief spilled from the speaker.
"What about the others? Kael? Ash? Are they safe?"
Max glanced over his shoulder, voice dry.
"Safe is a strong word… but we're alive. We survived the asteroid's destruction."
A pause. Then a rough sigh.
"Good. I was already thinking about how to explain this to your dad. He told me not to send you three on that mission."
Kael's head snapped up. He stepped forward, eyes sharp.
"Wait. He said that?"
Rowan's voice softened.
"Kael. Good to hear your voice. Yeah, he did. And, man… I haven't been myself these last few days."
Max shoved Kael gently to the side, eyes locked on the communicator.
"Look, we didn't call just to catch up. We need help."
Rowan didn't respond right away. When he did, his voice had changed—flatter, edged with something harder.
"…That might be a problem."
Max's grip tightened.
"Why?"
The silence that followed spoke volumes.
Then—
"As you've probably noticed, we've got our hands full. And I think you already know why."
Max's jaw clenched. His voice dropped.
"The asteroid."
Rowan didn't hesitate.
"Yeah. After it was destroyed, fragments started falling onto Varagos. We're dealing with a global crisis."
Max sucked in a breath, eyes narrowing.
"Damn… We failed the mission."
A long sigh filtered through the speaker.
"No. If anything, I should be apologizing. I sent you on a mission that was nearly impossible. I had no idea they were planning to destroy it."
Max's voice dropped, quiet but heavy.
"There's more you don't know. They sent a Grandmaster."
Silence.
Then Rowan's voice cut in, sharp.
"What?!"
Max's hand dropped from his temple.
"We don't have time to get into that. We're running out of time here."
The urgency in Rowan's tone didn't let up.
"Where are you guys?"
Max glanced at the rumbling wall beside him.
"We're in Sandworm Valley."
The other end went quiet.
Then—
"Wait—what?! Do you know what happens to ships that pass through there?"
Max let his head drop, shoulders tense.
"Dammit, I forgot about that incident…"
Ash squinted.
"What incident?"
Max didn't look at him.
"About ten years ago, a fleet tried to cross Sandworm Valley. Let's just say… they didn't make it."
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"The worms actually took them down?"
Max gave a short nod.
RUMBLE.
A tremor rolled under their feet. Loose stones tumbled from the ceiling beams. Plates clattered on the table.
Rowan's voice rose, tight.
"What the hell was that?!"
Max stood tall.
"That's the reason we need to leave now. There's a Tier 6 Sandworm beneath this settlement."
Dead silence followed.
Then—Rowan nearly shouted.
"A TIER SIX?! Okay—okay, I'll reach out to the nearest units. But you guys have to survive. Max, if you have any brilliant ideas to escape Sandworm Valley, start working on them now!"
Max's mouth curled into a grin.
"Actually… I already have one in mind."
Ash and Kael both turned toward him, questions in their eyes.
Rowan sounded breathless.
"Knew I could count on you. I'll send backup—just hold on until then."
Max's voice steadied.
"And send a big ship. We're taking the entire settlement with us."
A pause.
"…The whole settlement?" Rowan repeated.
Then, after another beat,
"Understood. Just stay alive."
BEEP.
The line cut out.
Max turned to the others. The grin was still there.
"Well, looks like we got our ride out of here."
Kael's arms crossed.
"Great. Now tell me—how exactly are we pulling this off?"
Max drew in a breath, ready to explain—
BOOM.
The ground heaved. A roar like tearing stone tore through the cavern. The building groaned. Cracks split up the walls, racing like lightning.
The worm was rising.
Max's jaw locked.
"Damn it. We're out of time."
He faced the others, voice low.
"Listen, the plan is—"
Another jolt cut through the earth. A deafening tremor shook the floor beneath their boots. Dust poured down like ash.
Ash didn't wait. The ache behind his eyes was worse now. His bones felt heavier than they had any right to. Phantom's Stride stole more than just energy—it stole time. Years, carved off piece by piece.
But they didn't have the luxury of waiting.
He met Max's eyes. Then Kael's.
"See? I have no choice."
Max said nothing. He didn't need to. He'd warned him. But now wasn't the time for more words.
Ash stepped forward. His hand landed firm on Kael's shoulder.
"[Activating Skill: Phantom's Stride.]"
The world blinked.
And they were gone.