[1 – After the Explosion]
The sound of a girl running echoed through an endless black void, each step resonating like a heartbeat screaming in the silence of the universe. She ran toward a distant white light, as if chasing a glimmer of hope through the oppressive darkness. Her breaths came in rapid bursts, her heart pounded violently, and her hands trembled as she neared the light. Suddenly, it engulfed her completely, blinding her for a moment. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find herself before seven diverging paths. Three reflected pure white light, while the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh shimmered with red dust, like floating ash in the air.
The girl froze, confusion and fear paralyzing her gaze. Her head spun, her hands shook, every sensation in her body charged with terror and curiosity. After a moment of heavy silence, she summoned her courage and stepped onto the second path, the white one, entering a fissure of memories. Scenes unfolded slowly, enveloped in dark gray: an explosion, thick smoke, the sharp scent of fire and burning metal, heat pressing against her chest, everything seeming to slow down before her eyes.
A figure appeared carrying messages, and among them, a radiant white letter inscribed with a hidden script: "Touch the target." The letter exploded in a faint glow, reflecting on the astonished faces around. Kaelin stormed away in anger, his footsteps echoing through the silence, leaving the elite stunned. Soon after, the elite gathered around Asandra to confer, while she withdrew briefly with Commander Drin Alford.
Asandra pricked her thumb, her hand trembling slightly, and wrote with blood on the paper, handing it to him. The girl watched from afar, her heart nearly bursting from fear and astonishment, her eyes fixed on every movement, her breaths ragged. Asandra sat by the window, took the glowing paper, and opened it slowly; each word felt like a heavy weight on her chest. She then closed it and placed it aside. The light intensified, the room grew hotter, flames and smoke filled the space, screams echoing everywhere. Suddenly, Drin appeared, sprinting past Asandra, every muscle tensed, then leapt into the heart of the rising flames.
[2 – Kaelin in the Corridor]
In the corridor, Kaelin ran swiftly, his scorched breaths echoing against the stone walls. The hallway was empty, then a crowd of people appeared, their faces filled with panic, eyes wide, hands trembling. Sera, the deputy commander, stood like a barrier, her eyes sharp, voice cutting through the murmurs:
"Listen, everyone… we were attacked, but the threat has been handled. Everything is under control. Leave quickly."
Whispers grew: Is Asandra safe? Where is the commander? Will there be another attack?
Aurelia muttered to herself, her voice tinged with worry:
"Even the strongest trees die from the roots…"
All eyes turned to Kaelin, as if he bore responsibility for everything. Sera noticed and responded calmly but firmly:
"This won't happen again with us here. To dig the roots, you must first dig through the soil."
She turned and left, and Aurelia scowled, passing Kaelin with a brief, testing glance, then continued her path. The air was thick with tension, heavy gazes exchanged, silence weighing more than any words.
[3 – The Room – Asandra and the Elite]
In the elite chamber, amidst the wreckage, Asandra stood firmly, the faces of the elite full of astonishment.
"Drin is late," she said quietly, as if observing everything with a hidden eye.
A heavy silence fell, then Asandra whispered, enigmatic:
"Some say there are… contracts that grant power at the cost of your soul. But beware, do not trust everything you hear."
Tharion spoke slowly, uncertain:
"…Contracts?"
Elaria, with fear:
"Is this real… or just imagination?"
Bill, anxious:
"I've heard something similar before… but I didn't believe it."
Sera, softly:
"Perhaps all we hear are mere rumors…"
Asandra, with a cryptic smile:
"The truth… is known only to those who have tested it. Every power comes with a price, yet no one knows how great."
Heavy breathing rose…
Asandra: "Where is Drin? He is late…"
Drin entered, his body covered in blood and bruises, the smell of fire and blood clinging to him, sweat streaming down his face, eyes wide as if he had seen a ghost.
Drin: "I don't know… I can't believe what I saw… The man I was chasing… he transformed into another Redaimon."
The elite froze in shock, except Asandra, who seemed to have anticipated it all along.
Asandra:
"The message that exploded… it came from the Equality Faction."
——
End of chapter
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