A man like Konrad always followed the rules because he believed that was how people avoided negative consequences. He knew that there had to be a certain number of people in a rescue team and that the commander would not take on an extra burden.
However, Xir was different, and fortunately for the woman and the young man with the handmade gun, he was the one calling the shots.
"Thank you! We won't cause you any trouble!" The woman exclaimed, and together with the others, they approached the guards and joined the group.
Xir waved his hand.
"Alright, let's go back the same way we came. Hurry up! The last thing we need is for the monsters from the city to come after us!"
He climbed onto his horse, and they set off.
Garet took one last look back at the Pit. It was more of a dump than a city, but it was his home. If he could, he would have saved his city, but now he clearly lacked the power.
He turned and disappeared into the forest, forever engraving the burning city in his memory and the falling Thornspire as a last holdout. It wouldn't be a day before the monsters found and killed every inhabitant who was trapped there.
After that, they would reach the Energy Core that powered the Pit. This would lead to chaos among the monsters, each wanting to claim the energy source, but only one would be strong enough.
This would lead to the appearance of the Third Manifest Monster — a threat to all nearby cities, and the Iron Gate was at risk.
But those who managed to escape had nothing to worry about. A day later, when only metal scraps remained of the Pit, everyone would be far away.
Unless, of course, something happened along the way.
...
"Hahaha, what do you say, Konrad, shall we start with beer or wine when we get back?" Xir asked with a broad smile.
He was clearly happy that Konrad was moving to the Iron Gate. They used to see each other every few days or even weeks, and most of the time, they were busy with the rescue team rather than hanging out.
"Are you trying to embarrass me in front of my people?" Konrad scratched the back of his head. "You know me, I would never turn down an offer like that from a friend."
Xir glanced around at everyone.
"Your people, right? Hah, that's..." Xir grinned as his gaze settled on Garet, who was silently following the others.
A gleam flashed across Xir's eyes, and he jumped down from his horse.
Xir leaned in as their eyes crossed. "You, when did you reach Zenith?"
"W-What?" Garet stammered, not understanding how Xir had so easily exposed him. He didn't try to hide, but still, it was the first time Xir glared at him.
"Did you hear that?" Xir's voice rang out, drawing the attention of the group. "We have a second Awakened in our ranks!"
People glanced at each other, especially the factory workers who knew Garet.
Whooooosh.
Xir's fist headed straight for him. Before Garet could react, Xir's fist stopped right in front of his face.
The wind blew his hair back as he stared in shock.
"A complete novice."
Garet gulped.
"A few hours ago. When the Monster Wave began, I found the Energy Crystal in a monster and fought another one."
With a serious grimace, Xir turned to look at the rock by the river in the distance.
It was time to make camp.
The supplies in the carriage were needed so that the squad would have food and water for the road, which would take several days, and also to leave some at the Pit as aid. Considering what happened, there was no point in the second part.
The people from the Iron Gate lit a fire with Konrad, while Cirka and the others went to the river. They had to take many more people with them because of the emergency, so there wouldn't be enough food and water for everyone. Food wasn't a problem, the route wasn't long enough for anyone to die of hunger, but dehydration should be avoided.
The only ones who didn't take part in setting up camp were Xir and Garet. They moved away, closer to the forest.
"Go ahead, do it right here and now." Xir crossed his arms over his chest.
"But I'm not sure how. And isn't it dangerous?"
Xir waved his hand. "There aren't many monsters here. We're far away from the Pit. Even if someone shows up, I can easily deal with them. However, I don't want a second Awakened to be dead weight, or do you want to remain useless?"
Garet frowned. "Tsk. How am I supposed to do that? I'm trying, but I can't use my Zenith!"
"Don't rush, don't try to copy what I did with that monster."
"Maybe you have some advice?" Garet raised an eyebrow.
In response, Xir looked up at the blue moon accompanying them on this cold night.
"Dawn."
"Hmm?"
"Dawn comes gradually. Before the sun reaches its highest point, it travels a long way, from faint rays to blinding, even scorching light. Do something similar with your energy, then your Zenith will answer your call."
With a slight nod, Garet stepped forward and closed his eyes.
Less than a minute later, the Genesis Core trembled, energy ran through his body, but the electrical discharge was interrupted almost immediately.
The first attempt was unsuccessful. The discharge had to pass from the Genesis Core to the Grid to activate Zenith. It was a chain reaction. The Grid and Zenith were responsible for the power of the ability and its properties, while the Genesis Core allowed it to happen and determined how much energy the Awakened could use in battle.
It might sound complicated to a novice, but it was a straightforward mechanism in which each part was responsible for something.
Soon, an appetizing smell reached Garet's nose, causing him to frown and look at Xir with irritation.
"Hey! Can you stop torturing me? I want some too!"
Xir tore a piece of meat from a chicken drumstick, juicy and crispy.
"Nah, until you activate your Zenith, no food for you. That's my order as commander." He swung the bone, pointing at Garet. "You have one more hour, then we're going to sleep and you'll be the only one left hungry."
Xir was a terrible teacher. Garet was sure of that, especially after this moment.
'Shit! Instead of giving me advice and encouraging me, he's just getting on my nerves! Bastard, I'll show you what I'm capable of, but... how do I call the fucking dawn?!'
Unexpectedly for Garet, his anger and desire to achieve results caused the Genesis Core to tremble. Electrical discharges ran through it like the approaching daybreak, sending a pulse through the Grid straight to its center.
Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.
At the same moment, a tremor ran through Garet's body as he opened his eyes, leaving only the black pupils in the center of a vibrant red disc shining as brightly as Xir's eyes in battle against the monster.
Streams of energy swirled between his hands, turning into a black orb with a billowing red flame.
Xir smiled smugly as he tore off another piece of meat.
"See? I'm a great teacher. That's your Zenith, Garet! The real one, not the inside of your head!"
With his eyes wide open, Garet stared at the black orb hovering between his palms like a cruel sun.
"And... What should I do now?"
Xir chuckled.
"Hah, isn't it obvious?"
He pointed to a tree ahead.
"Now, you strike."