The buildings, not very tall, were covered in floral decorations, shrubs, and small trees lining the sidewalks. Sunlight brushed the corners of the rooftops, revealing the moment of dawn in this city.
Everything looked perfect, but the absence of people gave the city a strange, unsettling sense of peace.
Those who normally live in crowded cities would think it was strange to see a city so empty, but things like this happened quite often. Situational Portals were that cruel.
However, there were shelters and bunkers where people evacuated from the city were protected by Council Empaths.
What is the Council of Factions? Supposedly, it is an organization funded by the national government to maintain order and peace on a countrywide scale. The Council has headquarters scattered throughout the nation to ensure that order and justice remain the rule.
In other words, they are the police of this era.
The vehicle moved through the streets, but something was watching them from the rooftop of a nearby building.
For an instant, it was the silhouette of a person dressed in black, wearing a mask and large tactical goggles filled with attachments—then, in the next moment, there was nothing.
***
They stopped near one of the city's iconic monuments. It was a clean, white statue of a man with pointed ears atop his head and a fluffy tail on his lower back.
The man was dressed like a ragged slave, with broken chain shackles on his arms and legs. He raised his fist high, his expression serious and determined.
'The great hero of the city… Anthony Salazar.'
There was a time when humanity was blinded by power. The strongest enslaved others and slaughtered the innocent. It was during the conquest of Calem that a hero rose against the tyrants.
It is said that the hero possessed four Spectrums—something extremely rare in that era.
"It's amazing… Imagine if someday we become heroes as legendary as Salazar," said the feline girl.
She leaned her head out the window to get a closer look at the statue. It stood at the center of a large roundabout, where one had to almost make a full circle to take the road toward the mountain ranges.
"Would they make statues of us too?"
"I don't know. First we need to level up. Then we can think about becoming heroes," Elara said.
"We'd have to surpass Uncle, and that's already extremely difficult. Besides, we wouldn't achieve it with just one Spectrum," Nova added calmly.
Miyu looked disappointed for a few moments.
"Serenity, Anticipation, Trust, and Anger. Together we're a good combination, but someday, when we discover new Spectrums, we might stop being compatible."
Nova shook his head. That wasn't true. Miyu was letting Elara's discouraging comment get to her.
"If we gain more Spectrums, we'll become even stronger together."
"Even if that's true, don't forget what discovering a new Spectrum entails," Elara said.
An emotion as intense as the one already ruling your heart… When that happens, in most cases, a new Spectrum appears. But power—and the possibility of becoming stronger—comes at a price.
The more Spectrums an Empath possesses, the greater the chance they won't be able to withstand so many intense emotions and will eventually lose their mind—turning into a monster with a shattered psyche.
That's why factions have their own psychologists, precisely to prevent that. Doc was one of them.
"No one's going to lose their mind while I'm here," Nova said, more seriously. "Even if they can't control themselves, I'll calm them with my Serenity."
Sure. Nova was capable of doing that.
Elara and Miyu looked at each other. They smiled at such a good leader, someone who truly cared about his companions. Still, emotions as complex as camaraderie and love for others were somewhat difficult topics for Nova.
Why? Those who bear Serenity are forever doomed to never fully understand others. Nova had learned to live with that, which was why he was always so relaxed.
The conversation grew a bit heated. They changed the subject to avoid thinking about the consequences of power.
They talked for about another hour until a shadow appeared in the sky. It was Maia, the dragon. Riding on Maia's back was Viktor, searching for his recruits.
When he saw the adorable minivan parked in front of the statue, Viktor smiled as he imagined who owned that vehicle.
Nova and the others got out of the car. Rober was the last to emerge, since he was in the trunk.
"Viktor! We're here!"
Miyu's call echoed through the empty buildings. With that, Viktor guided Maia downward, landing atop the hero's statue.
"Did you bring my stew?!"
Nova nodded. That answer alone was enough for Viktor. The man leapt high into the air in a showy display. Then his body evaporated into black smoke.
'What a show-off.'
He really is. But he looks really cool!
Viktor appeared in front of them with a grin.
"Seriously… You arrived pretty late. The energy keeping the portals open is almost gone. The battle will end tonight."
"We don't have a dragon that can fly at the speed of sound, Uncle," Nova said as he closed the car door.
Viktor laughed, scratching his head.
"That's true. But in a few years, you will."
"Are you talking about Poki, Viktor?" Miyu interrupted, placing her hands on Nova's shoulders.
"Yeah. He'll be a magnificent dragon, but you'll have to train him to fly, Nova. Adolescent ryutanin are very stubborn creatures. They remind me of you."
Nova sighed.
"If that comment was meant to offend me, let me tell you—it failed. If anyone here is more stubborn than a dragon, it's you. Or was our faction not one of your whims?"
"It was. And I'll take it to the top. You all will take this faction to its highest point."
"It's strange hearing you say that," Elara said, leaning against the vehicle door.
"If it means we'll make more money, I don't mind," Rober added.
"Anyway," Nova said. "Take us to the front lines."
Viktor shook his head.
"First, my lunch. I'm hungry."
Tonight, intense and destructive battles await. Excitement boils in the hearts of these young souls—except for Nova. He cannot feel such excitement.