《The Asthrax》 Kyrerians end --- Chapter 1: Kyrerians end In the depths of the Erebus Abyss, a maelstrom of light erupted as Celestari and Kyrerian fleets clashed. Ships disintegrated in blinding flashes, their fragments glowing like embers as they drifted into the void. Laser blasts and explosions illuminated the darkness, casting an ethereal glow on the surrounding stars. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the gentle shimmer of light as vessels were consumed by the abyss. The battle raged on, a mesmerizing display of destruction and light. The commander of the kyrerians fleet looked grim. He clenched his fist saw his soldiers falling to the enemy through the monitor. "Call for my son." He orders a soilder at the controls. The soilder nodded in response before leaving to carry out the command. Tosak stared at his father, Archon Xandros, the commander of the kyrerian fleet waiting for an order. He gazed at his son with a mix of desperation and resignation. "Tosak, it''s time," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Take the escape pod and get out of here. Head back to Kyrethia, our ancestral planet. It''s the only way you''ll survive. Well cover your escape." Tosak hesitated, feeling a surge of fear and uncertainty. But then, a crazy idea struck him. "Father, wait," he said, his mind racing. "I think I have a better plan." His father''s eyes narrowed, skeptical. "What is it, Tosak?" Tosak took a deep breath. "I go into the Erebus orbit." The room fell silent. His crew exchanged nervous glances, their faces pale. His father''s expression turned grim. "Tosak, that''s madness. We don''t even know where the Asthrax is. I know the odds of survival are slim but willingly accepting death like coward isn''t something kyrerians would do." Tosak nodded. "I know, but hear me out. The Celestari think I am going into the abyss which we would only do if we knew the location of the Asthrax, so they''ll direct all their power to destroy the pod. But what if we use that to our advantage?" His father''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Go on." "I will be the diversion, make them think we are trying to get the Asthrax. Meanwhile, we use our energy signature using the plamatonic canons at full blast to clash with theirs while slowly retreating , creating a spatial storm at abyssal zero. Hopefully, it''ll be strong enough to suck my ship and the Asthrax into it. I''ll be transported by the spatial rift far away from here hopefully with the Asthrax and you''ll be to far away from the celestari to give chase. By the time they know the Asthrax is gone we''ll both be gone. I know there''s a possibility that the Asthrax is resistant to spatial rifts but we''ll die no matter what we do." This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The room erupted into a cacophony of arguments and debates, his crew arguing and shouting. But his father''s eyes locked onto his, a glimmer of hope in their depths. "Tosak, it''s a long shot, but..." He trailed off, looking at their crew. They were desperate, scared, but also determined. He nodded. "Alright, let''s do it. But Tosak, you have to promise me one thing: you''ll find a way to survive, no matter what happens." Tosak nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I will, Father. I''ll find a way." His father smiled, a fierce glint in his eye. "I know you will, son. Now let''s leave this place. " " We''ll see each other again. I won''t rest till I find you." Archon murmured as he watches his son''s retreating figure. The Celestari reacted faster than expected, unleashing a barrage of plasmatonic canon fire that threatened to engulf the escape pod. But the Kyrerians were ready, countering with their own canon fire just in time to deflect the beam. The pod shuddered, but Tosak''s voice came through the comms system, steady and calm. "It''s working, Father! The spatial rift is forming!" As predicted, the rift swirled to life, its edges churning with energy. The escape pod, along with several enemy drones, was swallowed whole by the swirling vortex. The Kyrerians breathed a collective sigh of relief - the plan had worked. But their celebration was short-lived. The Celestari, instead of ceasing fire, increased the intensity of their beam. The Kyrerians, already running low on energy, couldn''t match the increase. Their own beam began to falter, its length decreasing as the Celestari''s beam grew stronger. The spatial rift, now fueled by the combined energy of both beams, began to destabilize. It started to move, creeping towards the Kyrerian ship like a living thing. The defense drones were the first to go, shredded by the rift''s energy tendrils. Archon watched in horror as the rift bore down on them, his eyes locked on the incoming doom. "It was an honor to serve with you all," he said, his voice low and steady, as the spatial rift combined with the Celestari''s beam to deliver the final, crushing blow. --- On the other side of the battlefield, a fleet of Celestari ships moved towards the Erebus Abyss, their sleek hulls glinting in the faint light of the surrounding stars. In the main ship''s control room, the sound of buttons being pressed and consoles beeping resounded through the room, a symphony of activity as the crew scrambled to respond to the sudden turn of events. "Commander, we''re reading a deformation in the Erebus Abyss," a Celestari soldier reported, his voice trembling slightly as he delivered the news. Commander Thrakos''s eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing. "Explain." "It''s the Asthrax, sir," the soldier replied, swallowing hard. "Its presence alone is enough to warp the fabric of space. The abyss''s creation was a result of the Asthrax''s influence... and now, with the abyss deforming, it means the Asthrax''s influence is gone." Commander Thrakos''s face darkened, his eyes blazing with fury. A vein pulsed in his temple, and his voice dropped to a deadly whisper." He slammed the soldier against the wall, his laughter echoing through the chamber. "Even in death, Archon Xandros is causing me trouble!" he bellowed. He composed himself, his eyes blazing with fury. "Get the salvage teams ready. We''ll pick the scraps of the Kyrerian ship and try to use their mother tracking system to locate the escape pod. And when we find it..." Thrakos''s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "I''ll kill Archon''s son, just as I killed his father." He turned to another soldier, his voice dripping with triumph. "Inform the Emperor that the Kyrerian master fleet has been defeated. They''re all but sitting ducks, waiting to be slaughtered." "We can launch a full attack without having to worry about retaliation," Thrakos continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The Kyrerians'' end is imminent. We''ll crush their remaining ships, and then... the galaxy will be ours for the taking." The soldier nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "I''ll send the message immediately, Commander." He turned to leave, but Thrakos''s voice stopped him. "Add one more thing to the message," Thrakos said, his voice dripping with malice. "Tell the Emperor that I, personally, will bring him the head of Archon Xandros''s son, Tosak. It will be a gift, a symbol of our victory over the Kyrerians." Chapter 2: its here Chapter 2: It''s here The spatial rift spat Tosak out like a rag doll, sending his ship tumbling through the atmosphere of an unknown planet. When he finally managed to regain control, he found himself hovering above a vast, blue-green world. The landscape stretched out before him, a tapestry of oceans, continents, and towering mountain ranges. Tosak''s mind reeled as he struggled to comprehend his surroundings. But as he reached out with his senses, he realized that something was terribly wrong. He couldn''t feel his energy, the familiar hum of his Kyrerian physiology. It was as if he''d been cut off from his own body. Panic set in as Tosak frantically scanned his surroundings for any sign of the Asthrax. But it was nowhere to be found. He cursed his luck, wondering if he''d convince his father for nothing. With a growing sense of desperation, Tosak turned to his ship''s comms system, hoping against hope that he might be able to contact his father. But instead of his father''s voice, Tosak was met with a pre-recorded message. "Tosak, things didn''t go as planned. The celestari would wipe us out in a few seconds." Archon Xandros''s voice said, his tone weary but resolute. "I''m proud of you, son. You''ve always been stronger than you think. Find a way to survive, and never give up hope. I''ll be watching over you, always." Tosak''s world shattered. He screamed, his voice echoing off the ship''s walls as he slammed his fists against the console. The pain was overwhelming, a crushing weight that threatened to consume him whole. But as the minutes ticked by, Tosak slowly began to pull himself together. He took a deep breath, wiping the tears from his eyes as he steeled himself for what lay ahead. He would figure out his situation, find a way to survive on this strange new world. And then, he would find a way back home. --- Milky way galaxy Earth Chaos erupted across the globe as a bizarre and unprecedented series of environmental disasters struck, leaving world leaders and citizens stunned and panicked. In Africa, a massive mist descended, shrouding the continent in a thick, impenetrable fog that reduced visibility to near zero. Meanwhile, Australia was gripped by a severe heat wave, with temperatures soaring to record-breaking highs. In North America, a sudden and intense snowfall blanketed the region, catching residents off guard and causing widespread disruptions. South America was battered by high winds, with gusts reaching speeds of over 100 km/h. Europe, meanwhile, was plunged into a deep freeze, with temperatures plummeting to sub-zero levels without any accompanying snowfall, leaving residents shivering and bewildered. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Asia was drenched by a massive continental rainfall, with torrential downpours causing flooding and landslides across the region. And in Antarctica, the ice sheets began to melt at an alarming rate, sending shockwaves through the scientific community. News agencies around the world scrambled to report on the unfolding disasters, with headlines blaring warnings of catastrophic climate shifts and impending doom. But as suddenly as they had begun, the environmental disasters ceased, leaving behind a trail of confusion and relief. The mist in Africa lifted, the heat wave in Australia broke, and the snow in North America stopped falling. The winds in South America died down, and the freeze in Europe thawed. The rainfall in Asia slowed to a gentle patter, and the ice sheets in Antarctica began to re-form. Miraculously, despite the widespread disruptions, there were no reported casualties, and damage was minimal. The world breathed a collective sigh of relief as the 24-hour environmental crisis came to an end. --- United States of America United nations headquarters The United Nations Environmental Council convened an emergency meeting, gathering representatives from every corner of the globe to discuss the mysterious environmental disasters that had struck just days before. Scientists, policymakers, and experts from various fields converged on the UN headquarters, determined to find answers and prevent such catastrophes from happening again. Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a leading climatologist, stood at the podium, addressing the assembly. "We''re facing a phenomenon that defies explanation. The sudden, simultaneous onset of extreme weather events across the globe, followed by their equally abrupt cessation, suggests an artificial or external influence. But we''re struggling to identify any causative factors." She shook her head, frustration etched on her face. "It''s as if the universe simply... reset itself." The room erupted into a cacophony of questions and speculation, with scientists from various disciplines offering theories and hypotheses. But as the discussion wore on, it became clear that the data simply didn''t support any conventional explanations. "We''re not seeing any residual effects, no lingering weather patterns or energy signatures," Dr. John Taylor, a meteorologist, explained. "It''s as if the climate just... snapped back into place. Normally, we''d expect to see some residual effects for days, even weeks, after an event of this magnitude. But there''s nothing. No echoes, no whispers, no signs of what might have caused this." The assembly fell silent, the weight of their collective helplessness settling in. They were the world''s top experts, and yet they were stumped. The universe seemed to have presented them with a puzzle that refused to yield its secrets. As the meeting drew to a close, the representatives could only agree to continue monitoring the situation, hoping that some clue might emerge to explain the mysterious events. But for now, they were left with only questions, and a nagging sense of unease. --- In the middle of a jungle on the outskirt of a town Tosak''s eyes scanned the data streaming across the console, his mind racing with the implications. The ship''s advanced sensors, generations beyond anything humanity possessed, had picked up a peculiar energy signature in the planet''s atmosphere. It was a pattern he recognized, one that made his heart skip a beat. "Asthrax," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the hum of the ship''s systems. The readings confirmed it: the strange energy fluctuations, the anomalies in the planet''s magnetic field... it was all too familiar. The Asthrax was here, and it was announcing its presence in no uncertain terms. Tosak''s gaze shifted to the starmap, which had finally finished processing his location. The beeped coordinates flashed on the screen, and he felt a surge of excitement mixed with trepidation. He was in a closed world. A world hidden from the rest of the universe, protected by some unknown force. Tosak''s mind reeled with the implications. He has heard of them. They were wouldscwithout magical energy but they were closed if from the magical part like the universe was trying to protect them. A smile spread across his face, a sense of pride and purpose swelling in his chest. His father''s sacrifice hadn''t been in vain. The Asthrax was here, and Tosak was determined to unlock its secrets. "I won''t let you down, Father," he whispered, his eyes locked on the starmap. "I''ll make our people proud. I''ll uncover the truth about the Asthrax, and I''ll use that knowledge to bring our people back from the brink." The ship''s systems hummed softly around him, a reminder of the long journey ahead. But Tosak was ready. He was a Kyrerian, and he would not falter. Join our discord at https://discord.gg/s7gPX4us Echoes of war --- Commander Tharkos stood on the bridge of his flagship, gazing out at the stars streaming past the viewport. His thoughts were consumed by the recent battle against the Kyrerians. The memory of Tosak''s ship fleeing into the unknown still lingered, a nagging sense of unfinished business. After searching for weeks without any sign of the Asthrax or the kyrerians prince the king ordered him to come back. "Entering Celestian space, Commander," his navigator announced, breaking the silence. Tharkos nodded, his expression unreadable. "Take us into orbit around Celest. I have an audience with the King." The ship shuddered slightly as it dropped into orbit. Tharkos turned to his comms officer. "Inform the palace of my arrival. I will report to the King personally." Celestari grand Palace Commander Tharkos stood before the throne of King Lyraeus, his monarch and ruler of the Celestari Empire. The King''s piercing blue eyes narrowed as Tharkos began his report. "Your Majesty, I bring news of our encounter with the Kyrerians. We engaged their fleet in the outer rim, but their prince, Tosak, escaped in a...unconventional manner." The King''s expression darkened, his face twisted in a scowl. "A conventional manner would have been preferable, Commander," he spat. "One that would have resulted in the destruction of the Kyrerian fleet and the capture of their prince." Tharkos hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I understand, Your Majesty. However, the Kyrerians employed a...a rift in space-time to escape." The King''s scowl deepened. "A rift in space-time? You expect me to believe that? You, who have failed me so utterly?" Tharkos bowed his head, his expression grim. "I assure you, Your Majesty, that this is no exaggeration. The rift was real, and it allowed the Kyrerians to escape." The King''s voice dripped with venom. "As long as Tosak is alive, the Kyrerians will never give up. They will continue to resist, to fight against us. And they will do so because they have hope. Hope that their precious prince will one day return to lead them." A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Tharkos eyes locked onto the King''s, his expression unwavering. "I understand, Your Majesty. But I assure you, we will not rest until Tosak is captured or killed." The King''s expression turned skeptical. "I doubt that, Commander. I doubt that very much. You see, the Kyrerians make better slaves when they are alive. Dead, they are useless to us. And as long as Tosak is alive, they will never surrender." Tharkos face remained impassive, but his mind recoiled at the King''s words. He knew that the Celestari Empire''s treatment of its slaves was brutal, but he had never heard the King express such a callous disregard for life. "I will not fail you again, Your Majesty," Tharkos said, his voice firm. The King''s expression turned cold, calculating. "See that you do not, Commander. See that you do not." With that, Tharkos departed the throne room, his mind reeling with the implications of the King''s words. He knew that he had to find Tosak, to capture or kill him, not just to fulfill his duty to the King, but to prevent his death as well. He only became leading commander after the former failed to live up to the kings'' expectation. In a nearby laboratory, Elyria, the chief scientist, looked up from her console as Tharkos entered. "Commander! I''ve been analyzing the data from our encounter with the Kyrerians. I think I''ve found something." Tharkos eyes narrowed. "What is it, Doctor?" Dr. Elyria''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Unusual spatial readings, Commander. It appears that the rift that Tosak''s ship utilized is not an isolated phenomenon. There are similar readings throughout the galaxy." Tharkos expression turned thoughtful. "Throughout the galaxy, you say? That changes things. Prepare a full report, Doctor. I want to know everything about these spatial readings." Dr. Elyria nodded, her fingers flying across her console. "Already on it, Commander. But I have to warn you, the implications of this are...enormous." Tharkos eyes locked onto hers. "I''m ready, Doctor. Let''s uncover the secrets of the universe." Earth It had been several weeks since the bizarre and catastrophic climate shift had brought the world to its knees. Although people were slowly returning to their daily routines, the memory of those terrifying days still lingered, etched in the collective psyche like a scar. The images of towering storms, devastating floods, and crippling heatwaves were seared into the minds of everyone who had lived through it. But as the world struggled to come to terms with what had happened, a strange and welcome phenomenon began to emerge. Reports started filtering in of cancer patients experiencing sudden and inexplicable remissions. Level 4 patients were being downgraded to level 3, and in some cases, even level 2. It was as if the very fabric of the planet was healing itself, and taking its inhabitants along for the ride. Plants were growing faster and stronger, their leaves a deeper shade of green, their roots digging deeper into the rejuvenated soil. Scientists were stunned, scrambling to understand the underlying mechanisms that were driving this unprecedented recovery. And then, the data started coming in - the ozone layer, once dwindling and fragile, was regaining its strength. The concentration of harmful substances was decreasing, as if the Earth itself was somehow cleansing its own wounds. It was a minute change, almost imperceptible, but it was there, a beacon of hope in a world that had been teetering on the brink of disaster. The implications were profound - was it possible that the Earth had somehow, miraculously, found a way to heal itself? As news of the ozone layer''s recovery spread, the scientific community went into overdrive, racing to understand the underlying causes of this phenomenon. Was it connected to the bizarre climate shift that had ravaged the planet? Or was it something more fundamental, a hidden pattern that had been lurking beneath the surface all along? Whatever the explanation, one thing was clear - the Earth was changing, and it was changing fast. And as the world watched, mesmerized, the planet continued to transform, its very essence shifting in ways that no one could have predicted. Join our discord at https://discord.gg/s7gPX4us A lonely boy in a lonely world --- Celest Elyria, the chief scientist, stood before Commander Tharkos, her expression puzzled. "Commander, we''ve been analyzing the data from our encounter with the Kyrerians, and I have to say, we didn''t find anything strange in the normal world." "What do you mean by ''normal world''?" Tharkos asked, his brow furrowed. "I mean the worlds that are connected to our galaxy, Commander," Elyria explained. "We''ve been scanning for any anomalies, any unusual energy readings, but so far, nothing out of the ordinary has shown up." Tharkos expression turned thoughtful. "And what about isolated worlds? Worlds that aren''t connected to our galaxy?" Elyria''s eyes lit up. "Ah, now that''s a different story, Commander. We''ve been studying an isolated world, one that the locals call ''Earth''. And let me tell you, it''s been exhibiting some...miraculous properties." Tharkos interest was piqued. "Miraculous? What do you mean?" Elyria launched into a detailed explanation. "Well, Commander, it appears that the planet''s ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation. The ozone layer, which was once depleted, is now regenerating at an incredible rate. And the planet''s flora and fauna are adapting to the changes in their environment in ways that defy their current understanding of evolution. With the level of their knowledge of science this should be impossible." Tharkos eyes narrowed. "That does sound miraculous. But what about the planet''s inhabitants? Have we been able to make contact with them?" Elyria shook her head. "Not yet, Commander. But we have been observing them from a distance. And let me tell you, they''re just as fascinating as the planet itself." As Dr. Elyria continued to explain the wonders of Earth, Arkeon''s mind was racing with the implications. He knew that the King would be interested in this discovery, and he couldn''t wait to report back to him. But as he turned to leave, Elyria stopped him. "Commander, there''s something else. Something that we''ve discovered about the isolated worlds." Tharkos turned back to her, his curiosity piqued. "What is it, Doctor?" Elyria''s expression turned serious. "It appears that the isolated worlds are protected by a...a barrier, of sorts. We''re calling it the ''Iluniverse''. And it''s preventing us from accessing the worlds." The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Tharkos eyes narrowed. "A barrier? What kind of barrier?" Elyria hesitated. "We''re not entirely sure, Commander. But it appears to be a energy field of some sort, one that''s preventing us from penetrating the isolated worlds." Tharkos mind was racing with the implications. He knew that the King would not be pleased with this discovery, but he also knew that they had to find a way to access the isolated worlds. He turned to Elyria, his expression grim. "Doctor, I need you to find a way to breach this...Iluniverse. We need to access the isolated worlds, no matter what it takes." Dr. Elyria''s eyes widened, but she nodded. "I''ll do my best, Commander." Tharkos turned to leave, but he knew that this was just the beginning. He would have to report back to the King, and he knew that the King''s response would not be pleasant. As he entered the throne room, the King''s expression turned cold. "So, Commander, I hear that you''ve discovered a way to access the isolated worlds." Tharkos bowed his head. "Not exactly, Your Majesty. It appears that the isolated worlds are protected by a barrier, one that we''re calling the Iluniverse." The King''s expression turned skeptical. "A barrier? What kind of barrier?" Tharkos explained the situation, and the King''s expression grew darker with each passing moment. When Tharkos finished, the King''s voice was cold and calculating. "Commander, I want you to take our planetary omega cannons and create a crack in the Iluniverse. A crack that''s stable enough to allow a single person, or at least a slave, to pass through." Tharkos eyes widened, but he nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty." The King''s expression turned cruel. "And Commander?" "Yes, Your Majesty?" "I want you to retrieve the Asthrax. No matter what it takes." Tharkos face remained impassive, but his mind was racing with the implications. He knew that this would be a difficult task, but he also knew that he had no choice. He turned to leave, but the King''s voice stopped him. "Commander?" "Yes, Your Majesty?" "I want you to take a thousand soft slaves with you. " Heritage orphanage, Nigeria. The sun had barely risen over the crumbling walls of the orphanage, casting a pale light over the dusty courtyard. Ini, a 17-year-old boy with a quiet demeanor, emerged from the dormitory, his eyes squinting against the morning glare. He stretched his lanky frame, arching his back and extending his arms, before padding barefoot to the communal bathroom. The cold tile floor sent a shiver up his spine as he relieved himself, the sound of his urine hitting the water the only break in the silence. After washing his face and hands, Ini made his way to the kitchen, where a meager breakfast of stale bread and watery porridge awaited him. He ate alone, sitting at a worn wooden table, his eyes fixed on the wall as he chewed mechanically. The other kids in the orphanage, rowdy and boisterous, burst into the kitchen, chattering excitedly about their plans to play soccer in the courtyard. Ini ignored them, his gaze never wavering from the wall as he swallowed his food. As the morning wore on, Ini carried out his daily chores with precision and solitude. He swept the courtyard, the dry leaves and dust swirling around his feet as he worked methodically. He watered the scrawny plants, their wilted leaves perking up slightly as he tended to them. And he mended the torn pages of his only book, a tattered copy of Dickens'' "Oliver Twist", his fingers moving deftly as he worked. Through it all, Ini remained alone, his eyes cast downward, his heart heavy with a deep and abiding loneliness. As the sun reached its zenith, Ini took a break from his chores, retreating to the shade of a crumbling wall to eat a meager lunch of bread and scraps. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his back against the wall, his eyes fixed on the ground as he ate. The sounds of the orphanage - the laughter of the other kids, the shouts of the caretakers - receded into the background, leaving Ini alone with his thoughts. And in that moment, he felt the weight of his loneliness most keenly, a crushing sense of isolation that threatened to consume him whole. As night fell, Ini slipped away from the orphanage, seeking solace in the darkness. He lay down on the lawn, the cool grass beneath him a gentle comfort. Above, the stars twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse of the sky. Ini''s eyes wandered, lost in the infinite vastness of the universe. His thoughts, however, were consumed by a different infinity - the endless cycle of pain and loneliness that had defined his life. His voice was barely above a whisper, his tone eerily calm, as he spoke the words that had become a mantra to him. "This is all your fault," he said, his eyes grim and unyielding, yet his face serene. "I''ll find you one day...and I''ll kill you." The stars above seemed to twinkle in indifference, but Ini''s gaze remained fixed, his heart beating with a steady, deadly purpose. Join our discord at https://discord.gg/s7gPX4us Unwanted guest Isolated world barrier The commander''s ship, the "Celestial Fury", emerged from the depths of space, its engines burning bright as it approached the Iluniverse. The crew was on high alert, their eyes fixed on the viewscreen as the Iluniverse came into view. It was a swirling vortex of energy, a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed to shift and writhe like a living thing. "Begin charging the planetary cannons," the commander ordered, his voice firm and resolute. "We will start with a low-level blast, and gradually increase the intensity until we breach the Iluniverse." The crew sprang into action, their fingers flying across the control panels as they worked to charge the cannons. The ship hummed with energy, the air thickening with anticipation as the crew waited for the order to fire. "Fire at will," the commander said finally, his voice calm and detached. The ship shuddered as the cannons fired, a blast of energy shooting out into the Iluniverse. The vortex seemed to shudder, its colors flashing brighter as the energy washed over it. The commander watched intently, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen as the Iluniverse began to glow with an otherworldly light. "Increase the intensity," he ordered, his voice firm. "We need to create a stable breach." The crew complied, the cannons firing again and again as the Iluniverse began to writhe and twist under the onslaught. The ship shuddered and groaned, its engines straining to keep up with the demand for energy. But the commander remained calm, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen as the Iluniverse slowly began to yield to their assault. Earth Heritage orphanage Ini walked to the communal kitchen, his thirst parched from a long morning of chores. He picked up a cup of water from the counter, expecting it to be cool and refreshing. But as he raised it to his lips, he was surprised to find that it was hot. He frowned, checking the cup to see if it had been left near the stove. But it was nowhere near the heat. Shrugging, Ini decided to grab a cup of water from the tap instead. He filled a new cup and took a refreshing sip. He found out it was at normal room temperature. He raised an eyebrow, wondering if the pipes were playing up again. Maybe it was just the sun''s strange angle, he thought, and dismissed it as a minor anomaly. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Meanwhile, in the courtyard, a commotion broke out. A small boy, no more than 8 years old, let out a loud wail as he clutched his hand in agony. His playmate, a boy of similar age, looked on in horror, tears welling up in his own eyes. The nun who had been watching over them rushed over, concern etched on her face. "What happened?" she asked, as she examined the injured boy''s hand. But as she looked at the boy''s hand, she was baffled. There was no visible sign of bruise or a cut. And yet, the boy was clearly in pain. The nun''s expression turned stern upon seeing the boys disfigured arm. she scolded the boys for playing too rough. "You must be more careful," she said, as she led the injured boy away to tend to his wound. The boys looked at each other, confused and a little scared. They knew they hadn''t been playing rough, and they couldn''t understand why their friend''s hand had suddenly broken. As the day went on, more small anomalies occurred. A book fell off a shelf in the library, even though no one had touched it. A bird flew into a window, as if it had suddenly lost its sense of direction. And a cook in the kitchen found that a pot of soup had somehow boiled over, even though she had been watching it carefully. People shrugged and muttered about coincidence, but Ini couldn''t shake the feeling that something strange was going on. Iluniverse Dr. Elyria''s voice was laced with concern as she addressed the commander. "Sir, I''m afraid we''re not making much progress. The barrier is repairing itself at an alarming rate, even with our maximum intensity blast." The commander''s expression turned grim. "How long can we sustain this level of fire?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the viewscreen, where the Iluniverse continued to writhe and twist. Dr. Elyria hesitated. "We can sustain it for a short period, sir. But I''m afraid it''s not going to be enough. The barrier is simply too resilient." The commander''s gaze turned to Dr. Elyria. "Is the crack big enough to send a slave through?" he asked, his voice firm. Dr. Elyria nodded. "Yes, sir. The crack is stable enough for a slave to pass through. But I must warn you, sir, the barrier is still repairing itself. We can''t guarantee how long the crack will remain open." The commander''s expression turned cold. "Make it stable enough for a slave," he ordered, his voice firm. "We''ll send one through and see what happens." Dr. Elyria nodded, her eyes fixed on the viewscreen. "Yes, sir. We''ll do our best to stabilize the crack." --- After several tense moments, Dr. Elyria finally announced that the passage was stable. "We''ve done it, Commander," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice. "The crack is large enough for a slave to pass through." The commander''s expression turned thoughtful. "Which slave should we send?" Dr. Elyria asked, her eyes seeking his. The commander waved his hand dismissively. "The soft slaves are all the same. They''ve been brainwashed to do our bidding. No, we''ll send a Rykon." Dr. Elyria''s eyes widened slightly. "A Rykon, sir? But they''re so...unpredictable. even when brain washes they tend to be.....violent." The commander''s expression turned cold. "That''s exactly why we''ll send one. Their low magical energy makes them less likely to be affected by the Iluniverse''s energy. And their physical strength will come in handy if they encounter any...obstacles." The Rykon, a towering creature that stood at an impressive 30 meters tall, was led to the passage. Its bull-like body was covered in thick, scaly skin, and its eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire. It''s nose has a large golden ring which complimented his golden earrings, necklace and bangles. The only piece of cloth it wore was a traditional shirt of its raise leaving it shirtless. The commander''s voice was firm as he gave the Rykon its orders. "Go, conquer the planet. Make its inhabitants submit to our will. And find the Asthrax. It will make our work easier." With a deafening roar, the Rykon charged through the passage, its massive body disappearing into the swirling energy of the Iluniverse. The commander watched it go, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It''s done," he said, turning to Dr. Elyria. "Now all we have to do is wait." Join our discord at https://discord.gg/s7gPX4us Incoming Chapter 6:Incoming --- Earth The night sky was ablaze with stars, a celestial showcase of twinkling lights that seemed to stretch on forever. Ini sat on the grassy hill, his eyes fixed on the constellations above. He loved stargazing, the way it made him feel small yet connected to something much bigger than himself. As he sat there, lost in thought, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. He turned to see a girl, about his age, walking towards him. She had a hesitant smile on her face, and her eyes seemed to sparkle with curiosity. "Mind if I join you?" she asked, nodding towards the empty space beside him. Ini shrugged, his eyes returning to the stars. "It''s a free country," he said, his tone neutral. The girl sat down beside him, her eyes fixed on the stars. "I love stargazing," she said, her voice soft. "There''s something about it that makes me feel...connected, you know?" Ini didn''t respond, his eyes remaining fixed on the stars. The girl tried again, asking him about his favorite constellation. Ini remained silent, his expression unyielding. The girl seemed undeterred, however. She continued to chat, asking him questions about school and his interests. Ini remained stubbornly silent, his eyes fixed on the stars. But then, something shifted. The girl said something that caught his attention, something that made him turn to her. "I know it sounds weird," she said, "but sometimes I feel like I''m just...waiting. Waiting for something to happen, waiting for someone to come along and...I don''t know, change everything, I guess." Ini turned to her, his eyes narrowing. " I think all that is a dream that''ll never come true" he said, his voice firm. "We''re not the same." The girl looked at him, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Oh? How are we different?" she asked, her voice soft. Ini hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But then, something about her expression made him open up. " You think the world is all bliss all I see is darkness." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. " Besides, all people have ever done in my life is leave. I don''t want anyone coming into it to leave again." This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. The girl''s expression changed, her eyes filling with compassion. "I''m so sorry," she said, her voice soft. "I know how that feels. My brother was adopted, leaving me here all by myself." Ini''s eyes widened, surprised. "Really?" he asked, his voice hesitant. The girl nodded. "Yeah. It can be lonely atimes but if we only focus on the bad parts of life we''ll miss the good part. By the way...em...I''m Oluwanitemi, but you can call me Temi," she said, her smile returning. Ini smiled back, feeling a sense of connection that he hadn''t felt in a long time. "I''m Ini," he said, his voice a little stronger now. As they talked, Ini found himself laughing, really laughing, for the first time in weeks. Temi was easy to talk to, and he found himself opening up to her in ways he never thought possible. As they chatted, Ini couldn''t help but glance at Temi. She was pretty, with long, curly hair and bright, sparkling eyes. He felt a sense of wonder, marveling at the way she made him feel. As the night wore on, Ini realized that he had forgotten all about his stargazing. He had forgotten all about his troubles, loneliness and emptiness. All he could think about was Temi, and the way she made him feel. UN United States of America The room was filled with a sense of urgency as the NASA director informed Dr. Maria Rodriguez about the incoming doom on its way to earth "We''ve detected a meteorite-like substance heading towards Earth at an alarming speed," he said, his voice firm and authoritative. The team''s eyes widened as they scrambled to process the information. "How big is it?" one of them asked, his voice laced with concern. Dr. Rodriguez''s expression turned grim. She checked the tablet with the information and replied "It''s only about 30 to 40 meters tall, but that''s not the problem. The area of impact is extremely large due to the speed. We''re talking several kilometers in diameter." The team''s faces paled as they realized the implications. "Where is it headed?" another team member asked. Dr. Rodriguez''s eyes locked onto the tab on her hand, where a graphic displayed the meteorite''s trajectory. "It''s going to land near Hawaii," she said, her voice steady. "We need to evacuate the islands immediately." The team sprang into action, their faces set with determination. Dr. Rodriguez turned to one of her team members, a tall, imposing man with a stern expression. "General, I want you to mobilize the bombers. Just in case." The general''s eyes narrowed. "You think it might be...extra-terrestrial?" he asked, his voice low. Dr. Rodriguez''s expression turned enigmatic. "I don''t know what it is, General. But I do know that we can''t take any chances. We need to be prepared for anything." The general nodded, his face set with determination. "I''ll mobilize the bombers, ma''am. Just in case." Hawaii islands The streets of Hawaii were chaotic as people scrambled to evacuate the islands. Cars jammed the roads, horns blaring as drivers tried to navigate through the crowded streets. Emergency services were stretched to the limit as paramedics and firefighters tried to help those in need. The sound of sirens filled the air, adding to the sense of panic that gripped the islands. Dr. Rodriguez watched the chaos unfold from the UN control room, her heart heavy with concern. She knew that they had to act fast, or risk losing thousands of lives. "General, what''s the status on the bombers?" she asked, her voice firm. The general''s voice came through the comms system, calm and steady. "The bombers are in position, ma''am. We''re ready to engage the target if necessary." Dr. Rodriguez''s eyes locked onto the screen, where the meteorite''s trajectory was displayed. "Let''s hope it doesn''t come to that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The meteorite hurtled towards Earth, its trajectory unwavering. Dr. Rodriguez and her team watched in awe as it approached, their minds racing with questions. What was this thing? Where did it come from? And what did it want? The answers, for now, remained a mystery. But one thing was certain: this meteorite posed a threat unlike anything humanity had ever seen before. Dr. Rodriguez''s eyes locked onto the screen, her heart pounding. She knew it''s very likely extra terestial. With the distance between them and the point it was first detected it''s meant to take years to reach earth but in a matter of hours it has traveled more than half of the distance and is almost at the milky way galaxy. God help us all Chapter 7: God help us all News of the Hawaii evacuation spread like wildfire, sending shockwaves across the nation. People scrambled to get information, demanding to know what was happening and whether they were in danger. Social media platforms were flooded with frantic messages and speculation, as the public clamored for answers. The White House was besieged by reporters, all clamoring for a statement from the President. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the President stepped up to the podium, flanked by his advisors and NASA officials. He took a deep breath, his expression somber, and began to speak. "My fellow Americans," he said, his voice steady. "I know that many of you are concerned about the sudden evacuation of Hawaii. I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to ensure your safety. However, I must also be honest with you. We are facing a situation that is unprecedented in our history." The room fell silent, as the President paused for dramatic effect. "An unknown space substance is heading towards Earth," he continued. "We are not sure what it is, but we are working around the clock to determine its composition and intentions. It''s possible that it may be a meteorite, but we cannot rule out other possibilities." The room erupted into a flurry of questions, as reporters shouted out their queries. The President held up his hands, calling for calm. "I know that this news may be alarming, but I want to assure you that we are doing everything in our power to prepare for this event. However, I must also be honest with you. If Earth is truly in danger, there is no place we can run to. Our only option is to pray that this substance is harmless." The room fell silent once again, as the weight of the President''s words sank in. The world may be faced with a threat that is unprecedented, and all they could do was wait and pray. Heritage orphanage Ini and Temi sat together on the grassy hill, eating their lunch and enjoying each other''s company. They had grown familiar with each other over the past few days, and Ini had found himself looking forward to their daily meetings. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. As they ate, Temi turned to Ini with a concerned expression. "Hey, Ini, have you heard about the meteor that''s supposed to hit Hawaii?" she asked, her brow furrowed. Ini shrugged, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "You told me not to focus on the bad things in life, remember?" he said, his voice teasing. "Besides, even if it is the end of the world, I''m happy I met you. You''ve made my life more meaningful. Dying now won''t be so bad." Temi''s face turned bright red as she blushed heavily. She looked away, trying to compose herself. "Don''t talk like that, Ini," she said, her voice soft. "We shouldn''t think about death. We should focus on living." Ini smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You''re right, my bad." he said, his voice light. "Let''s just enjoy our lunch and each other''s company." Temi smiled back, her blush fading as she relaxed. They continued eating together, the tension broken, and the atmosphere once again filled with warmth and companionship. As they sat there, Ini couldn''t help but feel grateful for Temi''s presence in his life. She had brought light and joy into his world, and he couldn''t imagine living without her. --- The world held its collective breath as the meteor hurtled towards Earth, its trajectory unwavering. People from all corners of the globe were glued to their screens, watching in terror as the clock ticked down to impact. Social media platforms were flooded with frantic messages and speculation, as people tried to guess what the meteor might be. "Is it a comet?" someone asked. "No, it''s definitely a asteroid," another person replied. Others speculated that it might be something even more sinister - an alien spacecraft, perhaps, or a harbinger of some ancient apocalypse. The news channels were filled with experts and pundits, all trying to provide some semblance of context and reassurance. But as the meteor drew closer, it became clear that no one really knew what to expect. The world was holding its breath, waiting to see what would happen next. Dr. Rodriguezstanding beside the NASA director, stood at the podium, her face grim. "We''re doing everything we can to prepare for impact," she said. "But we need to be clear - we''re facing a potentially catastrophic event. We urge everyone to remain calm and to follow all instructions from local authorities." As she finished speaking, the camera cut to a live shot of the meteor, its surface glowing with an otherworldly light. The world watched in horror as it drew closer, its impact imminent. And then, in an instant, everything went black. The object an egg-like cocoon, its surface glowing with a faint, pulsing light, entered Earth''s atmosphere with a deafening roar. The friction generated by its passage through the atmosphere caused the air around it to shimmer and distort, creating a mesmerizing display of heat and light. As the cocoon descended, its trajectory unwavering, the people of Hawaii could only watch in horror as their island home was utterly destroyed. The impact was catastrophic, sending turbulent waves crashing outward for hundreds of kilometers. The explosion was so powerful that it shook the very foundations of the Earth, causing earthquakes and tremors that were felt across the globe. When the explosion finally settled down, a stunned silence fell over the devastated landscape. And then, as the dust and debris began to clear, a 30-meter tall silhouette could be seen standing amidst the ruins. The figure was imposing, its presence seeming to fill the entire horizon. Dr. Rodriguez, her eyes fixed on the figure in horror, could only mutter a single phrase: "God help us all." The world watched in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of the monstrous creature that now stood on the ruins of Hawaii. As the reality of the situation began to sink in, a creeping sense of dread spread across the globe. What was this creature? And what did it want? Humanities victory Chapter 8: Humanities victory Panic gripped the world as the news of the giant creature spread like wildfire. People ran frantically in the streets, screaming and crying, as they tried to comprehend the enormity of the situation. Even the General, a seasoned veteran of war, looked pale and shaken as he gave the order for the bombers to take off. The bomber pilots, though scared, steeled themselves for the mission ahead. They took off from their bases, soaring into the skies as they made their way to the impact site. As they approached the ruins of Hawaii, they caught sight of the creature, its massive form towering over the devastation. The pilots'' hearts sank as they realized the enormity of their task. "Alright, let''s do this," one of the pilots said, trying to sound braver than he felt. "We''ll follow protocol and try to...ah...communicate with it." The pilots swallowed hard as they flew closer, their voices shaking slightly as they spoke. "Uh, creature...we mean you no harm. Please, uh, state your...business...on Earth.. or.elsewhere." The creature, however, didn''t seem interested in listening. It simply rose to its feet, its massive body towering over the bombers, and launched a massive chunk of the broken Hawaii at one of the planes. The bomber exploded in mid-air, sending debris flying everywhere. The remaining pilots opened fire immediately, launching their bombs at the creature. The battle was intense, with the bombers dodging and weaving around the creature''s attacks. The creature''s sheer size and strength made it a formidable opponent, and the bombers were struggling to make a dent in its defenses. "We need backup, now!" one of the pilots shouted into the radio. "We can''t take this thing down alone!" The world watched in horror as the battle raged on, the outcome hanging precariously in the balance. Would the bombers be able to defeat the creature, or would it prove too powerful to defeat? The fate of humanity hung in the balance, and everyone was glued to their screens, waiting with bated breath for the outcome. The virtual meeting of world leaders was tense, with everyone trying to come up with a plan to defeat the monster. The atmosphere was thick with anxiety, and the weight of responsibility hung heavy on each of their shoulders. One suggestion was to send all the world''s fighter jets to attack it, but another leader pointed out the flaw in that plan. "If we use all our air artillery on one monster, how are we sure more won''t come?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. "If we use the population of Earth as a reference, then we''ll be in deep trouble." The President of the United States, determined to take action, suggested launching one warhead. The warhead control box was brought to him, and he entered his biometrics to authorize the launch. The world leaders watched through the satellite feed as the warhead soared towards Hawaii, its trajectory unwavering. It kept moving, and moving, until it finally reached the battlefield where the fighter jets were engaged with the monster. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! The leaders watched in horror as the monster swatted the fighter jets aside like insects. Of the 30 jets that had been sent, only 6 were left. The monster''s sheer size and strength made it a formidable opponent, and the leaders wondered if they had made a grave mistake by underestimating it. The monster saw the warhead coming and roared, its voice like thunder, but just as it was about to impact, the beast jumped and landed a few kilometers away, evading the attack with ease. The leaders were shocked, their faces pale with fear. If warheads where useless they were doomed.But one of them, the President of Nigeria, smiled. "What''s wrong with you?" one of the other leaders asked, incredulous. "The world is about to end!" But the Nigerian President just chuckled. "Observe," he said. "When the beast was facing the fighter jets, it faced them head-on with no fear. But it dodged the warhead. That means it can be damaged." The other leaders nodded in agreement, and a glimmer of hope appeared. Maybe, just maybe, they could defeat this monster after all. However, another leader pointed out a problem. "The warheads are massive and slow," he said. "The beast can easily dodge them." The US President nodded thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he considered the problem. And then, a determined look appeared on his face. "I have a solution," he said. "We''re have a 2 billion dollar bomber with a bomb that''s not taller than a human, but has the explosive power of 2 nukes. It''s also extremely fast. All we need to do is use normal nukes to distract the beast, and then use this bomber to finish it off." The US President implored all countries with nukes to send one, and the real comeback began. The world leaders watched with bated breath as the plan was set in motion. Would they be able to defeat the monster and save humanity? Only time would tell. As the leaders waited anxiously for the outcome, the satellite feed showed the bomber soaring towards Hawaii, its payload at the ready. The world held its breath, praying for a miracle. The bomber flew closer, and closer, until it finally reached the battlefield. The monster, distracted by the normal nukes, didn''t even see it coming. The bomber released its payload, and the world watched in awe as the bomb detonated, its explosive power rivaling that of two nuclear warheads. The monster stumbled, its massive body shaken by the blast. And for a moment, the world dared to hope. As the waves finally settled, the carcass of the beast came into view, torn to bits and scattered across the devastated landscape. The onlookers, who had been holding their collective breath for what felt like an eternity, suddenly erupted into a massive wave of joy. The tension that had been building up for hours, even days, was finally released, and the emotions that had been pent up for so long came flooding out. People screamed, cried, and laughed, hugging each other in relief and jubilation. The sense of camaraderie and shared experience was palpable, as strangers became friends in the face of adversity. The world leaders, who had been watching the battle unfold from their respective command centers, breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had done it. They had saved humanity from the brink of destruction. The President of the United States, his face etched with exhaustion and relief, smiled broadly as he turned to his advisors. "We did it," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. "We actually did it." The celebrations continued for hours, with people dancing in the streets, waving flags, and cheering. The sense of euphoria was infectious, and soon the entire world was caught up in the joy and relief of the moment. But amidst all the celebrations, there were those who couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease. The alien may have been defeated, but it had still managed to wreak havoc on a massive scale. And what if there were more out there? What if this was just the beginning? For now, though, the world was content to bask in the glow of victory. The alien may have been a formidable foe, but in the end, humanity had emerged triumphant. And as the celebrations continued, the world looked forward to a brighter future, one where they could live without fear of attack from beyond the stars. Rejoice while you still can Chapter 9: Rejoice while you still can --- Few days later The United Nations special group, comprised of scientists and experts from around the world, arrived in Hawaii to retrieve the carcass of the alien beast. They worked tirelessly to collect and transport the remains to their base, a state-of-the-art research facility equipped with cutting-edge technology. The team was led by Dr. Rachel Kim, a renowned expert in xenobiology, who had spent years studying the possibility of extraterrestrial life. As they began to study the carcass, the team made several groundbreaking discoveries. The fangs, teeth, and nails of the beast were found to be tougher than steel, with a unique molecular structure that made them almost indestructible. This discovery sparked excitement among the scientific community, as it could lead to the development of new materials and technologies. Further analysis of the beast''s body revealed that the fluids within its body had medicinal value. The team discovered that the fluids contained unique compounds that could potentially cure some of the world''s most deadly diseases. This breakthrough could lead to a revolution in the medical field, as scientists could use these compounds to develop new treatments and vaccines. The team also made a remarkable discovery about the beast''s blood. They found that it was highly reactive, capable of producing more energy than normal fuel. However, unlike traditional fuels, the beast''s blood was found to be less destructive to the ozone layer. This discovery could have significant implications for the energy sector, as scientists could potentially use the beast''s blood as a cleaner and more efficient source of energy. As the team continued to study the carcass, they made more discoveries that challenged their understanding of biology and physics. The beast''s skin was found to be capable of regenerating itself at an incredible rate, and its internal organs were discovered to be made of a unique material that was both flexible and incredibly strong. These discoveries sparked a flurry of excitement and curiosity among the scientific community, as they raised more questions than answers about the origins and nature of this alien creature. Heritage orphanage The night sky was ablaze with stars as Ini and Temi lay side by side on the lawn of Heritage Orphanage, gazing up at the celestial canvas. They had spent countless nights like this, lost in conversation and the beauty of the universe. But tonight felt different. Temi''s hand brushed against Ini''s, sending shivers down his spine. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. "I want to show you a special place," Temi said, her voice barely above a whisper. She grabbed Ini''s hand, pulling him up from the lawn. They walked hand in hand through the courtyard, the sound of crickets and rustling leaves filling the air. They stopped in front of an abandoned hut, its roof broken and overgrown with vines. Temi led Ini inside, and they lay down next to each other, gazing up at the stars through the broken roof. As they stargazed, they talked about everything and nothing, their conversation flowing effortlessly. Ini told Temi about his dreams of becoming a scientist, and Temi shared her passion for art. They laughed and joked, their connection growing stronger with every passing minute. As the night wore on, Temi turned to Ini with a smile. "I''m really happy I met you," she said, her voice filled with emotion. Ini''s heart skipped a beat as he turned to reply, but Temi''s lips met his in a short, passionate, and shy kiss. Ini''s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly wrapped his arms around Temi, deepening the kiss. As they broke apart for air, Temi''s face flushed with a deep blush, and she looked away, trying to hide her smile. But Ini gently turned her head back, his eyes locking onto hers. "I feel the same way," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers once more. The room around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little world. But as they kissed, the air around them began to shimmer and shine. While in the mist of doing the do ( it''s them not me) Ini''s hand caught fire, and he tried to put it out, but the flames only grew stronger. Temi''s eyes widened in horror, but she quickly grabbed Ini''s hand, trying to smother the flames. As they finally managwd to realize ini was not in pain , Ini and Temi looked at each other, their faces flushed with excitement. They quickly composed themselves, putting on their clothes as they caught their breath. Temi looked at Ini with a mischievous glint in her eye. "I had an idea," she said, her voice husky. She leaned in, her lips meeting Ini''s once more. As they kissed, Ini''s head spun, and the world around him melted away. But as he relaxed, the flames died down, and the room returned to normal. Temi broke the kiss, looking up at Ini with a smile. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as they rested against the wall, their hearts still racing from their passionate encounter. --- The dimly lit chamber of the Iluniverse''s command center hummed with the soft whir of machinery, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Commander Tharkos, a towering figure with piercing blue eyes, stood before a holographic display projecting an image of the galaxy. His broad shoulders seemed to sag slightly, as if the weight of his responsibilities was bearing down on him. A scientist approached him, his footsteps echoing off the cold metal walls. "Commander, the beast''s life signature has disappeared," the scientist announced, his voice trembling slightly. Tharkos''s gaze snapped towards him, his eyes narrowing. "It can only mean one thing: it''s dead," the scientist added, his voice barely above a whisper. Tharkos''s expression darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. For a moment, he said nothing, his chest rising and falling with each slow breath. Then, his voice dropped to a low growl. "Rejoice while you still can," he snarled, his eyes flashing with malevolence. "I will make sure to turn every single human into a soft, obedient slave. I want that space gates as soon as possible" The scientist took a step back, his eyes widening in alarm. "Y-yes, Commander," he stuttered, his voice shaking. Tharkos''s gaze lingered on the holographic display, his mind already spinning with plans for conquest and subjugation. The humans may have won a small victory, but they would soon learn the true meaning of power. Tharkos''s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. Humanity''s fate was sealed. Warriors Chapter 10: Warriors Dr. Rodriguez peered through the microscope, her eyes widening as she examined the peculiar tissue sample. "Fascinating," she breathed. "The cellular structure is similar to ours, yet the mitochondrial density is off the charts. It''s as if their cells are capable of producing energy at an exponential rate." Dr. Patel, a soft-spoken microbiologist, nodded in agreement. "I''ve been analyzing the bacterial flora in the carcass''s digestive tract. It''s a unique blend of archaea and bacteria, unlike anything I''ve seen before." Suddenly, the automated voice of the base''s security system crackled over the intercom. "Warning, restricted area breached. Unauthorized personnel detected. I repeat, this is a restricted area. Please vacate immediately." The scientists exchanged worried glances as the soldiers opened fire. However, their concern turned to shock as the bullets ricocheted off the intruder. "What the...?" Dr. Rodriguez trailed off, stunned. The cameras flickered, adjusting to capture the newcomer. A burly man with an unsettling orange glow emanating from one eye strode towards the gate, unfazed by the hail of bullets. "He''s not even flinching," Dr. Patel whispered. With a single, effortless punch, the man knocked down the gate and continued walking. Dr. Rodriguez quickly grabbed the comms device. "Soldiers, stand down. Let him through." She pushed a button on the controls unlocking all doors leading to the innermost lab. As the man approached the innermost lab, the scientists watched in awe. He ignored Dr. Rodriguez''s attempts to introduce herself, instead fixating on the carcass. With an incredible display of strength, he leaped 45 meters forward, landing on the chest area. The scientists gasped as he tore through the chest plate with his bare hands, creating a 3-meter deep hole. Dr. Patel''s eyes went wide. "That''s impossible. We''ve been using the most advanced drills, and we''ve barely made a dent." The man jumped into the hole without hesitation, emerging minutes later with a crystalline ball. He locked eyes with Dr. Rodriguez, a hint of a smile on his face. "My name is David Allen, but you can call me Destro. When these things come to Earth, leave it to me. I''ll take care of it, as long as I get these crystal balls." Dr. Rodriguez''s curiosity got the better of her. "How did you find this place?" Destro''s smile grew wider. "I could just sense it. Or maybe this..." He glanced at the crystal ball, now glowing softly in his hand. As he turned to leave, Dr. Rodriguez called out, "Wait, what''s going on? What are these creatures?" Destro''s expression remained unchanged as he answered. "I don''t know I''m only a human. I became like this after the crazy weather anomaly and I doubt I''m the only one. I don''t need to tell you that you need to gather all of us before the next attack. I''m sure the footage is enough to convince the higher-ups. Be fast; I feel uneasiness. The next one is coming soon." With that, he jumped of the carcass, going outside then jumping so high into the sky they could see him, leaving the scientists stunned and bewildered. --- Dr Rodriguez showed the president the footage then proceeded to speak Dr. Rodriguez shook her head, still trying to process what had just happened. "I''m still trying to process what just happened," she said. "The man, David Allen, or Destro as he calls himself, just walked through our security like it was nothing. He took down the gate with a single punch and then proceeded to tear through the carcass''s chest plate with his bare hands. It was like nothing I''ve ever seen before." A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. "I know it sounds crazy, but he seemed to know exactly what he was doing," Dr. Rodriguez continued. "He retrieved a crystalline ball from the carcass and then just disappeared into thin air. And the weirdest part is, he seemed to be expecting something to happen soon. He told us to gather all the ''others'' before the next attack." The President turned to Dr. Rodriguez, his expression serious. "Dr. Rodriguez, how do you propose we find these... others?" he asked. "I think I can help with that, Mr. President," Dr. Patel said, stepping forward with a nervous smile. "Using a special ray detector, we can identify individuals with unique energy signatures. The stronger the person, the more it beeps." The President nodded, his eyes lighting up with interest. "I want to discuss this further with the other world leaders. Let''s schedule an emergency meeting." Later, in the meeting with the other presidents, after showing them the footage, the President explained the situation. "I''ve just witnessed something extraordinary," he said. "I''m telling you, it was like nothing I''ve ever seen. With the help of my scientist they have created a ray detector that can be used to find these people through the parckes they emit." "I''m sending over the designs for the ray detector," he continued. "Let''s work together to find these... special humans." One of the presidents, a tall, imposing figure, spoke up. "What do we call them? These individuals with extraordinary abilities?" he asked. Another president, a soft-spoken woman, smiled. "In the old days, we referred to those who protected us as warriors," she said. "I think it''s fitting that we call them that again." The room fell silent for a moment before the presidents nodded in agreement. And with that, the search for the warriors began. Press conference President of the United States steps up to the microphone, a solemn expression on his face. "My fellow Americans, we stand at a critical moment in our nation''s history. A new threat has emerged, one that requires bravery, strength, and extraordinary abilities. We''re calling on the warriors among us to step forward and defend our nation." He pauses, his voice filled with conviction. "We''ll provide you with the best training and equipment available. You''ll be recognized and rewarded for your service. But most importantly, you''ll be fighting for our way of life, for our freedom, and for our future." As the President finishes his announcement, the camera cuts to footage of Destro, the mysterious figure with extraordinary abilities. The President''s voice overlaps the footage, urging the warriors among them to come forward and answer the call. Breaking news flashes on screens across the globe: "US President Calls on ''Warriors'' to Defend Nation Against New Threat." Media agencies from CNN to Al Jazeera, and from Fox News to the BBC, broadcast the President''s message to the world. Headlines scream: "US Seeks ''Warriors'' with Extraordinary Abilities to Fight Mysterious Threat" and "President Urges Americans with Special Powers to Step Forward." The message is clear: the world needs heroes, and it needs them now. In response to the US President''s call to action, other countries around the world are now following suit, seeking warriors with extraordinary abilities from their own nations. *Global Response:* - *Canada*: Prime Minister of Canada steps forward, urging Canadians with special powers to join the fight against the mysterious threat. - *United Kingdom*: The UK government launches a nationwide campaign, calling on British citizens with extraordinary abilities to defend their country. - *Australia*: The Australian government announces a special task force, seeking individuals with superhuman powers to protect their nation. - *Germany*: Chancellor of Germany makes a public appeal, urging Germans with special abilities to come forward and join the fight against the threat. - *France*: The French government launches a nationwide search, seeking citizens with extraordinary powers to defend their country. - *China*: The Chinese government announces a special program, aiming to recruit individuals with superhuman abilities to protect their nation. - *India*: The Indian government makes a public appeal, urging citizens with special powers to come forward and join the fight against the threat. As the world unites to face this mysterious threat, one thing is clear: the need for heroes has never been greater. *Breaking News: Warriors Answer the Call, Training Underway* One week after the historic address by the US President, calling on individuals with extraordinary abilities to defend their nation, the response has been overwhelming. Warriors from all over the world are coming forward, eager to answer the call and face the mysterious threat. Reports are flooding in of individuals with superhuman powers, from telekinesis to super strength, presenting themselves to their respective governments. These brave men and women are undergoing rigorous training, preparing themselves for the challenges ahead. "We''re seeing an incredible response from people all over the country," said a spokesperson for the US Department of Defense. "These individuals are eager to serve and defend their nation, and we''re committed to providing them with the best training and equipment available." Similar reports are coming in from other countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Nigeria and China. The international community is rallying behind the warriors, providing support and resources to aid in their training. As the warriors continue to come forward, the world is holding its breath, waiting to see what the future holds. Will these brave individuals be enough to face the mysterious threat? Only time will tell. *Update:* The number of warriors coming forward is increasing by the day, with new reports emerging of individuals with extraordinary abilities. The world is witnessing a new era of heroes, and the future looks brighter than ever. *Live Footage:* Watch as warriors from around the world undergo training, preparing themselves for the challenges ahead. Nigeria Nigeria has joined the global movement, with reports emerging of individuals with extraordinary abilities coming forward to defend their nation. The Nigerian government has announced its support for these warriors, providing them with training and resources to aid in their preparation. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Ministry of Defence said, "We are proud to see Nigerians stepping forward to answer the call. We will do everything in our power to support these brave individuals and ensure they have the best possible chance of success." The international community is rallying behind Nigeria''s warriors, with countries such as the US, UK, and China offering support and resources. The world is holding its breath, waiting to see what the future holds for these brave individuals. *Nigeria''s Warriors: A New Era of Heroes* - *Telekinetic Titans*: Reports have emerged of Nigerians with telekinetic abilities, able to move objects with their minds. - *Superhuman Strength*: Individuals with superhuman strength have come forward, capable of lifting massive objects and battling powerful foes. - *Mystical Abilities*: Some Nigerians have reported possessing mystical abilities, such as the power to heal and protect. As the number of warriors coming forward continues to grow, Nigeria is poised to play a major role in the global fight against the mysterious threat. The future looks brighter than ever, and the world is watching with bated breath. Drift apart Chapter 11: Drift apart Ini and Temi lay side by side in the broken hut, the silence between them palpable. Temi broke the silence, her voice soft but curious. "Ini, why haven''t you gone to join the warriors? You have a special ability, don''t you?" Ini denied it, his voice flat. "I don''t have any special abilities, Temi." Temi raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Really? Then why did your hand catch fire that day, and you didn''t even flinch?" Ini shrugged, trying to brush it off. "It was just a coincidence." Temi wasn''t having it. She pulled his face towards hers, her eyes locked on his. And then, she made a face that would put a seductress to shame. Her lips pouted, her eyebrows arched, and her eyes sparkled with mischief. The ''heat'' in Ini rose, and before he knew it, his hands were on fire again. He quickly raised them, not wanting to burn Temi. She looked at him with a questioning gaze, one that only a mother could give. Proving her point, she leaned in and kissed him. Ini felt his tension melt away, and the flames died down. He pulled back, his face flushed. "You didn''t have to kiss me, Temi. I think I''ve got the hang of it." Temi smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I still prefer that method." Ini looked at her, his eyes searching. "Why are you pushing me to admit this, Temi?" Temi''s expression softened. "Because I know you''re hiding something, Ini. And I want you to be honest with me." Ini took a deep breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don''t want to leave you, Temi. If I admit to having this ability, I''ll have to join the warriors, and I don''t want to be separated from you." Temi''s face lit up with understanding. "Ini, we don''t have to be separated. I''ve been feeling... different lately. And I think I know why." As she spoke, Temi raised her hand, and it began to glow. A translucent dome formed above them, connecting to the ground. Ini''s eyes widened as he realized what it meant. Temi had awakened as a warrior. This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. Their world narrowed down to just the two of them, and they forgot about everything else. They were lost in their own little bubble of bliss, where nothing else mattered but each other. Ini and Temi stood outside the orphanage, their small bags packed with what little they had. They took a deep breath, looking at each other with a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was the day they would leave the only home they had ever known and start a new journey as warriors. Temi turned to her friends, who had gathered to bid her farewell. "Goodbye, guys. I''ll miss you all." Ini, on the other hand, had no one to say goodbye to. He had never really made friends at the orphanage. With no money for transportation, they had to resort to hitching a ride on the back of an old truck. They held on tight as the truck rumbled along the dusty road, finally dropping them off at the gate of the Warrior Registration Centre. As they walked through the gate, they noticed they were the only ones arriving to register that day. The attendant, a stern-looking woman, greeted them with a nod. " Let''s get this over with. First, we need to use the ray detector to confirm your abilities." She held up a small device, and Ini and Temi stood still as she scanned them. The device beeped twice, indicating that both of them had indeed been gifted with special abilities. The attendant led them to a room down the hall, where she took a sample of their blood using a syringe. "This will help us determine your rank and abilities," she explained, inserting the blood sample into a machine. As they waited for the results, the attendant asked for their information. Temi went first, responding, "My name is Oluwanitemi, and I''m 18 years old." Ini followed, answering, "My name is Inioluwa, and I''m 18 years old." The machine beeped, catching their attention. The attendant looked at the results and announced, "Oluwanitemi, you are an A-rank warrior. Inioluwa, you are a C-rank warrior." She assigned someone to take them to their new dorms, handing them each a uniform and a booklet containing the rules. "Welcome to the Warrior Academy. You have a lot to learn." As Ini made his way to the C-rank dorm, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of trepidation. The C-rank dorm was a far cry from the luxurious A-rank dorm, where Temi was headed. The C-rank dorm was a large, crowded room filled with over 300 students, all of whom seemed to be staring at Ini as he walked in. Someone whispered, "Hey, isn''t that the fire mage?" and the room erupted into snickers and teasing. Ini ignored them, used to being ostracized. He found an empty bed and sat down, trying to blend in. Meanwhile, Temi was being welcomed with open arms at the A-rank dorm. The A-ranks were the elite, the cr¨¨me de la cr¨¨me of the academy. They were treated like royalty, and Temi was no exception. She was swarmed by admirers, all of whom were eager to befriend the beautiful and powerful A-rank warrior. As the days turned into weeks, Ini and Temi''s paths grew farther and farther apart. Ini was busy trying to keep up with his studies and training, while Temi was becoming increasingly popular among the A-ranks. They would occasionally catch glimpses of each other, but their interactions grew more and more strained. The A-ranks, with their superior powers and privileged status, began to bully Ini, taunting him about his C-rank status and accusing him of trying to ride Temi''s coattails. Ini tried to ignore them, but it was hard to shake off the feeling that he was losing Temi. One day, Ini finally worked up the courage to confront Temi about her increasingly distant behavior. "Temi, what''s going on? You''re always busy, and when I try to talk to you, you ignore me." Temi looked at him, her expression apologetic. "I''m just really busy, Ini. I don''t have time for socializing." Ini''s face fell, and he felt a pang of hurt. He made a self-mocking smile and said, "I''ll stop disturbing you, then." As Ini turned to leave, Temi wanted to called out to him, but then seemed to think better of it. Ini walked away, feeling like he was losing his grip on the one person who had ever made him feel seen. Ini who had now lost his light(temi) fell back into the darkness that once consumed him and it welcomed him with open arms. As the months passed, the academy became a well-oiled machine. The warriors were trained and ready, and when the next attack came, they were prepared. The casualties were minimized, and the monsters were defeated. After the battle, the warriors were allowed to return home, with the understanding that they would report back to the academy every morning for training and duty. They were paid handsomely for their services, even the E-ranks, who were responsible for cleanup. Ini with his generous pay bought a house to live in. He had lost Temi, and with her, his joy. He felt like he was just going through the motions, waiting for something to change. Special? Ini''s skills in combat continued to impress, earning him the nickname "King of C-Ranks." While the B-Ranks and A-Ranks laughed at him, Ini proved himself to be a formidable opponent, capable of taking down weaker B-Ranks head-on. However, the academy''s attention was soon diverted to the looming threat of an alien swarm approaching Victoria Island. The aliens, categorized as 3s and 4s, equivalent to C-Ranks and B-Ranks, respectively, were a force to be reckoned with. The Eagle Squad, comprising both Ini,Temi and lots of others was called upon to defend the island. They boarded an aircraft and flew towards the island, their hearts racing with anticipation. After a 30-minute journey, they landed on the island, waiting for the incoming swarm. The air was thick with tension as they prepared for battle. The bees arrived, a relentless barrage of stingers and venom. The warriors fought valiantly, but the bees were stronger than any they had faced before. People with barrier powers like Temi were sweating under the pressure, their domes cracking under the constant assault. Just as the bees broke through Temi''s barrier, death flashes before temi''s eyes then Ini appeared out of nowhere, his flames engulfing the bees. But in the process, he was pierced by the bees'' stingers, his body burning with venom. Temi screamed, rushing towards him and trying to block the flow of blood, but it gushed out nonstop. Ini''s wound was too deep, the venom too potent. As Temi held Ini''s lifeless body, reinforcements arrived, a barrage of attacks from the air driving the bees back. The healers landed, quickly attending to the wounded, but Ini''s fate was sealed. The healer''s words cut through Temi like a knife: "This injury is not just on the surface. The bee injected him with venom, and it''s too late to heal him." Ini''s consciousness slipped away, leaving Temi shattered. They retreated from the battlefield, Ini''s body carried back to base. The days that followed were a blur of grief and despair. One by one, the others infected with the venom succumbed to its deadly effects. Temi was consumed by fear, her hope dwindling with each passing day. She spent her free time in ini''s room, funded his medication and fought knowing she was fighting for two. All hope seemed lost but then, a mysterious figure appeared in Ini''s hospital room. He had blue eyes and a gemstone on his forehead, his presence both captivating and unsettling. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Temi tried to scream, but the stranger''s mysterious powers muted her lips. "Relax, I''m here to help," he said, his voice low and soothing. He placed a device on Ini''s chest, siphoning the venom from his body. "This has stabilized him, but there''s still more to be done. Just trust me, I''ll make sure he returns to your side. I''m tosak." With that, the stranger, who introduced himself as Tosak, vanished into thin air, leaving Temi with more questions than answers. As she pondered the mysterious encounter, she felt a strange sensation wash over her, and her eyelids grew heavy. She fell into slumber, unaware of the events that would unfold next. Celestari fury Commander Tharkos stormed into the laboratory, his face twisted in a scowl. "I''m not seeing any progress," he growled, his voice dripping with disdain. "We''ve been at this for far too long, and yet we''re still stuck at square one." The lead scientist, a bespectacled man with a nervous twitch, stepped forward. "Actually, Commander, we have made progress. It''s just not the kind of progress you were expecting." Tharkos raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what kind of progress have you made?" The scientist hesitated before speaking. "Well, sir, our...interference with the human world has had an unexpected consequence. The humans and their world are becoming saturated with magic energy." Tharkos''s expression changed from anger to intrigue. He chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Ah, I see. They''re evolving from an isolated world into an open world." The scientist nodded. "Yes, sir. But this means that our initial plan to infiltrate their world won''t work. We can''t just send our people in; they''ll be detected and rejected." Tharkos nodded thoughtfully. "Of course. We''ll have to send...proxies. Slaves or high-level soft slaves." The scientist swallowed hard. "Yes, sir. But we need to be careful. If we send too many slaves, the world will seal itself off and expel the magic. It''ll be a waste of our efforts, we can only send them gradually over time." Tharkos''s eyes narrowed. "How many years?" The scientist hesitated. "At our current pace...about 50 years, sir." Tharkos''s expression turned cold. "Double the pace. I don''t have time to waste." The scientist nodded, though he looked worried. Tharkos, however, seemed unconcerned. For a being over 10,000 years old, 25 years was equivalent to a mere 25 weeks. Time was relative, and Tharkos had all the time in the world. Temi was jolted awake by the urgent voices of her fellow A-rank warriors. "Temi, wake up! We have to go, now!" one of them exclaimed, shaking her shoulder. Groggily, Temi sat up, rubbing her eyes. She looked around the room, but Ini was nowhere to be found. Strangely, she didn''t feel a surge of panic or concern. Instead, she felt an unusual sense of peace, as if she knew Ini was safe. The nurses, however, were frantic. "Where is he?" one of them whispered urgently to another. "He was here just a minute ago, and now he''s gone!" They exchanged nervous glances, knowing that the higher-ups would not be pleased. The higher-ups arrived soon enough, their faces stern and demanding. "Temi, what do you know about Ini''s disappearance?" one of them asked, his voice firm. Temi shook her head, still feeling that strange sense of calm. "I don''t remember anything," she replied, her voice sincere. The nurse after searching the entire medical bay had no choice but to report to the higher ups The higher-ups exchanged skeptical glances. "We need to find him," one of them muttered. "His body is... unusual. It''s fighting against the poison in a way that''s never been seen before. His blood could hold the key to an antidote."this was one of the reasons they still treated him another being with his fame if they gave up on him other warriors would not trust them thinking if they got injured they''ll be abandoned. They began a frantic search for Ini''s body. Meanwhile, in a hidden location deep within a massive waterfall, a cloaked spaceship hummed quietly. Inside, Tosak moved with purpose, his eyes fixed on the comatose form of Ini. He checked the readings on the screen sighing. "I want to know how someone like you can fight against a poison strong enough to kill me for so long." Tosak muttered, his voice low and intrigued. "And yet, you''re showing signs of recovery. What secrets do you hold, boy?" Not bad Chapter 13: Not bad Ini slowly opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. This wasn''t the medical bay at the Association; it was something far more advanced. He tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over him. A figure walked into the room, checking the readings on the machines beeping around Ini. He looked up to see a pair of piercing blue eyes staring back at him. "Oh, you''re awake," the stranger said, a hint of surprise in his voice. "You recovered faster than I expected." Ini tried to speak, but his voice was hoarse. The stranger gave him a quick recap, explaining that Ini had taken an enormous amount of venom and had miraculously come back to life. Ini''s memories came flooding back, and he tried to sit up again, this time more urgently. "Is she okay?" he asked, thinking of Temi. The stranger, Tosak, raised an eyebrow. "So, you basically committed suicide for a female. What''s with this race?" He said it calmly, but Ini sensed a hint of curiosity. Ini''s eyes narrowed. "You''re an alien." Tosak chuckled. "Well, if you put it like that, I guess yeah." Ini''s hand shot up, and a blast of fire erupted from his fingers, aimed straight at Tosak. But instead of hitting him, the flames seemed to collect in front of him, as if blocked by an invisible wall. Tosak smiled. "Impressive. You can use your powers, even though the venom is meant to corrupt your magic first. But you''re special, I guess." Ini tried again, this time shooting an invisible wave that pushed Tosak back a little. Tosak''s smile grew wider. "I''m sure you didn''t have that before. Who knows what you''ve awakened?" Tosak said, his eyes gleaming with interest. "It''s called Ko''ak''sah on Kyran," Tosak explained. "A form of reawakening that happens when an individual goes through a series of events. At first, I thought you just had a special cell structure that reacts differently to the venom, but it''s more than that." Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. Tosak leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "The venom is meant to be stagnant, but when I checked the venom extracted from your body, it had lost 99% of its poisonous properties." Ini''s eyes widened. "What are you saying?" Tosak chuckled. "You''re one of the first generation magic users on your world. The magic in you isn''t stable yet, allowing things like leveling up and reawakening to happen." Ini''s mind reeled. "Meaning I''ve gotten some other abilities." Tosak nodded. "Although yours don''t complement each other. I mean, fire awakens heat-related powers, like magma or solar power. But you have something close to mind or space manipulation." Ini shook his head, trying to process everything. "So, what now?" Tosak grinned. "I''ll do you a favor and help you get accustomed to your powers. Maybe you''ll become the most powerful person in this world." Ini raised an eyebrow. "You seem confident that you''re the strongest in this world." Tosak laughed. "Even your S-Ranks are beneath my feet." Ini''s eyes narrowed. "S-Ranks?" Tosak''s smile grew wider. "Oh, things changed while you were asleep. Get up, and follow me. You''ll catch up as well. Time to train." Tosak led Ini into a room that seemed ordinary at first, but with a few clicks of a button, the scenery transformed into a vast grassland that stretched as far as the eye could see. Ini''s eyes widened in awe. Tosak grinned mischievously. "Attack me with all your might, Ini." Ini took a deep breath, raised his hands, and unleashed a massive blast of fire at Tosak. The flames gathered in front of Tosak, but instead of engulfing him, they seemed to be held back by an invisible force. Tosak nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Your fire powers are advancing gradually, but that''s not what I want to see. Summon that new power within you, Ini. Just like how you summon your fire." Ini closed his eyes, focusing on the strange sensation within him. He tried to locate the source of his new power, and suddenly, his eyes snapped open, glowing bright blue. Tosak''s playful expression faltered, and for a moment, he seemed to be struggling to stand. But with a simple move, Tosak snapped Ini back to reality. Tosak smiled, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "That was good, Ini. I felt slightly threatened by you. I''m sure you''re an S-Rank by your world''s standards already." Ini''s eyes narrowed. "S-Rank?" Tosak nodded. "While you were napping, your world had kept evolving. S-Ranks have either been awakened or A-Ranks have leveled up. It means your world is evolving smoothly." Ini''s mind reeled. "So, I''m one of the strongest in the world?" Tosak''s smile grew wider. "With the presence I felt from you now, compared to the ones I''m sensing in the world... yes, you might be the strongest. But you need to own your skills. That''s what I''ll help you do." Ini''s eyes locked onto Tosak''s. "Why are you helping me?" Tosak''s expression turned serious. "I''ve been on Earth for a while now, searching high and low for those who might be stronger than me. But I couldn''t find anyone. I mean, this is a newly awakened world, so that''s what I should expect." Tosak''s eyes gleamed with intensity. "I changed tactics, searching for people with potential. I did find some, but it wasn''t enough. Even the S-Ranks. But then I saw you in the sickbay, defying logic. You''re getting stronger, and it''s made me happier than you can imagine." Tosak''s expression turned grave. "War is coming, and if we''re to survive, we have to be on the same side and work together. So, I''m helping you because I can''t do it alone, and it''s tied to my survival. You were asleep for five years ten months, you have spent almost six years of your life sleeping because of a woman who....." Ini notices the sudden cut in the sentence and ask " what happened?" Tosak ignoring the question, threw a sword with a swift motion at Ini. "From today, I''ll be your teacher. I''ll push you to the limit, so get ready!" Tosak charged at Ini, smiling as Ini repelled some of his attacks. "Not bad," Tosak said, his eyes gleaming with excitement, as he continued to attack Ini. Training ends Chapter 14: Training ends Commander Tharkos paced back and forth in front of the row of scientists, his eyes blazing with frustration. "How much longer?" he demanded, his voice low and menacing. "I don''t have all day to stand around twiddling my thumbs. The King''s patience is wearing thin, and I''d rather not have my head on a spike because you lot can''t get your act together." Dr. Elara, the lead scientist, looked up from her console, a hint of fear in her eyes. "We''re working as fast as we can, Commander," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "But we''re dealing with a highly complex and unpredictable system here. We can''t rush it." Tharkos''s expression turned incredulous. "Unpredictable?" he repeated, his voice rising. "You''re telling me that after all the resources we''ve poured into this project, you still can''t guarantee results? What kind of incompetence is this?" Dr. Elara took a deep breath and stood up, her eyes locked on Tharkos''s. "We''re not incompetent, Commander," she said, her voice firm. "We''re just dealing with a very difficult problem. The human brain is a highly complex and dynamic system, and we''re trying to interface with it in a way that''s never been done before. It''s not easy." Tharkos''s face turned red with rage, and for a moment, it seemed like he was going to strike Dr. Elara. But then, he seemed to regain control of himself, and his expression smoothed out into a cold, calculating mask. "I don''t pay you to make excuses, Doctor," he said, his voice dripping with venom. "I pay you to get results. And if you can''t deliver, then maybe you''re not the right person for the job." Dr. Elara''s face went pale, and she looked like she was about to faint. But then, she seemed to steel herself, and her expression firmed up. "I understand, Commander," she said, her voice steady. "We''ll work faster." Tharkos nodded, a cold smile spreading across his face. "See that you do," he said. "The King''s patience is wearing thin, and I''d rather not have to explain to him why we''re not making progress. Do I make myself clear?" Dr. Elara nodded, her eyes wide with fear. "Yes, Commander," she replied. "We''ll work faster." Tharkos turned to leave, but then, he seemed to remember something. "And one more thing, Doctor," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "If you fail, it won''t just be your job that''s on the line. It''ll be your life." Dr. Elara''s face went white, and she looked like she was going to pass out. But then, she seemed to steel herself, and her expression firmed up. "I understand, Commander," she said, her voice steady. Tharkos nodded, a cold smile spreading across his face. "Good," he said. "I''m glad we understand each other." With that, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving Dr. Elara and her team to their work. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. As soon as Tharkos was gone, Dr. Elara let out a deep breath and collapsed into her chair. She looked like she was going to cry, and her hands were shaking with fear. "Well, that was fun," she said, her voice trembling. Pelia, one of her team members, looked at her with concern. "Are you okay, Dr. Elara?" he asked. Dr. Elara nodded, taking a deep breath. "I''m fine," she said. "Just a little shaken up. That man is terrifying." Pelia nodded in agreement. "I know," he said. "I''ve never seen anyone who can inspire fear like that." Dr. Elara looked at him, her eyes serious. "We need to work faster," she said. "We can''t afford to fail." Pelia nodded, his expression determined. "We''ll work day and night," he said. "We''ll get it done." Dr. Elara smiled, a look of gratitude on her face. "Thank you, Pelia," she said. "I don''t know what I''d do without you." Pelia smiled back, his eyes warm with affection. "You''ll never have to find out," he said. Together, Dr. Elara and her team set to work, determined to succeed where they had previously failed. They worked tirelessly, pouring all their energy into the project. But despite their best efforts, they couldn''t shake the feeling that they were being watched, that Tharkos''s eyes were still on them, waiting for them to slip up. And they knew that if they failed, then it''s death. Middle it a jungle Tosak ship The sound of swords clashing fiercely echoed through the air, the metallic ring of steel on steel reverberating through every molecule. Ini and Tosak danced across the grassy plain, their blades flashing in the sunlight as they exchanged blow after blow. The air was electric with tension, the two combatants fully immersed in their battle. As the fight raged on, Tosak suddenly stepped back, his chest heaving with exertion. He gazed at Ini, his eyes narrowing as he took in the younger man''s worn-out appearance. "We should rest," Tosak declared, his voice firm but gentle. Ini nodded, his own breathing labored. As they rested, Ini turned to Tosak with a curious expression. "How long will I be here?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. Tosak''s eyes seemed to glaze over, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Soon," he replied, his voice low and mysterious. Ini''s eyes narrowed. "I''ve been here for months, maybe even years," he said, his voice laced with a hint of desperation. "My body didn''t change much while I was in a coma, but since I woke up, I''ve been maturing fast. It''s as if my body is trying to make up for lost time." Tosak''s gaze snapped back to Ini, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You''ve been growing rapidly, indeed. And with the training I''ve been putting you through, you''ve gained a fit, tall physique. Your hair has grown into thick, long dreads, giving your face a burly look." Ini''s hand instinctively rose to his hair, his fingers tangling in the knotted locks. He had grown accustomed to his new appearance, but it was still strange to think about how much he had changed. Tosak''s expression turned serious. "At first, I thought we''d be done soon, but the more we discovered your powers, the more time it took. But at least it hasn''t been for nothing. We''ve discovered you have mind powers like me, but that''s not all. You have slave powers, allowing you to master rifting and the quick sword. You''ve also stabilized your power, although it''s still growing. And you''ve evolved your flames very well." Ini''s eyes widened in shock. "Really?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Tosak nodded. "Yes. Though your mastery of the sword is shallow, I guess it can''t be helped. You''re a few hundred years too young." Ini didn''t even bother to ask how old he was. He knew Tosak would just reply with a cryptic smile. Tosak''s gaze flicked to Ini''s neck, his eyes narrowing. "You should cover that up." Ini''s hand instinctively rose to his neck, his fingers brushing against the sensitive skin. "Why?" Tosak''s expression turned serious. "Those give off a large amount of energy, and it doesn''t help that they''re glowing. Enemies will take it as a vital point, which it is. So, it''s better to hide your vital points." Tosak tossed a mask at Ini, who caught it instinctively. The mask covered his face from below his eyes to the bottom of his neck. Ini slipped it on, feeling a strange sense of anonymity. Tosak handed Ini two swords, a black coat, and a dagger. "I modified them to your fighting style," he explained. Ini took the offered items, feeling a sense of excitement and trepidation. He was finally going to see the world, and Temi. With a final nod, Tosak turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ini to make his way into the unfamiliar world. A new s-ranker Chapter 15: A new s-ranker Ini finally reached his former house, and as he opened the door, a wave of nostalgia washed over him. The familiar home, though very dusty, felt like a warm hug. He got to work, cleaning every nook and cranny, and after a refreshing shower and change of clothes, he felt like a new person. As he stepped out of the house, he was about to call a taxi when he stopped himself. Taking a deep breath through the mask covering his nose, he jumped hundreds of meters into the air, feeling the rush of adrenaline as he began to fly towards the Warrior Association. The wind blowing on his skin was exhilarating, and he couldn''t help but feel a sense of freedom. A few minutes later, he saw the Warrior Association building in the distance. It was not what he remembered - formerly a cluster of tents and camps, now only a huge, tall skyscraper stood. He landed and proceeded inside, sensing that the number of people in the association had dropped drastically. He could only sense about 50 warriors. Ini walked to the reception to ask the receptionist what had happened to all the warriors and why they were so few. The receptionist, thinking Ini was a newly awakened warrior, answered, "The warriors here are only here for supervision and guidance. The guilds have all the warriors. You''ll be able to join a guild once you go through your evaluation. Please follow me." Ini wanted to tell her that he was not a newly awakened warrior, but he decided to see if he was really an S-Rank warrior. Although he was trying to believe Tosak, it was better to confirm than to go into battle biting off more than he could chew. He followed her, and she led him into a room where Ini noticed the techniques had advanced. The receptionist told him to stand on the platform, and he did. The machine began to hum as a circular part from the base began to rise from his foot up to his head continuously. The receptionist was staring at the screen with six bars for each of the levels from E to S. The bars began to light up, making a beep sound. _Beep_ The first level signified E-Rank, then the second beep, the third, the fourth, the fifth, and then the machine humming began to decrease. The receptionist thought it was over and wished she could have awakened as an A-Rank warrior. When she awakened, she would be rich instead of watching other people get rich. But then, the machine humming increased again, and then _Beep_, the sixth bar lit up. The receptionist''s eyes were wide open as she couldn''t believe it - an S-Rank hunter. She was standing in front of one. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "Is it done now? What''s my rank?" Ini''s voice woke her up from her shock. She replied, "S...S...S Rank, sir." She became more respectful instantly. S-Rankers were at the pinnacle of warriors; they were like legends and had massive power. Being able to stand in front of one was a great honor. Ini just muttered, saying, "I guess he was right. I really am an S-Rank." He then began to leave, but the receptionist quickly blocked him, saying, "Sorry, but could you meet with the Chairman before you leave, please? He''d like to speak to you." Ini nodded, allowing the receptionist to lead him to the office. She knocked, and a voice replied from inside, "Come in." Ini entered and saw an old man whose hair had gone white with aging, but still had a strong presence. The man smiled, greeting Ini, saying, "Nice to meet you, Mr...." Ini replied, "Inioluwa." The Chairman then shook his hand as they both sat down. He seemed to recall that the name sounded familiar, but he couldn''t pinpoint where he had heard the name. The Chairman then asked, "Do you have any guild you want to join in mind already?" Ini thought of how to reply. Maybe he should take on a new identity, but he decided not to. If he died, they would believe he was hiding something, which he was. He then said, "I''m not sure how it works yet. I literally woke up in the middle of nowhere this morning. I checked the date, and I think I''ve been in a coma for ten years." The Chairman saw something odd, remembering the case of the stolen body ten years ago. He then asked Ini, "Please lower your mask." Ini lowered the mask to his jaw line. The Chairman used his computer to run a face recognition and pulled up his file. He checked it and saw it was really him, just more mature. He then checked the rank and saw he was a c ranker previously. The Chairman''s eyes widened in surprise. "You were a C-Rank before?" he asked. Ini nodded. "Yes, I was a C-Rank fire mage." The Chairman''s eyes narrowed, and he thought to himself, this was an anomaly. Although some rankers reawaken it''s just to a level above. No ranker has ever reawakened to two levels above but ini rose three ranks upward, not to mention that it was to the s rank. There were two possibilities: either Ini had been experimented on by an unknown organization and his memory of the last ten years had been wiped, or he had simply awakened as an S-Rank warrior. The Chairman believed the first possibility, but he didn''t reveal his thoughts. Instead, he simply said, "You can go. A few weeks, and you''ll know how much has changed." Ini thanked the Chairman and left. As he walked away, the Chairman watched him, lost in thought. --- Rumors began to spread like wildfire through the warrior community: a new S-Rank warrior had awakened. The news sent shockwaves through the guilds, each one scrambling to locate the mysterious warrior. S-Rankers were extremely rare, and having one on their side could tip the balance of power in their favor. Guild representatives were dispatched to every corner of the city, searching for any lead on the S-Ranker''s whereabouts. They questioned warriors, scoured the streets, and even resorted to bribing informants. The guilds were willing to do whatever it took to find the S-Ranker and recruit them to their cause. As the search intensified, the streets began to buzz with excitement and speculation. Who was this mysterious S-Ranker? What kind of abilities did they possess? And which guild would ultimately succeed in recruiting them? The air was electric with anticipation, and everyone knew that the discovery of the S-Ranker would change the landscape of the warrior world forever. Meanwhile, Ini walked through the city, oblivious to the commotion he had caused. He had decided to keep a low profile, at least for the time being. With his mask firmly in place, he blended into the crowd, just another face among the sea of people. But the guilds would not give up easily. They would stop at nothing to find him, and Ini''s peaceful anonymity would soon come to an end. A new S-ranker Ini had finally found a sense of peace, enjoying the best sleep he''d had in years. The morning sunlight streaming through the window cast a warm glow on his face, and he felt rejuvenated. For the first time in a long time, he wasn''t being jolted awake by Tosak''s sudden attacks, designed to keep his senses sharp. He was free from that constant disturbance, and his body was grateful for the uninterrupted rest. As the sound of knocking on his door pierced the air, Ini groggily got out of bed, dragging his feet to the door. He was not pleased about being awakened from his beauty sleep and wanted to see the person who had disturbed him. As he opened the door, his anger was replaced with a warm feeling in his chest. Standing before him was a familiar face, one that he had thought about often over the years. His heart softened, and he felt a sense of joy that he hadn''t experienced in a long time. The person at the door spoke in a feminine voice, "Can I come in?" Ini''s thoughts were broken, and he replied, "Yeah." They both entered and took a seat. Ini asked, "How have you been?" She replied, "I''ve been well." Ini''s eyes locked onto hers, and he asked, "Temi, why are you here?" Her expression changed, and she looked at him angrily, saying, "What do you mean by that? Are you...?" Ini cut her off, saying, "My main purpose of going to the Warriors Association was to find you. Then, when I could, I researched which guild you were in through social media. I was happy when I thought I found you, till I saw you''d moved on. I mean, that''s my fault to think you wouldn''t move on after ten years, but I get it. No hard feelings." Temi''s expression softened, and she realized she couldn''t emotionally blackmail Ini. She had to come straight out and ask for what she wanted. "I''m sorry, I thought you were gone when we couldn''t find your body for so long... I''m here to ask you to join my guild. I promise you won''t regret it, and you''ll be paid very generously, depending on your contribution." Ini pondered for a moment before responding, "I''m not planning on joining any guilds, but I could work as a freelancer for a few missions. How about that? Also, you have to update me on how the world has changed and how much I''ve missed." Temi thought to herself that this was better than she had expected. She had wanted to suggest that herself, as S-Rankers were tough to deal with. She instantly agreed, giving him her card in case he wanted to contact her. She turned to leave, saying, "It''s good to see you, Ini." Ini just smiled beneath his mask as he shut the door without replying. As Temi walked out of the building, a young woman emerged from the corner, curiosity etched on her face. "What did he say?" she asked, hurrying to keep pace with Temi. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Temi continued walking towards the road, her expression glum. "He agreed to join us for a few raid missions," she replied, her voice devoid of enthusiasm. The girl looked at Temi''s face, puzzled. "Isn''t that better? We''ve gained another S-Rank warrior," she said, trying to lift Temi''s spirits. Temi turned to the girl, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Aren''t you wondering why the Association Chairman gave me all his information without argument, even though he didn''t have Ini''s permission to?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with a knowing glint. The girl thought for a moment before responding, "Because we''re the biggest guild in the South West, and it''s better to gain the new S-Rank warrior, so we''ll have more warriors to defend this region?" Temi''s smile grew wider. "We grew up in an orphanage together, and came to the Warriors Association together. You can say we have history... and that''s not all. He was my first love, and I was his." Temi''s voice trailed off, lost in thought. The girl didn''t see anything wrong with the situation and said, "Shouldn''t that assure he''ll stay?" Temi''s expression turned somber. "That''s not all. When we became warriors, I was an A-Ranker, while he was a C-Ranker. We grew apart... or I should say, I distanced myself. I got a lot of attention, and it filled my head. When he took an attack for me, I was shocked and sad. Even after all I did, he still cared for me. I stayed with him when he fell into a coma... as it was my fault. When his body was stolen, I won''t lie, I thought I wouldn''t see him again, and I thought I had done my best and moved on." Temi''s eyes seemed to cloud over, lost in the past. "Two years later, I became an S-Ranker, and together with Blaze, started a guild. Blaze opened his heart up to me, and I accepted it. Now, ten years later... if you were in his shoes, and the person who made you miss ten years of your life was with another person when you woke up, would you be happy?" The girl''s expression changed, understanding dawning on her face. "He only agreed because he didn''t understand anything yet. When he does, he''ll leave without looking back." Temi nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I doubt I can get the information the Chairman asked for, but I''ll try. Hopefully, he''ll move on, so he won''t be focused on what I''ve done, and seek happiness." The girl asked, "Do you think he''ll forgive you again?" Temi''s smile was tinged with melancholy. "Never make the same mistake twice; it''s always more costly than the first." She remembered Ini''s words, and a faraway look crept into her eyes. With that, she continued walking, the girl following silently behind her. White flame guild headquater Temi, entered the White Flame Guild''s gym, where the sound of clashing energies and the murmur of spectators filled the air. Amidst the various sparring matches, two individuals caught her attention. Blaze and Kale, both S-Rank warriors, were exchanging blows that released massive waves of energy. The crowd gathered around them, mesmerized by the intensity of their duel. As Temi watched, Blaze landed a powerful strike, sending Kale flying backward. The two warriors smiled at each other, their camaraderie evident. Blaze spoke, "You''re getting better, Kale." Kale retorted, "I''ve been practicing, and besides, you''re slacking off, Blaze. Is it because Mrs. Blaze is in the building?" The crowd''s attention shifted to Temi, and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. Blaze, however, maintained his composure, wiping the sweat from his brow before approaching Temi. "My beautiful Aurora, how did the meeting go?" Kale inquired, "Do we have a fourth S-Rank?" Temi replied, "He hasn''t decided, but he''ll be working with us on a few raid missions." Blaze and Kale exchanged a look of excitement, and Kale asked, "Why did the Chairman want you to personally go persuade him?" Temi''s expression turned somber, and she replied, "He''s my ex." Blaze''s eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his composure. Temi bid them farewell, waving as she left. As she departed, she turned back to Blaze and Kale, saying, "You won''t bully him, will you?" Blaze merely grinned, his eyes glinting with amusement, but didn''t reply. S rankers have code names as a way of making them stand out superficially Temi''s code name is Aurora. Thats absurd Chapter 17: That''s absurd Ini lay down on his bed, reminiscing about the good times he shared with Temi. A bittersweet smile crossed his face as he thought, "Good things really don''t last." He stood up, ready to start his day, and headed to the bathroom to bathe and dress up. As he looked through his clothes, he realized they were a bit small, a reminder that they were literally from ten years ago. Ini decided to go shopping for some new clothes. He walked to a nearby boutique in his neighborhood, using some of the money he had made years ago. After finishing his shopping, he noticed a barber shop across the street. With a wave of his hand, his shopping bags disappeared, and he walked into the barber shop. Looking into the mirror, Ini decided to get rid of his rough dreads. He sat down, about to ask the barber to cut his usual punk style, but changed his mind. "Loosen my dreads, trim them, and plait box braids," he instructed. As the barber worked on his hair, Ini used his spiritual consciousness to try and locate Temi. He remembered Tosak''s teachings: "The mind is like a sea filled with water. See yourself as every molecule, then release that sea with your body as the axis. Anything the sea touches, deals, senses will all be detected by you." Ini began searching, expanding his spiritual consciousness in increments of 100 meters, 500 meters, one kilometer, and so on. When he reached approximately seven kilometers, he sensed a very familiar energy in a unique skyscraper with a white flame emblem ¨C the White Flame Guild. Ini thought to himself, "Temi is really bad at recruiting; she didn''t even tell me the name of the guild." He didn''t know that it was because of him that she had come, and she had no experience. As he sensed Temi''s energy, Ini saw her practicing some kind of power with lots of vitality. He guessed that her new awakened power was as a healer. He also sensed two other strong presences in the building ¨C one hot and the other cold. The one with the hot presence was a slightly burly, chocolate-skinned man with a punk hairstyle and a ponytail. He was about six feet three inches tall, and Ini felt that he was somewhat strong. The one with the cold presence was a lean guy, fit and about five feet nine inches tall, with an all-back hairstyle. The two were dueling, and Ini recognized them as Blaze and Kale. Blaze seemed to notice something and stopped the fight, looking in Ini''s direction and smiling. Ini withdrew his consciousness, not because he was caught, but because he had accomplished his goal of locating Temi. Kale noticed Blaze''s anomaly and asked what was wrong. "A strong spiritual consciousness was here ¨C an S-Rank, definitely," Blaze replied. Kale asked if he thought it was the person Temi had invited. Blaze smiled, saying, "We''ll know soon enough." Kale asked how strong the person was, and Blaze answered, "Not strong enough." Kale knew that Blaze meant the person was stronger than him, not that the person wasn''t strong. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Blaze was known as Blaze because he was the number one fire mage in the world. What Kale and Blaze didn''t know was that Ini had only used his spiritual consciousness, not his presence. It was like the ocean''s depth ¨C what made the depth of the ocean wasn''t the darkness or the distance from the surface, not even the animals, but the pressure, strong enough to crush metal, bone, and everything else. Ini was pleased with his little mission and looked at his hair, amazed by the barber''s skills. The box braids came out clean and amazing, with small rings added to some of the tips, making them glitter. Ini gave the barber double the payment before making his way towards the White Flame Guild. White flame guild Ini walked into the White Flame Guild, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling building. He sensed over a thousand warriors within the building, and his eyes scanned the area, taking note of the various warriors going about their business. He approached the counter, where a neatly dressed lady greeted him. "Welcome to the Flame Guild, how can I be of service?" she asked. Ini replied, "I want to join your guild." The lady''s expression turned apologetic. "I''m sorry, but we aren''t currently recruiting any new members." Ini''s eyes narrowed slightly, and he asked, "Could I speak to Temi?" The woman''s eyes widened in shock and irritation, clearly taken aback by Ini''s familiarity with the S-Ranker. ,Ini released his spiritual presence, filling the entire building. The warriors trembled, and the lower-ranking ones collapsed. The high-ranking warriors rushed to the first floor, sensing the immense power. Only the three S-Rankers, Temi, Blaze, and Kale, truly understood the magnitude of Ini''s presence. Temi, Aurora, appeared, rushing toward Ini. "Ini, stop!" she exclaimed. Temi approached Ini, asking, "Why didn''t you call me?" Ini simply started walking toward her, replying, "I didn''t need to." Kale stepped forward, anger in his eyes, but his hands stopped inches away from Ini''s body, as if halted by an invisible wall. Ini glanced at Kale, saying, "Next time, you won''t have all ten fingers." He continued walking, asking Temi, "You wanted me, and I''m here. What now?" Blaze intervened, grinning mischievously. "Lets duel!" Ini raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why?" Blaze explained, "I am the guild master of this guild. Even if you''re just a freelancer, you have some terms to follow. If you duel with me, you can join us. Besides, with the stunt you pulled, it''s only fair I fight for my guild members." Ini agreed, saying, "Okay." The onlookers began murmuring, commenting on Ini''s apparent foolishness for accepting the duel. "The number one mage in Nigeria challenges you to a duel, and you accept? What height of stupidity is that?" They followed Ini and Blaze to the gymnasium, where the duel would take place. Temi watched, regretting telling Blaze about Ini''s past relationship with her. She knew Blaze''s tendencies to oppress any guy in her life, making them acknowledge his superiority. As Ini faced Blaze across the fighting ground, he asked, "Any rules?" Blaze smirked, replying, "Don''t die." With that, he launched a massive fireball at Ini, engulfing him in flames. The onlookers gasped, realizing Blaze was serious, using one of his signature moves, Destruction Ball. After a minute, the flames died down, revealing Ini standing unharmed in the center. Ini looked at Blaze, saying, "My turn." Without moving, he unleashed a powerful attack, blasting Blaze into the wall behind him. The onlookers, especially Temi, were shocked, wondering how powerful Ini was to pull off an attack like that without moving. The onlookers only had one thing in mind, how? How did a new mage just throw the strongest mage in the country into the wall with an invinsible attack without moving? That''s absurd. Ini and Arike Chapter 18: Ini and Arike The spectators watched in awe as Blaze emerged from the hole he had created in the wall, his face etched with fury. His usual smile had vanished, replaced by a fierce determination. Still maintaining his composure, he turned to Temi and asked, "Doesn''t he have a seal?" Temi replied, "No, he doesn''t. The Chairman thought he wouldn''t be that powerful, considering he was previously a C-Rank." This revelation caused a stir among the onlookers, as they struggled to comprehend the implications of Ini''s unsealed power. They had never heard of someone how leveled up by three ranks before. Temi approached Ini, holding a bracelet in her hand. "S-Ranks are required to wear this to help them control their power better," she explained, handing him the bracelet. Ini put it on, feeling his power decrease by 20%. He turned to Temi, asking, "By how much is your power supposed to go down?" She replied, "70%." Ini wondered if the bracelet was faulty, but he asked Temi, "How does it work, and does it vary depending on the warrior?" Temi explained that she wasn''t sure how it worked, but the sealing effect did vary depending on the warrior''s strength. "For basic warriors, it''s the full 70% sealing, but for stronger S-Ranks, the amount sealed is less. Like Blaze, for instance, has only 65% of his powers sealed." With the bracelet in place, Ini decided to continue the duel. He tried to revolve his magic energy and found that it was only slightly slower, about 20% slower. Blaze, determined to take Ini down, resorted to close combat, lunging at him with a flurry of punches and kicks. Ini, however, seemed to be toying with Blaze, effortlessly dodging and weaving around the attacks. The two warriors clashed at an incredible speed, their movements a blur as they exchanged blows. Blaze unleashed a rapid combination of punches, but Ini dodged each one with ease, his movements seemingly choreographed. Blaze then attempted a powerful kick, but Ini sidestepped it, using the momentum to fuel his own counterattack. Ini landed a swift jab, but Blaze countered with a hook that Ini dodged by a hair''s breadth. The duel continued, with Blaze becoming increasingly frustrated as Ini continued to evade his attacks. Finally, Blaze landed a solid punch to Ini''s gut, but instead of hearing the expected impact, Ini suddenly appeared behind Blaze. Ini said, "I think it''s best we stop here. It''s a duel, not a fight to the death." The spectators looked on, unsatisfied with the abrupt ending. Blaze hadn''t gotten to humiliate Ini, the spectators hadn''t seen Ini''s full capacity, and Temi was left wondering what powers Ini truly wielded. Ini, however, seemed neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, his expression neutral as he stood beside Blaze. Ini followed Temi, Blaze, and Kale to the topmost floor of the White Flame Guild''s building, where they gathered to discuss the terms of Ini''s potential membership. The offer they presented was incredibly generous, with a substantial amount of money, acres of land, and access to top-tier weapons and armor. Additionally, Ini would have the opportunity to acquire valuable carcasses, which he could either use himself or sell to the guild at a fair price. After considering the offer, Ini agreed to join the guild. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Temi continued, outlining the terms of Ini''s membership. "There''s one more thing," she said. "You''ll need to take someone under your wing to train." Ini raised an eyebrow, asking, "Why?" Temi replied, "It''s just a tradition. You''ll be mentoring an A-Rank warrior, who will be moderately strong." Ini thought for a moment before agreeing. He asked " would I have the opportunity to choose my mentee?"Temi explained that "the A-Ranks with the highest merit would be assigned a mentor. This is a way of ensuring diligence. However, you would have the option to change your mentee if you encountered any problems. Temi called for Arike, Ini''s assigned mentee, the A-rank with the highest merit, to join them on the top floor. A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened, and Arike walked in. Ini couldn''t help but notice her striking features ¨C she stood about five feet six inches tall, with light brown skin and jet-black hair tied into a ponytail. Her gym outfit, consisting of a sports bra and tight leggings, accentuated her athletic figure. Ini asked Arike about her powers, and she replied, "Lightning, sir." Ini stood up, took a closer look at Arike, and then turned to Temi, saying, "I''ll train her." He turned to Arike and instructed, "Follow me, we''re going out." Arike followed Ini calmly, although she was inwardly excited. Not only had she been assigned an S-Rank mentor, but he was also incredibly strong. Being around S-Ranks guaranteed her safety, and she knew she would have access to high-quality carcasses, which would aid in her growth as a warrior. As they left the guild, Arike couldn''t help but feel a sense of anticipation and wonder about what the future held for her under Ini''s guidance. Ini and Arike walked into a bustling restaurant, the aroma of savory dishes filling their senses. They were seated at a cozy table, and Ini promptly ordered a massive feast, while Arike opted for a lighter meal. As they waited for their food to arrive, Ini''s eyes scanned the restaurant, taking in the lively atmosphere. When their orders arrived, Ini dug in with gusto, devouring his food with a hunger that betrayed his calm demeanor. Arike, on the other hand, could barely eat, her appetite seemingly suppressed by Ini''s intimidating presence. As Ini finished half of his plate, he began to speak, his voice low and even. "I have some ground rules you need to follow," he said, his eyes locking onto Arike''s. She immediately looked up, her attention riveted on Ini. "One, you''ll update me from time to time on how things work now. Two, you won''t tell anyone anything I tell you not to, or anything you see me do. I''ll advise you not to ¨C I''ll know. Three, I''ll push you to your limit so you get better. Four, you''ll follow my instructions without questions. Five, you''ll report to my house by six am every morning. And six, you''ll start a physical exercise routine every morning. Do you understand?" Arike nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, sir." Ini''s eyes cringed at the formal address. "Call me Ini, not sir," he corrected, his tone softening slightly. Arike''s cheeks flushed as she replied, "Okay, Ini." She thought the requirements were tough, but the reward would be worth it. She also thinks ini without his mask is pretty cute. Ini''s gaze returned to his food, and he continued eating, leaving Arike to process the weight of his expectations. Suddenly, Ini spoke up, his voice casual, "Oh, and just for your sake, I can kinda read minds. And yes, the reward would be worth it." Arike''s eyes widened in shock as Ini continued to focus on his food, his expression serene. She bashfully buries her head in her food to embarrassed to look up. Chapter 19: Ini and Arike II Chapter 19: Ini and Arike II Ini and Arike finished their meal, paid, and left the restaurant. As they walked, Ini asked Arike about the rate of magical beast appearances over the past decade. Arike''s eyes widened slightly, and she quickly hid her surprise. "Since when?" she asked, trying to sound nonchalant. Ini replied, "Ten years ago." Arike''s expression turned serious, and she began to explain. "At the time, the Colossal first started to appear, each with its own sphere. But later, the forces battling them changed their tactics. They''d send one massive sphere, which we call a Colossal, with layers. The outer layer, the first to be exposed, has the weaklings. They rely on numbers as their strength. After that, the next layer has slightly stronger beasts, although sometimes the power difference is significant." Arike paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "We classify the Colossal not by their layers but by their Magic Energy Radiation, or MER. This is because sometimes, as we''ve seen in the past, a double-layered boss is stronger than a triple or quadruple-layered one." Arike took a deep breath before proceeding. "The fights are always recorded so that achievements can be allocated properly without any mischief. The Colossal are ranked based on their difficulty, from E to S..." Ini interrupted, his voice laced with curiosity. "Has an S-Rank appeared before?" Arike''s expression turned solemn, as if recalling a troubling event. "Yes, it has, and it was gruesome. Hundreds of thousands died. It was a massive Colossal with no S-Rank monster, but tens of thousands of A-Ranked beasts from different races." Arike''s voice dropped to a whisper. "Although S-Ranks don''t have trouble fighting A-Ranks, it''s not the same case with thousands. That incident made humanity realize we were still weak." Ini''s eyes narrowed, his interest piqued. "Did S-Ranks die?" Arike shook her head. "It wasn''t the warriors, but the commoners. The Colossal landed inside a city. Our satellites didn''t pick up its presence until it showed up. I saw the footage... humans being trampled, torn apart, and eaten like snacks. It''s a day humanity lost, even though we won." Ini fell silent, his expression unreadable. He continued walking alongside Arike, lost in thought as they navigated the bustling streets. Ini continued to ask Arike questions, and she responded to the best of her knowledge. As they conversed, a loud alarm suddenly rang out, accompanied by flashing yellow lights. Ini turned to Arike, who had a panicked expression, and asked, "A Colossal?" She nodded, replying, "Yes, a B-Rank. We have to get back to the guild." Ini instructed Arike to hold him, and without hesitation, she grasped his arm. In the next instant, Ini leaped into the air, propelling himself toward the guild with incredible speed. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. As they arrived, Ini landed smoothly, but Arike still clung to his arm, her grip tight. Ini looked at her, saying, "We''re at the guild; you can let go now." Arike released her grip, her face still flushed from the shock of their rapid journey. Ini walked into the guild, with Arike recovering and rushing behind him. They made their way to the top floor, where the S-Ranks were gathered, discussing the impending threat. On the screen, Ini saw the incoming Colossal, hurtling toward Earth with breathtaking speed. The S-Ranks turned to him as he arrived, their expressions varied ¨C Kale looked normal, Temi solemn, and Blaze angry, though he hid it well. Ini asked, "How does this work?" Temi explained, "Since it''s only a B-Rank, only one S-Rank is needed to lead the attack. As you''re new, it''ll be you, accompanied by Kale." Temi had deliberately chosen Ini, hoping to avoid escalating Blaze''s hatred. She led Ini and Arike into the elevator and down to a few floors below, where they entered a luxurious sub-penthouse. Temi gestured, saying, "This is your domain. It has a living room, two bedrooms, a personal gym, a kitchen, three toilets, a balcony, and many more features. This is where you''ll be staying for the time being." Temi continued to try to win Ini over, adding, "Your battle suit is in the gym. You should suit up." Ini nodded, replying, "Okay," and headed into the room. Arike and Temi left, with Temi instructing Arike, "You should suit up, wherever he goes you go. And I hope you understand your assignment?" Arike nodded, and Temi continued, "Good. You know that A-Ranks are not few, but it''s just that one thing that makes some special." Arike replied, "Yes, ma''am, I''ll do my best." Temi smiled saying " don''t call me ma''am I''m still young" Ini entered the luxurious sub-penthouse, making his way to the gym. He spotted the battle suit on a mannequin, encased in a glass box. The suit was a sleek, jet-black armor with thin, metallic plating. Ini''s eyes widened as he estimated the suit''s value ¨C it was undoubtedly expensive. He donned the suit, feeling its lightweight yet durable design. As he approached the door, he remembered the coat Tosak had given him. With a swift gesture, the coat materialized, and Ini wore it over his battle suit, without wearing the sleeves giving of a cape vibe. As Ini descended to the first floor, all eyes turned to him. Arike followed closely behind, feeling a bit awkward as Ini''s majestic appearance drew attention. The battle suit and Tosak''s coat made him look regal. Kale, also clad in his battle suit, stood alongside his mentee, who had a pair of daggers tucked into their chest plate. Kale asked Ini, "No weapons?" Ini''s response was to wave his hand, and two sheathed swords appeared at his waist, attached to his belt. Kake looks closely and realizes the weapons must be special grade. The group proceeded outside, boarding a peculiar vehicle that Ini didn''t recognize. All 50 mages were on board, and the vehicle lifted off into the air, heading toward the impact site. Upon arrival, Ini beheld the massive, cracked sphere ¨C roughly half the size of a soccer field. The group landed about 200 meters away and began advancing toward the Colossal. First collosal Chapter 20: First collosal As they approached the Colossal, Kale briefed Ini on the plan. "I''ll take 24 warriors to block the exit. This is your battle; I''ll keep the monsters from escaping." Ini recognized that Kale was making things more challenging for him, as Kale alone could have sealed all other routes. However, Ini chose not to comment and allowed Kale to depart with his team. Ini turned to the remaining warriors, consisting of 4 combat warriors, 4 heavy-duty warriors, and 16 range-type warriors. He realized that Kale had intentionally left him with a more difficult combination of warriors. The combat warriors and heavy-duty warriors were meant to face the beasts head-on, while the range-type warriors would provide support from a safe distance. Ini assessed the strengths of each warrior type: combat warriors excelled in close combat and weaponry, heavy-duty warriors wore massive armor and wielded large weapons, and range-type warriors used projectiles and long-range attacks. Ini looked at the Colossal, its cracks increasing by the second, and then turned to his team. He asked Arike, "What weapon do you use?" She replied, "A whip." Ini thought this was a good fit, as she could join the combat warriors, although her strength might be better utilized as a range-type warrior. He then addressed the 15 range-type warriors, "I''ll split you into two groups of seven each. You''ll each go to the top floors of those two buildings behind us. Seven each on the left and right building. Two warriors will ensure the beasts don''t reach the top floor, while the remaining five will support the heavy-duty and combat warriors." Ini pointed to one of the range-type warriors, saying, "You stay; the remaining 14 should get into position." They quickly dispersed, climbing and jumping to the top floors of the two buildings. Ini asked the warrior he had asked to stay behind, "You have bright flames, right?" The boy replied, "Yes, sir." Ini corrected him, "Again with the ''sir''? Never mind. Once those beasts burst out, on my signal, I want you to launch your flame at them. Focus on brightness, not heat. And all of you, when he does attack, target your assigned beasts." Ini''s voice echoed as he shouted the last part, ensuring everyone understood his plan. They knew Kale had made things harder for them, but they were impressed by Ini''s ability to improvise. The cracks on the Colossal''s surface expanded, signaling its imminent breakage. Ini remained calm, his confidence unwavering. He could easily take on all the beasts, including the boss, alone. However, the same couldn''t be said for the rest of his team, who were visibly nervous despite being A-Ranks and B-Ranks. Temi, watching from headquarters, was impressed with Ini''s tactics. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Just as the tension was palpable, the Colossal''s surface cracked open, and a hole formed. Beasts began pouring out, rushing toward Ini''s team. They were massive, with some reaching five feet in height, sporting big heads, sharp tusks, and claws that seemed to pack a devastating punch. The team''s confidence was draining fast, and Ini took notice. He knew that if they didn''t believe in their ability to win, they had already lost the battle. Ini stepped forward, unsheathing one of his swords. He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused on the beasts approaching at an alarming rate. His aura began to grow stronger, causing the warriors behind him to take a step back. The spectators watching from the screens were on the edge of their seats, eager to witness Ini''s power. His sword began to vibrate, and the space around him distorted. Then, with a swift motion, Ini unleashed a massive wave from his sword at breathtaking speed. Everyone held their breath as they waited for the outcome, which exceeded their wildest imagination. The beasts came to an abrupt halt, their bodies disintegrating into pieces. The warriors were shocked, and even Temi and Blaze at the headquarters were left stunned. Ini''s voice broke the silence, "It''s your turn now." However, before they could respond, the Colossal shattered into pieces, including the boss. Ini had massacred the entire Colossal in a single strike. Ini seemed taken aback, saying, "Eh... Sorry, I really didn''t intend to kill them all and steal the merits. I tried using little power, but well..." He gazed at the battlefield, now a massacre scene. The warriors looked at him, shocked, and glanced at his wrist, where the seal remained intact. They realized that Ini had used less than 30% of his power, and their minds reeled at the implications.althougbbtgevseak can only seal twenty percent of Ini''s power, he did indeed use less than thirty percent of his powers Blaze, watching from headquarters, felt a shiver run down his spine as he wondered if Ini was stronger than him by a large margin. Temi simply stared at the screen, still trying to process what she had just witnessed. In a distant jungle, inside a spaceship, Tosak suddenly looked up, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "What part of ''you''re one of the strongest'' don''t you understand?" he muttered to himself, chuckling as he continued with his activities. --- For the first time in their lives, A-Rank and B-Rank warriors found themselves cleaning up the battlefield, trying to earn merits. However, they didn''t do so with their usual enthusiasm, still reeling from the shock of Ini''s incredible display of power. The scene was surreal, with warriors who were normally accustomed to fighting for their lives now picking up pieces of the beasts Ini had effortlessly slaughtered. Meanwhile, the video of Ini''s battle was spreading like wildfire on the internet. People were stunned, wondering how someone could possibly defeat an entire Colossal with a single strike. Ini quickly amassed a large fan base, with many hailing him as a hero and a symbol of hope. The attention was overwhelming, with fans and reporters clamoring to get a glimpse of the mysterious warrior. As Ini''s fame grew, the four other guilds took notice. They sent representatives to the guild where Ini was staying, hoping to win him over with lucrative offers and benefits. These representatives were armed with numerous incentives, from rare magical artifacts to exclusive access to powerful magical resources. They were determined to recruit Ini, recognizing the immense value he could bring to their respective guilds. Please engage by commenting, collecting and donating. Join our discord at https://discord.gg/s7gPX4us Ghouls Chapter 21: Ghouls As Ini turned to leave the battlefield, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. His gaze fell upon the slaughtered carcasses of the beasts, and he noticed something peculiar. Small, glowing balls of light were floating around the bodies, emitting a soft, ethereal glow. Ini''s curiosity was piqued, and he turned back to examine the phenomenon more closely. The warriors cleaning up the battlefield seemed oblivious to the glowing orbs, but Ini felt an inexplicable connection to them. Without thinking, Ini subconsciously called out to the balls of light, and to his surprise, they immediately began to move towards him. As they touched his body, they disappeared into his skin, only to be followed by the remaining orbs at an incredible speed. Ini estimated that there were thousands of these glowing balls, and yet, he didn''t feel any unusual sensations as they entered his body. However, as the last orb disappeared, Ini realized that something was amiss. He became aware of a strange, new space within himself, where the glowing orbs now resided. Ini was certain that this space hadn''t existed before, and he made a mental note to visit Tosak to understand what was happening. Arike''s feminine voice broke Ini''s train of thought, "Er... Ini, we can leave now." Ini turned to face her, nodding in agreement. Together, they headed back to the vehicle that had brought them to the battlefield, returning to the guild in silence. Commander Tharkos stood on the bridge of the Iluniverse, gazing out at the multitude of ships docked within the massive vessel. It was a marvel of engineering, a self-sustaining space station that had become the epicenter of their operations. Tharkos''s eyes scanned the various screens and holographic displays, taking note of the progress they had made. The Iluniverse was a hive of activity, with ships coming and going at all hours, ferrying supplies, personnel, and...other cargo. Tharkos''s thoughts turned to the words of his king, the ruler of their realm. "You know the Asthrax is a very powerful weapon," the king had said. "It''s the cause of the abyss you fought in front of with the Kyrerians. Well, it is just like a god. It can create and destroy." Tharkos had heard the stories, of course. Everyone had. The Asthrax was a legendary artifact, one that had shaped the course of their history. And now, it seemed, it was exerting its influence on Earth. "I believe it''s showing its power of creation on Earth," the king had continued. "This means imdome rate minerals will form, and I want them. Keep sending soft slaves to Earth. So their magic energy is added to Earth''s, making its evolution faster. Once it''s ripe, I''ll devour it." Tharkos didn''t pretend to understand the intricacies of the king''s plan. He was a soldier, not a strategist. His job was to carry out orders, not to question them. And so, he would continue to do just that, sending ship after ship to Earth, ferrying the soft slaves who would accelerate the planet''s transformation. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Tharkos''s own motivations were simple: he wanted to do his job and keep his head. In a realm where the king''s whims could mean life or death, it was wise to focus on the task at hand and not ask too many questions. The Iluniverse would continue to orbit Earth, a constant presence as the planet underwent its transformation. And Tharkos would be here, overseeing the operation, until the king''s plans came to fruition. Tosaks ship Tosak''s ship was a marvel of advanced technology, and the three figures seated around the table were an unlikely trio. Tosak, the enigmatic alien, sat across from Ini and Arike, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Why did you bring her here?" he asked Ini, his voice low and smooth. Ini replied nonchalantly, "She''s sort of my student, and it''s better this way, so there''s better understanding. Besides, she won''t tell a single soul." Tosak''s gaze turned to Arike, his eyes piercing as he said, "You''re right, she won''t betray you. You''ve gotten yourself a little lover girl." Arike''s face turned bright red, her eyes widening in embarrassment, especially since she couldn''t deny the accusation. Ini ignored Tosak''s teasing and changed the subject, "I came here to ask you about something." He stretched out his hands, signaling Tosak to do the same. Tosak complied, and they both closed their eyes. About two minutes later, Tosak opened his eyes, raising an eyebrow. "So, what''s it?" Ini asked, while Arike watched their exchange, feeling a bit out of place. Ini playfully knocked on her head, saying, "it''s not a bromance." She rubbed her head in response giving Ini the stink eye only to stop realizing this dude could read her mind. Tosak finally spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "At first, I thought your power was related to space and the mind, but it appears I was wrong. It''s as if your power combines space and souls." Ini''s eyes narrowed, "Souls?" Tosak nodded, "Yes, souls. Those balls are soul essence, which can be used to create a ghoul." Ini and Arike exchanged confused glances, like kindergartners in an advanced physics class. Tosak sighed, explaining, "The soul essence can be said to be the core of the soul, and as you know, the soul is the core of a being. Using the soul essence, you''ll be able to create semi-beings that will be like the original being but completely under your mercy and command. They wouldn''t have a physical body and would reside in your soul. They''ll be in a half-soul, half-body state when you summon them from your soul." Ini''s eyes widened as he asked, "So, currently, they''re in my soul?" Tosak nodded, "Yes, they are. Be careful, as overloading the soul isn''t good." Ini continued to ask questions, his curiosity piqued. "Can they be destroyed?" Tosak replied, "They can, but with your magic energy and soul energy, you can bring them back, although your strength would weaken." Ini''s expression turned thoughtful, and he asked, "How do you know so much?" Tosak''s smile turned bitter, and he replied, "A story for another day." Ini raised his hand, showing the seal bracelet, and asked, "Can you create a stronger seal?" Tosak nodded, "Sure." A few minutes later, Tosak returned with a new seal, saying, "This should do the trick." Ini removed the old association seal and put on the new one. Instantly, he felt a significant change, as ninety percent of his powers were sealed, leaving him with only ten percent. Tosak explained, "There are three layers to this seal. The first layer increases your accessible power from ten to twenty percent. The second layer increases it from twenty to fifty percent, and the third layer increases it from fifty to one hundred percent." Tosak''s expression turned serious, and he said, "Now you may go. I want my peace and quiet." With that, both Ini and Arike left, leaving Tosak to his solitude. As soon as they were gone, Tosak''s demeanor changed. He brought out a picture of two young aliens smiling, and his eyes took on a nostalgic glaze. He touched the picture, reminiscing about the good old days. For a moment, the gruff, no-nonsense alien was replaced by a sentimental being, lost in thought. I miss home Chapter 22: I miss home Twenty years ago twenty billion light years away from Earth on the Kyrerians'' ancestral planet of Ketlyre, a majestic palace stood tall. Two young Kyrerians, Tosak and Arkna, were running across the lawn, playing and giggling together. Their laughter echoed through the palace grounds, carefree and joyful. As they tired themselves out, they lay down on the soft, green grass, gazing up at the starry night sky. Arkna, with her piercing blue eyes and raven-black hair, turned to Tosak, her voice filled with concern. "Tosak, do you think I''ll make a good queen one day?" she asked, her brow furrowed with worry. Tosak, with his messy black hair and rough look, smiled reassuringly. "Of course, Arkna! You''ll be an amazing queen. You''re kind, wise, and just. Our people will love and respect you. Why do you think you won''t make a good queen." Arkna''s face lit up with a smile, and she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you, Tosak. I used to think I''d make a good queen, but after my mother started expecting more from me... it''s been overwhelming. But since you think so, I guess I can''t argue with you." She paused, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. "Promise me you''ll never leave my side." Tosak''s smile faltered for a moment, before he nodded, his voice filled with conviction. "I promise, Arkna. I''ll always be here for you." As they lay there, gazing up at the stars, Tosak knew that he would do anything to keep that promise, to always be there for his dear friend, the future queen of the Kyrerians. Although they had been betrothed without their consent, a circumstance beyond their control, Tosak found solace in their bond. He couldn''t imagine leaving or losing her. Fast forward to Five years ago, the palace of the Kyrerians was in chaos. The royal family, including the Princess Arkna, had been brutally assassinated by the Celestari. Tosak, still reeling from the loss, stood beside his father, General Commander Arkon, as he prepared to take the throne. Arkon is the right hand man of the king or was, and everyone knew they were like brothers. All the nobles gathered there were in support of Arkon taking up the ruler mantle. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. The grand hall was filled with nobles and dignitaries, all somber and mournful. The air was thick with grief. Arkon, a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression, stood before the throne, his eyes fixed on the floor. "Tosak, my son," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I know this is a difficult time for you. You loved Arkna, and I... I loved the king like a brother." Tosak''s eyes welled up with tears as he nodded, his throat constricting. "I know, Father. Me too." The ceremony began, with the nobles and dignitaries pledging their allegiance to Arkon. Tosak watched, numb and detached, as his father took the throne. As the newly appointed ruler, Arkon''s first act was to declare war on the Celestari. The hall erupted in a chorus of approval, with many calling for vengeance. Tosak, however, felt only emptiness. Later that day, the royal family was laid to rest in the underground chamber of the palace. Tosak stood at the entrance, watching as the caskets were placed in the chamber. His eyes fixed on one particular casket, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of the royal family. Arkna. His love, his heart, his everything. As the chamber was sealed, Tosak felt a surge of anger and sadness. He knew that this act of brutality would not go unpunished. The Kyrerians would seek revenge, and the Celestari would pay for their treachery. The war between the Kyrerians and the Celestari had begun. Tosak''s eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination. He would do everything in his power to help the Kyrerians win this war, to avenge Arkna''s death and bring honor back to their people. Tosak''s eyes, still fixed on the stars, seemed to glaze over as his mind wandered back to the past. The memories of Arkna, of his father, of the palace, and of the war flooded his thoughts. He remembered the day Arkna died, the day his world shattered. He recalled the pain, the anger, and the emptiness that followed. The war had consumed him, driven him to seek revenge against the Celestari. As the memories faded, Tosak''s gaze returned to the present. He looked around the dimly lit cockpit of his ship, the silence a stark contrast to the chaos of his past. His voice barely above a whisper, Tosak murmured, "I miss home." The words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of all that he had lost. The palace, the gardens, the stars of his home planet ¨C all gone, replaced by the endless vastness of space. Tosak''s eyes dropped, his gaze falling on the control panel in front of him. His fingers, seemingly of their own accord, began to dance across the controls, plotting a new course. Perhaps, just perhaps, he might find a new home, a new sense of purpose, among the stars. Ini and Arike trekked through the dense jungle, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath their feet. The silence between them was palpable, until Ini broke it. "I know you have questions, but I won''t answer them yet. Maybe in the future," Ini said, his eyes fixed on the path ahead. Arike nodded, her expression a mixture of curiosity and understanding. After a moment, she spoke up again. "Last time you were much faster. Why are we going at this pace?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Ini''s back. Ini replied without turning around, "You can''t handle that much speed over this long distance. And besides, I just sealed my powers by ninety percent. It''s better to go slow so I won''t need to rest." Arike murmured under her breath, "I wish I could fly." She gazed wistfully at the sky, visible through the canopy above. As she relied on Ini for transportation, she could only comply with his pace. Inventory Chapter 23: Inventory Ini and Arike returned to the guild, heading straight to Ini''s sub-penthouse. As they entered, Temi received a notice from her mentee, Omotola, and immediately made her way to Ini''s residence. She arrived with a tablet in hand and rang the doorbell. After receiving permission, she entered to find Ini seated and Arike standing behind him. Temi greeted them and began, "Without a doubt, you hold the highest merit in the colossal raid. The total number of beasts killed is three hundred and fifty-seven, excluding the boss. The fifty-seven would be shared amongst the clean-up crew, while you''ll get the remaining three hundred." She paused, then asked, "Do you have any problems with this?" Ini nodded thoughtfully before speaking, "I feel bad taking all the merits; it wasn''t intentional. I was just trying to reduce the odds as the team seemed scared. I''ll take 200." Temi felt a wave of relief wash over her; Ini wasn''t being greedy, which was a welcome surprise. She replied, " They were scared because that was an abnormal number for collosals. Even though they were low ranks, they would only be fifty to hundred but that was over three fifty. I''ll let them know they''re getting a bonus. They''ll be thrilled. But I have to tell you, ten percent of all merits belongs to the guild." Ini nodded in agreement, and Temi continued, "That leaves you with one hundred and eighty magic cores. The remainder is to be shared between the guild and the government. Since the cost of the core is twice that of all the useful parts combined, I think it''s fair." Ini interjected, "Could you just convert it into money for me?" Temi smiled, "Since you want that, it means you want to sell it to the guild. One C-rank core is worth one million naira. You have one hundred and eighty, that''s one hundred and eighty million. Now, the boss is a B-rank, and you get all the parts of the boss, including the core. The core is worth fifty million, the fangs are quite sharp and large enough for daggers, worth ten million each. The rest of its body is just worth about seven million five hundred thousand. So, your total comes to two hundred and fifty-seven million naira. That''ll be all. I''ll let you know if anything comes up." Ini expressed his gratitude with a simple "Thanks," watching as Temi departed. As soon as Temi left, Ini turned to Arike, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "How much did you get?" he asked, referring to the merits she had earned during the colossal raid. Arike replied, "Around four million." Ini nodded thoughtfully, his mind already racing with the implications. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. "What if it was a group effort?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of intrigue. Arike''s expression turned thoughtful as she considered the question. "That''ll depend on the S-rank leading," she replied, her voice measured. "If it''s an S-rank with more close-range ability, although it won''t be a challenge to them, they''ll be slower, allowing us to gather more kills. But for someone with a wide-range ability like yourself, we usually get little kills." Ini''s eyes narrowed slightly as he processed Arike''s words. He asked, "Explain." Arike took a deep breath before launching into a detailed explanation. "When an S-rank with close-range abilities leads, they tend to take their time, focusing on taking down enemies one by one. This gives the rest of us a chance to catch up and take down more enemies. However, when an S-rank with wide-range abilities leads, they can take down multiple enemies at once, leaving the rest of us with fewer opportunities to earn kills." Ini nodded thoughtfully, his mind racing with the implications. "They were all C-ranks, making it easy for those above you. All of you are A-ranks, so those with wide-range attacks should get decent kills." Arike''s expression turned wry as she replied, "You didn''t give us much of a chance." Ini''s eyes sparkled with amusement as he said, "Sorry for that. In return, I''ll start your training." Arike''s eyes lit up with excitement as she nodded eagerly. "Could I know what powers you have?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Ini waited for a moment before replying, his voice low and mysterious. "In short, I have fire, mind, and space. Now, let''s work on your inventory." Arike''s eyes widened as she processed Ini''s words, her mind racing with the implications. She wondered what kind of attack he had used in the colossal raid, and how he had managed to earn so many merits. As Ini stood up, heading towards the gym, Arike followed closely behind. "It was a mixture of fire and space," Ini replied, answering her unspoken question. Arike''s eyes sparkled with excitement as she asked, "If you can use both to that capacity, it means you have high mastery over them." Ini nodded, his expression serious. "I do. I only used too much power because I''m used to going all out." Arike nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with the implications. As they entered the gym, Ini turned to Arike, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What ways do you use your lightning?" he asked, his voice tinged with interest. Arike replied, "As a projectile, and maybe to distort the enemy." Ini''s expression turned thoughtful as he nodded. "You''re limiting your powers, only using it in just two ways. The first training would be to increase your inventory and attacks, which will make you better and have a better chance of survival." Arike''s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she asked, "How?" Ini''s smile grew wider as he replied, "Have you ever thought of materializing your lightning?" Arike''s face scrunched up in confusion, and she shook her head, indicating she didn''t understand. Ini''s smile never wavered as he raised his hand. A small line of fire formed, taking the shape of a rope. Arike''s eyes widened in shock as Ini used the fiery rope to retrieve one of his swords from its sheath, attached to a mannequin wearing his suit. "Since we can control every bit of the element, it makes it like our little helper," Ini explained, his voice low and soothing. "Don''t forget, it''s fire, and it burns. If it was a beast, it would either be screaming or have its limbs cut off." Arike nodded intently, her eyes fixed on the fiery rope as it dissipated into thin air. Ini''s smile grew softer, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "This is just one of many skills I''ll teach you," he promised. Arike''s determination was palpable as she nodded her head, her voice firm. "I''ll do what it takes." Ini''s smile faltered for a moment, and he gazed at Arike with an unreadable expression. Then, his mask slipped back into place, and he smiled lightly, his eyes glinting with amusement. Im training you Chapter 24: I''m training you White flame guild Ini''s sub penthouse The sound of grunting filled the air as Ini counted out loud, "Two hundred and forty-seven!" Arike grunted in response, her voice strained from the effort of doing push-ups with Ini sitting on her back. "Two hundred and forty-eight!" Ini called out, his voice steady and calm. Arike grunted again, her body trembling with exhaustion. "Two hundred and forty-nine!" Ini said, his voice firm but encouraging. With one final grunt, Arike collapsed onto the ground, Ini''s weight lifting off her back. As Ini stood up, he said, "That was better." Arike''s face was still pressed against the floor, her chest heaving with exhaustion. She muttered, "Isn''t it meant to be the other way around? You doing the push-ups and me sitting on your back, munching on some snacks?" Ini chuckled lightly, his mask glinting in the dim light of the sub-penthouse. "One, I didn''t munch on any snacks. Two, you''re the one training, and I''m the trainer. And three, you''ll notice the results soon." He offered Arike a hand up, helping her to her feet. Arike stood up, her athletic body glistening with sweat. She was wearing a simple sports bra and leggings, her hair tied back in a ponytail. She took a gulp of water from a nearby bottle, then asked, "Ini, why do you wear a mask, anyway? You''re powerful enough to defend yourself from most people trying to hurt you, so you don''t need a secret identity." Ini smiled beneath his mask, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I have my reasons, and it''s not to keep my identity a secret..." Arike''s eyes narrowed, her curiosity piqued. "Can I see your face?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Ini''s smile grew wider, and he pulled his mask down to his chin, revealing his face for a brief moment. Arike''s eyes widened in surprise, and she stared at Ini, saying nothing. Ini pulled his mask back up, his expression serious once more. "Come on, let''s continue," he said, his voice firm but gentle. Arike nodded, her eyes still fixed on Ini''s mask. "For what it''s worth, you''re handsome," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ini''s mask glinted in the dim light, and he said, "Let''s focus on your training." Arike nodded, taking a deep breath before assuming a fighting stance. "Let''s go," she said, her eyes flashing with determination. With a nod, Ini assumed a fighting stance as well, and the two of them began to spar, their movements lightning-fast and deadly. The sound of their breathing and the clash of their fists and feet filled the air, a symphony of violence and discipline. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. The top floor of the White Flame Guild was abuzz with activity as Blaze, Kale, and Aurora worked on various guild-related tasks. The silence was broken by Kale, who commented on the magical outbursts coming from Ini and Arike''s training session below. "How long do those two plan to fight for?" Blaze responded sarcastically, "Hopefully before the building collapses." Temi, however, reassured them, "Relax, they''re keeping their powers in check. If it wasn''t for our high perception, you wouldn''t even know they''re fighting." Kale changed the subject, asking, "What did he say? Is he staying permanently?" Blaze turned to Temi, awaiting her response. Temi replied, "I haven''t asked him yet, but he says he''ll be staying for a while, and he''s growing fond of Arike, so I think he should." Kale smiled, impressed. "So that''s why you gave him a female mentee. I''m impressed." Blaze also realized that most S-ranks took on mentees of the same gender, but Temi had intentionally paired Ini with Arike. Just then, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. "Come in," Temi called out. Her mentee, Omotola, rushed in, trying to catch her breath. "Mako is here," she announced, her eyes wide with excitement. The faces of the S-ranks changed, their expressions turning serious. They sent their consciousness throughout the building, sensing Mako''s presence. He was smiling, aware that they had detected him. Temi wondered aloud, "What could he want? He''s far away from the Red Fangs'' Guild region." No one had an answer, so Blaze stood up, saying, "Let''s go greet our guest." The group headed to the elevator, proceeding to the ground floor to meet Mako. The air was filled with anticipation and a hint of caution, as they wondered what had brought Maco to their guild. The elevator doors slid open with a soft "pom" sound, signaling their arrival at the reception area. Blaze, Kale, and Aurora proceeded to the reception, where Mako was patiently waiting. His face broke into a smile as he saw the three S-ranks approaching. "To what do I owe the pleasure of being greeted by three S-ranks?" Mako asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Temi, never one for small talk, cut straight to the point. "Just say why you''re here and cut the bullshit," Temi said bluntly. Mako''s smile never wavered as he replied, "Rumors are going around... no, I''m sure you silently gobbled up the newest S-rank without even giving the rest of us a chance to put forth our proposals. I don''t think that''s fair." The three S-ranks exchanged knowing glances. They understood exactly what Mako was implying - that they should have allowed Ini to hear proposals from other guilds before making a decision. It was a valid point, considering the White Flame Guild''s coastal cities gave them an advantage in terms of resources, but they weren''t the richest guild. That title belonged to the Red Fang Guild. The S-ranks were calculating, weighing their options. They wanted Ini to stay, but they couldn''t keep him against his wishes. While Ini was currently wealthy and would only grow richer with more colossal battles, he could potentially become even wealthier if he joined the Red Fang Guild in the East region. Mako broke the silence, his voice smooth as silk. "Could I see this distinguished S-rank?" Temi quickly responded, "Sorry, he''s busy with his mentee and won''t be available for some time." Instead of pressing the issue, Mako simply turned and said, "That''s a shame." With that, he left, leaving the three S-ranks to wonder what he was planning. The air was thick with tension as they pondered their next move. As they returned to their meeting room, Kale spoke up, "Aurora, I want you to convince Ini to stay with us. We can''t let him slip away, not now that we''ve finally got him." Blaze nodded in agreement, "I know we haven''t exactly seen eye-to-eye, Ini and I, but we need him. He''s too valuable an asset to let go." Kale added, "And I don''t just mean his strength. If he joins another guild, especially the Red Fangs, it could shift the balance of power in the region. We can''t afford to let that happen." Aurora nodded thoughtfully, "I''ll do my best to convince him. But what if he''s already made up his mind?" Blaze frowned, "We''ll just have to hope that he''s open to persuasion. We need to make him see that staying with us is the best option for him." Kale stood up, "I''ll leave it to you, Aurora. Just make sure you convince him before Mako or anyone else from the other guilds gets to him." Old wounds I Chapter 25: Old wounds I A young boy burst through the front door, a huge grin plastered on his face. "Mom, I got an A! Just like you said!" he exclaimed, waving his paper in the air. His mother, beaming with pride, swept him up in her arms. "I knew you could do it, sweetie!" she said, twirling him around. Just then, the boy''s elder sister walked into the house, looking a bit peckish. "Mom, I''m hungry. What''s for dinner?" she asked, heading straight for the dining table. Her mom replied, "Dinner''s still a while away, but I think there''s some bread on the table." The sister rushed into the kitchen, her mom following with the young boy still in her arms. As they entered the kitchen, the boy''s mom asked his sister, "How was your math test, dear?" The sister munched on some bread, replying with a mouthful, "I gawt... A... bee." Her mom smiled, "You shouldn''t talk with your mouth full, sweetie." She handed the sister a glass of water, which she gulped down eagerly. After drinking, the sister turned to the young boy, saying with a smirk, "Ini, wait till you''re out of kindergarten, then you can worry about grades. All you do is count and sleep." The boy''s face scrunched up in determination. "That''s not true! I know addition and subtraction and multiplication and division and..." He trailed off, unsure what else to add. The sister chuckled, "Okay, Mr. Smarty-Pants, what''s seventy multiplied by one thousand four hundred and twenty-six?" The boy''s eyes widened, unsure if those numbers even existed. The sister''s laughter filled the kitchen, and their mom couldn''t help but join in. "Ore, don''t bully your brother," she said, smiling. Ore protested, "I didn''t bully him, he said he could do it!" Ini piped up, "Yes, I can! I''m four already." which only made his sister and mom laugh harder. The warm, joyful atmosphere filled the kitchen as Ini''s mom began preparing dinner. As the evening sun cast a warm glow through the windows, Ini''s mother busied herself in the kitchen, the savory aromas of dinner wafting through the air. Ini and his sister, Ore, sat at their desks, studying and doing their homework. Suddenly, a deep, masculine voice boomed from the front door, "I''m home!" Ini''s eyes lit up, and he sprinted out of his room, racing down the hallway to fling himself into his father''s open arms. "Daddy!" he squealed, wrapping his arms tightly around his father''s neck. His father laughed, spinning Ini around in a joyful circle. "How are you, my boy?" he asked, his voice filled with warmth. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. Ini grinned, still clinging to his father. "I''m fine, Daddy! I got an A in my math test today!" His father chuckled, ruffling Ini''s hair. "That''s my boy!" he exclaimed, beaming with pride. Ore emerged from her room, a more subdued smile on her face. "Daddy," she said, trying to sound more mature, but her eyes sparkled with excitement. She hugged her father with equal enthusiasm, although with a bit more finesse. Her father laughed, hugging her with his free arm. "How was your day, Ore?" he asked, his voice gentle. Ore''s muffled reply came from the vicinity of her father''s stomach, where her face was buried. "Fine..." Her father smiled, stroking her hair. "Dinner''s almost ready," their mother called out from the kitchen, her voice a warm and welcoming sound. Ini''s father set him down, saying, "Let me go take a shower, I''ll be down in a few minutes." The kids nodded, watching as their father headed off towards the bathroom. They then made their way to the dining table, sitting down to wait for their mother to bring in dinner. A few minutes passed, and Ini''s father reappeared, his hair still damp from the shower. He wore a simple shirt and shorts, a relaxed smile on his face. He took his seat at the dining table just as his wife began serving their dinner. The sound of spoons clinking against plates filled the air as they started eating. The mother broke the comfortable silence, asking, "How was your day, honey?" Ini''s father looked up from his plate, a warm smile on his face. "It was good, thanks. Yours?" he replied, his eyes crinkling at the corners. The mother smiled, serving herself a portion of food. "Nothing much, just a few projects closing, and that''s all," she said, her voice contented. The family continued eating, the only sounds the clinking of utensils and the occasional murmur of appreciation for the delicious food. As Ore busied herself in the kitchen, the rest of the family settled into the living room. Ini''s father picked up the remote control, flipping through channels, while Ini''s mother sat down beside him, Ini snuggled up close to her. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. "FIRE!" Ore shrieked, her voice panicked. Ini''s parents exchanged a horrified glance, and then they were both on their feet, rushing towards the kitchen. Ini''s father yelled, "Ore, get out of the kitchen, now!" as he sprinted towards the flames. Ini''s mother grabbed Ini, pulling him close as she rushed away from the kitchen. "We have to get out of the house, now!" she exclaimed. The fire was spreading fast, fueled by the kitchen''s combustible materials. Thick, black smoke billowed through the air, making it hard to see or breathe. Ini coughed, his eyes stinging from the smoke. Ini''s father reappeared, his face smudged with soot. "We have to get out, now!" he yelled, grabbing Ini''s mother''s arm. "Ore, where''s Ore?" Ini''s mother cried, frantically scanning the smoke-filled room. Ini''s father shouted, "I''ll get her! You get Ini out!" as he plunged back into the inferno. Ini''s mother grabbed Ini, pulling him towards the front door. "We have to get out, Ini! Hold my hand!" she screamed, her voice hoarse from the smoke. Ini''s mother yanked open the front door, pulling Ini out into the night air. They stumbled down the porch steps, Ini''s mother gasping for breath. She turned to Ini, her eyes wild with fear. "Ini, I have to go back for Ore!" she exclaimed. Ini''s eyes went wide with terror. "No, Mommy! Don''t go!" he screamed, clinging to her arm. But Ini''s mother shook him off, her face set in determination. "I have to get Ore!" she repeated, turning to rush back into the burning house. Ini''s cries echoed through the night air as he watched his mother disappear into the inferno. "MOMMY! NO! DON''T GO!" he screamed, running after her. But it was too late. She was gone, swallowed up by the flames. Ini stumbled to a stop, his eyes fixed on the burning house, his heart shattered into a million pieces. Old wounds II Chapter 26: Old wounds II Ini stood outside, his eyes fixed on the burning house, his mind struggling to comprehend the chaos that had erupted in mere minutes. One moment, they were enjoying a peaceful dinner; the next, their home was engulfed in flames. A voice shouted from behind him, "Fire!" Ini felt himself being scooped up and carried away from the smoke-filled porch. A stranger''s face loomed above him, asking, "Where''s your family?" Ini''s daze-addled brain could only manage a feeble point towards the burning house. The stranger quickly pulled out a phone and dialed, his voice urgent as he spoke to someone on the other end. Ini felt himself being set down on the grass, the stranger''s parting words, "Just stay right here, I''ll be back." The stranger sprinted towards his own house, returning moments later with a large, drenched towel. Without hesitation, the stranger charged into the burning house. Ini watched, his heart racing, as the stranger emerged moments later, Ore''s limp form cradled in his arms. Ini''s eyes locked onto the stranger, his voice shaking as he asked, "Where are my mommy and daddy?" The stranger''s expression softened, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. He knew the devastating truth, but struggled to find the words to break the news to the clueless boy. "Let''s wait till the police arrive," he said gently, his voice a whispered promise that he''d be there to support Ini through the darkness that was to come. As they waited, the sound of sirens pierced the night air, growing louder with each passing moment. The police and fire department arrived, their lights casting an eerie glow over the devastated scene. Firefighters leapt into action, battling the blaze as the police struggled to maintain order. Neighbors gathered in their yards, their faces etched with shock and horror as they watched the burnt remains of Ini''s home. The stranger stayed by Ini''s side, a steady presence as the young boy''s world crumbled around him. As the night wore on, the chaos slowly subsided, and the situation came under control. A policeman, Inspector Ajamu, approached Ini and the stranger, his face somber. "I''m Inspector Ajamu," he introduced himself, his voice gentle. "I''m afraid we''ve had two casualties tonight." Ini''s eyes widened, but he already knew. He could see the two covered bodies on stretchers, his heart heavy with grief. Inspector Ajamu continued, "But I''m happy to report that your sister, Ore, survived. She''s being treated for smoke inhalation, but she''ll be okay." Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Ini''s gaze remained fixed on the two bodies, his mind reeling with the finality of it all. Years of tears fell from his eyes, but he didn''t sob. He cried silently, his body shaking with each quiet sob. The stranger put a comforting arm around his shoulders, but Ini didn''t even notice. As he looked at Ore, who was lying on a nearby stretcher, a spark of rage ignited within him. He blamed her for their parents'' death. If she hadn''t gone into the kitchen and started the fire, none of this would have happened. He would be getting tucked into bed by his mom right now, instead of staring at her lifeless body. Ini''s eyes narrowed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I''m going to kill you," he muttered, his words lost amidst the chaos. Nobody noticed him, too caught up in their own tasks. The officers and paramedics worked tirelessly, wrapping up the scene by early morning. As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Inspector Ajamu approached Ini and Ore once more. "I''m afraid your parents were only children meaning you have no aunts, uncle or relative to stay with." he explained gently. " We''ll put up posters and share awareness maybe you''ll have a long lost relative to come claim you kids. " Ini and Ore were taken to the police station, where they were met with sympathetic faces. The officers tried to get Ore to explain what had happened, but she remained quiet, her eyes fixed on the floor. Ini didn''t say a word either, his anger and grief simmering just below the surface. The officers understood why the children were quiet, and they didn''t push the issue. After doing all they could, they decided to move Ini and Ore to an orphanage called Heritage Orphanage. As they drove away from the ruins of their home, Ini''s heart felt heavy with grief and anger, his shattered mind fixed on one thing: revenge against his sister, Ore. The car pulled up to the Heritage Orphanage, a sprawling building with a warm, welcoming facade. Inspector Ajamu led Ini and Ore out of the car, escorting them to the entrance. A kindly-looking nun, Sister Margaret, greeted them with a warm smile. "Ah, Inspector Ajamu, welcome. We''ve been expecting you," Sister Margaret said, her eyes taking in Ini and Ore''s disheveled appearance. "Please, come in." Inspector Ajamu nodded, following Sister Margaret into the orphanage. They walked down a long hallway, lined with cheerful murals, before arriving at Sister Margaret''s office. The nun gestured for them to take seats, her expression sympathetic. "Inspector, please, tell me about these children," Sister Margaret said, her eyes locked on Ini and Ore. "What''s their situation?" Inspector Ajamu took a deep breath, launching into a detailed explanation. "Last night, we responded to a house fire. Ini and Ore''s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Adeleke, perished in the blaze. The children were the only survivors." Sister Margaret''s expression turned somber, her hands clasped together. "Oh, dear Lord. I''m so sorry to hear that." Inspector Ajamu continued, "From what we''ve gathered, Ore, the elder sibling, was in the kitchen when the fire started. She was trying to make some cereal, but it seems she accidentally set the kitchen ablaze." Sister Margaret''s eyes widened, her gaze flicking to Ore. "And Ini, how is he handling all this?" she asked gently. Inspector Ajamu''s expression turned concerned. "To be honest, Sister Margaret, Ini hasn''t spoken a word since the incident. He''s been in shock, I think. We''re worried about the emotional trauma he''s experiencing." Sister Margaret nodded thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving Ini''s face. "I see. Well, Inspector, I think we can provide a safe and nurturing environment for both Ini and Ore. We''ll do our best to help them heal and cope with their loss." Inspector Ajamu nodded, relief etched on his face. "Thank you, Sister Margaret. I knew I could count on Heritage Orphanage." Sister Margaret smiled warmly, rising from her seat. "We''ll take good care of them, Inspector. Don''t worry." Old wounds III Chapter 27: Old wounds III Ini and Ore''s lives were forever changed as they stepped into the Heritage Orphanage. The traumatic loss of their parents still lingered, but as they settled into their new routine, they began to feel a sense of security and stability. The orphanage, run by the kind-hearted Sister Margaret and her team of nuns, provided a nurturing environment that helped the siblings heal. Sister Margaret walked into the convent''s common room, where several of the nuns were gathered, sewing and chatting. She smiled warmly, her eyes scanning the room for Sister Mary, who was in charge of the orphanage''s daily activities. "Sister Mary, how are our new arrivals doing?" Sister Margaret asked, her voice gentle. "Ini and Ore, the siblings who lost their parents in the fire?" Sister Mary looked up from her sewing, her expression thoughtful. "Ore is doing well, Sister. She''s adjusting to our routine, and the other children have taken a liking to her. But Ini..." Sister Mary''s voice trailed off, her brow furrowed with concern. Sister Margaret''s eyes filled with sympathy. "Yes, Ini. I''ve been worried about him. He''s so young to have gone through such a traumatic experience." Sister Mary nodded. "He''s still finding it hard to open up, Sister. He doesn''t talk much, and when he does, it''s just a few words. He seems to be carrying a heavy burden." Sister Margaret''s heart went out to the young boy. "Poor child. He must be traumatized. Losing one''s parents is never easy, but to witness their death in such a horrific way... it''s a wonder he''s coping at all." Sister Mary nodded in agreement. "We''ve tried to get him to talk about his feelings, but he just shuts down. We''re giving him space, hoping that with time, he''ll learn to trust us." Sister Margaret nodded, her mind racing with ways to help Ini heal. "We''ll keep a close eye on him, Sister. And we''ll pray for him, that he may find the strength to overcome his pain." At first, Ini''s rage and anger towards Ore simmered just below the surface. He ignored her attempts to talk to him, and Ore, sensing his hurt, tried to give him space. However, as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Ini''s anger slowly began to subside. He started to respond to Ore''s calls, and although their interactions were still strained, it was a start. Ore, relieved that Ini was finally opening up, tried to make amends. She looked out for him, making sure he was okay, but Ini didn''t seem to need her help. The strict rules of the orphanage kept him in line, and he didn''t go looking for trouble. As time passed, Ini''s responses to Ore became more frequent, and it seemed as though he was finally accepting their new reality. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. But just as things were looking up, a young couple arrived at the orphanage, looking to adopt a child. The couple, dressed in elegant attire, walked into the Heritage Orphanage, exuding an air of confidence and excitement. They were greeted by Sister Margaret, who welcomed them warmly and led them to her office. "Thank you for considering our orphanage," Sister Margaret said, smiling. "We have several lovely girls who might interest you. Can you tell me a bit about what you''re looking for?" The woman, with a gentle smile, replied, "We''re looking for a young girl, preferably between the ages of 5 and 7. We want someone who is peaceful and not troublesome. We''re willing to provide a loving home, but we need someone who will fit in with our lifestyle." Sister Margaret nodded, taking note of their requirements. "I think we might have just the child for you. Let me just check our files..." She began to read through the files, stopping at Ore''s. "Ah, yes! Ore is a lovely 6-year-old girl who has been with us for a few months. She''s a sweet child, always eager to please. However, I must mention that she has a younger brother, Ini, who is also living here at the orphanage." The couple exchanged a glance, and the man spoke up, "We''re only interested in adopting a girl, but we''re willing to allow her to visit her brother during holidays. Maybe, in the future, we might consider adopting him as well." Sister Margaret smiled, pleased with their willingness to consider Ore''s family ties. "That''s very kind of you. Now, let''s proceed with the adoption process. Can you tell me a bit about your background, your family, and your lifestyle?" The couple nodded, and the woman began to answer the standard adoption questions. "We''ve been married for 10 years, and we have a stable home life. We''re both professionals, and we have a comfortable income. We''re looking to provide a loving home for a child, and we''re willing to provide the necessary care and support." Sister Margaret smiled, satisfied with their answers. "I think Ore would be a perfect fit for your family. Shall we proceed with the adoption process?" The couple exchanged a glance, nodded, and smiled. "Yes, we''d love to!" Ore was called into the office, and when she heard the news, her face lit up with excitement. "Really? I can go live with them? And I can still visit Ini?" Sister Margaret smiled, hugging Ore tightly. "Yes, dear. You''ll have a new family, and you''ll still get to see your brother. Isn''t that wonderful?" Ore''s face lit up with excitement as she heard the news. Ore nodded enthusiastically, tears of happiness streaming down her face. Sister Margaret gently pushed her away, a warm smile on her face. "Go pack your things, dear. And don''t forget to say goodbye to your brother. You''ll be leaving soon." Ore rushed off, her heart racing with excitement. She packed her few belongings quickly, her mind whirling with thoughts of her new family and her future. As she finished packing, she took a deep breath and went to find Ini. Ore searched for Ini, wanting to share the news with him, but when she found him, his reaction was not what she expected. Instead of being happy for her, Ini''s eyes narrowed, and he spat out the same words he had muttered months ago: "I''m going to kill you." Ore''s eyes widened in shock as Ini turned and ran, ignoring her calls. The couple, unaware of the tension between the siblings, ushered Ore away, leaving Ini behind. Ini watched from a top-floor window as the car drove away, Ore''s face pressed against the glass. His eyes burned with a fierce intensity as he whispered, "I''m going to kill you." Years later, Ini stood in the opulent sub-penthouse of a high-rise building, his eyes seeming to bore into the past. The memories of his childhood hell still simmered, and he sighed, his chest rising and falling with the motion. "It''s about time I kept my promise," he said to himself, his voice low and menacing. As he turned to leave, his gaze sharpened, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. The elevator doors slid open, and Ini stepped inside. Chapter 28: Underground collosal Chapter 28: Underground collosal Ini stepped into the elevator, heading to the gym where Arike was training. As the doors opened, he called out to her, "Arike!" Arike, sweating and panting, looked up from her training. "What do you need, Ini?" she asked, silently hoping he didn''t want to train her - her muscles were still sore. "I need to know how much it would cost to track someone," Ini said, his eyes serious. Arike raised an eyebrow. "It depends. How much information do you have, and when did you see her last?" Ini''s expression turned thoughtful. "About twenty years ago, and I have little information, but I should be able to get some." Arike nodded, her eyes narrowing. "I see. Well, when you have the information, I''ll arrange for people to track her." Ini kept quiet for a moment before saying, "We''re heading out. Let''s go." Arike quickly used a towel to clean her sweat, then wore a jacket. She followed Ini, carrying a small bag. As they walked, Ini asked without turning back, "What''s the bag for?" Arike replied, "A colossal can appear anywhere, so we must be prepared." Ini looked at her, intrigued. "Space pocket. All your gear is in there, with a to-do list... ''One, get Ini...''" Before he could read further, Arike turned back, saying, "It''s personal." Ini kept walking, his eyes fixed on the bag. "My name is on every line on that list. Are you sure it''s personal?" Arike just pouted, not replying. When they reached the garage, Ini said, "I should buy a ride on my free time." The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Arike looked at him, saying, "You can do that, but you can also use the company exclusives." Ini raised an eyebrow, questioning. Arike didn''t answer, instead leading Ini to the garage door. She opened it, revealing a collection of supercars and bikes. Ini''s eyes widened as he took in the sight. "All S-ranks can take any of their choice?" Arike shrugged. "I don''t know, but I know you can change the one you pick after a while, as long as you don''t damage it. And sometimes, A-ranks get enough merit to choose." Ini''s eyes landed on a dark blue Lamborghini Huracan. "That''s the one." Arike grabbed the key from behind the counter and tossed it at Ini. They both sat in the car, and Ini started the engine with a VROOM. Arike asked, "Do you know how to drive?" Ini replied, "I can get us out unscathed if something bad happens." Arike tightened the seatbelt, praying nothing would happen. As Ini pulled out of the garage, Arike asked, "Isn''t this place supposed to be guarded?" Ini nodded. "It is. Loads of security protocols. They were shut down because you entered with the passcode, which only you and I have, being mentor and mentee. If a person forced their way inside, they''d get another kind of ride... a really painful one." With a final VROOM, Ini sped off, heading towards a destination he hadn''t been to in a long time. As the hours passed, Arike''s curiosity got the better of her. "Where are we going?" she asked Ini. Ini''s eyes remained fixed on the road. "Where I grew up." Arike''s eyes widened slightly. "Your home?" Ini nodded. "Yeah, Heritage Orphanage." Arike nodded, feeling a pang of awkwardness. She was relieved she hadn''t asked about his parents; that would have been incredibly awkward. After a few more hours of driving, Ini pulled over, parking the car a few meters away from the orphanage. Arike looked at him quizzically. "Why aren''t we going in?" Ini''s expression turned serious. "I''m trying to steal some documents that are meant to be confidential." It took Arike only a few minutes to understand the implications. "You want to steal information about an adopted orphan." Ini nodded, his eyes locked on the orphanage. Arike followed him as he crept towards the building. "Who is it?" she whispered. Ini''s voice was barely audible. "It''s my sister..." He trailed off, his head turning towards the trees in front of them. Arike followed his gaze, her eyes scanning the desolate area surrounding the orphanage. Ini signaled for her to be quiet, and they proceeded to walk stealthily through the trees. As they moved deeper into the woods, Arike spotted a massive ant, as large as a cow, munching on a dog. Her eyes widened in shock; this was a B-rank creature, and ants were always found in colonies. Without hesitation, his sword appears in his hands and he stabbed the ant vertically, splitting it in two. "The nest should be around here somewhere," he said, his eyes scanning the area. Arike followed closely behind him as they walked, her senses on high alert. Ini suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on a large mass of magic energy. As they approached, they saw it - a massive hole leading underground, with large worker ants, even bigger than the one Ini had killed, guarding the entrance. Ini''s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the hole. "Call for backup," he muttered, his voice low and urgent. Arike quickly pulled out her phone and dialed a number. "We need backup at Heritage Orphanage. We have a possible hostage situation... Yeah, I''ll wait." She paused, listening to the response. "They''re on their way, but they won''t be here for an hour or two." Ini''s gaze never wavered from the hole. His eyes seemed to bore into the darkness, his expression growing increasingly grim. Suddenly, he saw something that made his heart skip a beat - ants carrying passed-out children into the hole. Ini''s eyes flashed . He knew those children were from Heritage Orphanage; it was the only building in the vicinity. His grip on his sword tightened, his aura beginning to stir. Arike finished her call, looking up at Ini. "We should wait for backup. We don''t know what we''re up against." Ini''s response was a low murmur. "We don''t have time." He took a deep breath, his eyes burning with determination. "Wait here." With a swift motion, his second sword appeared in his ha nd. His aura surged, increasing in intensity as he prepared to face whatever horrors lay within the hole. Underground collosal II Chapter 29: Underground collosal II Omotola burst through the doors of the top floor of the White Flame Guild, her eyes scanning the room for Temi. She spotted her standing by the window, her arms crossed as she gazed out at the city. "Temi, I need to speak with you urgently," Omotola said, her voice laced with concern. Temi turned to face her, her expression questioning. "What is it, Omotola?" she asked, her long black hair swaying with the motion. Omotola took a deep breath before speaking. "Arike just sent a report from the field. It seems she and Ini have stumbled upon a colossal ant colony near Heritage Orphanage." Temi''s eyes narrowed, her grip on her sword tightening. "A colossal? But how did our satellites miss it?" she asked, her voice firm and commanding. Omotola shook her head. "I don''t know, but this changes everything. If a colossal can appear without our knowledge, it puts everyone at risk." Blaze, who had been quietly observing the conversation, stepped forward. "I''ll assemble a strike squad of our A-ranks. We can''t let this threat go unchecked." Temi nodded in agreement, her eyes flashing with determination. "Make it happen, Blaze. We need to take care of this colossal before it''s too late." Blaze nodded, his eyes scanning the room as he began to mentally assemble his team. "I''ll take 50 of our top A-ranks. We''ll head out immediately and provide backup for Arike and Ini." Omotola nodded, her eyes locked on Blaze. "Be careful, Blaze. We don''t know what we''re up against." Blaze smiled grimly. "Don''t worry, Omotola. We''ll take care of it. Let''s move out!" Blaze turned to Omotola. "Tell Kunle to bring his armor. I want him with us on this mission." Omotola nodded, pulling out her comms device. "I''ll let him know. He''ll meet us at the assembly point." Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Blaze nodded, his eyes scanning the room as he mentally checked off his team''s preparations. "Good. Let''s move out. We don''t have much time." Temi nodded in agreement. "Be careful, Blaze. We don''t know what kind of threat this colossal poses." Blaze smiled grimly. "Don''t worry, Temi. We''ll take care of it. Let''s go." With that, Blaze turned and strode out of the room, leaving Omotola and Temi behind. The strike team boarder the hover copter (flying vehicles) heading towards the heritage orphanage in oyo town. Arike held Ini''s arm, preventing him from dashing inside the ant colony. "I know you''re eager to get started, but we have to act smart so we don''t put those kids in more danger. We should try to save what we can." Ini raised an eyebrow, his expression neutral. "You think I''m doing this out of the goodness of my heart? I''m not a hero, Arike. I just don''t want to be responsible for not doing anything." Arike looked at him curiously, but Ini just shrugged. "So, what''s the plan?" Arike thought for a moment. "We need to draw them out, away from the kids. If we can get the ants to focus on us, we might be able to rescue the children." Ini nodded, a plan beginning to form in his mind. "I can use my aura to provoke them. But I''ll need you to provide a distraction, draw their attention away from me." Arike frowned, thinking through the plan. "That won''t work, Ini. The stronger ants will stay behind to protect their queen and food. We need to draw them out, not just the weaker ones." Ini nodded, considering her words. "You''re right. How do you propose we draw their attention?" Arike smiled, a fierce glint in her eye. "I''ll suit up and take point. My armor and whip should be enough to draw them out." She quickly put on her armor, the metallic plates glinting in the sunlight. She cracked her whip, the sound echoing through the air. Ini watched as Arike moved forward slowly, her whip at the ready. She lashed out, striking one of the ants and splitting it in two. The other ants screeched, calling out to their comrades. Arike killed the screeching ant, and then waited. The air was filled with a low rumble, and then loads of worker ants came flooding out of the entrance, rushing towards her. Arike stood her ground, killing the ants with swift efficiency. She signaled to Ini, who was hiding behind the bushes. Ini nodded, his second sword appearing in his hand with a wave of his fingers. He unsheathed both swords, vanishing from the spot in a flash of speed. Arike watched as Ini smashed his way through the ants, his swords slicing through the creatures with deadly precision. She breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a little less stressed now that Ini was taking care of the ants. As Ini cleared a path through the ants, Arike followed close behind, her whip at the ready. She killed any ants that got too close, her movements swift and deadly. As Arike determined that Ini had gotten far enough into the cave, she unleashed her aura, spinning at a very high speed. Lightning crackled everywhere, illuminating the dark cave and striking fear into the hearts of the ants. The sheer force of her aura killed almost all the ants in the entrance of the cave, leaving the few remaining ones stunned and disoriented. Arike took advantage of the ants'' momentary daze to sprint into the cave, chasing after Ini. As she ran, she could feel the air thick with the smell of smoke and ozone, a testament to the devastating power of her aura. As she turned a corner, she caught sight of Ini''s handiwork. A massive ant, as big as a polar bear, lay sliced in two on the ground. Arike''s heart skipped a beat as she stared at the ant''s lifeless body, her mind reeling with the implications of Ini''s powers. What was the limit of his strength? How much damage could he inflict? Arike couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe and trepidation as she gazed at the ant''s corpse. She had seen Ini fight before, but this was on a whole different level. Shaking off her thoughts, Arike continued to follow Ini, her senses on high alert as she navigated the dark and treacherous cave. Underground collosal III Chapter 30: Underground collosal III Arike crept forward, her senses on high alert as she navigated the darkness. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and mold, and the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the faint rustling of unknown creatures in the depths of the cave. Without a light source, she was forced to rely on her other senses, her fingers trailing along the rough stone walls as she felt her way through the darkness. Illuminating the cave would only make her a beacon for unwanted attention, a shining target in the midst of the dark, hidden world. While she was confident in her ability to take down individual threats, the sheer number of potential adversaries made her hesitant. The memory of the ants she had encountered earlier lingered in her mind, their armored bodies and razor-sharp mandibles a formidable combination. As she moved deeper into the cave, her foot slipped on a patch of slick stone, and she plummeted into a pit. The fall was brief, but it was enough to leave her disoriented, her stomach lurching as she landed with a jarring thud on the hard earth. She lay there for a moment, dazed and winded, before struggling to her feet. The pit was smaller than she had expected, the walls curving inward in a conical shape that left her with limited options for escape. She frantically felt the walls, searching for a handhold or a ledge to climb out, but the smooth stone offered no purchase. Her laso, still clutched in her hand, was too short to reach the top, and she was forced to think of an alternative. Her mind racing, Arike considered ways to signal Ini, her only potential ally in this desolate place. She had no idea if he was even nearby, but she had to try. She thought about shouting for him, but the sound would likely be muffled by the earth, and she couldn''t risk attracting unwanted attention. As she pondered her next move, the sound of snapping mandibles echoed from above, and her gaze flicked upward. Though she couldn''t see the ants, their shadowy outlines were unmistakable, silhouetted against the faint glow of luminescent fungi that clung to the walls of the pit. The worker ants were positioning massive boulders at the edge of the pit, their intentions clear. Arike''s face paled as she realized she was about to be buried alive. The ants were too numerous, too well-organized, and too determined. She knew she couldn''t take them all on alone, not in this confined space. Her only hope was to escape, to find a way out of the pit before the ants could seal her fate. With a surge of adrenaline, she began to frantically search the walls of the pit, desperate to find a weakness, a flaw, or a chance to escape. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. The chattering of the ants'' mandibles ceased, and an ominous silence fell over the pit. The air was heavy with anticipation, and Arike''s senses were on high alert. She knew that the ants were not going to give up easily, and that they would stop at nothing to bury her alive. Then, with a sudden burst of movement, the ants released the first boulder. Arike''s eyes widened as she watched the massive stone plummet toward her. It was as if time had slowed down, and she could see every detail of the boulder''s descent. She could see the rough texture of its surface, the way the dim light of the pit reflected off its dusty exterior. She could feel the ground trembling beneath her feet as the boulder hurtled toward her, its impact inevitable. With a frantic burst of energy, Arike summoned a blast of lightning that propelled her upward, boosting her into the air above the boulder. She felt a rush of exhilaration as she soared above the pit, her body weightless and free. For a fleeting instant, she thought she had escaped danger, that she had outsmarted the ants and cheated death. But as she crested the apex of her jump, she saw another boulder teetering at the top of the pit, poised to strike. Her eyes went wide with alarm, and she twisted her body mid-air, dodging to the side with a desperate burst of speed. She felt a surge of adrenaline as she narrowly avoided the boulder''s crushing blow, her heart pounding in her chest. However, she wasn''t quite fast enough. The boulder clipped her, sending her tumbling back to the ground with a loud bang. Arike lay there, dazed and disoriented, her head spinning from the impact. She gazed upward, her vision blurry, and saw that the ants had vanished, their sinister presence withdrawn for the moment. The pit was silent once more, the only sound the faint echo of the boulder''s impact. Arike''s chest heaved with exertion, her body aching from the impact. She knew she had to move, to find a way out of the pit before the ants returned to finish the job. But for now, she simply lay there, her eyes fixed on the darkness above, waiting for the inevitable. She knew that the ants would be back, driven by their instincts and their singular focus on burying her alive. They would not rest until they had completed their task, until they had sealed her fate and ensured that she would never escape. Arike''s heart sank at the thought, her spirit wavering in the face of such relentless opposition. But she refused to give up. She knew that she had to keep fighting, to find a way out of the pit and escape the ants'' deadly trap. She summoned her last reserves of strength, drawing on her determination and her will to survive. With a newfound sense of resolve, she slowly began to stir, her body trembling with effort as she struggled to rise to her feet. On the other side of the cave, Ini ventured into a section that was eerily wide and spacious. The air was thick with an otherworldly glow, courtesy of the luminescent mushrooms that sprouted from the walls and ceiling. The soft, ethereal light cast an unsettling ambiance, illuminating the scattered remnants of human bones that littered the ground. Ini''s gaze swept across the macabre landscape, his eyes narrowing as he took in the grim scene. There were no signs of ants or any other living creatures, only the haunting stillness of death. He began to walk away, intent on proceeding deeper into the cave, but his footsteps faltered as he sensed a sudden disturbance in the air. He stopped dead in his tracks, his head cocked to one side as he focused on the faint, unsettling energy that wafted through the cave. Arike''s presence, which had been a steady, reassuring hum in the back of his mind, had begun to waver and weaken. Ini''s instincts screamed at him that she was in trouble, that something was terribly wrong. Without hesitation, Ini reversed direction, his long strides eating up the distance as he hastened back toward Arike''s location. His heart pounded in his chest, his senses on high alert as he prepared to face whatever dangers lay ahead. The cave, once a mysterious and fascinating place, had transformed into a potential death trap, and Ini was determined to extract Arike from its clutches before it was too late. Materialize Chapter 31: Materialize Deep within the pit, Arike''s chest heaved with exhaustion, her lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. The air was stale and musty, and she could taste the dampness of the earth. Her body ached from the fall, and her head spun with dizziness. She had tried to jump out, but the hole was too deep, and using an all-out attack might crush her against the cave walls. As she rummaged through her pockets, she realized she didn''t have Ini''s phone number, and her heart sank. She was truly alone, with no way to call for help. Panic began to set in, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. But she pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on her surroundings. The pit was narrow and deep, with smooth walls that offered no handholds or footholds. The ground was hard and unforgiving, and Arike could feel the weight of the earth pressing down on her. She looked up, but the opening of the pit was just a tiny circle of light, far out of reach. As she sat there, she racked her brain for a way out. She thought about using her lightning to blast her way out, but that would only lead to more problems. The explosion could collapse the pit, trapping her forever. Or it could attract more ants, who would swarm her and overwhelm her. Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind ¨C a conversation she had with Ini during one of their training sessions. "Materialize?" Ini had asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What do you think it means?" Arike had shaken her head. "I''m not sure. Is it like... making something appear out of thin air?" Ini had chuckled. "Not exactly. Materialize means to bring your element from an ethereal state to a solid one. It''s like... giving shape to your power." Arike''s eyes had widened as understanding dawned. "So, like... creating a sword out of lightning?" Ini had nodded. "Exactly. Or creating a shield, or a rope... the possibilities are endless." He continued " the element of surprise is very useful in battle and you can only achieve that by using attacks that defy logic. Fill your arsenal with uncommon strategies and attacks, you''ll be one step ahead of whatever opponent or challenge you''re facing. As Arike recalled the conversation, a newfound resolve ignited within her. She stood up, her eyes scanning the pit to ensure the walls were far enough apart. With a deep breath, she raised her hands, forming two lightning spheres. The air crackled with energy as she summoned the power of the storm. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. She took another deep breath, calming herself, and then began to run. Her feet pounded the earth as she sprinted across the pit, building up speed and momentum. With a burst of energy, she launched the lightning spheres at the ground. The explosion propelled her upward, and for a moment, she felt weightless, free from the constraints of the pit. But she wasn''t fast enough to react, and she crashed back to the ground, her body jarring with the impact. The wind was knocked out of her, and she lay there, dazed and disoriented. Undeterred, Arike ignoring the enormous pain she was feeling all over her body tried again. And again. Each time, she launched herself higher, her reflexes improving with each attempt. She began to feel a sense of rhythm, her body adapting to the motion. She launched herself upward, the lightning spheres exploding beneath her. She felt herself flying, soaring through the air with a sense of freedom and exhilaration. Finally, with a deafening boom, Arike burst out of the pit, sending an ant holding a boulder tumbling to the ground. As she emerged into the bright, flickering light of the cave, she took a moment to orient herself. " I might not be able to control the direction yet or even form complex shapes but I''m on my way." The air was thick with the smell of smoke and ash, and she could hear the distant rumble of the ants. With a determined glint in her eye, Arike set off toward Ini''s location, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. She moved swiftly and silently, her senses on high alert as she navigated the treacherous terrain of the cave. Warrior Association Headquarters Chairman Adebisi sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the screen as he participated in an online meeting with President Bankole. "What do you think this means, Chairman?" President Bankole asked, his voice laced with concern. Chairman Adebisi sighed, rubbing his temples. "I''m not sure, Mr. President. But let''s just hope an ant queen escaped and not that colossals can now appear undetected." President Bankole''s expression turned grave. "I understand your concerns, Chairman. The implications are... unsettling, to say the least." "I''ll be in touch," President bankole continued. "I hope it''s just a one-time thing." The call ended, and Chairman Adebisi let out a deep sigh. His assistant, Rachel, looked up from her notes. "Sir?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Chairman Adebisi shook his head. "Why all this?" he muttered, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for answers. Rachel hesitated before speaking. "Do you think it''s related to the recent increase in collosal activity, sir?" Chairman Adebisi''s gaze snapped back to her. "I don''t know, Rachel. But I intend to find out." Underground collosal Arike traversed the darkness, her senses on high alert as she navigated the treacherous terrain. Ants scurried across her path, but she dispatched them with ease, her lightning powers crackling with deadly precision. As she walked, she experimented with her abilities, forming lightning spheres that she used to obliterate clusters of ants. The sound of screeching ants and the acrid smell of ozone filled the air as Arike continued onward. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face in the distance. Ini. Her heart swelled with relief, and she quickened her pace, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "I''m glad..." she began to say, but her words were cut short as she ran into Ini''s arms, embracing him tightly. Ini stood puzzled, his arms wrapping around her in a gentle hug as he patted her back. As they stood there, Ini took in Arike''s appearance. Her armor was battered and worn, with deep gashes and scorch marks etched across its surface. She must have had a brutal fight to escape the ants, Ini thought, his concern for her evident on his face. "Come on, let''s go," Ini said gently, his voice low and soothing. Arike nodded, still clinging to him tightly. Ini smiled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, leading her forward as they ventured deeper into the heart of the colossal. Together, they navigated the dark, winding tunnels, their senses on high alert for any signs of danger. The air grew thick with anticipation, and Arike could feel the weight of the colossal''s secrets pressing down upon her. She knew that they were getting close to something ¨C but what, she had no idea. No boss Chapter 32: No boss The strike team, led by Blaze, finally arrived at the mouth of the cave, the roar of the hovercopter''s engines dying down as it landed softly on the earth. The team poured out of the aircraft, their eyes scanning the area as they took in the carnage before them. The ground was littered with the carcasses of ants, their twisted bodies a testament to the brutal efficiency of Arike''s lightning powers. Blaze''s gaze swept across the scene, his mind already racing with the implications. He turned to his team, his voice low and even. "Alright, let''s get to work. We need to assess the situation and figure out what we''re up against." A warrior association personnel stepped forward, carrying a strange machine that looked like a cross between a radar gun and a satellite dish. "I''ll try to get a reading on the colossal''s level," the personnel said, fiddling with the machine''s controls. "But I''m not getting a clear reading... maybe it''s all the earth mass blocking the signal." Blaze''s face darkened, his eyes narrowing. "Give me something. We can''t go in blind." The personnel nodded, adjusting the machine''s settings. "It''s fluctuating... going from a high B-rank to an A-rank." Blaze''s thoughts were already racing ahead. This has to be an A-rank or more, he thought to himself. He turned to his mentee, his voice low and serious. "Call the guild. Tell them to get another strike team on standby, just in case. Make sure they''re ready to move at a moment''s notice." The mentee''s eyes widened, but he nodded and quickly pulled out his comms device. The rest of the team exchanged nervous glances. They had heard stories about the former S-rank dungeons, how they could swallow even the strongest teams whole. If this colossal was giving off readings similar to those dungeons, it was clear that they were in for the fight of their lives. After making the call, the team took a moment to prepare themselves. They checked their gear, made sure their comms devices were working properly, and said their goodbyes to their loved ones. It was a somber moment, but they knew it was necessary. They were about to face the unknown, and they might not come out the other side. With their preparations complete, the team steeled themselves and stepped into the cave. The darkness swallowed them whole, but they pressed on, their lights casting flickering shadows on the walls. They knew they had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster. But they were a team, and they were ready to face whatever lay ahead. As Ini and Arike entered the last cave, they were met with a sight that made their skin crawl. Before them lay a massive, formless chunk of flesh, its surface glistening with a sticky, viscous fluid. The air was thick with the stench of decay and corruption. The smell was so overwhelming that it made Arike''s eyes water. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. "What in the world...?" Arike trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper. Ini''s face was twisted in disgust. "This is the source of the corruption," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "This... thing is the queen." Arike''s eyes widened as she took in the sheer size of the queen. It was enormous, easily the size of a small house. Its surface was smooth and unbroken, except for the holes that dotted its surface. One hole seemed to be pumping out eggs at an alarming rate, while another hole appeared to be taking in the bodies of the dead ants. "And what''s with the holes?" Arike asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Ini''s expression was grim. "I think the eggs are being produced through that hole," he said, nodding towards the hole that was pumping out eggs. "And that hole," he said, nodding towards the hole that was taking in the dead ants, "I think that''s where it''s absorbing the nutrients from the dead ants." Arike''s eyes widened in horror. "That''s disgusting," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Ini''s face was twisted in disgust. "This thing is an abomination," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "It''s a corruption of nature." Without another word, Ini brandished his sword. Arike watched in awe as Ini slashed down at the queen, but instead of a single blow, he seemed to slice through the air multiple times. The queen''s body jerked and convulsed, its surface rippling with each strike. "How are you doing that?" Arike asked, her eyes wide with wonder. Ini didn''t answer, his focus solely on the queen. After a few seconds, the queen''s body began to break apart, its pieces sliding off in different directions as a clear, viscous fluid dripped out. Ini didn''t even glance at the queen''s remains, his eyes fixed instead on the cave opening that had been hidden behind it. Arike followed his gaze and saw a group of stronger worker ants carrying eggs. They seemed to be preparing to place the eggs inside the queen''s body, making it seem as though they were being born naturally. But as soon as the ants saw Ini and Arike, they immediately dropped the eggs and charged towards them, their mandibles snapping wildly. Ini and Arike readied themselves for battle, their eyes locked on the approaching ants. "Get ready," Ini said, his voice low and even. Arike nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that this was going to be a tough fight. Blaze''s strike team made their way through the cave, their lights illuminating the dark passageways. They had encountered some ants along the way, but they were able to fend them off with relative ease. The team''s morale was high, and they moved with a sense of purpose. As they turned a corner, they came across a massive hole in the ground. The team''s lights shone down into the depths of the hole, and they could see the remnants of Arike''s battle with the ants. Blaze''s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "Looks like someone''s been doing some cleaning up around here," one of the team members said, nodding towards the piles of dead ants. Blaze grunted, his eyes scanning the area. "Yeah, and it looks like they took out a lot of the heavy hitters." He paused, his gaze falling on the hole. "I wonder if that''s where Arike ended up." The team moved cautiously around the hole, avoiding the edge. As they continued on, they came across more and more dead ants. Blaze''s eyes kept scanning the area, taking in the sheer number of ants that had been killed. "Maybe having him around isn''t such a bad thing," Blaze murmured to himself, a small smile playing on his lips. He didn''t notice the curious glances from his team members, but he knew that they were all thinking the same thing. Ini''s presence might just be the turning point they needed to take down the colossal. Or at least reduces the casualties. Another collosal Chapter 33 : Another collosal The fight began with Ini and Arike standing back-to-back, their eyes scanning the approaching ants. The worker ants, with their razor-sharp mandibles and gleaming black exoskeletons, charged forward with reckless abandon. "Here they come," Ini said, his voice low and even. Arike nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She raised her hands, and a burst of lightning shot out, striking the lead ant with incredible force. The ant''s body exploded in a shower of sparks, but the others just kept coming. Ini charged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light of the cave. He struck down ant after ant, his movements swift and deadly. Arike fought alongside him, her lightning powers crackling with energy. But despite their best efforts, the ants just kept coming. Their numbers seemed endless, and Ini and Arike began to tire. "These are A-ranks," Ini warned, his voice tight with concern. "Be careful." Arike nodded, but she was already starting to flag. The ants were too numerous, too relentless. She stumbled backward, her movements slowing. Ini fought on, his sword slicing through the ants with deadly precision. But even he couldn''t hold back the tide forever. The ants overwhelmed Arike, their mandibles snapping wildly as they attacked. One ant struck at her abdomen, its mandibles slicing through her armor and into her flesh. Arike''s blood gushed out, and she stumbled backward, her eyes wide with shock. Ini''s eyes snapped to Arike''s, and for a moment, he froze. Temi''s face flashed before his eyes, and he felt a wave of rage wash over him. With a sudden burst of speed, Ini deactivated his self-preservation instincts and unleashed a flurry of attacks so fast they were almost invisible. The ants stopped in their tracks, their bodies frozen in mid-air, before being cut into pieces. Ini rushed to Arike''s side, his face twisted with concern. He shoved a pill into her mouth, his hands moving with a precision that belied his worry. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. "Hold on, Arike," he whispered, his voice tight with emotion. "I''ve got you." Ini gently removed Arike''s chest armor, his fingers carefully undoing the straps and buckles. He set the armor aside, his eyes scanning Arike''s injured abdomen. The wound was deep, but the pill he had given her was already starting to take effect. He reached into his space pocket and pulled out a spare cloth, which he used to dress the wound. His hands moved with a precision that belied his worry, his fingers gently cleaning and bandaging the injury. As he worked, he watched Arike''s face, taking in the subtle changes in her expression. At first, her face was pale and clammy, her eyes sunken with pain and exhaustion. But as the pill took hold, her pulse began to steady, and her heart rate slowed. Color started to return to her cheeks, and her eyes lost some of their glassiness. Ini''s gaze lingered on Arike''s face, and he couldn''t help but reminisce about all the time they had spent together. He remembered her fierce determination during training, her eyes blazing with a fire that seemed to burn brighter with every passing day. He recalled the way she would smile, her lips curving upward in a way that seemed to light up the entire room. As he looked at her now, he saw the same determination, the same fire burning in her eyes. But he also saw something more, something that he couldn''t quite put his finger on. It was a sense of trust, perhaps, or a sense of reliance. Whatever it was, it made Ini''s heart swell with emotion. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "You''re going to be okay," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own heartbeat. "Backup will be here soon. Just hang in there." Arike''s eyes flickered open, and she looked up at Ini. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound the quiet rustling of the ants in the distance. Then Arike''s eyes closed again, and she took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with a slow, steady rhythm. Ini watched her, his heart filled with a sense of relief. She was going to be okay. They were both going to get out of this alive. After what felt like an eternity, Blaze''s strike team finally arrived, their lights illuminating the dark cave. Ini stood up, his eyes scanning the team as they approached. Blaze''s eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "Ini, what''s the situation?" he asked, his voice firm and commanding. Ini nodded, his expression grim. "Arike and I encountered the queen ant," he explained. "But it wasn''t what we expected. It was... different. And there''s something else." "What is it?" Blaze asked, his eyes locked on Ini''s. "I think this might just be a part of a larger colossal," Ini said, his voice low and serious. "If you follow the cave, you''ll see what I mean. But be warned, the ants are going to get stronger." Blaze''s expression turned thoughtful. "I see," he said. "We''ll need to report this to the guild and the Warrior''s Association." Ini nodded. "I agree. But we should also be careful. If this is a larger colossal, we don''t know what kind of dangers we might face." Blaze nodded, his eyes scanning the team. "Alright, let''s get Arike out of here and report back to the guild. We''ll leave three people to escort her back and provide a full report." The team nodded, and three members stepped forward to escort Arike out of the cave. The rest of the team prepared to proceed deeper into the cave, their lights illuminating the dark tunnel ahead. "Let''s move out," Blaze said, his voice firm and commanding. "We don''t know what we''ll face, but we''re ready." The team nodded, and they proceeded into the tunnel, their lights casting eerie shadows on the walls. Ini led the way, his eyes scanning the tunnel for any signs of danger. As they walked, the air grew thick with the smell of damp earth and decay. The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnel, and the team''s lights cast an eerie glow over the rough stone walls. They walked in silence, their senses on high alert for any signs of danger. The tunnel seemed to stretch on forever, the darkness pressing in around them like a physical force. But they pressed on, their determination driving them forward. They knew that they had to uncover the secrets of the colossal, no matter what dangers lay ahead. Doesnt add up Chapter 34: Doesn''t add up As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, Ini and Blaze''s team continued to encounter an endless stream of ants. However, despite the increasing numbers, the team''s progress was unhindered. With two S-rank warriors leading the charge, the ants were no match for their combined strength. Clusters of ants began to appear, their bodies swarming together in a maddening frenzy. But Ini and Blaze cut through them with ease, their movements a blur of steel and lightning. The ants were relentless, but the team''s determination and skill were more than a match for them. As they pressed on, the tunnel began to slope downward, leading them deeper into the earth. The air grew thick with the scent of damp soil and mold, and the sound of scurrying ants echoed off the walls. Suddenly, the tunnel opened up into a vast underground chamber, and the team was confronted with a sight that left them speechless. Before them lay an enormous underground structure, its walls and towers crafted from some kind of dark, glassy material. The team''s eyes widened in shock as they took in the sheer scale of the structure. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before, and they couldn''t believe that ants had built it. "How is this possible?" one of the team members whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat. Ini''s eyes narrowed as he gazed out at the structure. "I don''t know," he said, his voice low and thoughtful, "but I think we''re about to find out." Ini and Blaze exchanged a weighted glance before turning to the strike team. "We''re going in alone," Ini said, his voice firm and decisive. "If things go bad, you all need to get out of here, fast." Blaze nodded in agreement. "We can''t risk losing anyone else. You all are our backup, our safety net. If we don''t come out, you need to report back to the guild and get reinforcements." The strike team nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew the risks, and they were willing to take them. But as Ini and Blaze disappeared into the structure, the team couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of their own ragged breathing. They waited with bated breath, their eyes scanning the entrance for any sign of Ini and Blaze. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they heard a loud bang, followed by the sound of footsteps. Ini and Blaze emerged from the structure, their faces grimy with dust and debris. "It''s empty," Ini said, his voice low and disappointed. "Whatever was inside, it''s gone." You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. The strike team exchanged skeptical glances. If it was empty, then why did Ini and Blaze look so spooked? Blaze seemed to sense their unease. "Let''s move in and explore," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "We need to know what we''re dealing with." The strike team nodded, falling into step behind Ini and Blaze as they ventured deeper into the structure. As they moved, the silence grew thicker, until it felt like a living, breathing entity that surrounded them. They explored room after room, finding nothing but dust, debris, and an eerie, unsettling feeling that they were being watched. But Ini and Blaze pressed on, driven by a growing sense of curiosity and unease. What had been inside this structure? And where had it gone? As they ventured deeper into the structure, the team encountered a labyrinthine network of corridors and chambers. Every step echoed through the deserted halls, and the air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and something else... something acrid and burning. Ini''s eyes narrowed as he led the team through the winding corridors. "This place feels like a maze," he muttered, his voice low and thoughtful. Blaze nodded, his eyes scanning the walls. "I think we''re in some kind of laboratory," he said, his voice firm and decisive. As they turned a corner, they came face to face with a row of cells. The doors were made of cold, grey metal, and the walls were lined with a thick, transparent material that seemed to glow with a faint, blue light. Ini''s eyes widened as he approached the cells. "These look like... experiment cells," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The team fell silent, their eyes scanning the cells with a growing sense of horror. Inside, they found evidence of twisted experiments: strange equipment, tangled wires, and scattered notes scrawled in a language none of them could understand. Blaze''s face twisted in disgust. "What kind of sick individual would do this?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. Ini''s eyes were grim. "I don''t know, but I think we''re looking at a lot more than just ants here." As they explored the cells, they found traces of the experiments that had been conducted. There were strange symbols etched into the walls, a flaming circle with a candle light at its center. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals and smoke. In one cell, they found a series of twisted, nightmarish creatures. They were unlike anything the team had ever seen before: twisted, elongated bodies, bulbous eyes, and razor-sharp claws. As they explored the cells, Ini''s eyes scanned the walls, taking in the evidence of twisted experiments. He moved with a calm, deliberate pace, his expression unreadable. His eyes seemed to absorb every detail, every nuance of the scene before him. Blaze, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode with anger. His face was red, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "What kind of sick individual would do this?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. His fists were clenched, his arms trembling with suppressed rage. Ini''s gaze fell on a symbol etched into the wall. It was a flaming circle, with a candle flame burning steadily in the center. The symbol seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, and Ini''s eyes narrowed as he studied it. He reached out a hand, his fingers tracing the outline of the symbol. "Interesting," he said, his voice calm and detached. "This symbol is some kind of signature, I think." Blaze''s eyes followed Ini''s gaze, and his expression darkened. "A signature?" he repeated. "What do you mean?" Ini''s eyes never left the symbol. "I think whoever is behind these experiments is trying to send a message," he said. "This symbol is a calling card, a way of claiming responsibility for these... abominations." The team fell silent, their eyes fixed on the symbol. They knew that they were dealing with something sinister, something that went far beyond a simple infestation of ants. The symbol seemed to radiate an aura of malevolence, a sense of dark and twisted purpose. As they stood there, frozen in horror, Ini''s eyes seemed to bore into the symbol, as if he was trying to unravel its secrets. His expression was calm, detached, but his eyes burned with a fierce intensity, a sense of determination. Blaze''s voice broke the silence, his tone low and deadly. "We need to find out who''s behind this," he growled. "And we need to stop them." Ini''s eyes never left the symbol. "I agree," he said, his voice calm and detached. "But first, we need to understand what we''re dealing with. We need to know what kind of experiments were being conducted here, and what kind of creatures were being created." The team nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew that they had a long and difficult road ahead of them, but they were ready. They were ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead, to uncover the secrets of the symbol and the twisted experiments that had been conducted. As they stood there, frozen in determination, the symbol on the wall seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, as if it was watching them, waiting for them to make their next move. Doesnt add up Chapter 34: Doesn''t add up As they ventured deeper into the tunnel, Ini and Blaze''s team continued to encounter an endless stream of ants. However, despite the increasing numbers, the team''s progress was unhindered. With two S-rank warriors leading the charge, the ants were no match for their combined strength. Clusters of ants began to appear, their bodies swarming together in a maddening frenzy. But Ini and Blaze cut through them with ease, their movements a blur of steel and lightning. The ants were relentless, but the team''s determination and skill were more than a match for them. As they pressed on, the tunnel began to slope downward, leading them deeper into the earth. The air grew thick with the scent of damp soil and mold, and the sound of scurrying ants echoed off the walls. Suddenly, the tunnel opened up into a vast underground chamber, and the team was confronted with a sight that left them speechless. Before them lay an enormous underground structure, its walls and towers crafted from some kind of dark, glassy material. The team''s eyes widened in shock as they took in the sheer scale of the structure. It was unlike anything they had ever seen before, and they couldn''t believe that ants had built it. "How is this possible?" one of the team members whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of her own heartbeat. Ini''s eyes narrowed as he gazed out at the structure. "I don''t know," he said, his voice low and thoughtful, "but I think we''re about to find out." Ini and Blaze exchanged a weighted glance before turning to the strike team. "We''re going in alone," Ini said, his voice firm and decisive. "If things go bad, you all need to get out of here, fast." Blaze nodded in agreement. "We can''t risk losing anyone else. You all are our backup, our safety net. If we don''t come out, you need to report back to the guild and get reinforcements." The strike team nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew the risks, and they were willing to take them. But as Ini and Blaze disappeared into the structure, the team couldn''t shake off the feeling of unease. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of their own ragged breathing. They waited with bated breath, their eyes scanning the entrance for any sign of Ini and Blaze. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they heard a loud bang, followed by the sound of footsteps. Ini and Blaze emerged from the structure, their faces grimy with dust and debris. "It''s empty," Ini said, his voice low and disappointed. "Whatever was inside, it''s gone." Stolen novel; please report. The strike team exchanged skeptical glances. If it was empty, then why did Ini and Blaze look so spooked? Blaze seemed to sense their unease. "Let''s move in and explore," he said, his voice firm and commanding. "We need to know what we''re dealing with." The strike team nodded, falling into step behind Ini and Blaze as they ventured deeper into the structure. As they moved, the silence grew thicker, until it felt like a living, breathing entity that surrounded them. They explored room after room, finding nothing but dust, debris, and an eerie, unsettling feeling that they were being watched. But Ini and Blaze pressed on, driven by a growing sense of curiosity and unease. What had been inside this structure? And where had it gone? As they ventured deeper into the structure, the team encountered a labyrinthine network of corridors and chambers. Every step echoed through the deserted halls, and the air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and something else... something acrid and burning. Ini''s eyes narrowed as he led the team through the winding corridors. "This place feels like a maze," he muttered, his voice low and thoughtful. Blaze nodded, his eyes scanning the walls. "I think we''re in some kind of laboratory," he said, his voice firm and decisive. As they turned a corner, they came face to face with a row of cells. The doors were made of cold, grey metal, and the walls were lined with a thick, transparent material that seemed to glow with a faint, blue light. Ini''s eyes widened as he approached the cells. "These look like... experiment cells," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. The team fell silent, their eyes scanning the cells with a growing sense of horror. Inside, they found evidence of twisted experiments: strange equipment, tangled wires, and scattered notes scrawled in a language none of them could understand. Blaze''s face twisted in disgust. "What kind of sick individual would do this?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. Ini''s eyes were grim. "I don''t know, but I think we''re looking at a lot more than just ants here." As they explored the cells, they found traces of the experiments that had been conducted. There were strange symbols etched into the walls, a flaming circle with a candle light at its center. The air was thick with the scent of chemicals and smoke. In one cell, they found a series of twisted, nightmarish creatures. They were unlike anything the team had ever seen before: twisted, elongated bodies, bulbous eyes, and razor-sharp claws. As they explored the cells, Ini''s eyes scanned the walls, taking in the evidence of twisted experiments. He moved with a calm, deliberate pace, his expression unreadable. His eyes seemed to absorb every detail, every nuance of the scene before him. Blaze, on the other hand, looked like he was about to explode with anger. His face was red, his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. "What kind of sick individual would do this?" he growled, his voice low and menacing. His fists were clenched, his arms trembling with suppressed rage. Ini''s gaze fell on a symbol etched into the wall. It was a flaming circle, with a candle flame burning steadily in the center. The symbol seemed to pulse with a malevolent energy, and Ini''s eyes narrowed as he studied it. He reached out a hand, his fingers tracing the outline of the symbol. "Interesting," he said, his voice calm and detached. "This symbol is some kind of signature, I think." Blaze''s eyes followed Ini''s gaze, and his expression darkened. "A signature?" he repeated. "What do you mean?" Ini''s eyes never left the symbol. "I think whoever is behind these experiments is trying to send a message," he said. "This symbol is a calling card, a way of claiming responsibility for these... abominations." The team fell silent, their eyes fixed on the symbol. They knew that they were dealing with something sinister, something that went far beyond a simple infestation of ants. The symbol seemed to radiate an aura of malevolence, a sense of dark and twisted purpose. As they stood there, frozen in horror, Ini''s eyes seemed to bore into the symbol, as if he was trying to unravel its secrets. His expression was calm, detached, but his eyes burned with a fierce intensity, a sense of determination. Blaze''s voice broke the silence, his tone low and deadly. "We need to find out who''s behind this," he growled. "And we need to stop them." Ini''s eyes never left the symbol. "I agree," he said, his voice calm and detached. "But first, we need to understand what we''re dealing with. We need to know what kind of experiments were being conducted here, and what kind of creatures were being created." The team nodded, their faces set with determination. They knew that they had a long and difficult road ahead of them, but they were ready. They were ready to face whatever horrors lay ahead, to uncover the secrets of the symbol and the twisted experiments that had been conducted. As they stood there, frozen in determination, the symbol on the wall seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy, as if it was watching them, waiting for them to make their next move. Mako again Chapter 35: Mako again Ini navigated the orphanage''s corridors with ease, his eyes scanning the shelves and filing cabinets for the document he sought. The document was related to a person he was trying to locate, and he hoped it would provide some valuable information. After searching through the files, he finally found what he was looking for. The document contained details about the person''s whereabouts, and Ini''s eyes scanned the pages quickly, his mind absorbing the information with ease. He made a copy of the document, careful to replace the original in its exact location. With the copy safely in hand, he teleported to an abandoned hut at the edge of the property. As he materialized inside the hut, he saw that the walls were covered in dust and cobwebs. But what caught his eye was the symbol etched into the wall inside the hearth: "I & T" surrounded by a heart "Good things never last" Ini''s eyes narrowed as he gazed at the symbol. He murmured the phrase to himself, his voice barely audible. And then, in an instant, he vanished into thin air. He reappeared at the cave entrance, which was now bustling with people. The guild had finished their work, and the Warriors Association personnel were packing up their equipment. The hovercraft that had brought them to the site was preparing to depart, its engines humming as it lifted off the ground. Ini was in the hovercopter, leaving with the guild. The cave entrance was now a distant memory, a place where they had uncovered a dark and sinister secret. The symbol and the twisted experiments were still fresh in his mind, and he knew that this was far from over. As the hovercopter flew away, Ini''s thoughts turned to the document he had obtained. The information it contained was crucial, and he knew that it would help him locate the person he was searching for. The guild''s mission was complete, but Ini''s journey was just beginning. Stolen story; please report. They arrived at the guild and disembarked from the hovercopter. Ini didn''t bother going inside, instead leaving after a few turns. He entered a nearby restaurant to grab a bite to eat, his eyes scanning the file in his hand. As he murmured to himself, "Should I keep my promise or are you not worth my time?" he closed the file and ordered something to eat. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled his nostrils, and his stomach growled in anticipation. As he waited for his food to arrive, he took a sip of his drink, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of the mysterious symbol and the twisted experiments he had uncovered. He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn''t notice the man approaching him until he cleared his throat to announce his presence. Without looking up, Ini asked, "What do you want?" The man smiled and introduced himself. "I don''t believe we''ve met. I''m Mako." Ini continued eating, not responding. Mako took a seat across from him, seemingly unfazed by Ini''s lack of interest. Mako continued, "I''m from the Redfang Guild, a fellow S-Ranker like yourself. I came to make you an offer that could benefit both of us." Ini raised an eyebrow. "Not interested," Ini said, cutting him off. Mako smiled and said, "You might not know, but we''re the richest guild in the country and the second richest in Africa. We have lots of resources at our disposal, and we''re always looking for talented individuals like yourself to join our ranks." Mako leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. "Imagine having access to unlimited resources, the best equipment, and the brightest minds in the industry at your fingertips. We could offer you opportunities that your current guild can''t even dream of." Ini listened to Mako''s pitch, his expression unreadable. He wasn''t impressed by the guild''s wealth or resources, but he was curious about what Mako wanted from him. "What makes you think I''d be interested in joining your guild?" Ini asked, his voice still neutral. Mako smiled and said, "We''ve been watching you, Ini. We know about your skills and your accomplishments. We believe you''d be a great fit for our guild, and we''re willing to make it worth your while." He pulled out a white card with a single red fang at the center, the phone number and email on the back, and handed it to Ini. "This is my card," Mako said. "In case you change your mind, you can reach out to me directly. We''re always looking for talented individuals like yourself, and we don''t give up easily." With that, Mako stood up and left without turning back, leaving Ini to ponder his offer. Ini looked at the card, weighing the pros and cons in his head. He decided that making connections might be useful in the future and kept the card. Finishing his food, he headed back to the guild and then to the subpenthouse. Upon entering, he saw Arike already awakened and waiting for him, although she was still pale due to massive blood loss and looked like she should be resting. Ini said, "Why are you here? If you can''t give me a good explanation, I''ll knock you out and make sure you rest." Arike simply said, "Thank you. I thought I would die." Ini''s expression softened, and he replied, "Don''t worry, I won''t let you die on my watch. Now go rest." She nodded and headed to the room to sleep. As she left, Ini couldn''t help but feel a sense of responsibility towards her. He had saved her life, and now he felt a sense of obligation to take care of her. He shook his head, pushing the thoughts aside. He had more important things to worry about, like uncovering the truth behind the symbol and the twisted experiments. With a sigh, Ini entered his own room to rest, feeling the weight of a long day. He lay down on his bed, his mind still racing with thoughts of the mysterious symbol and the guild''s offer. He knew that he had to make a decision soon, but for now, he just closed his eyes and let exhaustion take over. Willow Chapter 36: Willow Ini woke up feeling refreshed, the warm sunlight streaming through the window a stark contrast to the darkness of the previous day. He got up from the bed, stretching his muscles slightly, and began his morning routine. He headed to the bathroom, brushing his teeth and then proceeding to take a refreshing bath. After his bath, he did a few hundred push-ups to get his blood pumping, the physical exertion helping to clear his mind. He then walked out of the room, heading to the living room, where he was greeted by the sight of Arike already awake and working on the laptop. "Good morning," she said, looking up from the screen with a hint of a smile. Ini replied, noticing that she was holding the file he had "taken" from the orphanage. "I figured this is the file we went to get, so I got to work early," Arike explained, her eyes returning to the screen. "Going through the files, I realized the information there was very detailed, and we don''t need to hire anyone yet unless we hit a dead end." Ini nodded, intrigued by her findings. As she continued typing, she asked, "So, she''s your sister?" Ini nodded, his expression neutral. The silence that followed was only broken by the sound of Arike''s fingers flying across the keyboard. For almost an hour, the only sound in the room was the clicking of keys and the soft hum of the laptop. Then, Arike''s voice suddenly broke the silence, her tone laced with surprise. "No way." Ini''s attention was piqued, and he asked, "What is it?" Arike didn''t reply, instead turning the laptop to face him. Ini''s eyes scanned the screen, and his gaze landed on a picture of a fair African woman. She had white hair, which was unusual for someone of African descent, as most people from the continent had black hair. She was wearing a battle suit similar to Ini''s own, but it was white and had some customization. There was something elegant about her, something that drew Ini in. Without a second thought, Ini knew that this was his sister. She looked so much like their mother, the resemblance striking. He clenched his fists firmly, his emotions in turmoil. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. He scrolled down the page, reading about his sister''s accomplishments. She was an S-Rank hunter, her code name "Willow" a testament to her skills. Her family owned the Twilight Guild, and to be exact, her grandfather was the one in charge. Ini''s eyes widened as he scrolled down further, seeing a picture of his sister beside a man in front of two little boys. The man was also an S-Ranker, his name "Moray" accompanied by a symbol of lightning. For a moment, Ini''s thoughts were a jumbled mess. He murmured to himself, the words barely audible. "For someone who shouldn''t be alive, you''ve made quite the nice life for yourself." Arike didn''t hear what he said, too engrossed in her own thoughts. Ini continued scrolling, his eyes scanning the screen for any information that might be useful. He saw the location, South Africa, Cape Town, and his mind began to whirl with possibilities. He looked at Arike, his expression unreadable. "Thanks," he said, his voice neutral. "I have to go somewhere." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Arike to wonder what was wrong. Ini made his way to Tosak''s ship, navigating through the familiar corridors until he reached the room where Tosak was meditating. The air was calm and serene, with a hint of incense wafting through the air. Tosak was levitating about a meter off the ground, his eyes closed in deep contemplation. Despite not looking at Ini, Tosak seemed to sense his presence. "You finally found her?" he asked, his voice low and soothing. Ini didn''t show any surprise at Tosak''s awareness of his presence. "Yes," he replied, his voice neutral. Tosak''s eyes remained closed as he continued, "You''re here hoping I would stop you." Ini didn''t respond, his gaze fixed on Tosak. Tosak''s expression was calm, but his words carried a weight of wisdom. "Normally, I would have told you to forgive her. She was just a child and didn''t mean for anything to happen. And I''m sure you know that." Tosak''s eyes opened, and he looked at Ini with an intensity that made Ini''s heart skip a beat. "But you took a mental note to kill her. That thought got intensified when you got your mind powers. It''s just a minor thought now, but it would grow more till it interferes with your powers, making them unstable." Tosak''s words struck a chord within Ini. He knew that Tosak was right. His desire for revenge had been simmering beneath the surface, fueled by his newfound powers. "It''s already starting now that you went after her," Tosak continued. "She''s been on your mind, that''s why it was so easy for me to pry." Tosak''s words were like a mirror, reflecting Ini''s inner turmoil. Tosak''s expression turned serious. "My advice is to get closure, whether you kill her or not. Although she''s your only family left, killing her makes you more powerful, increasing our chances against the Celestial. Just do it, and it''s not a must you kill her. You can also forgive her. Just make sure you do it fast, before another Colossal appears." Tosak''s words hung in the air, leaving Ini to ponder his options. The weight of his decision was crushing, and Ini knew that he had to make a choice soon. Ini left Tosak''s shop with a lot on his mind. He couldn''t shake off the feeling that he needed to see his sister before making any decisions. He thought about the information he had found out about her and the possibilities of what could happen if he were to confront her. He couldn''t help but wonder how things would have turned out if their parents were alive. He sighs knowing they aren''t alive and she has to pay. With a newfound sense of purpose, Ini quickened his pace, his heart pounding in anticipation. Would he be able to forgive her, or would he seek revenge? The questions swirled in his mind as he walked, but he knew one thing for sure - he had to see her.