《The Rise of The Fallen》 The arrival Alien POV ¡°Sir¡­ Sir! We¡¯ve reached the Blue Planet,¡± a man in a sleek silver uniform hurriedly approached his leader. The leader, a middle-aged man with sharp features and piercing silver eyes, gazed at the vast blue sphere through the large window of their spacecraft. His expression remained stoic, but his eyes gleamed with a trace of anticipation. ¡°Hmph¡­ It took us longer than expected,¡± he muttered in a heavy, commanding voice. ¡°Shall I give the order to land, Sir?¡± the subordinate asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. ¡°Not yet,¡± the leader replied, raising his hand slightly. His eyes narrowed as he studied the swirling clouds and the scattered lights of human cities below. ¡°Let¡¯s observe the inhabitants first. Learn their patterns¡­ their weaknesses. When we land, we¡¯ll have a plan.¡± The subordinate bowed slightly. ¡°Understood, Lord Zeiran.¡± Zeiran turned away from the window, his mind already calculating the steps ahead. ¡°Send my children to the surface,¡± he commanded. ¡°I want them to gather information about the seven stones. We cannot fail.¡± The subordinate nodded and quickly left the chamber. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. From the shadows, Kael and Lyra, Zeiran''s two children, emerged. Kael, the older sibling, had a confident smirk, his dark hair falling over his sharp, amber eyes. Lyra, younger but no less determined, brushed her silver hair behind her ear, her blue eyes shimmering with curiosity. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Kael asked, glancing at his sister. ¡°Of course,¡± Lyra replied with a smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s see what this Blue Planet has to offer.¡± Without another word, the siblings made their way toward the teleportation chamber, ready to infiltrate Earth. --- Human POV ¡°Sir¡­ there¡¯s something on the radar,¡± said Ethan Carter, a young scientist, his voice trembling slightly. His hands hovered over the keyboard, typing rapidly as he tried to stabilize the fluctuating readings. ¡°What?¡± Dr. Robert Hayes, his senior, furrowed his brows. ¡°Can¡¯t you zoom in with the satellite? It¡¯s probably just an asteroid.¡± Ethan shook his head, his face pale. ¡°No, sir. It¡¯s not an asteroid. The objects are moving too fast. Their positions keep shifting every few seconds¡ªit¡¯s more than one.¡± Dr. Hayes leaned over the screen, his eyes narrowing. The objects were indeed moving at an impossible speed, faster than any natural space body. ¡°W-what¡­? No, no¡­ this can¡¯t be¡­¡± Dr. Hayes muttered, his throat tightening. His hands trembled slightly as he grabbed the phone. ¡°We need to inform the president. Whatever this is¡ªit¡¯s not good.¡± He rushed out of the lab, his footsteps echoing through the corridor. Without waiting for clearance, he called the president¡¯s office. The line clicked. ¡°May I speak to the president?¡± Dr. Hayes asked urgently. The secretary barely hesitated. ¡°One moment.¡± A low, gruff voice came through the line. President Thomas Greer sounded irritated. ¡°Yes? What is it?¡± ¡°Mr. President, there¡¯s activity in Earth¡¯s orbit¡ªunidentified objects moving at impossible speeds. We can¡¯t track them properly, but it¡¯s real. We need to¡ª¡± ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡± President Greer snapped, cutting him off. His voice was firm and dismissive. ¡°You know the elections are coming, right? This is probably just debris or asteroids. Handle it with the tech you have¡ªI don¡¯t want to hear about it again.¡± ¡°Sir, this is serious¡ª¡± Click. The line went dead. Dr. Hayes stared at the receiver in disbelief. His knuckles whitened as he clenched it. ¡°Bastard¡­¡± he muttered under his breath. He glanced back at the radar screen. The objects were still there, still moving, still closing in. Whatever was coming¡ªit wouldn¡¯t wait for the elections. Chaptar 2:- The First Step Alien POV Kael and Lyra walked across the uneven terrain of Earth, their boots pressing lightly into the soil. The wind brushed against their faces as they took in the surroundings-a vast forest bordering a small town. Kael inhaled deeply and exhaled with a disappointed huff. "Hmph... The air quality is decent, though I expected more." Lyra glanced at him, her silver hair catching the faint sunlight. She crossed her arms and gazed at the distant human settlement. "Yeah, it''s breathable, at least," she muttered thoughtfully. "But this planet''s future... it doesn''t seem very promising." Kael scoffed. "Who cares?" he said with a devilish grin. "Once we get the seven stones, the humans will be powerless. They''ll surrender to us eventually." Lyra shot him an irritated glare. "Oh, shut up, brother. You don''t even know how we''re going to find the stones," she snapped. Kael''s eyes narrowed. "Huh? You don''t know either, sister. So why lecture me?" he shot back, his voice slightly raised. A sly smirk crept across Lyra''s lips. "Oh, but I do know where we can get the information." Kael''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Where?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity. Lyra grabbed his hand and pulled him forward. "Just follow me." --- Scene Shift - Earth: Westbridge College In a lecture hall filled with disinterested students, Professor Alan Morris, a man in his mid-forties with graying hair and sharp eyes, paced in front of a large screen displaying a map of the solar system. His voice echoed through the room. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. "Class, here''s a question for you," he began, pausing dramatically. "If an unknown celestial object entered our solar system at irregular speed and altered its trajectory every few minutes, what could it possibly be?" The students glanced at each other, confused. The room remained silent. "Come on, anyone?" Professor Morris prompted, his eyes scanning the crowd. Before anyone could answer, the door swung open with a loud creak. Amelia Cross, a blonde-haired college student with tired eyes, hurried in, slightly out of breath. She clutched her bag tightly, clearly rushing from her part-time job. The professor''s eyes narrowed. "Late again, Miss Cross," he muttered. His stern expression softened slightly. "At least your grades aren''t falling." Amelia shot him an apologetic smile and quickly found her seat, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. Professor Morris turned back to the class. His gaze lingered on Amelia before he pointed at her. "Since you were so eager to join us, perhaps you can answer the question." The room fell silent. Amelia''s classmates smirked, expecting her to fumble. But without hesitation, she leaned forward slightly and answered calmly, "If the object changes its trajectory at irregular intervals, it''s unlikely to be a natural asteroid or space debris. It could be a controlled or intelligently guided spacecraft... maybe even a probe with advanced maneuvering capabilities." The professor blinked, slightly taken aback. "U-um... yes, very good," he said, clearly impressed. Amelia simply nodded, her eyes flickering with curiosity. The answer had come to her easily-too easily. --- Scene Shift - Research Facility Back at the lab, Dr. Robert Hayes sat at his desk, his head resting heavily in his hand. His eyes were bloodshot from hours of analyzing the radar data. Around him, his team moved with a nervous energy. Claire Reynolds, a young woman with short brown hair and sharp eyes, approached him cautiously. "Sir... do you think we''ll get any support from the government?" she asked hesitantly. Dr. Hayes let out a bitter sigh. "No," he muttered, shaking his head. "The president thinks it''s just asteroids. He doesn''t want to get involved before the elections." His jaw tightened with frustration. "We''re on our own." Suddenly, Liam Carter, a young researcher with glasses and unkempt hair, burst into the room, breathless. "Sir! Sir!" he called out, waving a folder. "We''ve detected something new on the radar!" Dr. Hayes'' eyes narrowed. "Don''t tell me it''s those objects again," he muttered, walking over to Liam''s console. Liam nodded urgently. "Yes, sir. But this time, one of them came much closer-possibly landed." He pointed at the fluctuating signal. "But after a short time, it vanished again." Dr. Hayes stared at the screen, his throat tightening. No... it can''t be... he thought grimly. Without hesitation, he turned to Claire. "Call the conference," he ordered, his voice firm and resolute. Claire''s eyes widened. "You''re going public?" she asked in surprise. Dr. Hayes nodded. His gaze hardened with determination. "The government won''t help us. We''ll tell the world ourselves." He clenched his fists. If the president wouldn''t take the threat seriously, he would force his hand with public pressure. The clock was ticking. Chapter 3: The Veil of Deception ?? Scene 1: The Clone¡¯s Deception Dr. Hayes marched briskly toward the conference room, his face stern with resolve. He knew the government wouldn¡¯t help, but if he revealed the truth to the public, they might pressure the authorities into action. Just as he turned a corner, he felt a sudden tap on his shoulder. Before he could react, a masked man delivered a brutal punch to his jaw, sending him crashing to the cold, tiled floor. ¡°Ugh¡­ W-who¡ª¡± Hayes groaned, but his vision was already blurring. The masked man crouched over him and placed a clay-like substance against his own face. The material shimmered unnaturally, morphing and shifting until the masked man¡¯s features became identical to Dr. Hayes. ¡°Thank you for informing us, Clarie,¡± the man said, turning to the young researcher who stood a few feet away, her hands trembling slightly. The young woman with sharp eyes and auburn hair glanced around nervously before the man handed her a check for $10 million. ¡°Anything for you, sir,¡± Clarie said smoothly as she pocketed the check, the guilt barely visible behind her calm exterior. The masked man-turned-clone adjusted his tie, mimicking Dr. Hayes¡¯ voice perfectly. Without hesitation, he entered the conference room. Inside, dozens of top scientists, journalists, and experts sat waiting with bated breath. As the clone stepped onto the stage, he feigned a solemn expression. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I must apologize for the false alarm. The recent radar signals were indeed caused by a cluster of asteroids passing by Earth¡¯s orbit,¡± he said confidently. Murmurs of relief filled the room. Some reporters nodded to each other, already preparing headlines debunking the ¡®alien conspiracy¡¯. ¡°There is no cause for panic. Our technology is advanced enough to monitor and neutralize any such threats,¡± the clone added with a reassuring smile, effectively discrediting the real Dr. Hayes¡¯ discovery. --- ?? Scene 2: Westbridge College ¨C The Sibling''s Plan Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Karl and Lyra walked casually along the lush campus grounds of Westbridge College, blending in with the crowd of students. The sun hung low, casting a warm orange glow over the stone buildings. Karl let out an exaggerated yawn. ¡°Ugh. Why are we even here, sister? This planet¡¯s technology is laughable. They¡¯re teaching stuff we mastered 500 years ago!¡± he complained, tossing a pebble across the lawn. Lyra¡¯s silver eyes narrowed. ¡°Stop whining. There¡¯s someone here who knows about the Seven Stones.¡± Karl¡¯s eyes widened slightly. ¡°Huh? Who?¡± A sly smile crept across Lyra¡¯s face. ¡°Professor Alan Morris.¡± Karl arched a brow. ¡°So¡­ we¡¯re gonna kidnap him or what?¡± he asked with a mischievous grin. Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Idiot. That would cause too much trouble. We need to be smart about this. We¡¯ll enroll as students. Get close to him. Gain his trust. Then, when the moment is right¡­¡± she trailed off with a devilish smirk. Karl let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°Ugh. You¡¯re such a strategist.¡± The siblings walked into the principal¡¯s office, where a gray-haired man in his 60s sat behind a large wooden desk. Before he could even ask why they were there, Lyra¡¯s fingers subtly twitched, releasing a faint pulse of hypnotic energy. The principal¡¯s eyes glazed over, his expression turning vacant. ¡°We¡¯d like to enroll as students,¡± Lyra said smoothly. ¡°Of course,¡± the principal replied in a monotone voice, his hands mechanically reaching for the necessary forms. Without asking for identification or documentation, he handed them their enrollment papers. The principal, still under the spell, personally escorted Karl and Lyra to Professor Alan¡¯s classroom. ¡°Professor Morris, we have two new students joining your class,¡± the principal announced blankly. Professor Alan, a tall man with salt-and-pepper hair and sharp green eyes, turned toward the siblings. His eyes narrowed slightly. Something felt off. It was midyear, and the college never accepted students this late. Still, he kept his thoughts to himself and offered them a polite nod. ¡°Welcome. Take your seats.¡± Karl and Lyra exchanged brief glances, smirking subtly as they blended into the classroom, observing their target carefully. --- ?? Scene 3: The Elite''s Gathering In a luxurious, dimly lit meeting room, a group of powerful elites sat around an obsidian table. The air was heavy with cigar smoke and tension. At the head of the table, a man in a perfectly tailored black suit tapped his fingers rhythmically against the table. His eyes were cold and calculating. The door opened, and the masked man who had replaced Dr. Hayes walked in, bowing respectfully. ¡°Mission accomplished, sir.¡± The man in the suit¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Good. You should have been more careful, though. If it weren¡¯t for Clarie, that fool Hayes would have exposed everything.¡± The man turned toward President Warren, who sat quietly, his face pale and drenched in sweat. The leader of the free world was trembling slightly, knowing he was no longer in control. ¡°You should have been smarter, President,¡± the man in the suit sneered. ¡°Luckily, Clarie saved us from your incompetence.¡± The president opened his mouth to respond but quickly shut it, knowing better than to anger the man in the suit. The man in the suit turned toward the group of elites seated around the table, his eyes burning with authority. ¡°Now, create diversions around the world. Distract the public. Use elections, celebrity scandals, media drama¡ªI don¡¯t care how. Just keep them focused on trivial nonsense. Keep them from ever realizing the truth.¡± The world¡¯s richest man, a tech genius with a sharp jawline, slicked-back hair, and a mischievous grin, leaned forward. ¡°So¡­ the aliens are back, huh?¡± he asked with a slight smirk. The man in the suit nodded coldly. ¡°Yes. We dealt with a different civilization around 300 years ago. We kept the public distracted with wars and revolutions back then.¡± The tech mogul chuckled. ¡°Ah yes¡­ French Revolution, colonization¡­ clever cover-ups.¡± Another elite, a powerful oil tycoon, spoke up. ¡°But things are different now. We can¡¯t just plunge the world into chaos again. The global economy would collapse.¡± The man in the suit¡¯s eyes darkened. ¡°That¡¯s why we use social media. The toys we gave the public¡ªthe platforms they depend on. Flood it with useless trends, fake controversies, and clickbait. They¡¯ll be too busy arguing online to see the truth.¡± He slammed his hand on the table. ¡°Use the puppets¡ªthe influencers, the actors, the billionaires. Make them fight in public if you have to. I don¡¯t care. Just keep humanity blind.¡± The elites nodded in unison. The game had begun. --- Chapter 4:- The hidden threats The man in the black suit walked alongside Clarie¡ªthe woman who once worked with Dr. Hayes but secretly fed information to the society about his plans. The corridor was dimly lit, their footsteps echoing faintly as they moved. ¡°Well, thank you, Clarie, for saving our asses. If Dr. Hayes had revealed everything, we would have been in serious trouble,¡± the man in the black suit said, his tone firm but with a hint of gratitude. ¡°I¡¯m just doing my job, sir,¡± Clarie replied with a small bow. ¡°Because of you, my daughter has a better future now.¡± For a brief moment, Clarie¡¯s eyes softened, thinking of Amelia. Everything she did¡ªthe lies, the betrayal¡ªwas for her daughter¡¯s safety and future. She justified her actions with that single thought. ¡°No problem, Clarie.¡± The man offered a small smile, but his expression turned thoughtful. ¡°But I think you deserve more.¡± Clarie blinked, confused. ¡°H-huh? What do you mean, sir?¡± The man in black looked at her, his eyes cold and calculating but also oddly approving. ¡°You will be the next president.¡± Clarie¡¯s breath hitched, her eyes widening slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise with a professional nod. She knew better than to question such offers. After all, in their line of work, nothing came without a price. --- Scene Shift ¨C Westbridge College Kael sat in the corner of the college library, flipping through a book about aliens¡ªthe human interpretation of his own species. He found himself amused by the absurd depictions: distorted faces, green skin, bulbous heads. His people looked nothing like this. In fact, they resembled humans far more closely than anyone on this planet could imagine. He turned the page, pausing at an illustration of a large, bug-eyed creature with tentacle-like arms. He scoffed softly. ¡°Idiots¡­¡± he muttered under his breath. Unbeknownst to him, Amelia¡ªthe girl who had arrived late to class earlier¡ªhad been watching him from a few shelves away. She tilted her head slightly, intrigued by the sight of him reading about aliens. The topic fascinated her, and her curiosity pushed her forward. Taking a breath, she approached him casually, her smile warm and genuine. ¡°Hey. You¡¯re Kael, right?¡± Kael¡¯s eyes widened slightly at the sudden interaction. He looked up and immediately felt his face flush at the sight of Amelia standing in front of him. Her soft smile made his heart stumble slightly. ¡°H-huh? Y-yes¡­ I-I am,¡± he stammered, his voice cracking slightly. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. He cursed himself internally. Smooth. Amelia chuckled lightly but decided not to comment on his nervousness. ¡°So, you¡¯re reading about aliens, huh? You interested in that kind of stuff?¡± she asked, leaning slightly over to glance at the book. Kael¡¯s fingers tensed on the book¡¯s edges. He forced a nervous laugh, feeling the heat rise to his face for two reasons: one, because he was still blushing like an idiot, and two, because he had to be careful¡ªcareful not to accidentally reveal too much about himself. ¡°U-uh, yeah! I-I just find it¡­ interesting, you know? H-hehe.¡± Amelia raised a brow at his odd behavior but decided to brush it off. She smiled again, this time with more warmth. ¡°Yeah? Me too. I mean, it¡¯s fascinating, right? The possibility of life out there¡­ or maybe even among us.¡± Kael¡¯s breath hitched slightly at her last words, his fingers tightening around the pages. She was joking, of course, but the irony made his stomach twist slightly. ¡°Y-yeah¡­ among us, huh? Hehe¡­ w-wouldn¡¯t that be something¡­¡± Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she continued. ¡°Do you believe in the whole ¡®aliens walking among us¡¯ theory?¡± she asked, leaning slightly closer. ¡°Like, you know, disguised as humans?¡± Kael¡¯s heart skipped a beat. For a moment, he froze. The question caught him off guard, and his mind scrambled for an answer. His eyes flickered ever so slightly, and he knew he had to be careful with his next words. ¡°U-uh¡­ I¡ª¡± he began, but then quickly cleared his throat and forced a chuckle. ¡°N-no. Nah. That¡¯s just conspiracy stuff. I mean¡­ c-come on, that would be crazy, right?¡± Amelia smirked slightly, narrowing her eyes in playful suspicion. ¡°Hmm¡­ You sure? You¡¯re kinda acting suspicious.¡± Kael¡¯s stomach flipped. ¡°W-what? No! Pfft¡ªsuspicious? Me? N-no way! I¡¯m just¡­ I mean¡­ I¡ªI¡¯m just a little awkward, that¡¯s all! Hehe¡­¡± Amelia laughed softly, clearly enjoying his flustered reaction. ¡°Relax, I¡¯m just messing with you.¡± Just then, Lyra appeared from behind the shelves, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. ¡°Brother, I was looking for you. Let¡¯s go,¡± she said in a flat tone, her piercing gaze flicking to Amelia for a brief moment before settling on Kael. Kael stiffened slightly but offered Amelia a quick, sheepish smile. ¡°Oh¡­ um, bye then, Amelia. I-I¡¯ll¡­ I¡¯ll see you around.¡± Amelia smiled faintly, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. ¡°Sure, Kael. Take care.¡± --- Scene Shift ¨C Professor Morris¡¯s Office Professor Morris sat in his dimly lit office, staring at the faint reflection of himself in the window. His hands rested on the desk, but his mind was far away. The recent events had stirred something in him¡ªsomething long buried. Two new students, arriving in the middle of the year. The strange energy he sensed around them. It was too much to be a coincidence. His gaze drifted to the drawer on his left. With slightly trembling hands, he opened it and pulled out a small, worn necklace¡ªhis grandmother¡¯s gift. He stared at it for a moment, and his mind drifted back to the night she first told him about the prophecy. --- The memory was vivid¡ªthe warm glow of the fireplace, the soft crackling of wood. The smell of herbal tea lingering in the air. His grandmother sat on the edge of his bed, running her fingers gently through his hair. ¡°Alright, lil one. Time for bed.¡± ¡°Nooo, I don¡¯t wanna sleep yet!¡± young Morris pouted, crossing his arms. She chuckled softly, tapping his nose with a playful grin. ¡°Hehe, this won¡¯t work on me, lil one. Come on, I¡¯ll tell you a story, but then you have to sleep, alright?¡± His face lit up with excitement. ¡°A story? Deal!¡± She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a soft whisper, her eyes filled with a strange seriousness. ¡°But listen closely, my lil one¡­ because what I¡¯m about to tell you is more than just a story.¡± Morris blinked, confused by her tone but nodded eagerly. ¡°The necklace I gave you,¡± she said, brushing her fingers over the charm around his neck, ¡°it¡¯s more than it appears. When the time comes, people will arrive from the sky. They will be extremely intelligent¡­ and they will seek something powerful.¡± Her voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. ¡°The seven stones. They hold unimaginable power. Power that could destroy or save entire worlds. And this necklace¡­ will be the key.¡± Young Morris frowned, unimpressed. ¡°Ugh, that¡¯s not a story, Grandma. That¡¯s just¡­ stupid, lame, and dumb!¡± he grumbled, turning his back to her with a childish huff. His grandmother only smiled faintly, her eyes heavy with wisdom and sadness. --- Back in the present, Professor Morris stared at the necklace in his palm, his gut churning with unease. ¡°Could it¡­ be true?¡± he whispered, the weight of the memory sinking heavily in his chest. --- Scene Shift ¨C The Black Suit Man The man in the black suit stood before his subordinate¡ªthe one who had knocked out Dr. Hayes. His eyes were cold, calculating. ¡°We¡¯ve detected the UFO-like object on the surface,¡± he said calmly but firmly. ¡°Find them. Eliminate them. Understood?¡± The man nodded silently. The black suit man handed him a small device¡ªa moticon. An advanced piece of technology far beyond what the world knew existed. It would detect alien signatures, their energy sources, and track them down with terrifying precision. The hunt had begun. Author''s note:- Please do vote or comment if you are liking this story. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you. Chapter 5: The Watchers Gambit Scene 1: The Hunt Begins The man in the black suit stood at the edge of a desolate clearing, his sharp eyes scanning the faint traces in the soil. The cold morning mist clung to his coat as he knelt down, pulling a sleek, futuristic device from his pocket¡ªa Moticon. He activated it with a flick of his wrist. The device emitted a faint, violet beam, sweeping across the area. Almost immediately, it detected an anomaly¡ªa faint trace of gas hovering just above the ground. Invisible to the human eye, but not to him. He smirked. ¡°So¡­ they did land here.¡± The Moticon beeped softly, confirming the chemical composition: a gaseous compound rare on Earth but common on certain alien worlds. The reading was faint, almost imperceptible¡ªa sign that only a few ships had landed. ¡°Just a few of them¡­ but why?¡± he muttered, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. The clearing revealed no remnants of the ship itself. No wreckage, no debris. Just a lingering trace of their presence. It was as if they had simply vanished into thin air. But the man knew better. They were hiding. And he was getting closer. --- Scene 2: The Exam of Deception The next day, at Westbridge College, students shuffled into the astronomy lecture hall with weary expressions. Professor Morris stood at the front, his face stern but composed. In his hand, he held a stack of papers¡ªthe exam he had meticulously designed. It wasn¡¯t just any exam. It was a test. Not for academic performance, but for something far more important. He cleared his throat, addressing the students with his usual calm yet authoritative tone. ¡°Alright, everyone. You may begin.¡± The hall filled with the sound of scribbling pens and anxious sighs. Most students stared at the questions in confusion. The concepts were beyond their curriculum¡ªcomplex theories that only seasoned astronomers could hope to understand. Yet, in the middle of the room, three students wrote steadily: Kael, Lyra, and Amelia. Kael¡¯s hand moved fluidly, his eyes narrowing in concentration. For him, the questions were laughably simple¡ªa child¡¯s puzzle compared to the knowledge ingrained in his alien mind. Lyra, sitting beside him, deliberately wrote at a slower pace, pretending to struggle. She occasionally scribbled a few wrong answers, playing the part of an ordinary student. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Meanwhile, Amelia pressed her lips together, her brow furrowed. She struggled with a few questions but held her own, determined not to give in to the exam¡¯s difficulty. When the bell rang, signaling the end, students groaned in disappointment. Many left the hall looking defeated. Professor Morris collected the sheets, his eyes lingering on Kael and Lyra for a moment longer than necessary. --- Scene 3: A Gentle Connection Outside the hall, Amelia spotted Kael leaning against a pillar, casually watching the other students leave. Her eyes still carried traces of disappointment as she approached him. ¡°Hey, Kael¡­ how was the exam?¡± she asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice gave away her frustration. Kael turned, flashing her a soft smile. ¡°Oh, it was¡­ good, I guess,¡± he said with an easy shrug. Amelia blinked in surprise. ¡°Good? You must be really smart, then¡­ mine was a total disaster.¡± She let out a small sigh, clearly disheartened. ¡°I think I need to work a lot harder.¡± Kael¡¯s smile faded slightly. He could sense the frustration in her voice¡ªthe self-doubt gnawing at her. He offered her a reassuring glance. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be like that. It was just an exam¡ªit doesn¡¯t define your future,¡± he said softly. Amelia smiled faintly, but her eyes still held a shadow of doubt. ¡°Thanks, Kael. It¡¯s just¡­ my mother has high expectations for me.¡± Her voice lowered slightly, the weight of her words pulling at her shoulders. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ kind of a big deal. I can¡¯t disappoint her.¡± Kael¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, sensing the burden in her voice. ¡°Hey¡­ you didn¡¯t choose to be born, right?¡± he said quietly. ¡°So why does she get to put all her expectations on you? Love isn¡¯t a trade¡ªit¡¯s unconditional. If she truly loves you, she¡¯ll be proud of you no matter what.¡± For a moment, Amelia stared at him, speechless. His words caught her off guard¡ªso genuine, so unexpected. Before she could respond, Lyra suddenly appeared, her eyes sharp and impatient. ¡°Sorry, Amelia. I need to borrow my brother for today.¡± She offered a forced smile and practically dragged Kael away before Amelia could protest. --- Scene 4: Sibling Tension Once they were out of sight, Kael frowned and yanked his arm free. ¡°Hey! What was that for?¡± he pouted, rubbing his wrist. Lyra shot him a sharp glare. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be talking to humans unless necessary,¡± she snapped. ¡°We¡¯re here for a mission, Kael. Not to make connections.¡± Kael¡¯s expression fell. The warmth from his conversation with Amelia faded, replaced by the cold reminder of their true purpose. Lyra crossed her arms, watching him carefully. ¡°Anyway, did you answer all the questions today?¡± Kael blinked, slightly confused. ¡°Yeah, of course. It was easy.¡± He grinned smugly, clearly pleased with himself. Without warning, Lyra smacked him on the back of the head. ¡°Ow! What the hell, Lyra?!¡± Kael yelped, pouting as he rubbed the spot. Lyra glared at him. ¡°You idiot! Morris was testing us. He¡¯s suspicious!¡± She jabbed a finger at his chest. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have answered everything so perfectly.¡± Kael¡¯s grin faded as realization hit him. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. ¡°Oh¡­ whoops.¡± Lyra let out a frustrated sigh, trying to think of a way to cover their tracks. --- Scene 5: The Enforcer Strikes Back in his office, Professor Morris sat at his desk, flipping through the students¡¯ exam papers. He came to Kael¡¯s sheet and paused, his eyes narrowing. Perfect answers. Precise, detailed, and articulate. Far beyond what a college student should be capable of. His fingers tightened slightly around the page. He then reached for Lyra¡¯s. Her answers were clever¡ªintentionally flawed in places¡ªbut still suspiciously advanced. Morris rubbed his temple, his mind spinning. His grandmother¡¯s story echoed faintly in his memory¡ªthe one about otherworldly beings. He shook his head, unwilling to entertain the thought fully, but the doubt lingered. *Before he could dwell on it further, the door to his office burst open with a loud BANG. The man in the black suit strolled in, his cold eyes locking onto Morris. ¡°Well, well, well¡­ what do we have here?¡± His voice dripped with mockery. ¡°Just a small fish on the hunt for a bigger one.¡± Morris¡¯s eyes widened. He stood, trembling slightly. ¡°Who are you? What do you want?¡± The man¡¯s lips curled into a cruel smile. ¡°Oh, come on. A village boy turned professor? I had a hard time finding your records, but I managed.¡± Morris¡¯s face paled. ¡°H-How do you know that?¡± The man casually gestured toward the necklace around Morris¡¯s neck. ¡°That necklace. Hand it over.¡± Morris clutched the chain protectively, his knuckles white. ¡°No¡­ it was my grandmother¡¯s. It¡¯s all I have left of her.¡± The man¡¯s eyes narrowed darkly. ¡°Oh, you fool¡­ it¡¯s more than just a necklace.¡± He lunged forward, his hand raised to strike. But before his blow could land, a hand shot out and caught his wrist. Someone had blocked him chapter 6:- The clash of powers As Professor Morris braced himself for the impending blow, a massive figure¡ªtowering at nearly eight feet¡ªsuddenly appeared, blocking the enforcer''s punch with ease. The stranger''s presence was otherworldly, as if he had stepped out of another era. Dressed in black from head to toe, his face was completely hidden beneath a dark cloak, giving him an aura of mystery and menace. Enforcer (man in black suit): "W-What the hell? Who are you?!" he demanded, staring at the cloaked figure who had effortlessly intercepted his attack. The Cloaked Man: "Oh... you can call me¡ª"Hope"¡ªif you wish." His voice was calm, yet it carried a majestic weight that seemed to silence the chaos around them. Enforcer: "Whatever you are... you''re interfering with the Society''s business! I''ll destroy you!" he roared, his fists clenching with rage as he charged at Hope once more. But Hope met his attack head-on. Their punches collided with such force that it created a shockwave, shaking the very foundation of the building and sending debris flying. --- Scene Shift Meanwhile, Kael and Lyra were walking home after their eventful day at the university. However, their enhanced senses immediately picked up on the powerful surge of energy from the explosion. They stopped in their tracks, exchanging a look of concern. Lyra: "Brother, let¡¯s go back to the university... something''s not right." Her eyes narrowed with determination as she took her teleportation stance. Kael nodded without hesitation, grabbing Lyra''s hand as they vanished in a flash of light. They reappeared at the university gates, but as they tried to step forward, their path was blocked by an invisible force. It was a shield¡ªa powerful magical barrier, similar to a sorcerer''s ward. Normal people wouldn''t be able to perceive it, but those who walked through it would be displaced into a mirror dimension for a few minutes, leaving them unaware of the real events happening inside. Lyra: "It''s a shield..." she murmured, her hand hovering just above the invisible surface, feeling the faint ripple of magic. Kael: "What do we do, sister?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern. Lyra: "We go inside, brother. We can¡¯t let anyone else take Professor Morris. His necklace is the key to the Seven Stones." Her eyes darkened with resolve, the seriousness of their mission evident. Kael gave a firm nod. Without hesitation, they both passed through the shield. However, instead of appearing inside the university, they found themselves in a completely different place¡ªa decaying, abandoned building with cracked walls and broken windows. Lyra: "Oh no... it was a trap..." Her voice was low, her expression thoughtful as she analyzed their surroundings. Kael: "Ugh... great. We''re trapped." He groaned, crossing his arms in frustration. Lyra: "Not for long, brother. Let¡¯s check the building. We might find something useful. I¡¯ll search the ground floor. You check upstairs." Without waiting for his response, she turned and began walking down the dimly lit corridor. Kael nodded and ascended the creaking staircase. He opened several doors, but all he found were empty rooms and dust-filled shelves. Just as he was about to turn back, he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Without thinking, he spun around and threw a swift punch¡ªonly for his attack to be caught effortlessly. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. It was Lyra. Lyra: "Hey, idiot! What are you doing?!" she scolded, her voice sharp with irritation. Kael: "S-Sorry, sister! I thought you were someone else!" he stammered, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. Lyra glared at him, crossing her arms. Lyra: "What are you even doing on the ground floor? I told you to check upstairs, didn''t I?" she snapped. Kael: "B-But sister... this is the top floor..." His voice was filled with confusion as he glanced around. His eyes widened in disbelief. They both stood there, dumbfounded, realizing they had been walking in circles. The building was warped by the mirror dimension''s disorienting magic. --- Scene Shift Back at the university, Hope and the enforcer were still clashing with incredible force. The air crackled with power. The once-pristine courtyard was now filled with shattered stone and scorch marks. Meanwhile, Professor Morris, trembling with fear, seized his chance. With the two fighters locked in battle, he scrambled to his feet and dashed toward the window. Without a second thought, he jumped out, crashing through the glass. His body tumbled down onto the grass, but he didn¡¯t stop. With bloodied hands, he crawled toward the magical shield outside. The moment he made contact, his necklace reacted, unleashing a burst of energy. The resulting explosion sent shockwaves throughout the area, piercing the mirror dimension''s barrier. --- Scene Shift Kael and Lyra were still trying to figure out their location when the explosion struck. The mirror dimension shattered like fragile glass. Their vision blurred for a moment, and when they regained their senses, they were standing outside the university, the familiar surroundings coming back into focus. Just a few feet away, they spotted Professor Morris, his face pale with terror. His necklace was glowing ominously. Professor Morris: "H-Huh...? What¡¯s going on...?!" He panted, struggling to catch his breath. Without wasting any time, Lyra attempted to use the same illusion trick she had used on the principal when she and Kael infiltrated the university. However, as she cast the spell, the professor''s necklace shone brightly, repelling her magic. A searing light burst from the gem, causing Lyra''s eyes to bleed from the forceful backlash. Kael: "Sister!" His eyes widened in fury as he saw blood trickling down her cheeks. A surge of anger exploded from within him. He clenched his fists, summoning all his strength, and charged at the professor. The necklace created an invisible shield to protect Morris, but Kael¡¯s punch, fueled by rage, shattered it. With a controlled but forceful strike, he knocked Morris unconscious. As the professor''s body went limp, Kael reached for the necklace¡ªbut the moment his fingers grazed it, his hand burned violently, leaving deep cuts. Kael: "S-Sister... I can''t take it off..." he said through gritted teeth, staring at the blood on his palm. Lyra, wiping the blood from her eyes, staggered to her feet. Lyra: "Then... we¡¯ll take him with us. We¡¯ll force him to hand it over willingly." Her voice was cold and resolute, her expression hardened despite her injuries. Kael nodded. Without another word, they grabbed the unconscious professor and teleported away. --- Scene Shift Back at the university, Hope glanced toward the spot where Kael and Lyra had vanished with the professor. The enforcer, still staggering from their battle, clenched his fists in frustration. Hope: "Looks like someone else took your prey." He smirked tauntingly, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. Enforcer: "Tch... he was just bait. The real prize will come later." Red energy surged around him as he launched another furious attack. Hope barely dodged the strike and countered with a devastating blow, his axe flashing with golden light. The weapon struck the enforcer¡¯s chest, sending a powerful shockwave through his body. The man collapsed, lifeless. Hope sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. Hope: "Maybe next time, kiddo..." He muttered, before vanishing into the night. --- Scene Shift ¨C Secret Society Headquarters In the dimly lit office, the man in black sat at his desk, writing with calm precision. Across from him stood Clarie, her posture stiff. Man in Black: "So, Clarie... are you ready to become the president?" Clarie: "Y-Yes, sir. I¡¯m ready..." she said with a nervous nod. Man in Black: "Good. We¡¯ve fabricated your political history. You''ll appear as the perfect candidate. The people will accept you." Suddenly, a woman burst into the room, her expression frantic. Woman: "Sir! Sir!" Man in Black: "What is it?" he asked, his eyes narrowing slightly. Woman: "Agent 278... he¡¯s dead. Someone killed him." Man in Black: "W-What?! Was it the Alliance?" Woman: "We have no information yet, sir. But the incident took place at Westbridge University. There were traces of two massive explosions¡ªlikely from the clash of higher powers. It appears Agent 278 was involved in the fight." The man in black exhaled sharply, his eyes cold. Man in Black: "Erase all evidence. And call for ''AM''... we need to crush the Alliance before they become a bigger threat." Chapter 7 - The Pieces Fall Into Place Scene 1: Amelia¡¯s Home ¨C Doubts and Revelations Amelia sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the floor. The soft moonlight seeped through the window, casting a faint glow on her face. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her eyes reflected a mix of disappointment and frustration. Amelia''s Thoughts: ¡°I should have done better¡­ I studied so hard¡­ Then why couldn¡¯t I perform well in the exam? I guess I really am a failure.¡± Her mind echoed with self-doubt, but then she remembered Kael¡¯s words from earlier that day. ¡°Hey, you didn¡¯t choose to be born, right? So why does she get to put all those expectations on you? Love isn¡¯t a trade.¡± Her grip loosened slightly as she replayed his words. A faint smile crossed her lips. ¡°I wish I could think like him¡­ carefree and bold.¡± Suddenly, the door creaked open, snapping Amelia out of her thoughts. She turned toward the doorway, surprised to see her mother, Clarie, stepping in. "I¡¯m home," Clarie called out casually, slipping off her shoes. "O-oh, welcome home, Mom," Amelia replied, masking her inner turmoil. Clarie walked into the living room, plopping herself onto the couch with a tired but satisfied sigh. "You know," she began, her eyes gleaming with excitement, "I have some good news to share with you." Amelia raised a curious brow. "Huh? What is it, Mom?" Clarie¡¯s lips curled into a grin as she reached into her bag and pulled out a small document. She held it up proudly. "Look! I¡¯ve officially been chosen as a candidate for the presidential position." Amelia¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what? President? You must be joking, Mom!" Her mother had been a researcher at a space agency for years¡ªwhat connection could she possibly have to politics? "Oh, it¡¯s true, baby." Clarie smirked, waving the document. "See this? It¡¯s real." Amelia stared at the ticket, still unable to process the news. "B-but how? You have no political background¡­ you¡¯re a scientist." Clarie leaned back into the couch, her eyes glimmering with subtle mischief. "Oh, baby¡­ let¡¯s just say I have my ways," she teased with a playful grin. Amelia opened her mouth to speak, but Clarie cut her off, placing a gentle hand on her daughter¡¯s cheek. "No buts, my dear," she said with a sweet but firm tone. "Now that I¡¯m in the running, I expect great things from you. Can¡¯t have my daughter embarrassing me, right?" Clarie''s smile lingered as she gave Amelia¡¯s cheek a light pat before standing up. "It¡¯s getting late¡ªyou should sleep now, okay?" she said softly before retreating into her room, leaving Amelia sitting there, confused and anxious.* Scene 2: Kael and Lyra ¨C Interrogation and Power Plays Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Professor Morris¡¯s eyes flickered open. His body ached slightly, and he realized his arms and legs were bound to a chair. His heart raced as he scanned his surroundings. The dim light illuminated the two figures standing before him¡ªKael and Lyra. He swallowed hard, his throat dry and scratchy. "S-so¡­ you guys really aren¡¯t human, huh?" he stammered, his voice trembling. His gaze flickered between the siblings, trying to make sense of what he had witnessed earlier. Kael remained calm, his expression unreadable. "Yes, you¡¯re right. We aren¡¯t human," he admitted without hesitation. "We look like humans¡­ but we possess powers your species has yet to evolve." Morris¡¯s hands trembled slightly against the restraints. "W-what do you want?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Lyra smirked, leaning forward with a predatory glint in her eyes. "Oh, we just want a few answers first." Her voice was smooth but carried a menacing edge. "We¡¯ll discuss the second thing later." She casually circled him, her footsteps slow and deliberate. "The explosion at the university today¡­" Lyra¡¯s tone grew sharp. "What was it? We sensed two powerful auras clashing." Morris¡¯s eyes widened in fear, his voice shaky. "I¡­ I don¡¯t know their names¡­" he stuttered. "One was a man in a black suit¡­ the other was a tall man¡­ his name was¡­ um, Hope! Yes, his name was Hope." His breathing quickened, his voice pleading. "Please¡­ that¡¯s all I know. Let me go." Lyra¡¯s smirk widened. She suddenly pressed her boot against his chest, shoving him backward. The chair tilted, making him teeter on the brink of falling. "Not so fast, human," she hissed coldly. "What did they want from you?" Professor Morris coughed slightly, wincing from the pressure on his chest. "T-The man in the black suit¡­ he wanted my necklace," he admitted, his voice cracking. "But Hope¡­ he saved me. Their punches collided, but I¡­ I don¡¯t know the outcome of the fight." Lyra¡¯s eyes narrowed, processing the information. She glanced at Kael, who remained silent but alert. A knowing look passed between them. This was bigger than they initially thought¡ªthere were others after the necklace, and possibly beings stronger than humans. Morris, still bound, whimpered slightly. "C-can I go now?" he begged, his voice feeble. Lyra¡¯s smirk vanished. She crouched beside him, her voice dripping with venom. "Not yet. Now for the second thing¡­ give us that." She pointed at the necklace around his neck. Morris¡¯s eyes widened in terror. He clung to the small pendant as though it were his lifeline. "N-no! I can¡¯t!" he protested. "It¡¯s the last thing I have from my grandmother!" Kael¡¯s calm voice cut through the tension. "Professor, it would be wise to hand it over willingly. We don¡¯t want to harm you unnecessarily." Morris shook his head stubbornly, his knuckles white from clutching the necklace. "I¡­ can¡¯t¡­" Without warning, Lyra delivered a swift, precise kick to his face. Blood trickled from his lip as he groaned in pain. "Shut up," she spat, her eyes cold. "You¡¯re in no position to make demands." Morris whimpered, desperation and fear clouding his eyes. "Please¡­ try to understand¡­ please!" Lyra¡¯s eyes glowed faintly. With a flick of her wrist, Morris¡¯s vision shifted. He suddenly found himself bound to a cross in a desolate void. The sky was a swirling mass of crimson, and the water beneath him looked like a sea of blood. Gigantic, unblinking eyes stared at him from the shadows, and monstrous figures emerged, stabbing him repeatedly with jagged blades. He screamed in agony, but no sound escaped his lips. ? Back in reality, only three seconds passed, but to Morris, it felt like he had suffered for three days. When he snapped back, his body was physically fine, but his spirit was shattered. His eyes were dull, lifeless. Lyra said nothing. She silently unclasped the necklace from his neck. Morris didn¡¯t resist¡ªhe couldn¡¯t. His will was gone. Kael¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. "Sister¡­ how can you touch it?" he asked. "I was injured when I tried to take it." Lyra smirked wickedly. "Oh, brother," she cooed. "It¡¯s because I broke his will. He no longer has the desire to keep it. It¡¯s nothing more than a trinket to him now." Kael¡¯s eyes darkened slightly. For the first time, he felt a pang of pity for Morris. Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Both siblings tensed, sensing a faint but undeniable surge of power coming from outside. Lyra¡¯s eyes gleamed with anticipation. She turned to her brother, her voice dripping with excitement. "Be prepared, brother¡­ the movie is just getting started." Kael transformed into his battle gear, ready for whatever¡ªor whoever¡ªawaited them. Chapter 8:- Hopes Reckoning As Lyra and Kael opened the door, they found a man with a golden aura farming. "Who are you?" Lyra asked coldly to the man. "I can ask you the same, eh? But for you two, you can call me Hope if you want," Hope said with a smirk. "What do you want?" Kael asked. "Oh, the thing (necklace) you just took from that weakling," Hope said casually. "What if we don''t give it to you?" Lyra challenged. "Then prepare to die," Hope said as he summoned his axe. He attacked quickly. Kael and Lyra dodged. "Sister, be careful. I guess we underestimated humans a bit," Kael said to Lyra. "Oh, don''t worry, brother. He is still a human," Lyra replied as she quickly rushed to punch him, but Hope blocked it. He held Lyra''s hand tightly, nearly breaking it, but Kael interrupted and kicked his hand. "You brats are somewhat impressive, eh?" Hope said with a smirk. Kael ignored the comment and used his sword. He swung his sword, but Hope blocked it. Their weapons collided, creating sparks of fire. Lyra seized the chance while Hope was distracted. She used the same technique she had on Professor Morris. Hope found himself in a dimension (read Chapter 7 for the description). "This should do, brother. I have to say, he was stronger, but I am the strongest here," Lyra said confidently. But three seconds later, to both their surprise, Hope stood up. He was still in his senses somehow, unlike Professor Morris. "Y-you thought you could defeat me this easily, brats?" he said, panting. Despite standing, the technique had done some damage to him. "Looks like your will is strong, eh? But anyways, I like hard things to break," Lyra smirked as she rushed forward. Hope was about to swing his axe, but Kael blocked it with his sword, creating an opening for Lyra. Her punch landed hard on Hope''s face. For a few moments, Hope seemed to be dead. --- Hope''s Monologue The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Huh... Am I dying? Like this? I have a mission to complete... Is this how it ends? Suddenly, Hope felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw... "Dad... Dad... You can''t give up, Dad..." A little boy said, holding his hand. (They were wearing old clothes, as described in the previous chapter. Hope, being around 8 ft tall, was from the distant past.) "Darling... You can''t give up now... You have come so far... We love you," his wife said softly. Hope felt tears streaming down his cheeks. --- Back to Reality With a roar, Hope stood up again. Both Lyra and Kael were shocked once more. Hope, now with much more power, swung his axe. Lyra and Kael both blocked it somehow but were pushed back. "W-what just happened, sister?" Kael asked as they both tried to process what was going on. "I... I don''t know, brother, but it seems like something has changed," Lyra said as they both stood up, putting all their efforts into the fight. --- Hope''s Monologue My wife and my only child were killed by my enemies. From that day, I swore to God that by the end of my life, I wouldn''t have a single enemy left. I became a monster... a lost soul. But one day, that man came... He gave me hope¡ªa light in the darkness of my sorrowful life... The man (who was wearing king''s clothes) approached him. "You are defeated, aren''t you? You may have taken your revenge, but now look at you... But it''s not too late. I can give you purpose. You can use your skills to save lives, not take them," the man said, extending his hand. A divine glow surrounded him. --- Back to the Present Hope was now outmatching Lyra and Kael. Kael and Lyra both stepped back. "Sister... What should we do?" Kael asked, panting. "We have to keep fighting, brother... We can''t give him the necklace. It''s a key to the seven stones we need. Our species... our civilization''s future depends on us... We can''t fail, no matter whom we face," Lyra said, taking her stance again. "But sister, how are we going to defeat him? He somehow became stronger within seconds. He should have died by now from our attacks," Kael said, struggling to understand. "Brother... Do you remember when our father used to train us? Remember what he said?" Lyra asked. They both remembered. --- Flashback A few years ago, when their planet was perfect, just like Earth. Lyra and Kael were training with their father. "Remember, children, you both are strong. You can probably embarrass even my most powerful soldiers. But this universe is vast, so learn to use your brain and heart as one because, who knows, you might face stronger opponents someday," Lord Zeiran said. "But Dad, our civilization is the most advanced. We can manipulate frequencies, powers, and molecules (electrons, protons, neutrons, etc.) on a whole different level that other species think we are using magic," Lyra (as a child) said proudly. "Yes, Dad! Sister is right. Besides, we have won many wars. What does ''use your brain and heart as one'' even mean? Huh? Those are two different organs," Kael pouted a bit. "You both are too young to understand, but one day, you will¡ªwhen the time comes," Lord Zeiran said. --- Back to the Present Hope was outmatching them, and both Lyra and Kael were covered in blood. But now, they were calm. "I... I can''t give up..." Kael said, getting up again. "I have no doubt you are my brother," Lyra said, standing up beside him. "You brats put up a good fight, but now it''s time to die," Hope roared, launching another attack. Kael and Lyra rushed forward as well, but this time with calm and clear minds, putting both their hearts and minds into the battle. Their auras clashed¡ªgolden for Hope, purple for Lyra, and blue for Kael. Now, Lyra and Kael matched Hope''s speed. Their strikes were accurate and precise. "I can''t give up... for my family," Hope said loudly. "For my planet," Kael whispered calmly. "For my people," Lyra whispered in the same calm voice. They clashed again. A loud explosion followed¡ªlouder than Hope''s battle against the Enforcer. From above, black smoke surrounded where Hope was standing, and white smoke surrounded where Kael and Lyra stood. As the smoke cleared... Hope was lying on the ground, while Kael and Lyra stood with the support of each other. They had won. They looked around¡ªtheir apartment was completely destroyed. Perhaps some people had died. The nearby houses had shattered windows. Suddenly, a figure appeared and quickly grabbed Hope, disappearing in the blink of an eye. "H-huh? What was that?" Kael asked Lyra. "No idea, but it''s not our concern for now," Lyra said. They both turned around and saw that Professor Morris had disappeared as well. But they no longer needed him¡ªthey had the necklace. Kael looked around at the destroyed houses. He felt guilty, thinking innocent people might have died. Lyra noticed Kael''s expression. "Listen, brother. Sacrifices are necessary for a greater good. Now, let''s go... We have the necklace. The seven stones will be ours," Lyra said, taking Kael''s hand. They both walked away from the wreckage. The morning sun shone brightly above them. ---