《The 3rd Cycle: Book 1 Reckoning》


 Prologue> The Return

    Prologue: The Return


    From the silent void between galaxies, Asmodeus emerged, his ethereal form blazing with the brilliance of a thousand suns. As a Sol God, he had been granted the chance by the Greater Will to craft a solar system of his own, to preside and nurture, creating a representative race in his image. Minor deities by celestial standards, Sol Gods were bound to their creations. Their potential to rise among the divine hierarchy rested solely on the worthiness of their chosen race. Twice before had Asmodeus crafted and guided a race, twice they had failed, and now he faced the weight of his third and final chance.


    An unsettling premonition had gnawed at his divine heart as he traversed the endless cosmos, sowing the seeds of existence on behalf of the Greater Will. As he drew near to his system, that premonition crystallized into a harsh reality.


    The solar system, once harmonious and vibrant with ether, now felt disturbingly silent, discordant. Earth''s glow, the brightest jewel of his creation, had dimmed to a shadowy husk. Ether no longer flowed freely, bound instead by unnatural seals that drained the planet of vitality. His celestial vision pierced Earth''s murky atmosphere, revealing the catastrophic betrayal of his design. Humanity, his representative race intended to carry his name and influence across the universe, now worshipped false gods¡ªcold machines and hollow idols of technological delusion. Their souls dimmed. Their potential squandered. The virtues of strength, honour, and unity forgotten.


    ¡°Who dares corrupt my creation?¡± His voice echoed across the ether, resonating with the fury of a star collapsing. His wrath sent shockwaves rippling through reality itself¡ªdivine anger fueled by bitter disappointment and betrayal.


    With desperation, Asmodeus reached through the tapestry of time, drawing upon the ancient power of ether to uncover the moment humanity had fallen. Yet his vision met an impenetrable barrier¡ªa deliberate, powerful interference from another Sol God. Such interference was betrayal¡ªone that threatened Asmodeus¡¯s very existence.


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    ¡°Treachery,¡± he seethed, his divine form blazing with incandescent fury, illuminating the darkness of space around him.


    He summoned his angels, beings forged from his divine essence, each radiant with celestial purpose, each named for the planets they governed within his solar system. They materialized instantly, awaiting command, yet a single, conspicuous absence pierced through him like a blade.


    ¡°Where is Terra?¡± his voice trembled with barely controlled anger and deep-seated worry.


    Neptune stepped forward, cautious yet resolute, her golden eyes filled with unease. ¡°She is missing, my Lord. Despite our searches across mortal and celestial planes, she cannot be found.¡±


    Asmodeus felt a profound pang of dread entwined with sorrow. Terra had been entrusted explicitly with the guardianship of Earth and humanity. Her absence signified something gravely wrong¡ªperhaps even malicious.


    This was the final cycle. His last opportunity to elevate humanity to the level required by the Greater Will. Failure would not merely be disappointing¡ªit would extinguish his divine essence, stall his power, and cause the solar system he had carefully crafted to fade into oblivion.


    His resolve hardened. Humanity would be tested one last time.


    ¡°Destroy the seals,¡± he commanded with steely determination. ¡°Return the ether to its rightful flow. Humanity shall witness my vision; let them rediscover their lost virtues or face annihilation by their own inadequacy.¡±


    The angels bowed in silent unity, their forms dissolving into trails of celestial brilliance as they moved swiftly to obey his command.


    Alone amidst the silent cosmos, Asmodeus watched the retreating glow of his angels, contemplating the heavy burden of creation and the shadow of treachery that loomed over his divine purpose. He had crafted stars. But he could not shape faith.


    ¡°Let this be humanity''s final reckoning,¡± he whispered into the void. ¡°Their worthiness will determine not only their fate but my own.¡±

 Chapter 1. Reckoning

    Midnight struck, and the world fell silent.


    Across the globe, humanity collapsed into unconsciousness, their bodies limp where they lay. Cars drifted to a halt. Planes coasted on dead engines, somehow finding their way to the ground by no known means. The hum of civilization stuttered into eerie stillness. Cities once alive with neon and noise turned into graveyards of the unknowing, their people locked in stillness.


    Humanity was still, fallen into a restless sleep in which they shared a single dream: Asmodeus stood before each of them.


    Asmodeus was not bound to a single form. They appeared as a figure wreathed in luminous radiance, shifting with the perceptions of those who beheld them. Some saw a god of flame and fury, others a celestial judge, and to a rare few, a shadow looming at the edge of comprehension, too great for mortal minds to grasp. Their voice did not speak¡ªit resonated, a declaration within the soul.


    "My children, how you have strayed."


    The words carried the weight of millennia, reverberating through the very essence of those who heard them.


    "You were given the gift of strength, yet you have let your bodies wither. You were given the virtue of honour, yet you have forsaken it for deception and greed. You were given the bond of kinship, yet you stand divided, worshipping wealth and power."


    Asmodeus¡¯ gaze pierced through them, through their illusions, their pretences, down to the bare core of what they truly were. Few met that gaze with defiance. Most quailed under its judgment.


    In his dream, Porter stared defiantly into the god¡¯s eyes. His life had never been easy, and he had no patience for judgment¡ªleast of all from some divine intruder. That defiance wasn¡¯t born of courage but of hardened pride, of years spent surviving on his own terms. He condemned the god¡¯s arrogance, resenting its presence in his mind. When he woke, he would return to his life unchanged, doing as he pleased, just as he always had.


    "The reckoning has come. You will prove yourselves worthy of the path intended for you¡­ or you will be erased."


    The vision shattered.


    As dawn¡¯s first light touched the horizon, the world awoke. Confusion and terror spread like wildfire. People gasped for breath, hands clutching at their chests as if they had forgotten how to draw air.


    Some screamed, others wept. A great many simply sat in stunned silence, the weight of the dream lingering like a phantom upon their souls.


    And then they saw them.


    The grimoires.


    Resting beside every man, woman, and child lay a tome, its cover untouched by earthly materials. It bore no weight, yet pressing it against one¡¯s chest sent warmth through the body, an undeniable connection to something beyond the self.


    Each grimoire was unique, shaped by the essence of the soul it belonged to. Some covers shimmered like polished obsidian, others pulsed with soft, rhythmic light, and some bore intricate designs etched into leather that felt both ancient and new. The text within, unreadable at first glance, seemed alive¡ªshifting subtly, as if responding to the bearer¡¯s presence.


    Some, driven by curiosity, fear, or awe, opened their books as if under compulsion.


    Others tried to discard them, only to feel a searing pain, as if part of their very soul was being torn away, compelling them to hold on.


    Within the mostly blank pages, the same words could be found greeting them all:


    Find strength in self, find honour on the path forward, and find company in those walking beside you.


    With these words came a feeling¡ªan echo of what walking Asmodeus¡¯s intended path once felt like. A life of purpose, where strength meant more than survival; it was the means to shape one¡¯s destiny. Honour was the foundation on which civilizations had stood¡ªa bond of trust unbroken by greed.


    To walk the path was to reject complacency, to face the raw challenge of life, and to rediscover lost unity. It was never meant to be easy, but for those who embraced it, there was power, meaning, and something far richer than the hollow comfort of their old lives.


    As humanity stared at their grimoires, absorbing the message within, the sky erupted.


    Across the horizon, ribbons of ethereal light fractured the heavens, cascading down in waves of shifting colour. Then, like falling stars, motes of light rained toward the earth, dissolving into everything they touched¡ªthe air, the water, the very bones of the world.


    Before comprehension could take root, a change began to take hold within them. A subtle, almost imperceptible shift.


    A dull ache, long accepted as a part of life, seemed to ease. The weary felt a clarity they had not known in years. The sick took deeper breaths. Those living with long-ignored injuries found their pain strangely faded.


    It was not a miraculous healing¡ªyet. But it was a beginning. A whisper of restoration. A promise of what was to come.


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    The ether rain did not soak the earth but passed through all it touched, sinking into the land, the rivers, the very bones of the world¡ªand fading from view.


    As humanity took a collective breath, the world itself shifted. The skies, long tainted by smog and artificial light, deepened into an untouched abyss of velvet black, stars glimmering with an intensity unseen in millennia.


    The air, once thick with the scent of industry and decay, began to clear, growing crisp and pure¡ªa forgotten sensation creeping into the lungs of the unconscious. Grass, dulled and trampled beneath the weight of civilization, pulsed with life, new shoots rising where only concrete had stood. Trees shuddered, their leaves regaining colour, waking from a long slumber to drink deep of the energy now filling the dawn.


    Invisible to humanity, motes of ether began gathering in pools across the world. In forgotten ruins, sacred sites, and relics where history clung to the present, something stirred. Old stones pulsed with faint warmth, long-eroded carvings began to glow, and whispers of ancient magic slipped through cracks in time, eager to be heard again.


    As the ether fell and pools began collecting, movement stirred. Shapes began to emerge, clawing their way into existence.


    Small and few at first¡ªin some places little green-skinned humanoids, barely taller than a child, gripped crude weapons in their clawed hands, their beady eyes darting in all directions as if expecting attack at any moment. In others, reptilian creatures rose, standing hunched but balanced on two legs, flicking forked tongues through razor teeth as if tasting the air around them, their scaled hides shifting colour slightly as they moved, blending into the dim light. In the shadows of the ether pools, other creatures lurked¡ªthings that had no name, warped remnants of past failures, skittering into nearby shadows as if afraid to be seen.


    They stepped onto the earth with instinctive wariness, their predatory eyes scanning their new domain. Asmodeus''s failures had been given another chance to rise, just as humanity had.


    The cycle had never allowed second chances before, yet here they stood, revived by the returning ether. Would they prove themselves worthy of survival, or would they fall once again into oblivion?


    Their presence was both a warning and a test¡ªa reminder that this world was no longer solely humanity¡¯s to claim.


    Across the world, there was a minute pause and suddenly every grimoire in existence vanished, flowing into their owners. As if a signal had been given, all hell broke loose.


    Among those waking, some found meaning in the words they had received. In a church on the edge of a rundown town, a devout Catholic priest resumed his sermon, calming his flock as he declared this moment to be the rapture. Clutching their chests where the lights had vanished, the congregation listened in awe as he proclaimed the fulfilment of prophecy: "The good shall be saved and the wicked punished." To them, this was divine judgment¡ªthe true word of God.


    Draped in ceremonial robes, the priest instinctively resummoned his grimoire and raised it high. "All who follow the sacred word within their books will be chosen for the new world!" he cried. "The unbelievers must listen! The path has been set!" His followers echoed his words, their numbers swelling as desperate souls flooded the church, seeking certainty and shelter in the growing chaos.


    People ran in terror. Some banding together. Social structures, though shaken, held firm in those first moments. Strangers pulled one another from the ground, parents clutched their children close, and communities instinctively sought safety in numbers. There were cries, there was fear, and, in some cases, there was cruelty, as those who barely tolerated or functioned in society began testing the bounds of this new reality. Order had not fully collapsed, not yet, but the true test of human nature would be ongoing.


    As more and more monsters seemed to appear, some, in foolish curiosity, approached these strange beings, seeking to communicate or understand. Among them, an influencer, dazed but determined, clutched her lifeless phone. Frustration etched across her face as she desperately tapped the screen, trying in vain to stream, to reach an audience that no longer existed. When the device refused to function, she turned to a reptilian creature nearby, its head tilted in clear curiosity. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll go viral,¡± she muttered to the creature, voice faltering beneath the joke. The creature¡¯s response was swift¡ªa guttural hiss, followed by a snap of jagged teeth that sent the influencer stumbling back in terror before she scrambled away, her bravado dissolving into terror.


    Meanwhile, others, driven by primal fear or bravado, struck out¡ªgrabbing makeshift weapons and charging headlong into the chaos. One such soul, a fighter fresh from his dojo, woke to the dream¡¯s remnants still echoing in his ears. Unlike many, he didn¡¯t hesitate. The moment his eyes locked onto a green-skinned creature creeping too close, his stance shifted instinctively. Years of discipline took over as he tested his skills against a foe that, moments ago, had only existed in fiction. His first strike sent the creature stumbling back. Its retaliation came fast¡ªits blade sliced the air where his throat had been.


    The fight was real. And for the first time, he understood what it meant to be truly tested.


    Seeing the goblin meant to kill him, the man stepped in, kicked its arm, and sent the blade flying. He spun through the motion, following through with a full-circle kick that cracked the creature¡¯s neck with a brutal snap. As it crumpled, the fighter felt a surge of exaltation¡ªsomething raw and powerful flowed into him. As he turned to survey the chaos around him, a grin split his face.


    He was enjoying this new reality.


    As the sun continued to rise, blood flowed as a war for survival unfolded on streets that had recently known peace.


    Amongst the chaos, people gathered into large groups and began seeking shelter. The more alert individuals started looting supplies before the situation could worsen.


    The monsters did not remain isolated to the pools for long. Some ventured forth, exploring the new world around them and attacking anything unfamiliar. Others fell back on old instincts, gathering with more of their kind¡ªa small semblance of intelligence apparent.


    In less than an hour, a civilization built over thousands of years, already teetering from its unnatural slumber, began to break apart. As humanity faltered, nature surged forward. Cities bowed to the encroaching wild¡ªtrees cracked pavement, vines overtook buildings, and rivers shimmered with ether-cleansed purity.


    Law enforcement and governments scrambled to maintain control. Technology, once humanity¡¯s pillar of dominance, faltered. Power grids flickered, devices failed, and the spread of ether quietly dismantled the foundations of the old world.


    Glass cracked in towering skyscrapers, the steel beneath them groaning under unseen pressure. Cars sat lifeless in the streets, their synthetic parts degrading unnaturally. The world had been built to defy nature¡ªbut nature had never forgotten. Roots split pavement, vines climbed streetlights, and once-polluted waters began to clear as ether seeped into every crevice of the earth.


    Survival instincts took hold. Alliances formed and crumbled within hours. Some sought to restore order, while others embraced the chaos, taking what they could before the rules of the past fully dissolved.


    The Reckoning was here, and humanity''s first trial had just begun.

 Chapter 2 Raven

    Chapter 2: Raven


    Raven¡¯s head throbbed like someone had taken a hammer to the inside of his skull. His mouth was dry, his stomach churned, and a deep, pounding ache settled behind his eyes.


    A hangover. He didn''t remember drinking enough for a headache like this, but he didn''t remember passing out on the way home either.


    He groaned, rolling onto his side. His cheek pressed against cold pavement, and a dull awareness crept into his mind¡ªthis definitely wasn¡¯t his bed. Hell, this wasn¡¯t even his house.


    Flashes of memory flickered through the pain. Cheap booze. A rooftop. Sitting alone, drinking away the weight of everything. Yesterday had been the anniversary of his parents'' "accident." He remembered falling and then¡ª


    Golden eyes. A voice like rolling thunder. Words that felt less like sound and more like truth carved into the marrow of his bones.


    He swallowed, throat raw.


    He must''ve hit his head when he fell. Had he dreamed it? No, somehow, it was inside him, like a part of him now. His rational mind screamed that it wasn¡¯t real, but deep down, he knew it was.


    A sharp gust of wind sent a chill through his body, and he realized just how exposed he was. Looking up at the sky, he guessed it was mid-morning. Closing his eyes, he pushed himself upright, wincing as his muscles protested. His clothes smelled like stale alcohol, sweat, and asphalt. A quick pat-down of his pockets revealed nothing useful. No wallet, no phone¡ªhe had left it all in his room, wanting nothing more than to be alone with his thoughts and a cheap bottle of booze.


    He swore under his breath, realizing it was way too quiet. The old warehouse he liked to hang out at was on the edge of town, a couple of kilometres from Darryl¡¯s place, but there were usually at least a few cars driving around at this time of day.


    Opening his eyes, he went to get up but saw something lying in front of him. Raven was surprised to find a book on the ground near his outstretched arm.


    Picking it up, Raven inspected the book, which looked expensive¡ªblack leather, bound in polished silver, with a stylized raven embossed on the front.


    The sight of it sent a shiver down his spine, followed by a warmth that created an almost magnetic draw as if it wanted him to open its pages. He didn¡¯t remember picking it up or where he could have even found it, as there were no shops or libraries between here and Darryl¡¯s.


    Darryl was Raven¡¯s godfather, best friends with his dad growing up. He had taken Raven in when his parents both passed in what was described as a tragic accident.


    Staring at the book, unease twisted in his gut, but his hands moved before his better judgment could stop him. The second his fingers brushed the leather, a tingling spread through his palm. The cover turned on its own, pages flipping like a phantom wind guided them.


    They stopped abruptly, revealing a shield-shaped crest, divided into four sections on one page and the message: Find strength in self, find honour on the path forward, and find company in those walking beside you.


    Raven wasn''t sure what the message meant. He considered himself fairly strong for his slim build, tried to act honourably, and couldn''t really care less about what paths others walked.


    Looking at the emblem again, he noticed three of the quadrants appeared empty.


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    But in the upper right section, an image had burned itself into the page¡ªa crude pictograph of a man walking into a wall.


    Raven stared. Somehow knowing that this book was tied to him, that it represented him in some way, which was why he was utterly confused by the little man walking face-first into a wall.


    Then he exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face.


    Was this the universe¡¯s way of laughing at him for falling off a roof? Oh, fuck you too, he thought to the world around him.


    Looking at the book again, flipping through blank pages, he was disappointed. No explanation, no helpful instructions. Just a vague, cryptic message and the sensation that someone, somewhere, was laughing at him.


    He snapped the book shut. Answers could wait. Right now, he needed to get home, get his bearings, and figure out what the hell was happening. As the book closed, it disappeared in a stream of lights that flowed straight into his chest.


    "What the actual fuck is going on?" Raven muttered before standing.


    He hesitated for a moment, disoriented and unsettled, then began jogging down the alley toward the main road, intending to make his way home. As he neared the corner, he heard it¡ªa blood-chilling scream.


    Raven moved on instinct, the sharp spike of adrenaline cutting through his lingering headache.


    The streets were eerily empty, the silence heavier than it should have been. No engines humming in the distance, no buzz of passing conversations. Just the wind, the distant creak of a shifting car frame, and the occasional distant scream.


    And then he saw them.


    A woman, backed against the cracked wall of a retail store, clutching a young girl to her chest. Their faces were pale with terror.


    And standing between them and escape was an oversized lizard?


    It had a vaguely humanoid shape, but its proportions were wrong¡ªtoo short in the limbs, too hunched in the shoulders. Its skin gleamed like wet stone, deep black-green scales catching the dim light of the sun. It stood motionless for a moment, head cocked to the side, as if savouring their fear.


    Raven paused. "What the fuck do I do?" he thought.


    Then it moved.


    A slow step forward. Claws scraping against the pavement. The woman sobbed, shielding the girl.


    He wasn¡¯t a fighter. Not in any disciplined way, at least. But he¡¯d been in enough scraps to know that when violence started, hesitation got you hurt. That¡¯s what Darryl always told him.


    "You hesitate in a fight, you lose. You hesitate in a hunt, you starve."


    Raven had never hesitated when taking down a deer or boar, but fighting a thing with claws? That was new.


    He didn¡¯t have his knife or his bow¡ªnothing but his bare hands.


    He sprinted forward. "HEY!"


    The thing turned just as he slammed into it. The impact sent them both sprawling, and Raven barely had time to process it before the creature lashed out.


    Pain exploded across his ribs as a claw raked across his side. He rolled away, sucking in a sharp breath, and scrambled backward¡ªbare hands against something with claws that sharp was a bad bet.


    His eyes darted up and down the street, searching¡ªthen he spotted it.


    Sticking out of some nearby rubble was a length of rusted rebar¡ªa reinforced steel rod used in construction. Seeing where Raven was looking, the lizard rushed at him. Raven barely dodged, pivoting toward the metal rod¡ªthen a whip-like tail lashed out, catching him across the legs and sending him crashing to the ground.


    Battered and bruised, the shallow cuts on his ribs burning, Raven scrambled forward on hands and knees, seizing the bar.


    Turning toward his enemy, he fell back, raising the bar as the lizard lunged. The lizard skewered itself on the bar, impaling its chest.


    Seeing it was stuck and wounded, Raven grabbed a nearby brick. Not hesitating, he swung with everything he had. The brick cracked against the creature¡¯s skull with a sickening crunch, sending it sprawling. It twitched once, then lay still.


    He stared at the bloodied brick in his hand, surprised by how steady it felt.


    As he caught his breath, he scanned the street. Bodies lay scattered¡ªgoblins, lizards, and even a grotesque creature resembling a horned rabbit. The image was surreal, almost comical, but its presence added a disturbing edge to the carnage. He forced himself to move, stepping back onto the pavement with unsteady legs. His gaze trailed over the bodies sprawled across the road¡ªhuman and otherwise. Some had been ripped apart, claw marks tearing through clothing and flesh. Others looked like they had taken injuries in a nasty bar fight and some, to Raven¡¯s disgust, had their pockets pulled out as if they had been robbed.


    A few were slumped against buildings, their expressions frozen in shock, hands clutching at their chests¡ªdead before they even had the chance to fight back. It wasn¡¯t just the monsters dying.


    He swallowed hard, scanning the area for movement. The world had gone still again, the brief chaos settling into something far worse¡ªan eerie, waiting silence.


    Raven sighed, casting one last glance down the street. He needed to get back to Darryl. Before it was too late.

 Chapter 3. Homeward

    Chapter 3: Homeward


    The woman and her daughter were still frozen in place, staring at him with wide, terrified eyes. The mother clutched her child tightly, mumbling incoherent words to her, looking like she might either burst into tears or bolt at any second.


    ¡°You okay?¡± Raven asked, rolling his shoulders. His shirt was torn, and there was a burning pain along his side, but it didn¡¯t seem too bad.


    The woman nodded quickly. ¡°Yes. Thank you¡ª¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, don¡¯t mention it,¡± Raven cut her off, waving a hand dismissively. ¡°Look, you should get home. Lock your doors, stay inside, and, uh¡­ try not to get eaten.¡±


    The woman hesitated, glancing at his injuries. ¡°You¡¯re hurt. We live just a few blocks from here, if you want¡ª¡±


    ¡°Nope,¡± Raven said immediately. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡± He gestured at the remains of the creature. ¡°This guy¡¯s a lot worse off than me.¡±


    She bit her lip, clearly torn. ¡°At least let me help you with that cut. You saved our lives, I can¡¯t just¡ª¡±


    ¡°Seriously, don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Raven interrupted. ¡°I have somewhere to be.¡±


    She exhaled sharply, then finally nodded in reluctant acceptance. ¡°Alright. But¡ªbefore you go¡­ do you know what¡¯s happening?¡±


    Raven sighed. ¡°I was kinda hoping you did.¡±


    The woman shook her head. ¡°All I know is that I woke up at my sisters at dawn, there were these¡­ explosions of colour in the sky. Huge, like nothing I¡¯ve ever seen. A few minutes later, the creatures started showing up. At first, I thought I was losing my mind, but then people started screaming. I hid until I thought it was safe to move.¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°How many of these things have you seen?¡±


    ¡°Too many,¡± she admitted, shivering. ¡°And not just the small ones. There were a few bigger ones moving through town, heading toward the hospital, I think.¡±


    Raven absorbed that information, filing it away. He had no intention of going anywhere near a hospital today, but it was good to know where the worst of these things might be gathering.


    ¡°Right. Well, thanks for the info. Get home safe,¡± he said, turning to leave.


    ¡°You too,¡± she called after him, watching him go with a worried expression.


    The weight of her gaze clung to him, heavy and full of things she didn¡¯t say. Desperation. Gratitude. Hope. He kept walking, jaw tight. If he stopped for everyone, he wouldn¡¯t make it home.


    A few blocks down, Raven ducked into a convenience store. The lights flickered, the front door hung open, and no one was behind the register. Not a great sign.


    He found a half-stocked first aid aisle, grabbed a bottle of disinfectant, and poured it over his wound with a hiss. A sharp sting shot through him, forcing his breath to hitch. "That''s awful," he muttered, shaking his head as the pain dulled to a slow burn. He dug around for some gauze, only to find the shelves already picked over. Of course. Even in the first hours of the apocalypse, people had already looted the good stuff.


    As he wrapped his side with a makeshift bandage¡ªan old roll of duct tape and a clean-ish rag¡ªhe took a moment to peek outside.


    Things were getting worse.


    Smoke curled into the sky from a few streets over. People were running, screaming, fighting. A man sprinted past, arms full of stolen electronics, while a group of teenagers bashed in a car window. Further down, a large, dog-like creature lunged at a guy with a baseball bat, knocking him to the ground only for a woman to jump at the creature, stabbing a kitchen knife into its side.


    Yeah. Definitely worse. Nope. Not dealing with that. He turned on his heel and kept to the quieter streets, heart pounding a little harder now.


    Raven kept moving, keeping to the less crowded streets when he could. But he knew he needed medical supplies. Real supplies. Which meant stopping at a pharmacy.


    He found one that hadn¡¯t been completely ransacked yet. The front window was cracked, but the security gate was still mostly intact. Pushing inside, he found a pharmacy worker¡ªa guy in his early thirties, still in his uniform¡ªstanding behind the counter, gripping a metal pipe like his life depended on it.


    ¡°Not taking customers,¡± the guy said immediately, eyes darting around. ¡°Store¡¯s closed.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I gathered,¡± Raven replied. ¡°Look, I just need some basics¡ªbandages, painkillers, maybe some antibiotics. Oh, and cancer meds if you¡¯ve got ¡®em.¡±


    The worker narrowed his eyes. ¡°You sick?¡±


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    ¡°Not me. My godfather.¡±


    The guy hesitated. ¡°You got anything to trade?¡±


    Raven patted his pockets. ¡°Uh¡­ I have ten bucks, half a roll of duct tape, and a sincere appreciation for your generosity?¡±


    The worker sighed. ¡°Look, people have been trying to break in here all morning. I can¡¯t just give stuff away. You got anything useful?¡±


    Raven thought for a moment. ¡°I can help you board this place up. Maybe scare off anyone looking to cause trouble.¡±


    The guy studied him for a moment, Then, through the cracked window, movement flickered¡ªshadows darting across the street, scavengers just as desperate as he was. It wouldn¡¯t be long before they tried their luck here, then nodded. ¡°Deal.¡±


    As Raven shoved the last shelf into place, he caught sight of the store clerk holding a book¡ªsimilar to his, but different. Curiosity prickled in his mind. "What are you looking at?" he asked, nodding toward it. "Oh, this was with me when I woke up. I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s for, it¡¯s just got an unfinished picture and a weird message in it¡ªnothing else. Seems a waste of expensive-looking paper, if you ask me."


    Raven¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. Everyone had one. That wasn¡¯t just strange. It was intentional.


    As if prompted by his conversation Raven felt a pull in his chest¡ªa familiar warmth flared and before he could react, his book was in his hands, as if it had always been there, "Its really cool how it does that ha".


    Raven stared at his hands. ¡°Yeah, kind of weird though.¡± He hadn¡¯t even thought about summoning the book¡ªit had just appeared, like it had been waiting for him to notice it.


    "What did you mean by an unfinished picture?" Raven asked, glancing at the man''s grimoire.


    The clerk frowned, flipping it open. "There''s this shield, split into four parts, but they''re all blank. And, well¡­" he hesitated, running a finger over the page.


    "Well, what?"


    "I don¡¯t know," the man admitted. "It just¡­ feels incomplete, like something''s missing.


    **Not knowing what to say, Raven returned to stacking shelves against windows and doors, with no inclination to mention his Grimoire wasn''t blank to a stranger, he rushed to finish up. **


    A short time later Raven thanked the store clerk and left, walking out with a pilfered tactical first aid kit and a handful of general medications including Darryls cancer meds. Not much, but enough to get by for now.


    Time to get home.


    Which he somehow knew would be easier said than done.


    As Raven turned the corner of a quiet street, he spotted a group of people moving with deliberate coordination¡ªnot looters, not panicked survivors, but something else entirely. About half a dozen men and women, armed with whatever they could find, were moving door to door, knocking and calling out to the occupants.


    One of them, a man in his late forties with a weathered face and a high-vis vest, spotted Raven and waved him down. "Hey, you there!" he called out, his tone authoritative but not unkind.


    Raven considered ignoring them, but something about the group made him pause. As they approached, he noticed they weren¡¯t just checking houses¡ªthey were guiding people toward a common direction.


    "You heading anywhere?" the man asked.


    "Home," Raven replied. "Got someone waiting on me."


    "You should come with us," the man said. "The police have set up a barricade at the hospital. They''re gathering supplies, organizing rations, keeping people safe. You don¡¯t want to be caught out here alone."


    Raven folded his arms. "Yeah, no thanks. Not really a fan of barricades."


    A woman beside the man, probably in her thirties, frowned in concern. "You don¡¯t understand. Things are getting worse. We¡¯ve already seen bodies, monsters, people getting torn apart¡ª"


    "Yeah, I¡¯ve seen it," Raven interrupted. "Doesn¡¯t change my answer."


    The man sighed. "Listen, kid. It¡¯s dangerous out here. I get it, you think you¡¯ll be fine on your own, but trust me, you''re better off with a group."


    Raven didn¡¯t like the way the guy was talking. The tone was friendly, but underneath it was something else¡ªexpectation, pressure, like a decision had already been made for him.


    "I appreciate the concern, but I¡¯ll take my chances," Raven said, stepping back.


    One of the others moved to block his path. "It¡¯s not just about you, mate," he said. "You could lead something nasty back to other survivors. We should all stick together."


    Raven¡¯s stomach tightened. The air shifted, the tension coiling like a wire about to snap. The so-called ''helpful'' group didn¡¯t seem quite as friendly anymore.


    "Yeah, I don¡¯t do well with being told what to do," Raven said.


    "Look, we¡¯re just trying to help," the leader said, but Raven could hear the frustration creeping into his voice. "People like you make things harder for everyone. We aren''t coming back this way again and we need to get everyone to safety."


    Part of the group had moved around to Raven¡¯s side, and one of them stepped forward, reaching for Raven¡¯s arm.


    Instinct took over. Before the guy could grab him, Raven¡¯s fist shot out, catching him square in the jaw. The man stumbled back with a grunt, clutching his face.


    For a brief second, there was dead silence.


    "Son of a bitch", the man groaned¡ª


    Raven didn¡¯t wait for them to recover. He turned and bolted down the street, hearing shouts and hurried footsteps behind him. They didn¡¯t appear to have firearms¡ªbut looks could be deceiving. He was just glad there were no shots behind him, the group gave up chasing him, but they didn''t seem happy.


    Ducking into an alley, he vaulted over a fence, rough wood scraping his palms. He hit the ground hard, breath ragged, but didn¡¯t stop. The streets blurred as he pushed forward, weaving through side streets, taking the long way home with only instinct guiding him.


    "Figures," he muttered under his breath. "Even in the apocalypse, people still try to tell you what to do."


    Raven fled through the streets, leaving the self-appointed guardians behind. The noise faded as he moved further from the commercial district. Multi storied apartments and office buildings gave way to smaller businesses, corner shops, and local eateries. The pavement beneath his boots felt cracked and uneven in some places, as though nature itself was reclaiming what had been stolen. Fences of rusted chain-link and battered timber lined the streets, separating the world of concrete from the suburban sprawl beyond.


    As he neared his neighbourhood, the change pressed in around him. Houses stood silent and dark, their yards overtaken by weeds that hadn¡¯t been there yesterday. Trees stood taller, their roots breaking through sidewalks, their branches stretching toward the sky as if awakening from a long slumber. The wind carried the scent of fresh earth, crisp and clean¡ªutterly alien in a town that had always smelled of gasoline and asphalt.


    The houses stood unchanged, yet everything about them felt... off. The air was still¡ªtoo still. No distant traffic. No hum of electricity. Even the wind seemed hesitant, whispering through the grass like it was afraid to be heard.


    The cul-de-sac stretched ahead. His house stood at the end like a silent observer¡ªunchanged in shape, but saturated with unease. The air felt heavy, charged with something unseen.


    He needed to move carefully, He didn¡¯t want to disturb the silence.

 Chapter 4. Home

    Chapter 4: Home


    The world around Raven was a mess of shattered pavement, stalled cars sitting motionless in roadways and overgrown yards surrounding houses that had only yesterday looked modern and new and now felt aged and abandoned.


    Scattered sporadically along the streets were the bodies of people and creatures.


    His stomach twisted at the sight. No one he recognized lay among the dead, but that didn¡¯t make it any easier to look at. The reality of the situation pressed down on him, tightening his chest. This wasn¡¯t just some isolated event. The world was unravelling.


    A new urgency took hold of him. He needed to get home.


    Raven picked up his pace, weaving through the debris-littered streets, his boots crunching against broken bitumen. He didn¡¯t stop to check the bodies. Didn¡¯t look too long at the aging buildings. Every second wasted here was another second Darryl might be in danger.


    The farther he got from the edge of the city, the more the destruction gave way to an unsettling emptiness. Streetlights flickered dimly, failing to turn off even though it was hours after dawn. The occasional distant scream or crash echoed from somewhere beyond sight. The smell of smoke lingered in the air, mixed with the metallic scent of blood.


    Raven¡¯s boots pounded against the pavement, his breath coming fast and hard. His mind raced as fast as his feet, but it wasn¡¯t just the chaos around him that had his chest tightening. It was the thought of Darryl.


    Darryl, who had raised him after his parents had been gone. Darryl, who had taught him how to throw a punch, how to sharpen a blade, how to hold his ground even when everything inside him screamed to run.


    Darryl, who was waiting for him.


    If he was even still alive.


    The thought made his stomach lurch. He forced it down, pushing himself harder, faster. The world had gone to hell in the span of hours, and he hadn¡¯t been there. Hadn¡¯t been there to protect the one person who had always protected him.


    His grip on the wrench tightened as he moved through the broken streets, the weight of it reassuring. He wasn¡¯t some helpless kid anymore. He wasn¡¯t the scared boy Darryl had taken in all those years ago.


    Raven¡¯s pulse thundered in his ears as he neared his house, the sight of the goblins methodically moving through the cul-de-sac sending a fresh wave of dread through him. He swallowed hard, sweat mixing with the grime on his skin.


    He couldn¡¯t afford to doubt himself now.


    Darryl needed him.


    And Raven wasn¡¯t going to fail him.


    His eyes locked onto the slow advance. They were moving toward his house.


    Darryl.


    A lump formed in his throat. If the goblins reached Darryl before he did, there was no telling what would happen. His godfather was resourceful, sure, but he was also sick. Weak. Not ready for something like this.


    Raven exhaled slowly, trying to steady himself. He needed a plan. Charging in with nothing but his fists was suicidal. He needed a weapon.


    Keeping low, he ducked into the nearest house. The door had been forced open, the frame splintered where something had pried it apart. The inside was a mess¡ªfurniture overturned, cupboards raided, broken glass crunching beneath his boots. No sign of bodies, though. Whoever had lived here had either fled or been taken.


    The kitchen drawers held nothing useful. Just utensils, cans of food. No decent knives, no guns. Damn it.


    Looking around, his eyes landed on a garage door, left slightly ajar. He pushed through, the dim light revealing an assortment of tools lining the walls. His fingers traced over screwdrivers, a rusted hammer¡ªthen settled on something solid and reassuring.


    A pipe wrench.


    He lifted it, testing the weight. Heavy, sturdy. Good reach. It wasn¡¯t a gun, but it would do.


    Armed, he stepped back outside, scanning the street. The goblins had split up¡ªtwo had gone inside a house, while the remaining four waited in the street.


    Perfect.


    He stalked them, sticking to the shadows. The closest goblin trailed a little behind the others, its attention more on the loot it had gathered than its surroundings. A perfect target.


    Raven gripped the wrench tightly, his knuckles white as he crept closer to the goblin trailing behind its pack. The creature was distracted, sifting through stolen trinkets, its sharp teeth bared in a pleased grin. It had no idea it was about to die.


    Raven clenched his jaw, his heart hammered. His palms were sweaty around the wrench¡¯s cold metal. What if he missed? What if they overpowered him?


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    He exhaled, tightening his grip.


    No time for fear.


    He moved fast.


    The wrench came down in a brutal arc, slamming into the goblin¡¯s skull with a sickening crack. The creature jerked violently, its eyes bulging as a wet gurgle escaped its lips. It crumpled, twitching, its fingers spasming against the dirt as its brain tried¡ªand failed¡ªto process the fatal blow.


    For a second, the world held still. Then¡ªscreeches.


    The other goblins whirled around, their yellow eyes locking onto him. Their guttural shrieks cut through the air, a mix of alarm and bloodlust. One pointed a jagged blade at him, its face twisting in fury.


    Then they charged.


    Raven barely had time to react before the first goblin lunged, its rusted knife slashing toward his chest. He twisted to the side, but the blade still caught his arm, cutting through fabric and flesh. Pain flared up his side, hot and immediate, but he gritted his teeth and swung.


    The wrench slammed into the goblin¡¯s ribs. A sickening crunch followed, and the creature let out a strangled yelp as it was sent sprawling. But there was no time to breathe¡ªanother goblin was already on him.


    The second one was smaller but faster, scrambling onto his back with clawed fingers digging into his shoulders. Raven staggered, feeling the creature¡¯s hot breath against his neck as it hissed and sank its teeth into his shoulder.


    He roared in pain, whipping his head back and smashing his skull against the goblin¡¯s nose. The crunch of cartilage breaking was satisfying, and the creature yelped, loosening its grip. Raven seized the moment, grabbing it by the scruff and hurling it into the pavement.


    Its head bounced once before it went still.


    The third goblin didn¡¯t hesitate. It rushed him, tackling him at the waist. Raven hit the ground hard, the impact driving the air from his lungs. He gasped, struggling as clawed hands pinned him down, a jagged dagger raised high, ready to plunge into his throat.


    Then¡ªtwang.


    The goblin jerked violently, a strangled gurgle escaping its throat as an arrow sprouted from its neck. Its eyes went wide with confusion, its mouth working soundlessly before it toppled sideways, limbs twitching.


    Another twang, and the goblin gripping his legs let out a shriek, flailing as an arrow buried itself deep in its chest.


    Raven gasped for breath, shoving the corpse off him. His vision swam as he looked up, heart hammering.


    Darryl stood at the edge of the fight, bow still raised, a grim expression on his face.


    ¡°Jesus, kid,¡± he muttered, lowering the bow. ¡°You sure know how to find trouble.¡±


    Raven coughed, pulling himself to his feet. ¡°You took your sweet time.¡±


    Darryl smirked, though there was exhaustion in his eyes. ¡°You looked like you had it under control.¡±


    Raven snorted, wincing as he touched his injured arm. ¡°Yeah, sure.¡±


    They stood there for a moment, the bodies of the goblins at their feet. Then Darryl¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°We¡¯re not done yet.¡±


    Raven followed his gaze. The two goblins that had entered the house were still unaccounted for.


    Choosing a methodical approach, Raven and Darryl began sweeping through each house in search of stragglers making sure they weren''t going to be surprised by any additional little green men. The first few were empty, save for overturned furniture and signs of hasty departures. They found and dispatched a lone goblin in one house, quickly learning to strike fast and strike hard as the little green bastard started screaming incoherently as soon as they stumbled upon it, clearly trying to rouse reinforcements.


    After clearing a few houses, they approached the one where the two missing goblins had disappeared. The door was ajar, but the house was silent, too silent not a sound emanating from within. Raven exchanged a glance with Darryl and nodded.


    Inside the house, the two remaining goblins crouched in the shadows, their sharp ears twitching at the faint sounds of battle outside. One of them, larger than the other, muttered something in their guttural language.


    ¡°They come. They are hunting us.¡±


    The smaller goblin hissed. ¡°They kill the others. We make them pay.¡±


    The larger one grinned, revealing rows of jagged teeth. ¡°We set trap. Make them bleed.¡±


    They positioned themselves near the entrance, weapons ready, waiting for the humans to step inside.


    Raven took the lead, stepping cautiously over the threshold. As they cleared the doorway, they paused to let their vision adapt to the darker house, a blur of movement to his right was the only warning Raven had before a blade sliced into his leg causing him to stagger as he tried to put weight on it "Fuck".


    He stumbled back with a curse, wrenching his weapon up just as the second goblin lunged for Darryl. His godfather moved quickly, but not quickly enough¡ªa jagged knife clearly aimed for his throat, buried itself into his shoulder as he jerked away.


    Darryl grunted in pain but didn¡¯t falter. He drove his elbow into the goblin¡¯s face, sending it reeling. Raven gritted his teeth and swung his wrench at the goblin that had cut him, knocking it backward.


    The fight was fast and fierce. Fueled by adrenaline and sheer stubbornness, Raven swung at the fucker who had stabbed Darryl, hitting it in the head and dropping it to the ground¡ªstill. The other goblin struggled to its feet and rushed at Raven, bloodied knife held ready. Darryl stepped in from behind it stabbing an arrow into its neck and slamming it to the floor. As the second goblin lay dying Raven hobbled over to Darryl who was bleeding heavily from his shoulder. Seeing the severity of the injury Raven grabbed a bandage from his first aid pack and wrapped his wound as well as possible, "We need to get you home. Can you move?" Raven asked, concerned.


    "I''ll be fine. What about you, hoppy?" Darryl replied sarcastically, drawing Raven''s attention to his own leg which was bleeding heavily. Not willing to dignify Darryl¡¯s comment with an answer, Raven bandaged his leg before helping him from where he rested against a wall.


    Raven dragged Darryl toward home, supporting his weight with each strained step. Their ragged breathing and the dull throb of their wounds echoed with each laboured step. The streets were eerily empty now, as if the fight had scared away everything else, but Raven doubted that. Darryl was slumped against Raven¡¯s shoulder, his steps growing heavier.


    By the time they reached the house, Darryl was pale and shivering.


    "Sit," Raven ordered, guiding him onto the couch. "You look like hell."


    Darryl managed a weak grin. "You don¡¯t look so great yourself, kid."


    "Yeah, well, I didn¡¯t almost have my head cut off."


    Raven decided the best way he could help Darryl was with food and water. ¡°I¡¯ll get some food going. You need to eat.¡±


    By the time he returned with a meal¡ªjust bread and some tinned meat¡ªDarryl had broken into a sweat. Raven¡¯s fingers shook as he peeled away the blood-soaked bandage. The wound beneath was deep, angry, and lined with something¡­ wrong. The edges of the gash were darkened, the flesh around it taking on an unnatural hue.


    Darryl exhaled sharply as Raven probed the wound, his skin clammy beneath Raven¡¯s touch.


    "That¡¯s not just blood," Raven muttered, his stomach twisting. The texture was off¡ªthicker, almost like tar, and it clung stubbornly to his fingers.


    Darryl tried to smirk, but it came out as more of a grimace. "Don¡¯t look at me like that, kid. I¡¯ve had worse."


    Raven wasn¡¯t convinced. And the worst part was, neither was Darryl.


    The blackness was creeping outward, tendrils of darkness threading under the skin. It didn¡¯t look like any infection he¡¯d seen before.


    It looked alive.


    And it was spreading.

 Chapter 5. Cure

    Chapter 5: Cure


    Raven worked quickly, hands shaking as he poured antiseptic over Darryl¡¯s wound. The sharp, acrid smell filled the small room, but it did nothing to mask the sickly black tendrils creeping outward from the gash. The skin around the wound was hot to the touch, far too hot. He scrubbed at it with a rag, trying to clean away the spreading poison, but the dark veins remained, crawling further insidiously with each passing second.


    Darryl groaned, shifting slightly, but he barely reacted otherwise. His skin had grown pale, his breath coming in short, shallow puffs. Raven clenched his jaw, swallowing down the surge of panic clawing its way up his throat. This wasn¡¯t working. Nothing was working. Maybe he could cut it out, carve the poisoned flesh away before it spread further. But no¡ªthat was madness. Darryl could bleed out just as easily.


    Raven panicked. Darryl was dying.


    The thought wrapped around Raven¡¯s mind like a vice, squeezing the air from his lungs. He had already lost his parents. He couldn¡¯t lose Darryl too¡ªnot like this. Not to some damned goblin¡¯s knife. His heart pounded, the rising dread pressing against his ribs, and for a moment, he felt like a kid again, lost and powerless in a world that didn¡¯t care. Abandonment. The word curled like a sickness in his gut. No matter how hard he fought, how much he tried, the end result was always the same. Alone.


    No.


    His teeth clenched, he shoved the fear down. He wasn¡¯t a helpless child anymore, and Darryl sure as hell wasn¡¯t gone yet. If there was even the slightest chance to save him, then Raven would take it. He straightened, forcing his thoughts into something resembling order. He needed answers. If the goblins were using poison, then maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthey had something to counteract it. It was a long shot, but it was the only shot he had.


    His mind turned toward his gear. If the goblins had used something to poison Darryl, maybe they carried an antidote¡ªor at least a clue. It was a slim hope, but better than standing around watching him die. His bow and hunting knife lay on the shelf behind his bedroom door, untouched since he had stumbled into the house. He moved toward them with purpose, fingers tightening around the grip of the knife before sliding it sheathed onto his belt. His bow followed, freshly stringing it and making sure the arrows in his quiver were loose and free he placed it over his shoulder, its familiar weight grounding him. How many times had Darryl drilled him on keeping his gear ready? On always being prepared, always thinking two steps ahead? Hunting had been their thing¡ªtracking, stalking, learning the way the world moved. But hunting was controlled. It was predictable. This? This was chaos.


    A memory came unbidden.


    They had been hunting wild pigs a few years back, stalking a herd through the dense underbrush for hours. When they finally spotted them¡ªrooting under the twisted limbs of an old ironbark tree¡ªDarryl had gestured silently, indicating the largest sow. Raven had already drawn the same conclusion. The piglets would scatter the moment their mother fell.


    On Darryl¡¯s silent count, they loosed their arrows. Twin strikes¡ªone behind the leg, straight into the heart, the other behind the ear, dropping her instantly.


    Before they could celebrate, the piglets shrieked, bolting in all directions. And then came the boar.


    A flash of movement, a guttural grunt, and Raven barely had time to react before it barrelled into him. Pain erupted in his leg as a razor-sharp tusk tore through flesh, sending him sprawling. He barely registered the impact before Darryl was there, a madman with a knife, tackling the beast mid-charge. In one swift motion, he drove his blade into its chest, twisting deep before rolling clear. The boar stumbled, gurgled, and collapsed, its life spilling onto the dry earth.


    Darryl was on Raven in an instant, cursing under his breath as he tore through his pack for first aid supplies. He bandaged the wound with rough efficiency, then, without another word, hoisted Raven onto his back. The hike back to the truck was nearly five kilometres, but Darryl never hesitated. He grumbled and swore the entire way, but never slowed, never faltered.


    Raven never forgot that day.


    Never forgot the way it felt to know¡ªwithout a doubt¡ªthat someone had his back.


    Now, as he stared at Darryl¡¯s limp form, breath shallow, skin ashen, that feeling twisted into something cold and sickening. He clenched his fists.


    He wouldn¡¯t let it end like this. His gaze drifted back to Darryl, watching the slow, laboured rise and fall of his chest. Hunting was about survival, about understanding the balance between life and death. The realization hit him like a punch to the gut¡ªwhat was he supposed to do if Darryl wasn¡¯t there? Who the hell was he without him? The last few years had been rough, sure, but Darryl was still his anchor, the one thing in his life that felt solid. If that was taken away¡­ Raven didn¡¯t let himself finish the thought.


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    Instead, he moved to Darryl¡¯s side, crouching beside him. ¡°I¡¯m going to find something to fix this,¡± he said, voice rough but steady. ¡°I won¡¯t be long. Just hang in there.¡±


    Darryl made a noise somewhere between a grunt and a chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ do anything stupid.¡±


    Raven huffed out something that might¡¯ve been a laugh if it weren¡¯t so hollow. ¡°Can¡¯t make any promises.¡±


    With one last glance at the man who had raised him, Raven steeled himself and slipped out the door, heading back toward the ambush site. The goblins had answers. One way or another, he was going to get them.


    Raven moved through the streets with deliberate steps, keeping to the shadows and avoiding open spaces. The last thing he needed was to attract attention, not when he had no idea what else might be lurking in the town. The morning quiet had given way to sporadic noises¡ªdistant shouts, the occasional clash of metal, inhuman screeches that made his skin crawl. The city wasn¡¯t safe. He wasn¡¯t safe. But none of that mattered right now. He had a job to do.


    He reached the house where the goblins had ambushed them, the stench of blood still thick in the air. Steeling himself, he crouched beside the first goblin¡¯s corpse and began his search. His fingers moved quickly, rifling through its crude belongings¡ªscraps of cloth, a rusty dagger, bits of bone that made him grimace. Nothing useful.


    Moving on to the next, he found more of the same and then, something different. A small leather sheath, its insides coated in a viscous black goo. Raven¡¯s stomach twisted. This had to be it¡ªthe poison. He brought it closer, examining the substance. It was thick, sticky, and reeked of something acrid and foul. He had no idea what it was, no idea if it was natural or something the goblins had concocted. He needed more information.


    Leaving the house, he returned to the street, finding the goblins he had killed earlier. Their bodies lay sprawled where they had fallen, weapons still clutched in stiff hands. He knelt beside one, searching as quickly as he could. More poor-quality weapons, more useless junk. His fingers brushed something smooth¡ªsmall and round. He picked it up, holding it up to the light. A stone, palm-sized, with a faint, engraved symbol of a dagger.


    Before he could inspect it further, his grimoire pulsed. A warm thrum radiated through his chest, not painful, but insistent¡ªlike it was trying to tell him something urgent.


    Raven tensed, feeling the strange warmth radiating from his chest. His hand twitched, instinct urging him to open the book. But he resisted. Whatever it wanted, whatever it was trying to tell him, it wasn¡¯t the priority right now. He shoved the stone into his pocket and turned back toward home.


    The walk back felt longer than before. Hope had faded, and in its place sat a gnawing dread he couldn¡¯t shake. Each step heavier with the weight of failure. He hadn¡¯t found an antidote. Hadn¡¯t found anything remotely useful beyond confirming what he already knew¡ªDarryl was dying, and he didn¡¯t have a way to stop it. His grip tightened around his bow as he pushed forward, mind racing for alternatives. There had to be something. Someone.


    The hospital.


    It wasn¡¯t ideal. He had no idea what the situation was like over there. He had heard rumours from the woman earlier¡ªmonsters had been moving in that direction. It could be overrun. But it was the only place in town where he might find actual medical help. Waiting wasn¡¯t an option.


    By the time Raven stepped through the front door, the air inside felt heavier, as if the house itself could sense what was happening. Darryl lay where Raven had left him, but something was wrong. His skin had grown paler, a shade too grey, too lifeless. The dark tendrils from the wound had crawled further, twisting like roots beneath the surface of his flesh.


    Raven swallowed hard, forcing himself closer. He pressed two fingers against Darryl¡¯s wrist. Too slow. A sluggish, unnatural rhythm, like the pulse was fighting against something inside him.


    Then Darryl exhaled, his chest stuttering and seizing in a rhythm that didn¡¯t feel human. His eyelids flickered, but his pupils were wrong. They were dilated, unfocused, the usual sharpness in them dulled. A flicker of awareness returned, his lips parting as if to speak¡ªbut then a violent shudder wracked through his frame, his fingers twitching against the blanket.


    ¡°Darryl?¡± Raven¡¯s voice cracked. No response. Just the slow, creeping poison.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting you to the hospital,¡± he said firmly. ¡°One way or another.¡±


    He moved to the garage, looking for something¡ªanything¡ªthat could help transport Darryl. His gaze landed on an old wheelbarrow tucked into the corner, rusted but sturdy. It wasn¡¯t dignified, but it would do.


    Grabbing what little supplies he had, he hoisted Darryl as gently as he could into the wheelbarrow, locking him in as well as he could with blankets. Taking one last deep breath, he rolled the wheelbarrow out into the street, gripping the handles tightly. The city was waking up to chaos. Monsters prowled the streets, people were either dead, hiding, or fighting. And here he was, pushing a dying man in a rusted wheelbarrow, hoping to find help that might not even exist.


    The air felt too still, like the world was waiting for something. A broken streetlight flickered erratically, buzzing with dying electricity. A few blocks away, a car alarm blared once, then abruptly cut off, as if something¡ªor someone¡ªhad silenced it.


    Raven¡¯s grip tightened. He scanned the street, searching the shadows between collapsed buildings and overturned cars. Nothing moved. But the feeling in his gut remained¡ªsomething was watching.


    He pushed forward, the wheelbarrow¡¯s rusted metal creaking too loudly in the silence. Every step felt heavier. Every second stretched longer. But the silence wasn¡¯t empty¡ªsomething was out there, waiting.

 Chapter 6. People

    Chapter 6: People


    Raven kept his head low, his grip tight on the handles of the wheelbarrow as he navigated the cracked pavement. The suburbs had been eerily quiet, the houses standing like empty husks, abandoned or worse. He had managed to slip through the outer edges of the city without trouble, but now, as he neared the more densely packed streets, the world was growing louder, sounds that had earlier been distant and less immediate getting closer with every step.


    More movement. More bodies. More danger.


    As Raven saw more and more destruction and chaos, doubt crept in. What if he was making a mistake? That woman had warned him that monsters were being drawn toward the hospital¡ªwhat if it had already been wiped out? What if he was dragging Darryl into even greater danger?


    He clenched his jaw, forcing the thought away. No. He didn¡¯t have a choice. If he didn¡¯t get help, Darryl would die. That was a certainty.


    Moving on, he stuck to the alleys where he could, keeping out of sight as much as possible. Every time he peered around a corner, he found signs of life¡ªor death. The city hadn¡¯t collapsed yet, but it was starting to break. Shattered glass crunched underfoot, discarded belongings littered the sidewalks, and vehicles sat motionless, their owners long gone or worse.


    He was moving fast, but it didn¡¯t feel fast enough. Every groan from Darryl, every laboured breath, sent another spike of anxiety down his spine. Raven had never been a stranger to stress, but this was different. He was running out of time, and the only chance of saving Darryl lay at the hospital. No matter what it took, he had to get there.


    A chittering noise made him freeze mid-step. His heart jumped, every instinct screaming for him to duck or run. His fingers tensed around the wheelbarrow¡¯s handles as he scanned the road ahead. A lone goblin stood in the middle of the street, clutching a rusted kitchen knife in its clawed hand. Its beady yellow eyes locked onto Raven, its lips peeling back in a hungry snarl.


    Raven exhaled sharply, drew an arrow, and loosed it in one fluid motion. The goblin barely had time to react before the shaft buried itself in its eye socket. It crumpled to the ground with a wet thud.


    Raven felt that strange tingling sensation on his skin again, like static that flows through more than just the skin, ignoring it he continued on.


    He moved quickly, retrieving the arrow and checking the surrounding area. That hadn¡¯t been loud enough to draw attention, but he couldn¡¯t afford to be reckless. His heart pounded as he forced himself forward, pushing the wheelbarrow into another side street.


    The deeper he went into the city, the worse it got. He started seeing people now¡ªragged groups moving together, some armed with scavenged weapons, others looking lost. Some ran, others lingered, their eyes scanning for opportunities. The tension in the air was palpable. It wasn¡¯t just the monsters they were afraid of. It was each other.


    He pressed on, keeping to the shadows, avoiding open spaces. He had to get to the hospital. No matter what. And if anyone got in his way? Well¡­ he¡¯d cross that bridge when he came to it.


    Raven was only a few kilometres from the hospital when he heard it¡ªthe unmistakable sounds of a struggle. Metal clashing, pained grunts, and high-pitched snarls. He pressed himself against the side of a building, craning his neck to listen. The fighting was coming from up ahead, just around the next corner.


    His first instinct was to find another way around. He didn¡¯t have time for distractions. Darryl was getting worse by the minute, and every second wasted was a second, he didn¡¯t have. But as he considered backtracking or cutting through a side street, something caught his eye.


    A glimpse of movement.


    Peering cautiously around the corner, he saw a group of people¡ªmaybe eight or nine¡ªlocked in a desperate fight with a dozen goblins. They were armed with whatever they could find¡ªpipes, knives, even a baseball bat or two. But they were struggling. A few bodies already littered the ground, some human, some goblin. And at the centre of it all, standing with her back to a battered sedan, was someone Raven never expected to see again.


    Sky.


    His ex-girlfriend. The sight of her sent a jolt through him, but the chaos around him didn¡¯t allow him time to dwell on it. What the hell was she doing here? What were the odds? Questions piled up in his head, but instinct took over before emotion could


    Raven''s breath hitched. He felt a strange, uncomfortable pull in his chest. Of all the people he could have run into, why did it have to be her?


    She hadn¡¯t changed much¡ªstill had that fierce, determined look in her eyes as she swung wildly at a goblin trying to gut her. She was still fast, still strong. But she was losing. They all were. The goblins had the numbers, and if something didn¡¯t change, they¡¯d be overrun in minutes.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Raven muttered under his breath.


    He didn¡¯t have time for this. He shouldn¡¯t have time for this. But no matter how much he tried to shove the thought aside; he couldn¡¯t just walk away.


    With a deep breath, he knocked an arrow, took aim, and let it fly.


    The arrow struck a goblin in the side of the head, dropping it instantly. The effect was immediate. The goblins turned toward the sudden threat, their formation breaking. The humans, realizing they had an opening, seized the opportunity, pressing forward with renewed vigour.


    Raven loosed another arrow, then another, taking down two more goblins before they could even register what was happening. His arms burned from exhaustion, but he pushed through it, forcing himself to focus.


    One of the men¡ªa burly guy with a metal pipe¡ªlet out a battle cry and smashed a goblin¡¯s skull in. The rest of the group followed suit, rallying together as they tore through the remaining creatures. Within moments, the last goblin fell, its body twitching on the bloodstained pavement.


    The fight was over¡ªbut Raven¡¯s attention shifted immediately. Sky and Brad were already moving, and he knew the conversation that followed would be anything but simple.


    Raven let out a slow breath, lowering his bow. His hands were trembling. Whether from adrenaline or fatigue, he wasn¡¯t sure. He knew one thing for certain, though¡ªthis reunion was going to be awkward as hell.


    And he still had a dying man to save.


    As the group took a moment to recover, Sky approached him, her expression a mix of relief and disbelief. Before she could speak, another figure stepped forward¡ªa tall, broad-shouldered man with an air of arrogance about him. Raven recognized the type immediately. The self-appointed leader.


    ¡°I¡¯m Brad,¡± the man said, sizing Raven up. ¡°And who the hell are you?¡±


    ¡°Not interested,¡± Raven muttered, still catching his breath.


    Brad scoffed. ¡°You saved our asses back there. Least you could do is introduce yourself.¡±


    Sky cut in before Raven could snap back. ¡°Raven, this is Brad. He¡¯s been keeping everyone together since this whole mess started.¡±


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    Raven didn¡¯t miss the way Brad smirked at that, puffing himself up. He already didn¡¯t like him.


    Brad crossed his arms. ¡°You look like you know what you¡¯re doing. Why don¡¯t you stick with us?¡±


    Raven shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ve got somewhere I need to be.¡±


    ¡°The hospital?¡± Brad guessed. ¡°We were thinking of heading there too. Word is, the cops set up a checkpoint. Might be safe.¡±


    Raven hesitated. He still didn¡¯t trust Brad, but going with the group might be the fastest way to get Darryl help.


    Sky looked at him, eyes pleading. ¡°Come with us, Raven.¡±


    After a long moment, he sighed. ¡°Fine. But we go straight to the hospital.¡±


    "Yeah that¡¯s the plan," Brad replied before gathering up the group.


    As they moved out, Brad walked beside him. ¡°You¡¯ve got skills,¡± he said.


    Raven glanced at him, wary. Praise meant leverage in groups like this¡ªand Brad didn¡¯t seem like the type to hand it out without motive. ¡°Tell me, have you found any trait stones yet?¡±


    Raven¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Trait stones?¡±


    Brad grinned. ¡°Yeah. Like, stones with little symbols on them. Some of us have picked them up, and when used they fill a slot in the grimoire. I got one for spears.¡± He hefted a sharpened rebar pole. ¡°Sky got one for blunt weapons.¡±


    Raven¡¯s grip tightened on his bow. He thought of the stone he had found. He chose not to mention it or the fact that he had started with a part of his grimoire filled. He didn¡¯t trust Brad. Not even a little.


    Raven¡¯s curiosity about the stones was piqued, but he kept his expression neutral. "So, what do these stones actually do?"


    Brad, ever eager to play the expert, smirked. "You use them, and they fill a slot in your grimoire. Simple as that. But more than that, they unlock a skill¡ªsomething tied to whatever weapon the stone represents." He twirled the length of rebar in his hand, grinning. "For me, it was this. When I choose I can pierce through anything. The more I use it, though, the more it drains me. Like a stamina thing, y¡¯know?"


    "Anything?" Raven asked sceptically, "Well so far I''ve only used it on those guys but it goes straight through the little green bastards"


    Raven¡¯s mind drifted to the stone. A faint chill ran down his spine at the thought of using it¡ªwhat if it changed him too, tucked away in his pocket. A dagger etched into its surface, practically calling out to him. If what Brad said was true, then using it would unlock something. A skill. But then why did his grimoire already have something? His shield crest, incomplete and mysterious, hadn¡¯t given him a skill outright. Not yet.


    "And everyone gets a skill when they use one?" he pressed.


    Brad nodded. "Yeah, everyone so far. The blunt weapon guys¡ªlike Sky¡ªgot a power hit skill. Makes their swings pack a serious punch. But if you spam it too much, you¡¯re dead on your feet.


    That unease in Raven¡¯s gut didn¡¯t go away. Why didn¡¯t he have something like that yet? What did the symbol in his grimoire mean? And why did he feel using the dagger stone might not be a good idea?


    He kept his thoughts to himself, nodding absently as Brad continued talking. He¡¯d figure this out on his own terms.


    As the group continued toward the hospital, Raven kept to the edges, eyes scanning their surroundings. It didn¡¯t take long for them to encounter more monsters, small groups of goblins and lizards wandering the streets, scavenging through abandoned vehicles and buildings. The fights were quick but revealing.


    Raven had assumed most of these people were just lucky survivors, but now, watching them fight, he saw that some of them were adapting quickly. The ones who had used trait stones fought differently¡ªSky¡¯s swings had a weight to them that shouldn¡¯t have been possible with just a metal pipe. Each time she struck, the goblin she hit crumpled as if she were wielding a sledgehammer rather than a scavenged weapon. Others displayed similar advantages¡ªfaster reaction times, harder hits, greater precision.


    They made quick work of the first two encounters, but on the third, Raven noticed something different.


    A group of goblins stood in the middle of a wide intersection. There were about a dozen, but what stood out was the one in the centre¡ªa little bigger than the rest, wearing mismatched scraps of fur and wielding a curved blade that, while rusty, looked like it had once belonged to a proper weapon rather than a piece of scrap metal.


    Raven crouched behind the shell of a burned-out car, watching.


    The bigger goblin barked something in its guttural tongue, and the others shifted formation¡ªhalf raising crude clubs and daggers, the other half readying slings.


    Raven frowned. ¡°They¡¯re forming ranks.¡±


    Sky, crouched beside him, tightened her grip on her pipe. ¡°We haven''t seen them do that before?¡±


    Brad grunted. ¡°Looks like they¡¯ve got a leader.¡±


    Raven watched as the bigger goblin snarled something and gestured toward their group. The slingers moved first, spreading out along the sides of the street while the melee fighters advanced cautiously.


    ¡°They¡¯re trying to flank us,¡± Raven muttered. He hadn¡¯t seen that kind of behaviour before. The other goblins they had encountered just charged in blindly, but these ones were different.


    Brad smirked, shifting his grip on his makeshift spear. ¡°Guess we better handle this before they get any ideas.¡±


    A stone whizzed past Raven¡¯s head.


    ¡°Shit! We''re under fire!¡± Sky shouted.


    And just like that, chaos erupted as the fighting began.


    Raven was quick to pull his bow from his shoulder, instinct taking over as he dropped back and away from the group. He moved with precision, taking cover behind the rusted frame of an abandoned sedan. His breath came in short bursts, his muscles tensed from exhaustion, but he forced himself to steady his aim.


    He loosed an arrow.


    One of the slingers shrieked as the arrow buried itself in its chest, its hands fumbling as it dropped its sling. Raven ducked as a rock flew past where his head had been a moment before, slamming into the car behind him with enough force to leave a dent. He grit his teeth¡ªthese bastards are getting better.


    Raven noticed the bigger goblin didn¡¯t rush forward like the others. Instead, it scanned the battlefield, its beady eyes narrowing as it calculated its next move. The moment it noticed Raven taking out the slingers, it snarled an order, and suddenly, the remaining goblins shifted, positioning themselves in a loose formation


    The rest of the group held their ground against the melee goblins, their makeshift weapons clashing against crude rusted blades. Sky swung her pipe with terrifying force, caving in the skull of one goblin, sending it crumpling to the pavement. Another rushed in, only to be impaled through the gut by Brad¡¯s sharpened rebar. The man grinned, twisting the weapon before yanking it free.


    For a brief moment, Raven thought they had control.


    Then a sickening crack rang out. The sound cut through the chaos like a gunshot, freezing Raven mid-draw. He turned toward the noise just in time to see one of the men stumble back, a spray of blood trailing from his head.


    One of the men¡ªa younger guy wielding a crowbar¡ªstaggered backwards, blood ran freely from the side of his head. He dropped instantly, his body limp, the goblin he had been fighting wasted no time plunging its dagger into his chest. The man gasped, a strangled noise leaving his lips as his body convulsed once, then went still.


    Raven didn¡¯t think. He just acted.


    His fingers flew over his quiver, nocking an arrow and releasing it in one swift motion. The goblin that had landed the killing blow let out a high-pitched shriek as Raven¡¯s arrow found its throat, pinning it to the alley wall behind it.


    The group was shocked. Their comrade had fallen so suddenly, so brutally, it stunned them into silence, so easily, as they stood there stunned, Raven turned his attention to the slingers. He picked them off one by one, each arrow flying true. He had just drawn back another shot when a deep growl cut through the sounds of battle.


    The bigger goblin moved with violent speed, its posture low and predatory.


    It surged forward, its eyes burning with something different¡ªdetermination, rage, purpose. It was fast. Faster than it should have been. It let out a guttural roar, and in the span of a breath, it was upon one of the men, charging into him shoulder first.


    The man barely had time to react before the impact sent him hurtling through the air. He crashed into a parked vehicle with a sickening crunch, his body folding upon impact.


    ¡°What the fuck was that?¡± Sky gasped.


    ¡°A skill,¡± Brad muttered. His expression hardened as he gripped his weapon tighter. ¡°It¡¯s got one too.¡±


    Raven pulled an arrow, but before he could take a shot, Brad was already moving. He lunged forward, meeting the goblin head-on, their weapons clashing with a resounding clang. Brad fought with brute force, each thrust of his makeshift spear aimed to kill. But the goblin was fast, weaving through the attacks with terrifying precision.


    Brad was struggling¡ªhis movements slower, his stance more defensive now as he manouvered to keep the goblin at bay.


    Raven¡¯s eyes darted between the two, searching for an opening. He needed to help.


    Then he saw it.


    The goblin shifted slightly, its stance overextended just enough for Raven to take the shot. Without hesitation, he let his arrow fly.


    The arrow struck true, embedding itself in the goblin¡¯s shoulder. It let out a guttural snarl, momentarily distracted by the sudden pain. Brad wasted no time.


    His grip tightened around his weapon as he activated his skill. He lunged forward, driving his rebar spear clean through the goblin¡¯s makeshift armour and out the back of its torso as if it was nothing more than paper.


    The creature¡¯s eyes widened in shock, its body shuddering before it finally went limp.


    For a moment, everything was still.


    Then, as if breaking free from a trance, the remaining goblins turned and fled, their morale shattered.


    The battle was over. But the weight of it settled heavy in the air. Raven glanced at the man who had fallen, jaw tight. He hadn¡¯t even known his name¡ªand somehow, that made it worse.


    Raven exhaled, lowering his bow. His arms ached, his exhaustion creeping back in. He looked around at the bodies littering the ground, human and goblin alike.


    The world had changed. But it wasn¡¯t just louder, bloodier, or stranger¡ªit was evolving. And that terrified him.


    And if this was just the beginning, he wasn¡¯t sure they¡¯d survive the middle.

 Chapter 7. The Problem With People

    Chapter 7: The Problem with People


    The aftermath of the battle settled in heavy silence. The adrenaline that had fuelled them moments ago was quickly fading, leaving behind the stark reality of their losses.


    Sky knelt beside the fallen man, her shoulders trembling as she let out a quiet sob. The others stood around in sombre silence, some looking away, others staring blankly at the body as if struggling to comprehend it. Death had already become a reality of this new world, but that didn¡¯t make it any easier to accept.


    Raven exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. One moment he was fighting, the next it was over¡ªjust like that. He hadn¡¯t known the guy, didn¡¯t even know his name, but something about the senselessness of it pissed him off. One moment he was fighting, and the next gone. Just like that.


    Brad, ever the leader, sighed and ran a hand through his hair before stepping away. ¡°We need to check on the other guy,¡± he muttered, already moving toward the man who had been thrown by the goblin leader¡¯s attack.


    Raven followed, stepping around the bodies that littered the pavement. The man groaned weakly, shifting as they approached. His face was pale, drawn tight with pain, but his chest rose and fell¡ªhe was alive.


    ¡°You still with us?¡± Brad asked, crouching beside him.


    The man grimaced, sucking in a breath. ¡°Feel like I got hit by a damn truck,¡± he rasped, one arm weakly clutching his ribs.


    Raven knelt beside him, scanning his injuries. No visible wounds, but his breathing was shallow and pained. ¡°Probably cracked ribs,¡± he said, glancing at Brad. ¡°Might be worse.¡±


    Brad nodded; expression unreadable. ¡°Can you move?¡±


    The man let out a short, humourless chuckle. ¡°Not by myself.¡±


    Brad sighed. ¡°Figures.¡±


    Raven rolled his shoulders, already feeling the weight of fatigue pressing down on him. They didn¡¯t have time to waste, but leaving someone behind wasn¡¯t an option. He glanced back at Sky, who still hadn¡¯t moved from the fallen man¡¯s side.


    They had to keep moving.


    Raven wasted no time retrieving Darryl. But as he reached the wheelbarrow, a flicker of dread tugged at his gut. What if he was already too late? He found the wheelbarrow right where he left it, nestled behind a skip bin, its occupant deathly still. His breathing was shallow, and the dark lines of poison creeping from the wound seemed more pronounced in the dimming light. Every second counted. With a grunt, Raven adjusted Darryl¡¯s position and gripped the handles, pushing forward as steadily as he could.


    Meanwhile, the rest of the group was getting their wounded man to his feet. He swayed unsteadily but managed to limp forward with Sky supporting one side and another member of the group bracing the other. No one spoke as they resumed their journey, but their collective exhaustion was palpable.


    As they pressed toward the hospital, signs of the city¡¯s unravelling became even more apparent. Cars abandoned mid-street; doors flung open as if their owners had fled in a panic. Some places bore signs of looting, shop windows shattered, and shelves emptied. It wasn¡¯t just the monsters they had to worry about¡ªpeople were growing desperate.


    Then came the goblins.


    The first few they spotted were scavengers, picking through the remains of the dead. The group tried to remain unseen, moving carefully along the edges of the street. But stealth had its limits, and it wasn¡¯t long before they stumbled upon a patrol.


    It was a messy fight. Weary from their previous battle, they struggled to keep formation. Raven used his bow to pick off goblins from a distance, but his shots weren¡¯t as clean as before, his aim dulled by fatigue. Sky and Brad led the charge in melee, their strikes hitting with desperation rather than precision. One of the goblins managed to scrape a blade along Sky¡¯s arm before being pierced by Brad''s makeshift spear.


    They pushed forward. The goblins were increasing in number. Each fight left them more drained, and each street felt like it held more of the creatures than the last.


    By the time they were close enough to see the hospital in the distance, they had all but abandoned stealth, choosing instead to move quickly before another encounter could drain them further. Raven gestured for them to stop at the mouth of an alleyway.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead,¡± he said, catching his breath. ¡°Check out the situation.¡±


    Brad wiped the sweat from his brow, looking reluctant, but he nodded. ¡°Be quick.¡±


    Raven set Darryl down against the wall. A flicker of guilt tightened his chest¡ªleaving Darryl behind, even briefly, felt like betrayal. But they needed eyes on the enemy. He hesitated, looking down at the man, before turning and moving swiftly toward a vantage point. He found a partially collapsed balcony in a nearby building and climbed his way up, careful not to attract attention.


    What he saw made his stomach sink.


    The hospital checkpoint was still standing, but it was surrounded. Dozens of goblins filled the plaza outside the main entrance, moving in controlled groups, using cover to protect themselves from the police barricade. It wasn¡¯t just the usual small goblins¡ªthere were at least half a dozen of the larger ones, their crude armour giving them a slightly more formidable appearance.


    But what really caught Raven¡¯s attention was the one leading them.


    It was different. Bigger¡ªeasily standing head and shoulders above the rest, its frame bulkier and more defined. It wasn¡¯t rushing forward like the others. Instead, it stood at the rear, watching, barking orders in its guttural tongue. Its movements were deliberate, its tactics clearly more advanced.


    A leader.


    Raven exhaled slowly, trying to process what he was seeing. If they wanted to make it into the hospital alive, they needed a plan.


    He climbed back down and hurried toward the group, already thinking of what to do next.


    Raven returned to the group, his mind already working through the possibilities. There weren¡¯t many. The hospital was surrounded, and that thing¡ªwhatever it was¡ªwasn¡¯t just another goblin. It was commanding the others, coordinating their attacks. The police had held out so far, but how long would their ammunition last?


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    Brad crossed his arms, his expression set in an impatient scowl. ¡°Well?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s bad,¡± Raven admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°The hospital¡¯s holding, but they¡¯re pinned down. The goblins aren¡¯t just rushing them blindly. They¡¯ve got a leader¡ªa big bastard who¡¯s actually directing them. Looks like he¡¯s making the officers waste their ammo.¡±


    A ripple of unease passed through the group. Sky¡¯s eyes flickered toward the hospital, worry tightening her features.


    ¡°So what¡¯s the plan?¡± Brad asked, his tone sharp. ¡°You got us this far.¡±


    Raven exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°There¡¯s a rooftop overlooking the plaza. If I can get up there, I can thin their numbers. If we barricade the stairs and windows, the only way up is the fire escape. That¡¯ll create a choke point. If they come for me, you guys hold the stairs and take them out.¡±


    Brad let out a huff, crossing his arms. ¡°And if too many come?¡±


    ¡°Then we run,¡± Raven said simply.


    Brad scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s your plan? Shoot some arrows and hope for the best?¡±


    Raven¡¯s lip curled slightly. The guy hadn¡¯t offered a better idea, and criticism was easy when you weren¡¯t the one taking the shot.


    Raven clenched his jaw, irritation flaring. ¡°You got a better idea?¡±


    Brad opened his mouth, then hesitated. His jaw worked for a moment, but no words came. He didn¡¯t have a plan.


    Sky stepped between them, placing a hand on Brad¡¯s arm. ¡°It¡¯s a solid plan,¡± she said, her voice gentle but firm. ¡°The goblins aren¡¯t just going to let us waltz into the hospital. This at least gives us a fighting chance.¡±


    Brad exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. ¡°Fine. But if it goes south, we bail.¡±


    Raven nodded, suppressing the urge to smirk. ¡°That¡¯s the idea.¡±


    With the plan set, they gathered what little they had and moved toward the building. Time was running out, and if they wanted to make it to the hospital alive, they had to move fast.


    The group moved quickly, sticking to the alley behind the building Raven had pointed out. They split up according to the plan¡ªSky, Raven, and another man named William slipped inside to barricade the doors and windows, while Brad and the rest worked to narrow the choke point, using anything they could find to slow any goblins that might try to swarm the fire escape.


    Inside the building, the air was thick with dust, and through the cracked windows came the faint sounds of distant shouting and the occasional clash of metal¡ªreminders that danger was never far behind. and the shelves were mostly bare¡ªeither looted or abandoned long before the Reckoning. The place had the eerie stillness of a world left behind. Raven moved through the aisles, pushing fallen furniture and metal racks against the glass windows. Sky helped, working silently, her face set in grim focus.


    Raven stole a glance at her. It had been a long time since they¡¯d spoken, and now wasn¡¯t exactly the moment for heart-to-hearts, but something about the way she carried herself made him hesitate. She wasn¡¯t the same as she had been before. None of them were.


    "Brad¡¯s a bit of a dick," Raven muttered as he shoved a heavy display shelf against the front doors.


    Sky huffed a tired laugh, shaking her head. "Yeah. He¡¯s... got his own way of doing things." She adjusted a metal rack, wedging it tight between a window and the checkout counter. "I don¡¯t really know him that well. He just¡ªhe got people together when everything went to hell. Saved a few lives. People started listening to him, so he took charge."


    Raven frowned. "And you trust him?"


    Sky sighed, dusting off her hands as she turned to face him. "I don''t know. But people need something. Not just hope¡ªsomething that looks like control. Brad gives them that. For now."


    Raven grunted, looking away. He understood the sentiment, but he didn¡¯t like it. Trusting the wrong person got people killed. He¡¯d seen it before and knew better.


    They finished reinforcing the last of the windows, securing the shelving in place. The building was as fortified as it was going to get. With a final glance around, Sky and Raven made their way outside to regroup with the others.


    With the final barricades in place, the group gathered in the alley behind the building, going over the plan one last time. The hospital was still under siege, and time was running out. Raven adjusted his grip on his bow, his fingers twitching with tension. Every part of him buzzed with a mix of dread and determination, double-checking his quiver. He had enough arrows to make a dent in the goblin forces, but not enough to take out all of them.


    Brad cracked his knuckles, still looking annoyed. ¡°So you get up high, shoot what you can, and we hold the ground?¡±


    Raven nodded. ¡°If they notice me, they¡¯ll send some of their own to investigate. That¡¯s where you come in. You hold the fire escape, keep them bottlenecked. If it gets too bad, we regroup and run.¡±


    Sky shot a wary glance toward the hospital. ¡°And if they send the big one?¡±


    Raven shrugged, feigning confidence he didn¡¯t feel. ¡°We deal with it when it happens.¡±


    Brad muttered something under his breath, but didn¡¯t argue further.


    With that, Raven turned and climbed the fire escape, scaling the side of the building as quietly as possible. The metal groaned under his weight, but he moved quickly, keeping low as he reached the rooftop. The city stretched out before him, eerily quiet save for the distant cries of battle. He crawled toward the edge and positioned himself behind a rusted air conditioning unit, peering down at the scene below.


    The goblins were still pressing the hospital, their numbers shifting in organized waves. The large one¡ªtheir leader¡ªstood at the back, directing them with sharp gestures and guttural commands. It wasn¡¯t rushing in like the rest. It was thinking.


    Raven exhaled slowly, nocking an arrow. No more waiting.


    He let the first shot fly, striking a goblin square in the chest. It dropped instantly, and before the others could react, he fired again, hitting another. The goblins froze for a moment before scrambling for cover. Raven¡¯s breath caught¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected them to panic so quickly. Was it fear? Or were they regrouping?


    He kept shooting, moving between cover to avoid being an easy target. The goblins returned fire, slinging rocks in his direction. He ducked behind an old ventilation duct as one smashed against the metal, denting it. They were getting smarter. But he was faster.


    Arrow after arrow, goblins fell, their numbers thinning in the plaza. The hospital doors remained shut, the officers inside surely realizing that something had changed.


    Then he saw it.


    The leader had stopped giving orders. Raven squinted, momentarily unsure if what he was seeing was real. Was it regrouping? Repositioning? Or had it spotted him? It grabbed a handful of goblins, including two of the mid-sized ones¡ªand barked something sharp in its harsh, clicking tongue. Without hesitation, the group turned toward the alley.


    Raven¡¯s stomach dropped.


    He loosed a few more shots, taking out what he could before slinging his bow across his back and scrambling toward the fire escape. He needed to warn the others.


    But as he reached the edge of the roof, he stopped dead.


    The alley was empty.


    The barricades had been abandoned. The others were gone.


    A sickening realization settled in his gut. They had left him.


    ¡°Are you fucking kidding me? This is the problem with people!¡± he muttered, scanning the area.


    Before he could react further, movement below drew his attention. Goblins were pouring into the alley, weapons drawn. The fire escape rattled as they began climbing, their shrill cries echoing in the tight space.


    Raven swallowed, quickly counting his remaining arrows. Not enough.


    He stepped back and drew his bow again, releasing a few quick shots, knocking goblins from the ladder. But there were too many. More and more climbed, their claws scraping against the rusted metal.


    His mind raced. He needed another way out. Then his eyes landed on the bolts securing the ladder to the roof.


    They were rusted. Damaged.


    An idea took hold.


    Dropping his bow to his side, he rushed forward, slamming his boot into the ladder¡¯s mounting. The metal creaked but held. He kicked again. And again. The goblins were almost at the top.


    With a final, desperate strike, the bolts snapped.


    The ladder gave way.


    The goblins clinging to it screeched as they plummeted to the alley below, their bodies landing in sickening heaps. Those still on the ground scrambled to avoid the falling mass of metal and flesh.


    For a moment, relief flooded Raven.


    Then he heard it.


    The big one hadn¡¯t climbed the ladder.


    It had jumped.


    Pulling itself over the edge of the roof it stood, towering over him, mace in hand, grinning.


    Then it charged.

 Chapter 8. Thats A Big Goblin

    Chapter 8: That''s a Big Goblin


    Raven staggered back, his chest heaving as exhaustion settled deep into his limbs. The last few minutes had drained him more than he¡¯d realized¡ªthe endless running, the desperate fights, the betrayal of his recent allies. Now, standing face to face with the brute in front of him, he felt the weight of it all bearing down on him at once.


    The creature was massive, towering over any goblin he had seen before. Its thick, scarred hide looked more like armour than flesh, and in one of its massive hands, it gripped a crude yet menacing iron mace. The weapon shimmered faintly, a subtle glow running along its jagged edges. Raven felt a strange pull in his gut as he looked at it, the same sensation he¡¯d felt every time he¡¯d put an enemy down. That weapon was different¡ªlike it held something beyond simple metal and wood.


    Fuck that''s a big goblin, Raven thought to himself.


    The brute let out a deep, guttural chuckle, its heavy footfalls cracking the rooftop as it took a step forward. When it spoke, its voice was thick and heavy with a rough accent, but the words¡­ the words were in English.


    ¡°You killed my kin¡­ you die now.¡±


    Raven tensed, the weight of his bow less reassuring in his grip standing before such a monster. The fact it had spoken left him shocked. He wasn¡¯t sure if he could fight something like this head-on. He needed time.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked, buying himself a few more seconds to think.


    The brute sneered, baring yellowed fangs. ¡°Want? You killed kin.¡± It lifted the mace, resting it against one broad shoulder. ¡°You die.¡±


    So much for diplomacy.


    Raven¡¯s fingers clenched around the hilt of his knife, the cold metal grounding him as his mind threatened to spiral. This thing wasn¡¯t like the other goblins¡ªhell, calling it a goblin felt wrong. It was something more. Bigger. Smarter. Stronger. He swallowed hard, a bitter thought gnawing at the edges of his mind.


    I should¡¯ve stayed with the group. Should¡¯ve waited. Should¡¯ve¡ª


    No. No time for that. He had to focus. Had to find a way out of this.


    His mind raced. This thing was bigger, stronger, and judging by the way the ground creaked beneath it, probably a hell of a lot heavier. If it got a clean hit in, he was done. He needed a plan¡ªfast.


    The brute moved first, charging forward with terrifying speed. Its speed left him stunned, Raven barely had time to react as the massive mace came down with a force that sent cracks spiderwebbing across the rooftop where he had been standing. He dove to the side, rolling onto his feet as debris rained around him.


    His bow was useless without arrows. He couldn¡¯t afford to have it damaged in the fight, so he tossed it aside, hoping he¡¯d have the chance to retrieve it later. His fingers tightened around the handle of his hunting knife as he began circling, keeping his movements light and unpredictable. The brute turned with him, its sharp eyes gleaming with amusement, its thick lips curling into a sneer.


    ¡°Run, little monkey,¡± it rumbled. ¡°Makes no difference.¡±


    It moved again, swinging its weapon in a brutal arc. Raven ducked low, the air from the swing ruffling his hair as the mace passed inches from his head. The brute was fast¡ªfaster than anything that big had a right to be.


    Not good.


    Raven feinted left, then lunged in with his knife, dragging the blade across the creature¡¯s side as he passed. His blade slid across thick, leathery skin, drawing blood, but barely. The cut was shallow, insignificant. He might as well have swatted a bear with a flyswatter.


    Shit. That¡¯s not good.


    Raven backed off, breathing hard, his ribs burning with every inhale. He wasn¡¯t sure how much longer he could keep this up. Each dodge took more effort, every feint cost him more energy than he could afford to lose.


    His breath came faster, his muscles burned. He couldn''t afford to let this drag out.


    They clashed again and again¡ªRaven striking with quick, precise cuts while the brute swung with raw, overwhelming power. Each time, Raven managed to dodge, his knife carving shallow lines into the monster¡¯s hide, but nothing deep enough to truly wound it. The beast, despite its size, moved with a disturbing confidence. It was playing with him.


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    Raven tried another feint, darting to the right before twisting back to strike from the left. He had done it before, landing a few shallow cuts, but this time, the brute was ready. It didn¡¯t fall for the bait. Instead, it pivoted sharply, swinging its massive mace in a short, brutal arc.


    Raven barely saw it coming.


    The heavy iron caught him just below the ribs, not a full-force hit but enough to send him flying. Pain erupted across his torso as he crashed onto the rooftop, rolling until his back slammed against an old ventilation unit. The breath whooshed out of his lungs in a ragged gasp. His ribs screamed in protest, and he was pretty sure at least one of them was cracked.


    Agony flared through his ribs like fire, stealing his breath. His body screamed at him to stay down, to give up. For the first time, he felt real fear¡ªnot the distant kind that lurked at the edges of a fight, but the kind that gripped your lungs and refused to let go. The kind that whispered,


    This is it. This is how you die.


    Laughter rumbled from the brute¡¯s chest as it approached, each heavy step shaking the rooftop beneath them. ¡°Now I¡¯ve got you, little monkey,¡± it growled, the satisfaction in its voice making Raven¡¯s blood run cold.


    The brute lifted its mace high, both hands gripping the handle as it prepared to bring it down with bone-shattering force. Raven barely had the strength to lift his arms in defence. His knife felt laughably small in his grip, as useless as a twig against the sheer power in front of him.


    He was going to die.


    His mind reeled, flashing through everything that had led him here. The chaos, the fighting, the running. Darryl¡ªDarryl was still out there. Alone. If Raven died here, then that was it. He had no one else. Darryl had no one else. The idea of leaving him alone in this world¡ªthat hurt worse than his ribs, worse than the looming death above him.


    Move, dammit. MOVE.


    That tingling sensation, the strange current that had been with him since he had killed his first monster, surged through him like a shock of electricity. His skin prickled, and suddenly¡ª


    The sky vanished.


    The brute¡¯s snarling face was gone.


    Instead, he was staring up at the dark, dust-coated ceiling of an unfamiliar room.


    He had fallen through the rooftop. No¡ªnot fallen. He had moved through it. One second he had been staring death in the face, the next he was inside the building below, lying sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath.


    His heart pounded in his ears. His vision swam.


    Whatever just happened, it had saved him. This time.


    .


    Interlude: Uri


    Uri stood at the window on the third floor of the hospital, far removed from the chaos below. She had left the humans behind, disgusted by their panic, their fear, their failure. Her golden eyes swept over the city with detached disdain.


    Her own planet Uranus had once been considered as the Divine¡¯s cradle¡ªa potential home for the chosen race. But Asmodeus had selected this one. Terra had been tasked with its care, its guidance, its protection.


    And she had failed.


    Humanity was meant to be something greater. At their peak, they should have been near-angelic¡ªsemi-divine beings, mirrors of their creator¡¯s glory. Instead, what Uri had witnessed was a species on its knees.


    They cowered behind metal and glass. They barked orders and herded others like livestock. They clung to crumbling weapons¡ªtools already proving ineffective. Their technology, their cities, their very way of life was dying, and they remained blind to it. Soon, their tools would fail. Their weapons would break. And they would stand naked before the consequences of their own neglect.


    Uri sighed. She would follow orders. She would search for those who still walked the path. But she had little faith in what she would find.


    Below, the horde gathered. Goblins¡ªcrude and shrieking¡ªpressed against the police barricades. Metal clashed against concrete, voices rose in panic, and the line faltered.


    Then¡ªsomething shifted.


    An orc.


    Her eyes narrowed. A Tier Two manifestation. That meant the hospital sat atop a mana sink¡ªether was pooling faster than expected. Enough to support a higher species already.


    Idiots. They could have claimed this place, used the mana to empower themselves¡ªif they had remembered how.


    The orc barked orders in its harsh, guttural tongue. A commander. Uri turned to leave.


    And paused.


    Across the plaza, a man had climbed onto a rooftop. Uri¡¯s brow furrowed, curiosity threading through her disdain. That was¡­ unexpected. He carried a bow. He moved with skill. As soon as he found his perch, green skins began to fall.


    His movements were deliberate. Controlled.


    Interesting.


    Uri remained.


    The orc noticed too. It sent a squad to deal with the sniper.


    Uri shifted to a better vantage point. At the base of the fire escape, a handful of humans fled, abandoning their ally.


    Cowards.


    A flicker of something sharp twisted in her chest¡ªanger, or something older? Something like pity, edged with rage.


    They deserved what was coming.


    But the man stayed. He fought. He chose to hold the line.


    Uri watched closely.


    When his arrows ran dry, he destroyed the ladder, sacrificing his escape to kill more of the enemy.


    Then came the brute.


    A Tier Two.


    It leapt. Landed.


    Uri folded her arms, her lips pressed into a tight line. This was the end. No Tier One mortal could stand against a Tier Two.


    Yet¡ªhe did.


    He resisted. He fought with everything he had.


    When the deciding blow came, Uri felt something strange. A pang. Regret?


    She clenched her fists. She was forbidden to intervene.


    Then¡ª


    He vanished.


    She was not meant to feel hope. Yet here it was¡ªquiet, uninvited.


    She extended her senses.


    He was inside the building.


    No collapse. No fall. No impact.


    One moment he was there. The next¡ªgone.


    Uri¡¯s breath caught.


    That wasn¡¯t evasion. That wasn¡¯t speed.


    That was space magic.


    Impossible.


    There wasn¡¯t enough ether in this realm to awaken such a gift. Unless...


    Unless it was inherent.


    Her decision was immediate. This one wasn¡¯t like the others. She would test him¡ªdirectly, without veil or delay.


    A warrior¡¯s worth was not measured in victories. Only in pain.


    Would he endure?


    Or would he break like the rest?

 Chapter 9. Magic Isnt Magic

    Chapter 9: Magic Isn''t Magic


    Raven groaned, wincing as pain flared across his ribs. His entire body ached like he¡¯d been trampled by a damn elephant. Pushing himself up, he slumped against the wall, taking shallow breaths to keep from aggravating his bruised¡ªif not broken¡ªribs.


    "Fuck¡­ that hurt."


    His thoughts were sluggish, weighed down by exhaustion, but something nagged at the edge of his mind¡ªa pull, subtle yet insistent. It wasn¡¯t physical, but something deeper, something lodged within his very being. His Grimoire.


    It called to him.


    With a grimace, Raven lifted his hand, and the book materialized in his palm with a faint pulse of warmth, as if relieved to be acknowledged. He flipped it open, his eyes immediately drawn to the crest.


    The pictograph stared back at him¡ªthe simple image of a man walking into a wall.


    Raven frowned. He had dismissed it earlier, but now, something about it gnawed at him. He traced a finger over the design, studying the way the figure leaned forward, arms relaxed, stride confident.


    "Wait¡­"


    A spark of realization struck like a lightning bolt.


    "He¡¯s not walking into the wall¡­ he¡¯s walking through it."


    The moment the thought clicked, the page turned. On a new page, the pictograph formed at the top, and bold, inky script emerged beneath¡ªas if the book had been waiting for him to understand. On a new page, a pictograph formed at the top, and bold, inky script appeared beneath¡ªas if the book had been waiting for him to understand.


    Skill Acquired: Phase.


    Raven stared. His mind blanked for a long second before his brain caught up.


    "I can do magic, I have magic."


    The words left his lips in a breathless whisper, equal parts wonder and disbelief.


    A scoff echoed through the room, light and mocking, breaking through Raven¡¯s stunned revelation.


    "You can do magic, but you don¡¯t have magic," a musical voice corrected, carrying the distinct air of someone calling out an idiot.


    Raven¡¯s head snapped up, eyes locking onto the source of the voice. Standing a few feet away, leaning against a dusty counter with arms crossed, was a woman unlike any he had ever seen. Her light cyan hair cascaded past her shoulders, catching the dim light in an almost ethereal way. She had an amused smirk, golden eyes studying him as if he were some fascinating experiment that had just yielded unexpected results.


    Raven blinked, his brain catching up a second too late. Where the hell did she come from? He was sure there had been no one in the room when he fell through the roof. His adrenaline-fueled instincts kicked in, his muscles tensing as he shifted to a guarded position.


    "Who the hell are you?" he demanded, wariness creeping into his tone. "And where did you even come from?"


    The woman rolled her eyes, pushing off the counter with lazy grace. "Typical," she muttered. "No thanks, no appreciation, just immediate suspicion. You¡¯re welcome, by the way."


    Raven scowled. "Thanks for what exactly?"


    "For teaching you the difference between having magic and using magic, dumbass."


    Her smirk widened at the twitch in his jaw.


    Uri sighed, shaking her head in mock disappointment. "I suppose I should show some mercy to the clueless," she muttered before gesturing vaguely at the air around them. "Listen up, because I won¡¯t repeat myself. What you¡¯re sensing, that tingling in your skin, the pull in your chest? That¡¯s ether, not magic."


    Raven¡¯s brow furrowed. "Ether? So¡­ I don¡¯t actually have magic?"


    Uri clicked her tongue. "Exactly. Magic is just a word for what happens when you shape ether into something useful. What you just did?" She pointed at the spot where he had fallen through the ceiling. "That wasn¡¯t magic. That was you panicking and accidentally manipulating ether in the most primitive way possible."


    Raven bristled at the smugness in her tone. "So you¡¯re telling me I don¡¯t have magic, but I can do magic? That¡¯s the dumbest thing I¡¯ve ever heard."


    Uri smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Not as dumb as almost getting your skull caved in because you forgot to check what your grimoire actually does before running off into battle." She took a step closer, golden eyes glinting with something between amusement and exasperation. "Your Grimoire represents the way you interact with ether. It gives you access to skills, but it¡¯s still up to you to use them properly."


    Raven¡¯s fingers clenched around his book. "So what, I can just¡­ decide to phase through walls now?"


    "More or less," Uri replied with a shrug. "Assuming you don¡¯t phase yourself straight into solid stone and die like an absolute moron."


    Raven inhaled sharply through his nose, forcing down the frustration bubbling in his chest. He was exhausted, his body ached, and now he had to deal with her? The mysterious, insufferably smug woman who had appeared out of nowhere, talked down to him like he was a child, and acted like he should be grateful for the lecture.


    "Who the hell are you, anyway?" He asked again, jaw tight.


    Uri considered him. She saw a spark¡ªsomething that reaffirmed her suspicions that he might be worth something. "You can call me Uri. You are?"


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    Raven exhaled sharply, his exhaustion clawing at the edges of his patience. "Raven," he said grudgingly, disliking the way she looked at him with that ever-present air of superiority.


    Uri hummed as if tasting the name. Raven¡¯s lip twitched at the sound¡ªdismissive, like she was already judging him and finding him wanting.. "Well, Raven, it''s good to see you¡¯re at least capable of basic introductions."


    Raven barely suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. As much as he wanted to argue, time was slipping away. A gnawing sense of urgency gripped him¡ªDarryl. He had been unconscious for too long, and Darryl had been left alone in a shop, poisoned and defenceless.


    His breath hitched. Shit.


    "I''m done with this conversation," he said abruptly, pushing himself fully to his feet. Pain flared in his ribs, but he ignored it, forcing his body to move. "I have somewhere I need to be."


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and limped his way out of the room, making his way to the staircase leading to the ground floor. He paused only briefly at the doorway, scanning the street below. It was quiet¡ªtoo quiet. The usual sounds of distant chaos still echoed through the city, but this block seemed oddly abandoned.


    Raven stepped into the doorway. He peered into the alley, eyes scanning for movement, a dull ache in his ribs reminded him just how badly he had been beaten. Exhaustion weighed heavily on his limbs, and though his injuries throbbed with each breath, the pain was different now¡ªless sharp, more of a lingering bruise than the breaks he had initially feared.


    Ignoring the exhaustion weighing down his limbs, Raven pushed forward, forcing himself to move. He focused on one thought¡ªfinding Darryl. Ignoring the way his chest ached with each breath and staying low, he slipped out the back entrance of the building, each step measured, purposeful. As he retraced his path through the dimly lit streets, his heart pounded harder with every step, an urgent drumbeat driving him forward.


    Uri followed.


    She didn''t speak. She didn¡¯t offer help. She simply watched; her gaze unreadable as she kept pace with him. Raven ignored her, the growing weight in his chest making it hard to focus on anything but reaching Darryl.


    When he finally arrived at the spot, dread settled like ice in his veins.


    Darryl was pale¡ªtoo pale. Raven¡¯s stomach tightened as he took in the sight, a spike of fear lodging in his chest before he even reached for him. His skin, once weathered and tough, now looked clammy, a sickly sheen of sweat covering his brow. His breathing was shallow, each rise and fall of his chest slow and uneven. Raven felt his stomach drop as he knelt beside him, his hands gripping his godfather¡¯s shoulders.


    ¡°Darryl?¡± he called, shaking him lightly. ¡°Hey¡ªwake up, old man. Come on.¡±


    No response.


    Frantic, he pulled at the bandage wrapped around Darryl¡¯s wound. The fabric was damp with sweat and streaked with darkened blood, but it wasn¡¯t the wound itself that made Raven¡¯s blood run cold¡ªit was the lines.


    Black, spidering veins had crept further across Darryl¡¯s chest, now spreading past his collarbone, inching toward his heart.


    ¡°No, no, no,¡± Raven muttered, pressing his fingers against Darryl¡¯s neck, searching for a pulse. It was faint¡ªbarely there¡ªbut it was still beating. ¡°You¡¯re not dying. You¡¯re not dying.¡±


    A whisper, almost too quiet to catch, slipped from behind him.


    ¡°Thrak venom.¡±


    Raven¡¯s head snapped around. His sharp gaze locked onto Uri, who was watching Darryl with an expression he couldn¡¯t quite place¡ªsomething between detachment and reluctant understanding.


    ¡°What did you just say?¡± he demanded, voice harsh.


    Uri hesitated, and for the first time since meeting her, Raven saw a flicker of conflict cross her golden eyes.


    She exhaled through her nose, then repeated, ¡°Thrak venom.¡±


    His gut twisted. ¡°The hell is a Thrak?¡±


    ¡°A type of spider,¡± Uri said, her voice almost too casual. ¡°Nasty little things. Their venom doesn¡¯t kill instantly¡ªit weakens, cripples. If left untreated, the heart fails within a day.¡±


    A day?


    Raven¡¯s vision blurred at the edges, a deep, suffocating panic sinking its claws into his chest. ¡°You knew,¡± he snarled, fists clenching. ¡°You knew what was happening to him, and you said nothing?¡±


    Uri¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line, her gaze shifting away.


    Raven¡¯s anger exploded. ¡°You¡ªyou know how to fix this, don¡¯t you? There¡¯s a cure, right? Right?!¡±


    Silence.


    Uri didn¡¯t move, didn¡¯t flinch. But she didn¡¯t answer, either.


    That was answer enough.


    Raven took a step toward her, his whole body shaking with fury. ¡°If you know how to help him and you¡¯re just choosing not to¡ª¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t help him.¡±


    Her words cut through his rage like a blade. The way she said it¡ªit wasn¡¯t indifference. It was something heavier. Final.


    Raven¡¯s breath hitched. "Why?"


    Uri¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but something in her gaze darkened. ¡°I just can''t.¡±


    She was forbidden, she had always been forbidden.


    His fists clenched. ¡°That¡¯s bullshit.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s the truth,¡± she said quietly.


    Raven didn¡¯t care. He couldn¡¯t care. Darryl was dying in front of him, and this bitch¡ªthis woman who knew what was happening¡ªwas just standing there, doing nothing.


    Fury crackled like wildfire in his chest. It burned hot and bright, but beneath the rage, helplessness festered¡ªa cruel, silent truth he couldn¡¯t punch, shoot, or scream away. ¡°Then what good are you?¡± he spat. ¡°What¡¯s the point of you being here if you won¡¯t do anything?¡±


    Uri looked away.


    Raven saw the guilt in her expression.


    And that was what made it worse.


    Because she wanted to help.


    But she wouldn¡¯t.


    His nails dug into his palms, breath coming in sharp bursts. The world felt too small, too tight¡ªlike it was closing in on him, squeezing the air from his lungs. His entire body trembled with rage, with helplessness, with something deeper, something colder.


    A sound broke through the fog of his fury.


    A breath.


    A final, shallow inhale.


    Then¡ªnothing.


    Raven turned sharply, his heart plummeting into his stomach.


    Darryl¡¯s chest had stilled.


    His lips parted, as if he were about to say something¡ªbut no sound came.


    No breath.


    No movement.


    Just silence.


    The world froze, the sounds outside seeming to fade for a moment.


    Something inside Raven cracked, then shattered.


    He reached forward, shaking Darryl¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Darryl?¡± His voice was hoarse, broken. ¡°Come on, old man¡ªwake up. Please.¡±


    Nothing.


    The void that had opened inside of him yawned wider, threatening to consume everything.


    Raven¡¯s breathing was shallow, uneven. His hands felt numb. His chest felt hollow.


    Something had died in that moment.


    And it wasn¡¯t just Darryl.


    Uri watched in silence.


    Her golden eyes locked onto the boy kneeling beside the fallen man.


    Something shifted in him. She had seen many things in her existence, had witnessed countless moments of loss, grief, and suffering¡ªbut what she saw in Raven was different. It wasn¡¯t just the weight of despair that settled in his shoulders, nor was it the raw, aching pain that contorted his face. No, it was something deeper, something colder.


    The death of something innocent.


    A stillness formed in his soul, a chilling, hollow emptiness that even she, an angel who had spent centuries observing, felt uneasy witnessing. She had suspected from the moment she laid eyes on him that he was different. That he could be guided onto the path. That perhaps, just perhaps, he could be what her god had sought all along.


    But in this moment, she feared.


    She feared that this was the moment where he would stray.


    Where he would step away from the path entirely.


    She had seen men break before, had witnessed countless mortals crumble under grief. But this... this was different. The air around him felt... wrong. A shift. A fracture. And though she had done nothing to cause it, a weight settled in her chest, whispering that she had.


    Guilt coiled in her stomach like a snake.


    Had her presence caused this? Had her refusal to act pushed him over the edge?


    She wanted to tell him that she hadn¡¯t chosen to let Darryl die¡ªthat it wasn¡¯t indifference, but powerlessness that bound her.


    But what good would that do?


    Uri tightened her grip around her arms, forcing her expression into something neutral. She could do nothing now but watch¡ªand hope that his soul would recover before it became tarnished forever.

 Chapter 10. Rage

    Chapter 10: Rage


    Raven stood frozen, his breath shallow, his hands clenched so tightly his nails bit into his palms. The rooftop. The brute. The flicker of power. It was all still fresh in his bones.. The world around him blurred, his vision tunnelling until the only thing left was the still body in front of him. Darryl, his last family¡ªwas gone.


    A hollow silence settled inside him.


    Then, something deeper, something colder, began to spread.


    His grief didn¡¯t come in waves. It didn¡¯t overwhelm him like a flood. Instead, it solidified, a pit of lead sinking into his chest, crushing everything else beneath it. The sorrow, the helplessness¡ªit all burned away, leaving behind something raw, something primal.


    Rage.


    A sharp breath hissed through his teeth. His body moved before his mind caught up, his feet carrying him toward the door, his fingers gripping his knife so hard the leather-wrapped hilt creaked beneath his grasp.


    "Raven, stop," Uri''s voice cut through the haze, sharp and commanding. She moved forward, her golden eyes narrowed with concern. "You are not thinking clearly¡ª"


    "Shut up."


    The words came out flat, emotionless. He didn''t look at her, didn''t stop, didn''t hesitate.


    Uri reached out, as if to physically stop him, but the look in his eyes¡ªempty yet burning with something terrible¡ªmade her hesitate.


    "Don''t do this," she tried again, softer this time, stepping into his path. "You think revenge will fix this?"


    "Not revenge," Raven murmured, voice hollow as he pushed past her. "Justice."


    Then, he was gone.


    Uri let out a frustrated sigh but didn¡¯t follow immediately. She watched instead, knowing that nothing she said would reach him now. Whatever had shattered inside him, it wasn¡¯t something words could fix. Not yet.


    Raven stalked the streets like a predator hunting its prey. His footsteps were eerily silent, his body moving without thought, guided by the all-consuming need to kill. The city was eerily quiet, but he knew they were still here.


    He would find them.


    And he would end them.


    A goblin skittered into view, dragging a crude blade behind it. It barely had time to register his presence before his knife was buried in its throat, severing flesh and muscle. He tore it free with a savage yank, the creature gurgling as it collapsed, twitching.


    The kill didn¡¯t satisfy him.


    He wanted more.


    Without waiting, he moved on, his heart pounding with something far worse than adrenaline. Another figure stumbled into his path¡ªa reptilian creature, its head tilting in confusion.


    It never got the chance to react.


    Raven lunged, his knife slicing through the creature''s scaly hide. It screeched, claws raking at his arm, but he didn''t feel it. He didn¡¯t care. He tore the blade across its throat and moved before the body even hit the ground.


    He was relentless.


    A monster.


    A force of nature born from grief and fury.


    Uri followed from a distance, unseen, her expression grim.


    She had seen creatures lose themselves before. She had seen warriors break under the weight of loss.


    But this?


    This was different.


    This was not the path her god had intended for humanity. Rage was a tool, a force meant to drive warriors forward, not consume them whole. But Raven¡ªhe was slipping, stepping closer to something dangerous, something that could not be undone. If he could not find his way back, if he let this darkness take root, she would have no choice but to abandon him. And if he became a threat to the balance, to the world her god had set in motion, she might even be forced to stand against him.


    The deeper Raven pushed into the city, the thicker the monsters became. What had started as a hunt quickly turned into a desperate battle for survival.


    At first, they came in small groups¡ªlone goblins skulking through alleyways, a lizard lingering near the ruins of a shattered car. Each fell swiftly beneath his blade, their bodies crumpling to the pavement as he struck again and again, his muscles moving on instinct, his fury sharpening his reactions. But the thrill of the hunt, the burn of vengeance¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough. Not yet.


    He needed more.


    And more found him.


    As he neared the main road leading toward the hospital, clusters of goblins patrolled in packs, some wielding slings while others clutched crude clubs. The monsters were becoming organized.


    Raven didn¡¯t care.


    He charged headfirst into another pack, his knife finding weak spots in green flesh. Blood¡ªthick, dark, and reeking of something unnatural¡ªspattered across his arms and clothes as he tore through them. A goblin¡¯s blade grazed his thigh. He barely registered the pain, lost in the haze of the fight.


    But even as he fought, even as he cut them down with ruthless efficiency, they kept coming.


    For every beast he struck down, two more seemed to take its place.


    And for the first time since his rampage began, a whisper of something unfamiliar crept into the edges of his mind.


    This¡­ isn¡¯t working.


    A heavy breath tore from his chest as he staggered back, his muscles screaming, his grip tightening around his knife as he forced himself to keep moving. His body was slowing, exhaustion creeping through his limbs, dragging at him like chains.


    He knew how this ended.


    If he kept going, he would fall.


    If he fell, he would die.


    Uri appeared before him in a flicker of movement, stepping into his path, her expression unreadable.


    ¡°Enough,¡± she commanded, her golden eyes searching his face.


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    He bared his teeth, rage flaring hot once more. "Get out of my way."


    "No," she said simply, tilting her head. "You¡¯re going to get yourself killed."


    "Then I die fighting."


    Uri narrowed her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not justice. That¡¯s stupidity.¡±


    He growled low in his throat, barely able to think past the pounding in his skull. The urge to lash out, to cut her down like the monsters before, was terrifyingly real. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to still.


    Uri took a single step forward, her voice dropping lower. ¡°Do you want to die?¡±


    Silence stretched between them, thick with tension.


    Then, through the haze, Raven¡¯s eyes flickered to something in the distance.


    A figure.


    Towering, broad-shouldered, moving with purpose through the scattered goblins that lurked between ruined vehicles.


    The big bastard from before.


    The brute.


    The monster that had thrown him around like a ragdoll, the one that had left him broken and gasping for air.


    Raven¡¯s heart pounded as he locked onto his target.


    This wasn¡¯t over. He had another purpose. Another fight.


    And a rematch.


    The rage shifted, sharpened into something colder. More focused.


    He took a step back.


    Then another.


    Uri watched him carefully, waiting to see what he would do.


    Finally, he turned.


    Not toward her.


    Not toward the endless waves of lesser monsters.


    But toward him.


    The brute.


    His real prey.


    Uri exhaled slowly, the tension easing from her posture.


    Perhaps there was still a chance to pull him back from the edge.


    Perhaps.


    The brute had seen Raven and anticipated the rematch as much as he did. A cruel grin split its thick lips, revealing jagged, yellowed teeth. It slammed its mace against the ground, sending cracks through the pavement as a challenge, then raised its arm and bellowed something guttural.


    To Raven¡¯s surprise, the surrounding goblins hesitated before retreating, scattering back into alleyways and side streets. They didn¡¯t run out of fear but rather obeyed a direct order. The brute wanted this fight for itself.


    Raven didn¡¯t care.


    He stepped forward without hesitation, his grip tightening around his knife. Every muscle in his body ached, every wound throbbed with dull agony, but none of it mattered. His mind was locked onto one thing¡ªkilling the monster in front of him.


    His rage made him reckless.


    Raven broke into a sprint, charging the brute with a snarl. The beast responded in kind, lifting its mace and swinging in a devastating downward arc.


    He barely twisted out of the way in time.


    The weapon struck the ground where he had been a fraction of a second ago, stone and dust erupting in all directions. Raven pivoted and slashed as he passed, his knife biting deep into the brute¡¯s thigh, carving through thick muscle. The monster grunted in pain but didn¡¯t stagger, its eyes narrowing in irritation rather than fear.


    It sensed the difference.


    Raven wasn¡¯t afraid.


    The last time they fought, he had been desperate, barely holding on. Now? Now he was here for blood.


    The brute took a more defensive stance, circling cautiously, its grin fading. It swung again, this time in a brutal horizontal arc meant to cleave him in two. Raven ducked, rolling beneath the swing, lashing out with another quick slash along the monster¡¯s ribs. Another wound, but still not enough.


    The beast was stronger, tougher. The cuts barely slowed it down.


    The fight pressed on, an exchange of strikes and dodges, each testing the other¡¯s endurance. Raven was faster, his agility keeping him alive, but he was tiring. The brute, despite its wounds, showed no sign of slowing.


    And then, Raven made a mistake.


    He feinted left, expecting the brute to overcommit to its swing. Instead, it anticipated his movement, twisting its massive frame and catching him mid-dodge with a clenched fist. The blow was glancing, but it sent him reeling, pain flaring in his ribs as he spun onto the pavement.


    A shadow loomed over him.


    "Now, little man," the brute rumbled, lifting its weapon for a final strike.


    Raven''s mind screamed at him to move, but his body was sluggish, the exhaustion of his rampage finally catching up.


    No. Not like this.


    Darryl''s face flashed in his mind.


    The feeling¡ªthe tingling sensation that had been with him ever since that first kill¡ªflared stronger than ever.


    Raven let it take him.


    He pushed off of the ground and at the beast, one second watching the mace fall towards him at staggering speed.


    The next, he was behind the brute, blinking in shock as the monster''s swing smashed into the empty street where he''d just been.


    He had moved¡ªno, phased. Just like when he fell through the roof.


    Instinct took over.


    Raven struck behind him, driving his knife into the back of the brute¡¯s neck.


    The beast let out a strangled snarl, staggering forward, thick blood spilling down its back.


    For the first time, the brute showed real pain.


    And Raven, despite his exhaustion, smiled.


    Raven filled with renewed vigour;


    His exhaustion pushed aside by the sheer exhilaration of knowing he was gaining control over this strange ability. The brute, however, was far from finished. It shook off the pain like an afterthought, its beady eyes burning with pure hatred as it turned on him once more.


    The fight was far from over.


    Raven didn¡¯t hesitate. He lunged, phasing through the brute¡¯s counterstrike without thought, his skill responding as if it had always been a part of him. His blade flashed, carving another deep line across thick, leathery muscle. It roared, twisting to retaliate, but he was already gone, slipping through its reach as if he were a ghost. Every time the brute swung, he would shift, his form flickering just out of range before reappearing at a different angle, his knife biting deep.


    Again and again, he attacked, slicing through thick flesh, carving wounds into the beast¡¯s body. It should have been enough. Any normal creature would have collapsed from blood loss by now.


    But this thing refused to fall.


    The brute bled from a dozen wounds, its movements slowing, its breath coming in ragged huffs¡ªbut still, it fought. Still, it endured.


    Raven could feel himself weakening, the toll of his relentless assault catching up with him. His vision swam at the edges, his limbs growing heavier with every passing second. He had been burning through whatever power allowed him to phase without even realizing it.


    Then, the brute made its move.


    It swung wide with its mace, an obvious feint meant to make Raven phase instinctively. He did.


    And then everything went wrong.


    A crushing wave of exhaustion slammed into him, dragging him down like a weight sinking into the abyss. His limbs turned sluggish, his breath ragged, his mind screaming at him to move¡ªbut his body refused. A second too slow. The brute¡¯s fist met his ribs, and the world shattered into white-hot pain.


    Raven hit the ground hard, pain detonating through his ribs like a sledgehammer strike. His breath vanished, stolen by the impact, leaving him gasping, his vision spinning in a disorienting blur.


    Shit.


    His phase had failed.


    Something was wrong¡ªhe could feel it in his core, like he had drained whatever energy allowed him to shift through the world. He had nothing left.


    The brute, seeing its chance, let out a guttural laugh. ¡°Little man¡­ done running?¡±


    It stomped toward him, its bloodied form still towering, still unbroken.


    Raven gritted his teeth, struggling to push himself up. His body screamed in protest, but he had no choice. He had to end this.


    Think.


    His exhausted mind clawed for an answer, anything. His eyes darted to the wall behind him¡ªthe very place he''d slammed into moments ago. A realization slithered through the fog of pain, reckless and electric.


    Then, it clicked. He hadn¡¯t just been phasing himself¡ªhe¡¯d been pulling things with him, dragging matter through the veil like it was second nature.


    He had been phasing his clothes. His dagger.


    He had been phasing objects this entire time.


    A new thought formed. A reckless, desperate thought.


    The brute lifted its mace and charged, ready to deliver the killing blow.


    Raven moved.


    Ducking to the side and springing back at the beast using its own momentum to push it into the wall.


    He threw himself at the beast, pain and exhaustion drowned beneath sheer desperation. Their bodies collided, the impact reverberating through his bones as the brute staggered, unprepared for the sudden force.


    Raven grabbed hold of its thick arm, his fingers locking around its skin.


    And then he willed it.


    Not himself.


    Not his weapon.


    But the monster.


    For the first time, he tried to phase something beyond himself.


    There was a pull, a violent sensation in his core, like something was being ripped from him.


    The brute¡¯s roar twisted into something primal, something unnatural. Its body convulsed, its limbs flailing wildly as it felt itself being consumed¡ªswallowed by the unyielding embrace of the wall. It bared jagged teeth in a silent, panicked snarl, clawing at the stone, trying to pull itself free. But there was no escape. No way out. Just the slow, inevitable realization of what was happening.


    Raven let go.


    The effect reversed instantly. The brute solidified once more¡ªbut it was too late.


    Its torso, shoulders, and one arm were trapped inside the wall.


    It let out a strangled roar, its free arm clawing, its legs kicking uselessly as it thrashed, panic overtaking its rage.


    Raven staggered back, barely able to stay on his feet.


    It wasn¡¯t dead.


    But it was finished.


    He moved forward, his knife trembling in his grip, his vision dark at the edges. He barely felt his own body as he pressed the blade to the struggling beast¡¯s throat.


    A deep breath.


    Then, he dragged the knife across its flesh.


    The brute gurgled, its massive body jerking one last time.


    Then, it went still. Raven stood over it, chest heaving, blood-soaked and barely upright. It was over¡ªbut he wasn¡¯t sure what he had become to win.


    The world around him blurred. His limbs felt impossibly heavy.


    He swayed.


    The world twisted, his vision warping at the edges. The last thing he saw was the brute¡¯s lifeless eyes, frozen in terror. Then, darkness swallowed him and now even the rage was gone.

 Chapter 11. Awake

    Chapter 1: Reckoning


    Midnight struck, and the world fell silent.


    Across the globe, humanity collapsed into unconsciousness, their bodies limp where they lay. Cars drifted to a halt. Planes coasted on dead engines, somehow finding their way to the ground by no known means. The hum of civilization stuttered into eerie stillness. Cities once alive with neon and noise turned into graveyards of the unknowing, their people locked in stillness.


    Humanity shared a single dream: Asmodeus stood before each of them.


    Asmodeus was not bound to a single form. They appeared as a figure wreathed in luminous radiance, shifting with the perceptions of those who beheld them. Some saw a god of flame and fury, others a celestial judge, and to a rare few, a shadow looming at the edge of comprehension, too great for mortal minds to grasp. Their voice did not speak¡ªit resonated, a declaration within the soul.


    "My children, how you have strayed."


    The words carried the weight of millennia, reverberating through the very essence of those who heard them.


    "You were given the gift of strength, yet you have let your bodies wither. You were given the virtue of honour, yet you have forsaken it for deception and greed. You were given the bond of kinship, yet you stand divided, worshipping wealth and power."


    Asmodeus¡¯ gaze pierced through them, through their illusions, their pretences, down to the bare core of what they truly were. Few met that gaze with defiance. Most quailed under its judgment.


    In his dream, Porter stared defiantly into the god¡¯s eyes. His life had never been easy, and he had no patience for judgment¡ªleast of all from some divine intruder. That defiance wasn¡¯t born of courage but of hardened pride, of years spent surviving on his own terms. He condemned the god¡¯s arrogance, resenting its presence in his mind. When he woke, he would return to his life unchanged, doing as he pleased, just as he always had.


    "The reckoning has come. You will prove yourselves worthy of the path intended for you¡­ or you will be erased."


    The vision shattered.


    As dawn¡¯s first light touched the horizon, the world awoke. Confusion and terror spread like wildfire. People gasped for breath, hands clutching at their chests as if they had forgotten how to draw air.


    Some screamed, others wept. A great many simply sat in stunned silence, the weight of the dream lingering like a phantom upon their souls.


    And then they saw them.


    The grimoires.


    Resting beside every man, woman, and child lay a tome, its cover untouched by earthly materials. It bore no weight, yet pressing it against one¡¯s chest sent warmth through the body, an undeniable connection to something beyond the self.


    Each grimoire was unique, shaped by the essence of the soul it belonged to. Some covers shimmered like polished obsidian, others pulsed with soft, rhythmic light, and some bore intricate designs etched into leather that felt both ancient and new. The text within, unreadable at first glance, seemed alive¡ªshifting subtly, as if responding to the bearer¡¯s presence.


    Some, driven by curiosity, fear, or awe, opened their books as if under compulsion.


    Others tried to discard them, only to feel a searing pain, as if part of their very soul was being torn away, compelling them to hold on.


    Within the mostly blank pages, the same words could be found greeting them all:


    Find strength in self, find honour on the path forward, and find company in those walking beside you.


    With these words came a feeling¡ªan echo of what walking Asmodeus¡¯s intended path once felt like. A life of purpose, where strength meant more than survival; it was the means to shape one¡¯s destiny. Honour was the foundation on which civilizations had stood¡ªa bond of trust unbroken by greed.


    To walk the path was to reject complacency, to face the raw challenge of life, and to rediscover lost unity. It was never meant to be easy, but for those who embraced it, there was power, meaning, and something far richer than the hollow comfort of their old lives.


    As humanity stared at their grimoires, absorbing the message within, the sky erupted.


    Across the horizon, ribbons of ethereal light fractured the heavens, cascading down in waves of shifting colour. Then, like falling stars, motes of light rained toward the earth, dissolving into everything they touched¡ªthe air, the water, the very bones of the world.


    Before comprehension could take root, a change began to take hold within them. A subtle, almost imperceptible shift.


    A dull ache, long accepted as a part of life, seemed to ease. The weary felt a clarity they had not known in years. The sick took deeper breaths. Those living with long-ignored injuries found their pain strangely faded.


    It was not a miraculous healing¡ªyet. But it was a beginning. A whisper of restoration. A promise of what was to come.


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    The ether rain did not soak the earth but passed through all it touched, sinking into the land, the rivers, the very bones of the world¡ªand fading from view.


    As humanity took a collective breath, the world itself shifted. The skies, long tainted by smog and artificial light, deepened into an untouched abyss of velvet black, stars glimmering with an intensity unseen in millennia.


    The air, once thick with the scent of industry and decay, began to clear, growing crisp and pure¡ªa forgotten sensation creeping into the lungs of the awakening masses. Grass, dulled and trampled beneath the weight of civilization, pulsed with life, new shoots rising where only concrete had stood. Trees shuddered, their leaves regaining colour, waking from a long slumber to drink deep of the energy now filling the dawn.


    Invisible to humanity, motes of ether began gathering in pools across the world. In forgotten ruins, sacred sites, and relics where history clung to the present, something stirred. Old stones pulsed with faint warmth, long-eroded carvings began to glow, and whispers of ancient magic slipped through cracks in time, eager to be heard again.


    As the ether fell and pools began collecting, movement stirred. Shapes began to emerge, clawing their way into existence.


    Small and few at first¡ªin some places little green-skinned humanoids, barely taller than a child, gripped crude weapons in their clawed hands, their beady eyes darting in all directions as if expecting attack at any moment. In others, reptilian creatures rose, standing hunched but balanced on two legs, flicking forked tongues through razor teeth as if tasting the air around them, their scaled hides shifting colour slightly as they moved, blending into the dim light. In the shadows of the ether pools, other creatures lurked¡ªthings that had no name, warped remnants of past failures, skittering into nearby shadows as if afraid to be seen.


    They stepped onto the earth with instinctive wariness, their predatory eyes scanning their new domain. Asmodeus''s failures had been given another chance to rise, just as humanity had.


    The cycle had never allowed second chances before, yet here they stood, revived by the returning ether. Would they prove themselves worthy of survival, or would they fall once again into oblivion?


    Their presence was both a warning and a test¡ªa reminder that this world was no longer solely humanity¡¯s to claim.


    Across the world, there was a minute pause and suddenly every grimoire in existence vanished, flowing into their owners. As if a signal had been given, all hell broke loose.


    Among those waking, some found meaning in the words they had received. In a church on the edge of a rundown town, a devout priest resumed his sermon, calming his flock as he declared this moment to be the rapture. Clutching their chests where the lights had vanished, the congregation listened in awe as he proclaimed the fulfilment of prophecy: "The good shall be saved and the wicked punished." To them, this was divine judgment¡ªthe true word of God.


    Draped in ceremonial robes, the priest instinctively resummoned his grimoire and raised it high. "All who follow the sacred word within their books will be chosen for the new world!" he cried. "The unbelievers must listen! The path has been set!" His followers echoed his words, their numbers swelling as desperate souls flooded the church, seeking certainty and shelter in the growing chaos.


    People ran in terror. Some banding together. Social structures, though shaken, held firm in those first moments. Strangers pulled one another from the ground, parents clutched their children close, and communities instinctively sought safety in numbers. There were cries, there was fear, and, in some cases, there was cruelty, as those who barely tolerated or functioned in society began testing the bounds of this new reality. Order had not fully collapsed, not yet, but the true test of human nature would be ongoing.


    As more and more monsters appeared, some, in foolish curiosity, approached these strange beings, seeking to communicate or understand. Among them, an influencer, dazed but determined, clutched her lifeless phone. Frustration etched across her face as she desperately tapped the screen, trying in vain to stream, to reach an audience that no longer existed. When the device refused to function, she turned to a reptilian creature nearby, its head tilted in clear curiosity. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll go viral,¡± she muttered to the creature, voice faltering beneath the joke. The creature¡¯s response was swift¡ªa guttural hiss, followed by a snap of jagged teeth that sent the influencer stumbling back in terror before she scrambled away, her bravado dissolving into terror.


    Meanwhile, others, driven by primal fear or bravado, struck out¡ªgrabbing makeshift weapons and charging headlong into the chaos. One such soul, a fighter fresh from his dojo, woke to the dream¡¯s remnants still echoing in his ears. Unlike many, he didn¡¯t hesitate. The moment his eyes locked onto a green-skinned creature creeping too close, his stance shifted instinctively. Years of discipline took over as he tested his skills against a foe that, moments ago, had only existed in fiction. His first strike sent the creature stumbling back. Its retaliation came fast¡ªits blade sliced the air where his throat had been.


    The fight was real. And for the first time, he understood what it meant to be truly tested.


    Seeing the goblin meant to kill him, the man stepped in, kicked its arm, and sent the blade flying. He spun through the motion, following through with a full-circle kick that cracked the creature¡¯s neck with a brutal snap. As it crumpled, the fighter felt a surge of exaltation¡ªsomething raw and powerful flowed into him. As he turned to survey the chaos around him, a grin split his face.


    He was enjoying this new reality.


    As the sun continued to rise, blood flowed as a war for survival unfolded on streets that had recently known peace.


    Amongst the chaos, people gathered into large groups and began seeking shelter. The more alert individuals started looting supplies before the situation could worsen.


    The monsters did not remain isolated to the pools for long. Some ventured forth, exploring the new world around them and attacking anything unfamiliar. Others fell back on old instincts, gathering with more of their kind¡ªa small semblance of intelligence apparent.


    In less than an hour, a civilization built over thousands of years, already teetering from its unnatural slumber, began to break apart. As humanity faltered, nature surged forward. Cities bowed to the encroaching wild¡ªtrees cracked pavement, vines overtook buildings, and rivers shimmered with ether-cleansed purity.


    Law enforcement and governments scrambled to maintain control. Technology, once humanity¡¯s pillar of dominance, faltered. Power grids flickered, devices failed, and the spread of ether quietly dismantled the foundations of the old world.


    Glass cracked in towering skyscrapers, the steel beneath them groaning under unseen pressure. Cars sat lifeless in the streets, their synthetic parts degrading unnaturally. The world had been built to defy nature¡ªbut nature had never forgotten. Roots grew long and deep, vines climbed streetlights, and once-polluted waters began to clear as ether seeped into every crevice of the earth.


    Alliances formed and crumbled within hours. Some sought to restore order, while others embraced the chaos, taking what they could before the rules of the past fully dissolved.


    The Reckoning was here, and humanity''s first trial had just begun.

 Chapter 12. The Seed Core

    Chapter 12: The Seed Core


    Raven turned the small stone over in his palm, feeling the oddly polished surface, slick and cold like glass smoothed by running water. He had picked it up in desperation, hoping it might help Darryl. Now, it was just another mystery in a world that refused to make sense. He glanced at Uri, who stood watching him with that ever-present unreadable expression.


    ¡°You clearly know something,¡± he muttered, shifting his grip on the stone. ¡°What is it?¡±


    Uri flicked a finger toward it dismissively. ¡°A trait stone. It¡¯s a crystallization of a creature¡¯s nature, solidified through ether.¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°You¡¯re saying monsters drop these?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes,¡± Uri corrected. ¡°They only form if there¡¯s enough ether in the area. But even then, they¡¯re¡­ lesser. They don¡¯t hold the same depth as inherent traits.¡±


    His eyes narrowed. ¡°Lesser how?¡±


    ¡°They¡¯re generalist in nature. More like a crude mould than something tailor-made for a person¡¯s soul.¡± Uri stepped closer, tapping her temple. ¡°An inherent trait is part of you, something tied to your essence. Trait stones? They¡¯re just an overlay. They come with skills, sure, but they don¡¯t evolve naturally with you. They don¡¯t grow in the same way something truly yours would.¡±


    Raven glanced back at the stone. ¡°So, you¡¯re saying it¡¯s useless?¡±


    Uri shook her head. ¡°Not useless. Just¡­ not optimal.¡±


    He turned the stone over once more, unsettled by the way it seemed to pulse faintly against his skin. Something about it unsettled him, like it didn¡¯t belong to him¡ªlike it was foreign in a way he couldn¡¯t quite explain. He thought back to Brad and the others, how quickly they had latched onto their own stones. But they hadn¡¯t known what they were giving up.


    His fingers curled around the stone. For a moment, he thought about using it anyway. A free skill, something to boost his chances in this new world. But no¡ªhis gut told him this wasn¡¯t the right choice.


    With a sharp exhale, he shoved the stone back into his pocket. ¡°Not worth it,¡± he muttered.


    Uri arched a brow, mildly impressed. ¡°Smart.¡±


    "Don¡¯t worry," Uri said, her tone matter of fact. "The trait you already have will provide you with the skills you need to survive¡ªat least until you unlock more of your traits."


    Raven¡¯s fingers unconsciously brushed against his grimoire. His mind flashed back to the fight with the brute, to the way he had slipped through solid flesh like a ghost and reappeared behind it, blade in hand. The skill had come to him instinctively, almost effortlessly. If that was only the beginning, then what else could he do? If more skills like Phase were hidden within him, waiting to be unlocked¡­ He could become something truly dangerous.


    ¡°You said ether saved my life. I barely understand what that even means. If I¡¯m gonna survive this, I need to know how it works.¡±


    Uri tilted her head, studying him for a beat before nodding. ¡°Alright. You need to start with ether cycling.¡±


    ¡°Ether what now?¡±


    She sighed. ¡°All creatures naturally absorb ether from the atmosphere, but right now, you¡¯re doing it passively. Like a leaky bucket catching rain. If you want to actually use it¡ªstore it¡ªyou need to cycle it through your body. Magic isn¡¯t just grabbing ether from thin air. It needs to be refined.¡±


    Raven folded his arms. ¡°And you¡¯re going to teach me?¡±


    Uri smirked. ¡°I¡¯m going to try. Whether you learn or not is on you.¡±


    She gestured at the air. ¡°Close your eyes. Try to focus on the sensation you get after you kill something¡ªthat tingling feeling in your body.¡±


    Raven hesitated but did as instructed. The room around him faded, and he turned his attention inward, searching for that strange pulse he had felt before. It wasn¡¯t immediate, but slowly, he became aware of something¡ªan energy moving through him, faint and subtle.


    ¡°That¡¯s ether,¡± Uri said. ¡°Now, instead of just letting it drift, direct it. Focus it toward your core.¡±


    Raven furrowed his brows. ¡°And where¡¯s that?¡±


    ¡°Near your heart,¡± Uri answered. ¡°Picture drawing the ether inward, pulling it into one point.¡±


    Raven gritted his teeth and concentrated. The sensation was elusive, like trying to hold onto smoke. He could feel it moving, but controlling it was another thing entirely. The ether resisted him, slipping through his mental grasp every time he tried to force it.


    Minutes passed, his frustration mounting. He ground his nails into his palms, determined. He was sick of feeling helpless. Sick of losing.


    He exhaled sharply, forcing his mind to still. Instead of chasing the ether, he let it come to him, guiding it rather than commanding it. And then¡ª


    He felt it start to gather. But in his excitement at succeeding, he lost concentration. The gathered ether slipped away, dispersing and flowing freely once more.


    Uri looked at him, a hint of amusement on her face. "You will know when your core forms. Don''t try to rush it."


    Raven resumed his focus, drawing in a slow, measured breath. His body still ached, but the exhaustion was pushed to the back of his mind. He had spent his life learning to control his breathing while hunting, steadying his aim even as his heart pounded in his ears. He could do this.


    This time, he didn¡¯t force the ether. He let himself feel it¡ªthe tingling, the ebb and flow of invisible energy moving through him like unseen currents in deep water. Slowly, he willed it to gather at a single point near his heart. At first, it resisted, scattering like startled prey, but he didn¡¯t let his frustration rise. He kept his mind calm, guiding it rather than trying to control it outright.


    The sensation shifted. The ether that had once been elusive now started to coalesce, pulling inward like water spiralling into a drain. The more he focused, the denser it became. It gathered, compressed¡ªand then, like the snap of a bowstring, something shifted.


    A pulse echoed within him, not a physical one but something deeper, something woven into his very being. A solid presence formed¡ªa tiny core of condensed ether nestled just beside his heart. The moment it solidified, a warmth spread through his chest, faint but undeniable. It felt like an ember, a flickering source of energy waiting to be stoked into a blaze.


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    His eyes snapped open. He exhaled, his breath slightly unsteady, but there was no mistaking it. He had done it.


    Raven flexed his fingers, rolling his shoulders. He still felt the lingering ache of exhaustion, but beneath it, there was something else now¡ªan energy, a presence.


    If I had this sooner¡­ maybe I could¡¯ve saved him, no, this didn¡¯t make him powerful. If anything, it only reminded him how much he still didn¡¯t know.


    Uri¡¯s gaze was on him, unreadable. She hadn¡¯t expected him to succeed so quickly. ¡°That was¡­ fast,¡± she admitted, tilting her head. ¡°Most people take hours, even days, to compress their first core. You did it in under an hour.¡±


    For the first time since the world had turned upside down, he felt like he wasn''t just reacting but preparing, like he was taking control.


    Uri crossed her arms, observing him with an expression that was neither approval nor disapproval¡ªjust curiosity. ¡°Now that you have a core seed, you¡¯re going to need to maintain it,¡± she said, her voice returning to that same detached, informative tone. ¡°It won¡¯t do you much good if you let it stagnate.¡±


    Raven wiped a hand down his face, still adjusting to the strange presence of the core within him. ¡°Maintain it how?¡± he asked.


    ¡°By feeding it ether,¡± Uri explained. ¡°It¡¯ll fill naturally over time as you absorb ether passively, but that¡¯s the slow way. Hunting monsters, fighting, and actively training will force your core to grow faster. If you focus on channelling ether into it regularly, it¡¯ll expand. Once it reaches a certain threshold, it¡¯ll evolve into a full core, and that¡¯s when things get interesting.¡±


    Raven gave her a dry look. ¡°Define ¡®interesting.¡¯¡±


    Uri smirked. ¡°Once it fully forms, it won¡¯t just be a storage tank. It¡¯ll start spreading roots through your body, letting ether flow more efficiently. Your skills will activate faster, your endurance will improve, and your body will process the energy better. Right now, you¡¯re just barely scraping the surface of what¡¯s possible.¡±


    Raven processed that in silence, thinking about his ability to phase through enemies and phase enemies themselves if he could do it faster, automatically then he could be untouchable.


    His fingers tightened into fists. He had spent the last day reacting to the world, fighting on instinct, driven by rage and grief. Now, for the first time, he felt like he had a direction¡ªa path to follow.


    But where did that path even lead?


    He let out a slow breath, staring at the boarded windows that filtered in fractured beams of late-afternoon light. He had lost Darryl. He had burned through whatever scraps of sanity he had left in a blind rampage. And yet, somehow, he had survived.


    His eyes drifted to Uri. She had saved him¡ªdragged him here despite everything. But why? She could have left him to die in that alley, and yet here she was, helping him.


    Maybe she saw something in him. Or maybe she was just waiting to see if he would be worth the effort.


    Raven leaned back against the counter, running a hand through his tangled hair. His body still felt sluggish, not from exhaustion anymore, but from something deeper¡ªa hollowness that settled in his chest like a stone at the bottom of a lake. He had done everything he could to save Darryl, and it hadn¡¯t been enough.


    A bitter thought crossed his mind. What did it matter if he had a core, if he could phase through walls, if he could fight? In the end, the one person who mattered to him had still died.


    His fingers twitched at his sides, an old reflex from the days he used to ball his fists when things got too overwhelming. But there was no one to fight here. No lizards to gut, no goblins to carve into pieces. Just the silence of an abandoned shop and the woman who had watched him fall apart without lifting a damn finger.


    He inhaled sharply, blinking the thoughts away. He couldn''t do this¡ªnot now. He couldn''t afford to sit in the dark of his mind and stew in his failures. The world wasn''t going to slow down and wait for him to be okay.


    He had to keep moving.


    But to where? And for what? Revenge hadn¡¯t changed a damn thing. His jaw clenched as he looked at Uri again. She was waiting¡ªwatching. Probably weighing whether or not she was wasting her time on him.


    He exhaled. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, his voice rougher than he meant it to be. ¡°What do you think I should do now?"


    Uri hesitated before answering, and that was unusual for her.


    For the first time since she had met Raven, she wasn''t sure what to say. She had watched so many creatures rise and fall across different cycles, had seen countless people either embrace or reject the path Asmodeus had intended for them. But this one?


    This one she wasn¡¯t sure about.


    When she had first sensed him, she had been curious¡ªa human bearing an exceptionally rare trait. That alone had been enough to catch her interest. But watching him fight, watching him burn with raw emotion, rage, and grief¡ªit unsettled her. He had lost someone, but the loss had not tempered him the way it should have. It had hardened him, twisted him.


    She had hoped to guide him. Now she feared she would simply watch him break.


    He was watching her now, waiting for an answer, his dark eyes filled with barely leashed anger and something else¡ªsomething she could not yet name. If he kept walking this path, if he didn''t find something to ground him, she knew exactly where it would lead.


    She folded her arms, pushing the thought away. "You should finish what you started," Uri said simply, ¡°The hospital.¡±


    Raven breathed out through his nose, tilting his head up to stare at the ceiling. The hospital. The people inside. It felt like another world now, a past version of himself that cared about things like helping strangers.


    "What¡¯s the point?" His voice was flat, tired. "Even if I go back, how do I know they¡¯re still alive?"


    Uri¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change. "You don¡¯t."


    Raven frowned. That wasn¡¯t the answer he expected.


    "But if you do nothing," she continued, "Then you¡¯re just letting them die. And after all the fighting you did back there, that seems like a pretty big waste. "Raven frowned. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    She leaned against a counter, her cyan hair catching the fractured light. ¡°You went through all this trouble, slaughtered half the goblins in the area, and took out their leader. If there was ever a time to go back and actually help those people, it¡¯s now.¡±


    Raven¡¯s stomach twisted. He hadn¡¯t thought that far ahead. He had been running on anger, revenge, and desperation¡ªnever stopping to consider the bigger picture. But she was right. He had left the hospital surrounded, had seen the people trapped inside with no way out. If the goblins were still alive, they were probably reorganizing by now.


    Or worse, they were finishing what they started.


    He swallowed. ¡°You think I can make a difference?¡±


    Uri smiled, her gaze steady. ¡°From what I''ve seen so far? Definitely,¡± she said, her tone carrying a certainty that unsettled him.


    Raven wasn¡¯t sure if he liked the confidence she had in him. It felt like she knew something he didn¡¯t.


    ¡°But¡± she continued, crossing her arms, ¡°Just because you killed a lot of goblins doesn¡¯t mean the hospital is safe. There might be even more by now.¡±


    Raven tensed. ¡°How?¡±


    Uri exhaled through her nose, tired of teaching for now. After a moment of silence, she explained ¡°The hospital is sitting on top of an ether sink.¡±


    Raven blinked. ¡°A what?¡±


    ¡°An ether sink,¡± Uri repeated, shifting her weight onto one foot. ¡°Some areas naturally draw in more ether than others. Places where energy pools instead of dispersing. The hospital is one of those places.¡±


    He narrowed his eyes. ¡°And that means what exactly? Stronger monsters?¡±


    Uri folded her arms. "Ether sinks don¡¯t just attract more creatures," she said. "They accelerate them."


    If that was true, then survivors were fleeing to the most dangerous place they could. "What do you mean?" he asked Uri seeking clarity.


    "Ether-rich zones push evolution forward. A creature that should take weeks to grow stronger might do it in hours instead. That leader you killed? If something worse hasn¡¯t already replaced him, it will soon.


    Raven¡¯s jaw clenched. It explained why the goblins were better coordinated. ¡°So, what, I can''t just kill everything that shows up?¡±


    Uri gave him a pointed look. ¡°That¡¯s one way, but you''d eventually lose.¡±


    Raven crossed his arms, exhaling sharply. ¡°Then what¡¯s the better way?¡±


    Uri smirked. ¡°Get to the heart of the pool, somebody has to.¡±


    Raven¡¯s eyes flickered with cautious curiosity. ¡°And what¡¯s at the heart of the pool?¡±


    Uri shrugged. ¡°Could be anything. A rupture, a natural convergence, an old artifact¡ªwhatever is anchoring the ether in that spot. If you find it, you might just be able to shut it down or at least control the flow.¡±


    Raven was silent, processing the information. If this ether sink was the reason why the hospital was overrun, then there had to be a way to stop it.


    ¡°Sounds like a long shot,¡± he muttered.


    Uri chuckled. ¡°Everything about surviving right now is a long shot.¡±


    She tilted her head, her eyes sharp with challenge. ¡°But I thought you were the type to take those odds.¡±

 Chapter 13. Ether Sink

    Chapter 13: Ether Sink


    Raven crouched on a rooftop, the jagged edge of a broken air vent providing partial cover as he surveyed the hospital plaza below.


    His breath was steady, but his mind was racing. Even with the goblin leader dead, the monsters were still swarming the area in numbers far too large to deal with alone. From his vantage point, he counted nearly fifty goblins scuttling between overturned cars and barricades, some looting bodies while others stood at watch, their beady eyes scanning the streets. A dozen of the larger ones¡ªthe ones with makeshift armour fashioned from scraps of metal and hardened hide¡ªmoved amongst them, barking orders and keeping their underlings in check.


    Too many.


    His grip tightened on his knife as he debated his options. Without his bow, ranged combat was out. The idea of lobbing bricks or debris from the roof was laughable, and running in blind was just suicide. Even if he did somehow manage to take down a dozen or so, the rest would just keep coming.


    Uri stood beside him, watching in silence. When he finally sighed and turned to her, she arched a brow as if she had been expecting his frustration.


    "This is a problem," Raven muttered. "If I try to fight my way through this, I''m dead before I hit the steps."


    Uri¡¯s expression remained unreadable. "Then don¡¯t fight your way through it."


    Raven ignored the jab. His mind was already forming a plan. The Ether sink. If the hospital was sitting on a pool of ether, it explained why so many goblins were drawn here. It also explained why the creatures kept coming, even after his rampage earlier. If he could get inside and stop whatever was fuelling the spawn rate, then the fight outside would become a hell of a lot more manageable.


    He turned back to Uri. "I¡¯ll sneak around, phase into the hospital, and try to find the heart of the sink. If I can stop the goblins from spawning, I¡¯ll meet up with whoever¡¯s still alive inside and help coordinate the defence."


    Uri studied him for a long moment, then crossed her arms. "Not a terrible plan," she admitted. "But what if it¡¯s not that simple? What if you can¡¯t just ''turn it off''?"


    Raven shrugged. "Then I''ll improvise."


    She sighed. "And what if you get killed before you even find the sink?"


    Raven smirked, despite the tension knotting in his gut. "Then you¡¯ll have wasted a lot of time following me around."


    Uri rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue. Good enough.


    With the plan set, Raven slipped off the roof and into the shadows, preparing to begin his infiltration.


    Raven slunk down the alley behind the shop, keeping his footsteps light as he moved through the narrow passage. The air was thick with the scent of rot and damp concrete, garbage strewn about from long-abandoned bins. He ignored it, pressing on, his focus solely on reaching the hospital. The end of the alley brought him to an area near the outer walls of the building¡ªa reinforced structure with no clear openings. The emergency exits only opened from the inside and the few windows he saw were boarded up.


    Alright, time to see if I can do this on purpose.


    Concentrating, he recalled the way he had instinctively used his phase ability in the heat of combat. It had been reflexive, natural, but now, standing before a solid wall with no immediate danger pressing down on him, the execution felt different. Hesitation crept into his mind. Using it in the middle of a fight was easy. But doing it like this¡­?


    Deciding to add some adrenaline to the mix, he took a step back and ran at the wall, willing himself to pass through it.


    THUD.


    Pain shot through his skull as he landed flat on his back, the impact sending a fresh wave of aches through his body. He groaned, rubbing the new bump forming on his head.


    "Fucking hell," he growled, glaring at the unyielding wall.


    From above, he swore he heard Uri chuckle.


    Shaking himself, he tried again, this time focusing on the ether the way Uri had taught him. He let his awareness settle on the faint, tingling sensation beneath his skin¡ªthe same feeling he had sensed after killing monsters. It was like a current, constantly shifting and flowing within him.


    Alright. He approached the wall again, closing his eyes and willing himself to pass through.


    This time, there was no resistance.


    The sensation was strange¡ªlike stepping into cold water, but without the wetness or weight dragging at him. One moment he was outside, the next he was standing in a dimly lit room, the faint glow of flickering candles illuminating a small altar at the front.


    A chapel.


    Before he could fully register his surroundings, the sharp click of a gun being cocked made him freeze.


    ¡°Where the fuck did you come from?¡±


    Raven turned slowly, raising his hands just enough to show he wasn¡¯t a threat. The source of the voice was a young, reedy-looking officer, barely out of his teens by the look of him. His grip on the pistol was unsteady, his fingers twitching on the trigger.


    "It doesn¡¯t matter," Raven replied flatly. "Who¡¯s in charge here?"


    The officer hesitated, looking like he wasn¡¯t sure whether to shoot or answer. After a moment, he relented. ¡°Sergeant Wilkes. He¡¯s in the main hallway near the entrance.¡±


    Raven nodded but didn¡¯t move. Something about this guy was off. He was too nervous. His uniform was wrinkled and stained with sweat, his boots scuffed from what looked like frantic movement.


    Raven narrowed his eyes. "And why aren¡¯t you at the entrance with him?"


    The officer stiffened. ¡°I¡ªI was patrolling.¡±


    "Bullshit." Raven¡¯s voice was sharp. "You¡¯re hiding."


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    The officer flinched. His mouth opened, then closed again, his face flushing with embarrassment. ¡°I¡ª I was just¡ª I thought¡ª¡±


    "Save it," Raven snapped, turning toward the chapel doors. He paused just before leaving and glanced over his shoulder. "If you¡¯re not back where you¡¯re supposed to be by the time I find the sergeant, I¡¯ll make sure he knows exactly where to find you."


    The officer swallowed hard, gripping his gun tighter. He didn¡¯t respond.


    Raven stepped through the doors without another word, leaving the man to his shame.


    Raven had no idea how he was supposed to find the heart of the sink. Uri had spoken as if he would instinctively know how to locate it, but standing in the dim hospital hallway, he felt nothing that pointed him in the right direction. His only clue was that if the sink was pooling ether, then it had to be denser than the rest of the area. That meant¡­ maybe he could sense it?


    He paused in the hallway, tuning out the distant sounds of movement and muffled voices. Taking a deep breath, he focused inward, just like he had when building his core. He concentrated on the way ether moved through him, how it trickled into his body. If it was flowing somewhere specific, then all he had to do was follow it.


    Slowly, he became aware of subtle differences in the ambient ether. The concentration behind him felt thinner, like a river flowing outward. But ahead¡­ there was something.  A pull. Not strong, but noticeable. He followed it, moving cautiously down the hall, adjusting his path whenever the sensation shifted.


    Eventually, the pull led him to an emergency stairwell. The sterile walls and metal railings gave nothing away, but the ether felt heavier here. He glanced up the stairs, then down. If I were a creepy magic pool of power, would I be up in some well-lit ward? Or buried in the guts of the building? The answer was obvious.


    Raven descended, boots barely making a sound on the cold steps. The air grew colder, the scent of dust and mildew thickening. When he reached the basement floor, he stepped cautiously into a dimly lit corridor, the overhead lights flickering weakly.


    A faint glow caught his eye at the end of the hall.


    His pulse quickened as he moved toward it. As he rounded a corner, he stopped dead.


    Floating in the centre of the room was a massive crystal. Raven''s breath caught. The air around it felt heavier, charged with static, and the light shifting inside the crystal pulsed in time with his heartbeat.


    It hovered weightlessly, about the size of his torso, its surface clear yet shifting with internal light. It looked similar to the trait stone he had picked up before, but this was something entirely different. That was easy, he thought, cautiously stepping forward.


    A blur of movement.


    Raven barely had time to react before a dark shape lunged from the side.


    Shit!


    He rolled instinctively, feeling the rush of air as a massive set of claws swiped through the space where he had just been standing. The thing landed heavily, muscles bulging under thick scales. Unlike the smaller lizards he had encountered before, this one moved on all fours, its frame built for raw power.


    Raven barely had time to think before it charged again.


    He leaped sideways, the beast¡¯s claws raking through the tile, carving deep gouges into the floor. Heart pounding, Raven scrambled to his feet, brandishing his knife. His eyes flicked over the creature, noting the sheer thickness of its armoured hide.


    I¡¯m not cutting through that.


    The lizard growled, its reptilian eyes locked onto him, tail flicking aggressively.


    It lunged.


    Raven phased, shifting sideways as its bulk passed through him. As he reappeared, he drove his knife into its flank, only to feel the blade get caught between the steel-like scales.


    Shit. Now unarmed, Raven needed a plan.


    He backed away, his mind racing. He could try to run, but if this thing was guarding the sink, there was no guarantee he¡¯d get another chance to approach it.


    The lizard charged again, just as reckless as before.


    Raven ducked behind a shelf. The lizard ploughed through it, sending splinters flying. Phasing at the last second, Raven barely avoided being crushed as the beast clawed its way out of the wreckage... Raven noticed something¡ªthe scales on its underside were thinner. Smaller.


    An idea took root.


    To make it work, he needed his knife back. As the beast turned to charge, Raven charged too. As it closed in, he phased to its back and grabbed for his knife, prying it free. He jumped aside just as the lizard rolled, trying to crush him.


    Raven watched and waited for the lizard to charge again.


    Predictably the beast lunged once more, Raven phased¡ªnot sideways, but underneath. He slid beneath the charging beast, his knife poised. The moment he solidified, he slashed upward, feeling the blade bite into the soft flesh of its underbelly.


    The reaction was immediate.


    The lizard screeched and twisted, but its belly was already open. Entrails spilled like wet rope as it staggered forward, collapsing with a final, rattling breath. It let out a screech which faded to a shuddering breath before collapsing to the ground.


    Raven wasted no time.


    He vaulted onto the creature¡¯s back, gripping its thick hide for leverage, and dragged his blade across its throat in a final, clean stroke.


    The lizard convulsed, its massive claws scraping weakly at the ground. It let out one last, gurgling snarl before the strength left its limbs and it collapsed in a final, shuddering heap.


    Panting, Raven wiped his knife against the creature¡¯s hide and turned back to the floating crystal. The resonance in the air was stronger now, like an unseen pulse vibrating through the space.


    As he stepped forward, his grimoire flared to life, summoning itself into his hand.


    It opened on its own.


    On the page before him, bold letters materialized:


    This is an unclaimed Ether sink. Would you like to claim it?


    Raven clenched his jaw as he stared at the words inscribed in his grimoire.


    Would you like to claim it?


    The question lingered in his mind, repeating itself like an echo. He had no idea what claiming an ether sink actually meant. Would it bind him to this place? Would he have to defend it? Did it come with responsibilities¡ªor worse, consequences? His gut churned with uncertainty.


    ¡°Damn it, Uri,¡± he muttered under his breath. She had hinted at this, and he hadn¡¯t listened. Why couldn¡¯t she ever just give a straightforward explanation. Typical.


    His fingers hovered over the grimoire, hesitant. What if claiming it attracted every monster in the area? What if all the ether inside the crystal released at once, triggering something worse? His mind spun with possible disasters, each worse than the last.


    ¡°What if I can¡¯t undo this?¡± The thought crawled into his mind like an unwelcome whisper. Everything in this world had a price¡ªhis body had been changed by ether, his life had been rewritten by monsters. What if this was another step down a path he didn¡¯t even see yet? He gritted his teeth. He didn¡¯t have time for doubts. He¡¯d figure it out later¡ªif there was a later.


    Raven exhaled sharply, shaking his head. I don¡¯t have a choice. If Uri was right about the mana sink being the reason for the goblins'' relentless attacks, then stopping its function was his only shot at slowing them down. He had no way to destroy the crystal, no knowledge of how to dismantle it. But claiming it? That was something within his power¡ªif his grimoire was to be believed.


    Trust her. Trust yourself.


    Raven pressed his palm against the floating crystal.


    The instant he did, a pulse of raw ether surged through him, like a wave crashing against his soul. His breath caught, every nerve flaring as the ether flooded his veins. His body tensed, his grimoire vibrating violently in his other hand. The words on the page shifted and changed, new lines filling the parchment at a dizzying speed.


    Ether Sink Claimed.


    Ether Regulation Established.


    Spawn Suppression: Active.


    Owner: Raven Tueson.


    Raven barely had time to process what he was reading before he felt the change. The heavy, oppressive ether in the room became... subdued. The buzzing hum in the air faded into a steady thrum, controlled and contained.


    It had worked.


    Letting out a breath he hadn¡¯t realized he was holding; he flipped through the newly filled pages in his grimoire. There was an entire section detailing the ether sink¡ªits function, its control, and something called sink stabilization. There were options, things he could do with it, but right now, he didn¡¯t have time to study them.


    A sudden weight settled over him. I just took control of something I don¡¯t understand, I hope this doesn''t come back to haunt me.


    His mind raced with new possibilities as he scanned the text in his grimoire. This wasn¡¯t just some random artifact¡ªit was a resource, a power that he now controlled. What else could he do with it? Could he expand its influence? Could he use it for something beyond just stopping the goblins? He clenched his fists. No time to figure that out now. The goblins should stop spawning¡ªbut would they just leave, or was this going to make them even more aggressive? He didn¡¯t know. No time to figure it out¡ªjust act.


    Shoving the grimoire back into place, he turned and sprinted for the exit. He needed to find Sergeant Wilkes.

 Chapter 14. Siege Breaker

    Chapter 14: Siege Breaker


    Raven sprinted up the stairwell, taking the steps two at a time despite the burning ache in his legs. He couldn¡¯t afford to waste a single second¡ªWilkes the guy in charge needed to know that the goblins would stop spawning. If they could just hold out, this fight might finally turn in their favour.


    As he neared what he assumed was the main hall, the unmistakable sounds of combat reached his ears¡ªshouts, the dull thud of impacts, and the shrill screeches of goblins. His stomach twisted. The fighting was still raging. He picked up the pace, rounding the final turn into the hallway.


    Chaos met his eyes. Blood and bodies blurred into the shouting, the crack of weapons, the shrill screams of dying goblins. Raven¡¯s pulse spiked, his breath catching at the sheer intensity of it all¡ªthe heat, the stench, the panic pressing in from every side.


    A line of officers in riot gear held their ground, police batons swinging in brutal arcs as they fought back a tide of goblins pressing in from the far end of the hall. Shattered furniture and bodies¡ªboth human and goblin¡ªlittered the floor. The officers moved in practiced coordination, forming a defensive wall, but they were tiring. Some had bloodied uniforms, others were already limping.


    Then, amidst the melee, Raven spotted something¡ªor rather, someone¡ªthat made him hesitate.


    A man stood in the centre of the officers, his body somehow sheathed in dark, metallic armour¡ªnot plating, but as if his very skin had been forged from steel. He swung his baton with brutal efficiency, each strike sending goblins flying. The creatures shrieked in pain as his blows shattered bone with ease, his enhanced strength making him an unbreakable wall against the onslaught.


    No time for gawking.


    Raven gritted his teeth, cursing the loss of his bow. Without it, his options were limited, but that didn¡¯t mean he was helpless. He quickly scanned the battlefield, spotting a broken table leg near his feet. Snatching it up, he tested its weight¡ªheavy enough to break a skull, if he swung hard enough.


    The officers were holding their ground, but barely. The goblins surged forward, relentless and screeching, pressing against their battered defences. Raven didn¡¯t hesitate. He rushed into the fray, bringing his makeshift weapon down on the nearest goblin¡¯s skull with a sickening crack. The creature dropped, and he pivoted, driving his boot into another¡¯s chest, sending it sprawling backward into its kin.


    The officers, noticing the unexpected support, began to rally.


    One last goblin tried to lunge at the armoured man¡¯s exposed back. Raven didn¡¯t think¡ªhe surged forward, knife in hand, and drove the blade into its spine before it could strike. The goblin shrieked and collapsed, twitching as it bled out onto the floor. Just like that, the wave was broken.


    Panting, Raven took a step back, scanning the hallway now littered with goblin corpses. The officers were doing the same, some sagging against the walls in exhaustion.


    The iron-skinned man turned to face him, his metallic sheen already fading, returning to what looked like normal human flesh. Despite his ragged breathing and blood-smeared uniform, his presence radiated authority.


    ¡°You¡¯ve got some nerve, kid,¡± the man said, his voice rough, but steady. ¡°Charging in like that.¡±


    Raven straightened. ¡°You¡¯re Wilkes?¡±


    The man narrowed his eyes before nodding. ¡°Sergeant Wilkes. And you¡¯d better have a damn good reason for throwing yourself into this mess.¡±


    Raven smirked, wiping sweat and blood from his brow. ¡°You say that like I had a choice. World¡¯s ending, mate, figured I might as well get involved.¡±


    Wilkes snorted but didn¡¯t argue. One of the officers, a young woman with a deep gash along her arm, eyed Raven suspiciously before speaking up. ¡°Wait a second¡­ You¡¯re that archer. The one who was picking off goblins earlier.¡±


    Raven gave a lopsided grin. ¡°Guilty.¡±


    Another officer, an older man with streaks of grey in his hair, frowned. ¡°Thought you were dead. That big bastard went after you. We lit it up, put a dozen rounds in it, and the damn thing barely flinched.¡±


    Raven rolled his shoulder, feeling the lingering soreness from the brutal fight. ¡°Yeah¡­ tough son of a bitch.¡± His words were casual, but there was no mistaking the dark glint in his eyes.


    A few of the officers shared looks, some sceptical, others shocked. ¡°You¡¯re saying you killed it?¡± The disbelief in their tone was almost amusing.


    Raven nodded. ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy, but yeah, the big bastard¡¯s dead.¡±


    Silence stretched between them. Some looked like they wanted to question him further. Wilkes folded his arms, his dark eyes studying Raven with a mix of scrutiny and disbelief. ¡°You expect me to believe you killed that thing?¡±


    Raven shrugged. ¡°Wasn¡¯t easy.¡±


    Wilkes grunted. ¡°No shit it wasn¡¯t. I emptied half a mag into it, and it barely flinched. You expect me to believe you, a half-starved kid, put it down?¡±


    Raven met his gaze, unflinching. ¡°I got lucky.¡±


    Wilkes snorted, shaking his head. ¡°Luck doesn¡¯t kill things like that.¡±


    Raven took a deep breath, forcing himself back on task. ¡°Look, I was guided here by someone with a gift for foresight. That¡¯s how I found you. And more importantly¡ªI stopped the spawns.¡±


    That got their attention.


    Wilkes¡¯ expression shifted, wary but interested. ¡°What do you mean stopped?¡±


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    ¡°I claimed the ether sink in the basement. It was fuelling the goblin spawns, it¡¯s done. No more new ones.¡±


    A collective exhale rippled through the officers. Some sagged in relief, while others exchanged uncertain glances. Wilkes rubbed his chin, digesting the information. His narrowed eyes stayed locked on Raven, unblinking. The silence stretched long enough that some of the officers shifted uncomfortably.


    ¡°You sure about this?¡± Wilkes finally asked, voice low, sceptical.


    Raven met his gaze without hesitation. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be here if I wasn¡¯t.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled sharply, shaking his head. He glanced at the officers, at the bruises, the blood-streaked uniforms, the fatigue in their eyes. ¡°We¡¯ve been fighting to hold this place all day, and you¡¯re saying it¡¯s over?¡±


    The older officer, the one with grey streaks in his hair, squared his shoulders. ¡°If there¡¯s even a chance, Sarge, we have to take it.¡±


    Wilkes let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand over his face. He looked at his officers again¡ªtheir battered forms, the exhaustion etched into their movements. Could it really be that simple?


    He wanted to argue. To call bullshit. But the moment stretched long, and the desperate, unspoken hope in his people¡¯s eyes made the decision for him.


    ¡°¡­Alright, kid,¡± he finally muttered, voice gruff. ¡°Let¡¯s say I believe you.¡± He exhaled sharply. ¡°That¡¯s good news. Real good.¡±


    A pause. His jaw clenched. ¡°But it doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re out of this fight yet."


    Raven nodded, already expecting that response. ¡°Right. Now we just need to clean up the bastards outside.¡±


    Wilkes rubbed a hand over his jaw. He turned toward the shattered doors of the hospital, scanning the plaza beyond. A couple dozen goblins still lurked out there, pacing, nervous now that reinforcements weren¡¯t coming.


    He weighed his options. They were tired. Running low on supplies. But if they hesitated now, the goblins might regroup¡ªmight find a different way in. He ground his teeth before nodding sharply.


    ¡°Alright. Here¡¯s how we handle this.¡±


    Wilkes cracked his knuckles, his skin flickering back to that dull iron sheen. ¡°I¡¯ll draw ¡®em in. I can take a hit better than anyone here.¡± He tapped his baton against his chest, the metallic thud echoing through the hall. ¡°They see me standing out there alone, they¡¯ll come running.¡±


    Raven could already see the plan forming. ¡°And we¡¯ll be ready at the doors. Create a funnel, take them down as they try to rush in.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Exactly.¡±


    The officers, renewed by the prospect of finishing this fight, quickly took positions. The main entrance doors were already damaged, but they used overturned hospital furniture and debris to shape a rough barricade¡ªone with enough space for the goblins to force their way through but narrow enough to funnel them into an easy kill zone.


    Wilkes took a deep breath and surveyed his exhausted officers.


    ¡°I won¡¯t lie to you,¡± he said, his voice lower, steadier. ¡°Some of you are hurt. Some of you are running on empty. But we hold this line, or we lose everything.¡±


    No one spoke. The officers stood tense, gripping their weapons tighter. Raven shifted his weight, scanning the doors, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. Outside, the goblins still lurked, pacing, waiting.


    For a long, agonizing moment, the hospital held its breath.


    Then, Wilkes stepped out through the doors and tapped his baton against his chest. The sharp, metallic clang shattered the silence.


    The goblins snapped to attention. For a heartbeat, they held still, silent. And then, they charged.


    Wilkes waited just long enough for the wave to surge forward before turning and sprinting back inside. The goblins, shrieking and snarling, barrelled after him¡ªright into the kill zone.


    The battle was brutal, but the defenders had the advantage this time. The tight quarters prevented the goblins from swarming them, and Raven, armed with a salvaged police baton, joined in the melee. The sound of bone breaking, bodies hitting the floor, and the shouts of the officers filled the air.


    A few officers took minor injuries, but unlike before, no one fell.


    And after a few minutes, it was over.


    The hospital was theirs.


    Uri stood at a distance, unseen as she observed the aftermath of the battle. She had followed Raven from the rooftops, keeping a watchful eye on his reckless approach and eventual infiltration of the hospital. Though she hadn''t intervened, she had kept herself ready, just in case things took a turn beyond his control.


    Now, watching him interact with the officers, she felt the weight in her chest lighten¡ªif only slightly.


    The bloodlust that had consumed him before had simmered down. He was still rough around the edges, still sharp and jagged with grief, but the interaction with these people, even in something as simple as fortifying a holdout, had dulled his immediate rage. He had been forced to think beyond himself, beyond his pain, and that small shift gave her hope.


    Perhaps she could still guide him to Asmodeus¡¯s path.


    Perhaps, in time, he would even walk the full length of it.


    As the daylight faded, the hospital began to feel more secure. Wilkes, now more trusting of Raven, wasted no time organizing defences for the night. He set teams of officers and able-bodied civilians to work, barricading windows and reinforcing a ward on the second floor. The plan was to concentrate everyone in a single defensible location, ensuring they could hold out until morning, or longer if needed.


    Raven, despite his exhaustion, pitched in where he could.


    He helped move hospital beds to create barriers, stacking them against doorways in a crude but effective blockade. He assisted in relocating food supplies from the cafeteria, distributing whatever non-perishables they could scavenge among the survivors. The civilians, though shaken and weary, worked alongside him. Some were grateful, some merely going through the motions, but all of them clung to the structure of having something to do.


    A little order in the chaos.


    Raven interacted with them only as much as he needed to. He wasn¡¯t here to play saviour or leader¡ªhe just needed to make sure this place stayed standing long enough to serve its purpose. Still, he learned some things as he worked. He met a doctor, an older man with tired eyes and a steady hand who had been treating the wounded nonstop. There was a woman who had somehow slept through the initial chaos and woken up to a warzone. A teenage boy, no older than sixteen, who carried a fire axe like it was his lifeline.


    Despite himself, Raven began to take note of them.


    To catalogue their faces.


    It was easier that way¡ªif he saw them again, he¡¯d know who had made it.


    As night fell, the exhaustion settled onto Raven¡¯s shoulders like a lead weight. He hadn¡¯t stopped moving since waking up in that ruined shop¡ªfighting, running, bleeding. Now, the momentum that had carried him this far began to falter, the weight of everything finally pressing down.


    He needed rest.


    He found an empty cot along the far wall and sat down heavily, rubbing his temples. The day played out in his mind, memories flashing too fast to hold on to. Darryl. The goblins. The rage. The battle at the hospital.


    Darryl.


    The name alone made his chest ache.


    He exhaled sharply and forced himself to lie down, staring at the ceiling. He didn¡¯t want to think. He didn¡¯t want to remember.


    The cot creaked as he lay back, his body sinking into the thin padding. The rough fabric scratched against his skin, stiff and unfamiliar. It smelled faintly of antiseptic.


    Antiseptic.


    Just like the bandages Darryl had used to patch Raven up every damn time he got into trouble. The scent clung to his nostrils, pulling him backward through time, back to those moments when Darryl had grumbled and complained but still took care of him.


    His throat tightened. The memories came anyway. Darryl¡¯s tired smirk. The warmth of his gruff but steady presence. The last breath he took. Raven swallowed hard, his jaw tightening. But even as he tried to hold it in, he felt a wetness slide down his cheek, soaking into the fabric beneath his head.


    He ignored it.


    Soon his exhaustion won out, and sleep took him.


    Uri lingered in the shadows, watching as Raven finally succumbed to sleep. Even in rest, his face was tense, lines of exhaustion carved deep into his expression.


    He didn¡¯t look like a warrior right now. Just tired. Just human.


    ¡°You''re going to be ok,¡± she murmured, too softly for him to hear.

 Chapter 15. Rest

    Chapter 15. Rest


    Raven stirred as the first light of dawn filtered through the boarded-up windows, casting slanted shadows across the room. His body protested as he shifted, a dull ache settling in his limbs, but it was a far cry from the agony he had expected. The exhaustion from the previous day still clung to him like a heavy cloak, but rest had done him some good.


    He didn¡¯t feel ready to face the world just yet.


    With a yawn, he summoned his grimoire, the familiar weightless tome materializing in his hands. The worn pages fluttered open on their own, shifting until they landed on a new section¡ªone that hadn¡¯t existed before.


    Raven¡¯s gaze locked onto the first new page, where a pictograph of the ether sink crystal was etched in stark black ink. Below it, a block of text provided details in a structured, almost clinical manner:


    Ether Sink ¨C Sprout


    Ether Capacity: Full


    Ether Accumulation: Active


    Ether consumption: Inactive


    On the following page was a map of the city surrounding the sink from what he could guess, it covered about five hundred meters in a circle around him. If he was identifying the buildings correctly, the hospital sat almost dead centre.


    His brow furrowed. So many questions came to mind, if the ether capacity was full did that mean it could be emptied, did ether accumulation fill the reserves and what would cause consumption? More questions than answers.


    Turning the page, he found a single line scrawled across the next few sheets:


    Ether Constructs.


    That was it. No further details, no instructions, just those two words hanging in the empty space like an unsolved riddle.


    Raven had no idea what any of this meant beyond the obvious, and if there was one person who might, it was Uri. For all her irritating habits, her ¡®skill¡¯¡ªif that¡¯s what it really was¡ªseemed to provide her with insight into things he had no clue about.


    His eyes flicked toward the room¡¯s entrance as he wondered where she¡¯d wandered off to. He hadn¡¯t seen her since he¡¯d left the rooftop the day before. For a brief, unbidden moment, he found himself hoping she was alright.


    He scowled and shook the thought away.


    As if summoned by his thoughts, the door creaked open, and in walked Uri, deep in conversation with none other than Wilkes. Their voices were low but intense, and Raven caught snippets¡ª"stabilization," "long-term defence," "ether efficiency."


    He barely had time to sit up before Wilkes turned his sharp gaze on him.


    ¡°Well, well, the hero of the hour finally wakes up.¡± The man¡¯s gruff tone carried a weight of experience, though there was no outright hostility¡ªjust wary assessment. "Your little stunt with this ether sink might''ve just saved everyone here."


    Raven rubbed at his eyes. ¡°Glad to hear it.¡±


    "Yeah? Then you¡¯ll be glad to know I want control of it."


    That woke Raven up faster than any bucket of cold water. ¡°Come again?¡±


    Wilkes crossed his arms, his stance firm. ¡°You¡¯re a lone wolf. I¡¯ve got officers and civilians who depend on me. If this ether sink is as important as she says, it needs to be in the hands of someone who can actually protect it.¡±


    Raven let out a breath and flicked a glance at Uri. She gave nothing away, her expression calm and unreadable.


    ¡°And what exactly do you think having control of it means?¡± Raven asked.


    Wilkes shrugged. ¡°Simple. You hand it over, and I use it to make this place safer.¡±


    Raven barked a laugh. ¡°You make it sound like I can just sign a deed and be done with it.¡±


    Wilkes narrowed his eyes. ¡°Can¡¯t you?¡±


    Raven hesitated. Technically? Maybe. The grimoire had given him new pages after he claimed the sink. It was possible he could transfer control, though what that would actually do was still a mystery.


    Uri, ever the spectator, finally chimed in. ¡°It¡¯s not quite that simple.¡±


    Wilkes let out an exasperated sigh. ¡°Then why don¡¯t you enlighten us?¡±


    Uri tilted her head.


    ¡°Raven is the sink¡¯s claimant. That makes him its controller. He could give you authority over it¡ªpartial or full¡ªbut the claim remains his. That means if he hands over too much control, he might not be able to take it back if things go sideways.¡±


    Wilkes scoffed. ¡°Sideways? I¡¯m trying to keep people alive. I¡¯m not planning on taking the damn thing and running off with it.¡±


    Raven crossed his arms. ¡°That¡¯s great, but I don¡¯t know you. And I don¡¯t hand over the only real advantage I have to someone just because they ask nicely."


    Wilkes¡¯ jaw clenched. ¡°You think this is about power? About ego? I¡¯ve got injured officers, scared civilians, and a damn city full of monsters out there. This isn¡¯t about you, kid.¡±


    Raven met his glare with one of his own. ¡°No, but it isn¡¯t about you, either. You said it yourself¡ªI''m the one who claimed it. Like it or not, that makes me responsible for it.¡±


    Uri watched with mild amusement.


    Wilkes let out a breath, clearly biting back a more heated response. He studied Raven for a long moment, then nodded. ¡°Fine. We work together, then. For now.¡±


    Raven sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°Guess I don¡¯t really have a choice.¡±


    Wilkes smirked. ¡°You don¡¯t.¡±


    Raven arched a brow. ¡°Equals?¡±


    Wilkes hesitated¡ªjust for a second¡ªbut then nodded. ¡°Equals.¡±


    Raven studied him. Wilkes was a hard ass, no doubt about it. But he wasn¡¯t wrong, either. The hospital and the people in it needed real protection, and Raven couldn¡¯t do it alone.


    "Alright," Raven said at last. "I¡¯ll keep the sink, but I¡¯ll give you authority to use it. You¡¯ll be able to access whatever functions it has without me constantly hovering over it."


    Wilkes nodded. "That¡¯s fair."


    Uri smirked, clearly entertained by the whole exchange. ¡°How lovely. You two might just make it through this alive after all.¡±


    Raven rolled his eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t make me regret this.¡±


    With the matter settled, Wilkes turned to go. ¡°We¡¯ll meet in an hour to discuss the next steps. I need to check in with my people.¡± He gave Raven a final look. ¡°Don¡¯t go running off.¡±


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    Raven exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck as the door clicked shut behind Wilkes. He wasn¡¯t sure if he had just won a battle or stumbled into an even bigger mess. He had control of the sink¡ªbut what did that even mean?


    He turned to Uri, who, of course, was already watching him like she had been waiting for him to ask.


    Uri broke the momentary silence. ¡°That was surprisingly reasonable of you.¡±


    Raven shot her a look. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡±


    She smirked. ¡°You don''t seem to play well with others.¡±


    Raven scoffed but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, he turned his attention back to his grimoire, flipping through the pages on the mana sink.


    He set the grimoire down.


    He looked at Uri. "Alright¡ªstart talking. What makes this thing so damn special?"


    Uri leaned against the windowsill; arms crossed. ¡°Mana sinks are a rarity. They¡¯re locations where ether pools naturally, creating an environment where magic is stronger, and life is¡­ different.¡±


    Raven¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Different how?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± she continued, ¡°Ether saturation changes things. It strengthens those who live in it, allows for the development of new abilities, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªit stabilizes reality. That¡¯s why the goblins stopped spawning. When ether is wild and uncontrolled, it breeds chaos¡ªnew creatures, distortions, anomalies. But when it¡¯s harnessed?¡± She gestured around. ¡°It can be used to reinforce barriers, heal wounds, create constructs¡­ assuming you know how to use it.¡±


    Raven absorbed that information, staring at the numbers in his grimoire. ¡°So why does it store ether? What¡¯s it used for?¡±


    Uri¡¯s smile turned wry. ¡°That, my dear Raven, is the question. We have a lot to go over."


    Uri spent the next hour walking Raven through his grimoire¡¯s new functions, showing him how to navigate the information it contained about the sink. It wasn¡¯t just a static reservoir of ether¡ªit was a tool, a foundation for something greater. Through it, Raven could summon information about various constructs, which turned out to be facilities and utilities that could be created or powered by ether.


    ¡°So, let me get this straight,¡± Raven said, rubbing the back of his head as he took it all in. ¡°The sink doesn¡¯t just store ether, it can use it¡ªto build things, to reinforce things. Like¡­ what exactly? Buildings?¡±


    ¡°More like structures and enhancements,¡± Uri clarified. ¡°Think of it as an extension of magic. Ether constructs can be physical or immaterial, but they require stored ether to manifest. Some might strengthen defences, some might automate certain tasks, and others¡­¡± She tapped on one of the grimoire¡¯s pages. ¡°Well, they might do things we don¡¯t fully understand yet.¡±


    Raven stared at the page. ¡°So... what? I just pick something, and it magically appears?¡±


    Uri smiled. ¡°Try it and see.¡±


    He shot her a flat look. ¡°You could just tell me.¡±


    ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in that?¡±


    Raven groaned. Of course.


    If these constructs could provide real benefits, it made sense why Wilkes wanted control over the sink. This wasn¡¯t just a resource¡ªit was the foundation for survival.


    Before he could question further, the door opened again. Wilkes had returned, but he wasn¡¯t alone.


    Three others followed him in¡ªa stern-looking older man with streaks of grey in his cropped hair, a tired yet sharp-eyed man in a worn doctor¡¯s coat, and a middle-aged nurse who carried herself with quiet efficiency.


    Wilkes gestured toward them as he entered. ¡°Figured it was time to make introductions.¡±


    He nodded at the older officer first. ¡°This is Lieutenant Charles Henson¡ªbeen with me since this whole mess started. He¡¯s been coordinating the defences and making sure we keep our people alive.¡±


    Henson offered a curt nod, his lined face unreadable.


    Wilkes gestured to the doctor. ¡°This is Dr. Morris Carter. He¡¯s the one keeping our wounded breathing.¡±


    Dr. Carter barely spared Raven a glance before speaking. ¡°Medical supplies are running low. If we don¡¯t secure more, we won¡¯t be able to help anyone in a few days.¡±


    Raven arched a brow. Straight to the point, huh?


    Finally, Wilkes motioned to the nurse. ¡°And this is Margaret Liu¡ªshe¡¯s been keeping order in the wards and making sure things don¡¯t turn into a free-for-all.¡±


    Margaret inclined her head politely. ¡°We¡¯ve had to make do with what little we have, but people are getting scared. They need something to hold onto.¡±


    Raven took in the trio, sensing their exhaustion but also their resolve. These weren¡¯t just people trying to survive¡ªthey were trying to hold things together.


    Wilkes got straight to business. ¡°Let¡¯s go over what we¡¯ve got. Doctor?¡±


    Dr. Carter sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°We have enough medical supplies to last maybe a week¡ªless if we get more wounded. I¡¯ve been rationing antibiotics, but that won¡¯t last forever. We need bandages, antiseptics, anything we can get.¡±


    Margaret followed up. ¡°Food is also a problem. We¡¯ve been stretching our supplies, but people need to eat, and we don¡¯t have a steady source of clean water. A lot of the taps seem to be failing.¡±


    Henson stepped in next. ¡°Weapons and armour are just as bad. We¡¯ve got some sidearms, but ammo¡¯s running low. Our officers reserves are all in the single digits. The riot gear we have isn¡¯t enough to protect everyone either.¡±


    ¡°We also had multiple incidents through the night,¡± the older officer reported, his voice edged with weariness. ¡°Small groups of goblins and a few lizards probing the perimeter. Nothing we couldn¡¯t handle; but I don''t want to keep risking our men.


    Raven¡¯s brows furrowed. He hadn¡¯t even considered what had happened during the night. His exhaustion had been so great he had passed out like a corpse while they were fighting to keep the hospital safe.


    ¡°We lost any of the officers?¡± Wilkes asked, his expression unreadable.


    Henson shook his head. ¡°No casualties. Just a few injuries¡ªcuts and bruises mostly. Had a bastard of a lizard try sneaking through one of the back entrances, but Carter¡¯s people had raised the alarm before it got in. We¡¯ve doubled watches now, but I don¡¯t like how persistent they¡¯re getting.¡±


    Raven ran a hand through his hair, frustration gnawing at him. He had been so focused on the mana sink, on his fight, on his own rage, that he hadn¡¯t spared a single thought for how the others had fared. Guilt settled in his gut, cold and unwelcome. While I was out, they were still fighting.


    He wasn¡¯t sure when exactly he had stopped thinking about just himself and started factoring in the hospital¡¯s survival. The realization sat heavy in his chest¡ªuncomfortable, but not entirely unwelcome.


    Wilkes let the weight of their reports settle before turning to Raven. ¡°This is where you come in.¡±


    Raven leaned back against the table, folding his arms. ¡°I don''t see how I''m supposed to fix the taps or make bullets?¡±


    Wilkes smirked. ¡°Hey, you decided you wanted to keep the ether sink. And if what your oracle here says is true, you might just be able to fix some of these issues.¡±


    Raven shot a look at Uri, who gave him a completely unhelpful smile. Damn woman threw me to the wolves on purpose.


    ¡°You said this thing can create constructs. Can you look into what¡¯s available? Maybe something to help with food, water, or weapons?¡±


    Raven exhaled through his nose, flipping back to the Ether Constructs page in his grimoire. Guess I should see what this thing can really do.


    Following the directions Uri had given him earlier, Raven focused his ether into the grimoire, willing it to show him any constructs that might help. The pages flickered, symbols and diagrams shifting as new information surfaced.


    The first, highlighted in bold, was something called an Ether Shop.


    A simple pictograph accompanied the entry, depicting a small market stand¡ªthe kind one might find at a country market. Below it, the description read:


    Ether shops provide a direct link for creatures to transfer stored ether into material goods. Availability is dependent on local ether stability and sink tier.


    Raven frowned, scanning further. Creatures? Did that mean people? Or¡­ something else?


    Turning the page, he found additional constructs listed. There were ether-infused gardens, hydroponic farms, and even an option for a medical ward. But a note below the entries caught his eye:


    Specialized constructs require appropriate personnel for optimal functionality. Certain features may remain inaccessible without skilled users.


    He sighed. Of course, nothing was ever simple. It wasn¡¯t just a matter of conjuring up resources¡ªthese things needed people who actually knew what they were doing.


    He turned back to Wilkes and the others. "Well, I found some options, but there¡¯s a catch.¡±


    Wilkes crossed his arms. ¡°There always is.¡±


    Raven gestured to the grimoire. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got a few choices¡ªan ether shop, which¡­ I think might let us trade ether for supplies, and some options for growing food or reinforcing the medical wing. But unless we¡¯ve got people who know what they¡¯re doing, some of it won¡¯t work.¡±


    Dr. Carter perked up at that. ¡°A medical ward? What does it entail?¡±


    Raven scanned the description. ¡°From what I can tell, it stabilizes patients and speeds up healing, maybe even prevents infections from spreading. But¡­¡± He tapped the grimoire. ¡°It says it needs someone with medical expertise to function properly.¡±


    Carter exchanged a look with Margaret. ¡°That could be huge. But I need details. How does it work? What does it cost?¡±


    Raven glanced at Uri, who gave him an expectant look, clearly waiting for him to figure it out himself.


    With a resigned sigh, he focused back on the grimoire, willing it to reveal more.


    Unfortunately, there wasn¡¯t much more information readily available. Raven flipped through the pages, searching for more details, but beyond the basic descriptions, the grimoire didn¡¯t provide any immediate guidance. If there was more to learn, he¡¯d have to figure it out himself.


    With limited information and Uri not being particularly forthcoming, Raven made a decision. If he was going to start somewhere, it would be with the one thing that seemed immediately useful.


    ¡°We should set up the shop first,¡± he said, closing the grimoire. ¡°It might give us a way to get supplies.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Alright. Where do you want it?¡±


    Liu, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. ¡°The cafeteria is probably the best spot. It¡¯s open, has space, and people are already used to going there for essentials.¡±


    Raven considered it and found no reason to argue. ¡°Cafeteria it is, then.¡±


    With that decided, they moved out, making their way through the hospital halls. The tension in the air had lightened slightly since the previous day, but people still carried the weight of uncertainty in their expressions. The night had been rough, and the morning had brought no guarantee of safety.


    Raven hoped that what they were about to do could bring hope to these people.

 Chapter 16. Magical lemonade Stand

    Chapter 16. Magical Lemonade Stand


    Arriving at the cafeteria the others in tow, Raven turned his focus inward. He wasn¡¯t entirely sure how to summon the construct, but after his experience claiming the ether sink, he had a vague idea.


    Taking a breath, he willed it to appear.


    Immediately, he felt something shift¡ªan invisible connection linking his grimoire to the ether sink beneath the hospital. Ether surged, not from his body, but from the well itself, answering his intent.


    The air in front of them shimmered. Particles of dust lifted into the air, swirling in a slow spiral as an unseen force pulled them together. The very fabric of space seemed to distort, bending inward like ripples on the surface of a pond. The gathered ether took form, solidifying into something tangible.


    As the dust settled, a wooden market stand stood before them. It looked¡­ unassuming. Simple, even. A sturdy wooden counter with a pitched canopy, the kind you¡¯d see at any country fair. Sitting atop the counter was a single open book.


    As it appeared before them, a wave of exhaustion rolled over him. His core still hadn¡¯t recovered from earlier, and now he was burning more energy again. He grimaced but kept his expression neutral. No way he was showing weakness in front of Wilkes.


    A few seconds of silence stretched between them.


    Wilkes squinted at the stand. ¡°That¡¯s it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± Raven muttered, eyeing the wooden stand warily. ¡°Somehow, I expected something a little more... magical.¡± This looked like something a farmer might use to sell produce.


    Liu crossed her arms. ¡°So, we survived hell, and we got a magic lemonade stand?¡±


    Uri, of course, looked entirely unsurprised. ¡°Looks can be deceiving.¡±


    Yeah, well, that¡¯s what con artists say before they rob you blind. Raven shot her a sceptical look but kept his thoughts to himself. At this point, questioning everything was exhausting.


    Wilkes narrowed his eyes at the stand. ¡°So... we just trust that this thing actually works?¡±


    Raven shrugged. ¡°What, you¡¯d rather fight over scraps the old-fashioned way?¡±


    Wilkes exhaled. ¡°Fine. But if this thing is a waste of time, we shut it down.¡±


    Raven, feeling the connection to the construct, moved forward and placed a hand on the book. The moment he touched it; a wave of information and impressions flooded his mind.


    Raven¡¯s mind was momentarily overwhelmed as knowledge flowed into him. He felt the connection between the shop and the ether sink again, an invisible tether linking them together. The stand wasn¡¯t just a marketplace¡ªit was a conduit for ether, a means of converting raw energy into tangible goods.


    Raven invited Wilkes to come and have a look, Wilkes hesitated, then placed his palm on the book. His eyes unfocused for a moment before his expression twisted into irritation. ¡°Well, this is bullshit.¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Tin Man?¡±


    Wilkes frowned, tapping the book again. Nothing happened. His brow furrowed as he tried once more before scowling. ¡°This damn thing¡¯s broken.¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Raven smirked, ¡°You¡¯re just broke.¡± Wilkes¡¯ glare darkened. ¡°Says I don¡¯t have any refined ether.¡± Raven¡¯s smirk faltered. ¡°Oh.¡± Right. Ether.


    Wilkes was a tank, his ability reinforcing his body rather than manifesting in an outward, usable form. That meant he had ether in him, but he wasn¡¯t actively cycling it or storing it in a usable way, like everyone else here he needed to form his seed core.


    Raven frowned. "Shit."'' If it required refined ether to function, that meant the entire hospital¡¯s population would be locked out of using it until they learned to cycle ether themselves.


    He cursed under his breath. "Fantastic. Homework for everyone."


    Raven groaned inwardly.


    That meant he had to explain how to gather ether, store it, and use it¡ªor he¡¯d be stuck playing errand boy for every single request.


    Unless¡­


    An idea struck him, and he reached out, touching the book on the market stand again. Willing it to search, he focused on finding a way for people to learn ether control. If this damn thing could sell food, maybe it could sell knowledge.


    A list formed in his mind, glowing lines of information flowing through his thoughts.


    Basic Ether Handling (English) ¨C 20 Ether


    Jackpot, Raven considered the price¡ª20 Ether. Was that a lot? Too late now. He willed the purchase and felt a noticeable tug in his core as a chunk of his stored ether drained away. Leaving a slightly empty feeling within.


    A second later, a thick tome materialized on the counter beside the market stand¡¯s ledger.


    Raven flipped open the book, scanning the first page.


    Basic Ether Handling: A Beginner¡¯s Guide to Gathering and Storing Ether. A book designed to help even challenged children form a core seed and develop it toward a stable ether core.


    He stared, blinked, read it again.


    ¡°Okay, first of all, rude.¡±


    Uri, peeking over his shoulder, barely suppressed a chuckle. ¡°Fitting.¡±


    He snapped the book shut and thrust it toward Dr. Carter, who raised an unimpressed brow.


    ¡°What am I supposed to do with this?¡± Carter asked.


    Raven gestured vaguely. ¡°Read it. Learn. Share. Whatever stops me from having to explain all this myself.¡±


    Carter sighed, taking the book and flipping through a few pages. His scowl deepened. ¡°This is... detailed. But if this actually helps, we might have a way to start training people.¡±


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    ¡°Good,¡± Raven said, rubbing his temples. ¡°Because I really don¡¯t want to play teacher.¡±


    Wilkes¡¯ jaw tightened. ¡°So you¡¯re saying we have to teach every survivor how to use magic before we can get a damn sandwich?¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°Looks that way.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled sharply. ¡°Great. Just what I needed. Homework.¡±


    Margaret Liu, who had been silent until now, gave an approving nod. ¡°This could be what we need. If we can train people to store ether, maybe we can start unlocking more of these constructs.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled through his nose; his expression unreadable. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll push this to whoever¡¯s willing to learn. But we need more than just books. We need real supplies.¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°Then we¡¯d better start feeding the market.¡±


    Uri, amused as ever, leaned against the counter. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ve got yourself a project.¡±


    Raven rolled his eyes, but there was a flicker of something inside him. Purpose, maybe.


    Raven had come here to save Darryl.


    That wasn¡¯t an option anymore.


    He stared at the market stall. His hands curled into fists before relaxing again.


    This? Maybe, just maybe, he could help these people.


    ¡°Guess I better get started.¡±


    Raven flipped open the ledger, focusing his will on the connection to the ether shop. As before, the pages shifted and filled with new information, categories of items listing themselves neatly in his mind.


    ¡°We need food, water, and weapons,¡± Wilkes reminded him, crossing his arms. ¡°Find out what we¡¯re working with.¡±


    Raven nodded, scanning through the options. The first section detailed rations¡ªdried meats, preserved fruits, grain, and nuts, the kind of long-lasting supplies that wouldn¡¯t spoil quickly. The costs weren¡¯t outrageous but considering the number of people they needed to feed, it was a steep price.


    ¡°Food¡¯s doable, but not for fifty-plus people. Not unless we want to drain the sink completely,¡± Raven muttered.


    Wilkes frowned. ¡°How much can we get?¡±


    Raven considered for a moment. ¡°Enough for a few days, if we¡¯re careful. We could supplement it with scavenging.¡±


    Liu nodded in agreement. ¡°That makes sense. We should focus on rationing what we have and collecting more from surrounding buildings.¡±


    ¡°Water¡¯s about the same,¡± Raven continued, shifting to the next category. ¡°But there¡¯s an option for an actual purification construct. Might be something to invest in long-term.¡±


    Wilkes grunted. ¡°Long-term is a luxury. What about weapons?¡±


    Raven narrowed his eyes at the list. ¡°No guns.¡±


    Wilkes stiffened. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°No guns, no bullets,¡± Raven repeated, frustration creeping into his voice. ¡°The only ranged options I¡¯m seeing are bows, crossbows, and javelins.¡±


    Wilkes sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. ¡°Figures. Damn thing¡¯s only giving us medieval gear.¡±


    Raven scanned the options, weighing their costs. ¡°Bows are twenty-five ether. Crossbows are the same. Quivers of arrows or bolts are five. Shields are twenty. Spears are cheap¡ªfifteen.¡±


    Wilkes considered. ¡°How much do we have left?¡±


    Raven checked. ¡°Personally, I¡¯ve got about sixty give or take, the book cost twenty and took just under a quarter. The sink has about four hundred after setting up the shop.¡±


    Wilkes let out a slow breath. ¡°That¡¯s not enough to arm a whole team.¡±


    ¡°No, but we can start equipping people now and build from there,¡± Raven suggested. ¡°A few shields, some ranged weapons, and a couple of spears to reinforce the front line.¡±


    Wilkes nodded reluctantly. ¡°Alright. Do it.¡±


    Raven willed the purchases into existence, and one by one, the items materialized on the stalls counter. A new bow for himself and two crossbows with three quivers full of arrows and bolts. Ten spears and half as many shields. Five leather backpacks which set him back twenty ether a piece and the remaining ether he spent on ration packs which were surprisingly cheap at ten Ether for a weeks'' worth for a single person. He felt his ether reserves drain away and the sink¡¯s remaining supply dwindled.


    Wilkes ran a hand over the newly acquired weapons, lips pressing into a thin line. The whole thing felt unreal¡ªtoo convenient. His gut told him there was always a catch.


    "And you swear there''s no cost to using this thing? No hidden ¡®soul tax¡¯ or whatever?¡±


    Raven rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, because I totally read the terms and conditions before I summoned it.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled sharply, glancing at Liu, then back at Raven.


    Liu grinned "Fair, but if this thing starts asking for blood sacrifices, I¡¯m holding you personally responsible.¡±.


    Wilkes''s instincts screamed at him not to trust this new magic so easily.


    And yet...  the kid had done everything he said he would.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Wilkes said finally. ¡°This¡¯ll give us a start.¡±


    Margaret Liu stepped forward. ¡°Thats one hell of a lemonade stand" she smiled "We should assign these to the people best suited for them. No sense in giving a bow to someone who¡¯s never shot one before.¡±


    Wilkes turned to his officers. ¡°Start organizing a scouting team. I want them out as soon as possible.¡±


    Raven expected more resistance. Wilkes didn¡¯t strike him as the type to accept things at face value, but here he was, handing out weapons like a battlefield quartermaster. Maybe the sight of something tangible¡ªactual weapons, actual food¡ªwas enough to make him buy into it. Or maybe, just maybe, he wasn¡¯t as stubborn as he let on.


    Liu looked at the ration packs on the counter "Thats not going to be enough for everyone here, give them to the scouts, in case anything happens and they can¡¯t make it back, we''ve still got enough food for a couple of days in the cafeteria".


    Raven took a deep breath, exhaustion beginning to creep back in. His core was nearly empty again. He needed to replenish his ether.


    His limbs felt heavier than they should. The dull ache in his core wasn¡¯t just exhaustion¡ªit was a hollowness, as if something vital had been siphoned away, leaving him brittle. He clenched his fists, rolling his shoulders, forcing himself upright.


    No time for weakness. Not yet.


    Stepping back from the discussion, he sank onto the cafeteria floor and closed his eyes, letting his focus sink inward. He could feel the emptiness in his core, the exhaustion sitting heavy in his chest.


    He pulled at the ether around him, slow at first, guiding it back into his core like coaxing embers into a flame. The warmth built steadily, a quiet hum in his bloodstream.


    This was becoming second nature now. If he pushed himself too hard, he could recover. If he ran low, he could refill. He had control. He wasn¡¯t powerless.


    Not anymore.


    After a few minutes, he heard someone sit beside him.


    Dr. Carter.


    Raven cracked an eye open as Carter flipped through the ether-handling book he had given him earlier.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got questions,¡± Carter said simply.


    Raven exhaled, closing his eyes again. ¡°Figures.¡±


    Carter glanced at him. ¡°What¡¯s it feel like?¡±


    ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Ether. What¡¯s it feel like when you take it in?¡±


    Raven considered. ¡°Like¡­ a slow warmth filling your chest. A little like holding your breath, but instead of air, it¡¯s energy.¡±


    Carter frowned in thought. ¡°Huh.¡±


    Raven closed his eyes again, refocusing. He had a feeling he¡¯d be answering questions for a while.


    About an hour later, when he finally opened his eyes, he felt the familiar weight of ether settling in his core once more. Across from him, Carter was sitting cross-legged, brows furrowed in deep concentration.


    ¡°You get it yet?¡± Raven asked.


    Carter exhaled sharply. ¡°I can feel something, but it¡¯s like¡­ I don¡¯t know, trying to grab mist with my fingers.¡±


    Raven nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s tricky at first. You¡¯ve gotta guide it, not grab it. Let it flow where you want it.¡±


    Carter frowned, concentrating. ¡°Feels unnatural.¡±


    ¡°Yeah. It takes a while, try willing it into a ball with your mind.¡±


    Carter furrowed his brow, exhaling slowly. ¡°I swear I feel something, but every time I try to focus on it, it slips away.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that happens,¡± Raven muttered. ¡°You¡¯re trying too hard.¡±


    ¡°Trying too hard?¡± Carter scoffed. ¡°You just said I need to will it into a ball.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but you don¡¯t strangle a bird to make it sing.¡±


    Carter groaned. ¡°Fantastic. Now I¡¯m failing poetically."


    Frowning his fingers twitched as he tried again. ¡°I swear, I can feel it just out of reach. Like I know it¡¯s there, but I don¡¯t know how to grab it.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s the trick,¡± Raven said. ¡°You don¡¯t grab it. You let it settle, like breathing into a rhythm.¡±


    Carter let out a frustrated breath. ¡°I¡¯m a doctor, not a monk.¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°Then consider this your first practical lesson in Eastern medicine."


    Carter scowled, rubbing his temples. ¡°This is ridiculous. I can name every artery in the human body, but I can¡¯t grasp a damn puff of energy floating inside me?¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°Yeah, well, your arteries don¡¯t vanish when you think about them too hard.¡±


    Carter muttered something under his breath, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Fine.¡±


    As Raven stood, stretching, he glanced over at Wilkes, who was handing out weapons to the newly formed scouting team. Things were starting to move forward. They had weapons, a plan, and enough rations to scrape by.


    But outside these walls, the city was still crawling with monsters.


    And if they wanted to survive, they had to push back.

 Chapter 17. Scouts Honour

    Chapter 17. Scouts Honour


    Wilkes turned to his officers. ¡°Alright. Two teams.


    Shields take point. Spears behind them. Crossbows at the back.


    Keep formations tight. Watch each other¡¯s backs.¡±


    "One team scouts; the other stays to guard the hospital."


    Liu looked on curiously. ¡°We¡¯re treating this like a riot squad?¡±


    ¡°Closest thing we¡¯ve got to tactics, military or not.¡±


    ¡°I hate that that makes sense.¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°Welcome to the apocalypse.¡±


    ¡± Scouts prioritise food and medical gear. Look for anyone holed up nearby. We move fast, get in, get out.¡±


    "Swap out halfway through the day."


    "Those staying to guard¡ªbasic patrols and rest up when you can. It¡¯s going to be a long day."


    "Hostiles?" one of the officers asked.


    Wilkes sighed. ¡°If it¡¯s just goblins or lizards, engage if necessary. Anything bigger¡ªdon¡¯t be a hero, pick your battles you''re no use to anyone dead.¡±


    Liu rolled out a tattered map of the city. ¡°Alright, here¡¯s what we¡¯re working with. Supermarkets are marked, but we don¡¯t know what¡¯s been picked clean yet.¡±


    ¡°We stick to backstreets,¡± one of the officers suggested. ¡°Stay out of sight, keep to cover.¡±


    Raven leaned over the map, tracing a route with his finger. ¡°This stretch here? Close to the hospital, but isolated enough that it might not have been looted yet.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Good call. We¡¯ll start there.¡±


    Raven hesitated, his mind flashing back to the group that had confronted him on his way to Darryl¡¯s house. They¡¯d claimed to be helping people get to the hospital, yet he hadn¡¯t seen them anywhere since. That didn¡¯t sit right with him. He exhaled sharply before speaking.


    "Be careful of other armed groups. Not everyone out there is as friendly as they claim to be."


    One of the officers, a thick-set man with a scar running across his chin, crossed his arms. ¡°So, we¡¯re just taking orders from a kid now?¡±


    Wilkes shot him a sharp look. ¡°We¡¯re taking orders from the only person who actually knows how any of this shit works.¡±


    The officer grumbled but didn¡¯t argue further.


    As the team started dividing responsibilities, a voice cut through the discussion¡ªlow, sceptical, edged with distrust.


    From the back of the group the officer Raven had caught hiding in the chapel¡ªstepped forward, crossing his arms as he eyed Raven with thinly veiled distrust. His lips curled, and his voice carried the sharpness of accusation.


    "You sure we should be trusting him?" the man sneered. "I saw what he did. He walked straight through a wall like a damned ghost. You telling me that''s normal?"


    The room tensed.


    Raven stilled, meeting the officer¡¯s gaze with measured calm, though he felt the heat of irritation bubbling under the surface. He¡¯d been called a lot of things in his life, but a monster? That was new.


    Wilkes exhaled sharply, rubbing his temples. "Now''s not the time for this."


    The officer didn''t back down. "Like hell it isn''t! We don¡¯t know what he is. How do we know he ain¡¯t some kind of freak? Or worse¡ªwhat if he''s one of them? Changed by whatever the hell is going on?"


    A murmur spread through a few of the others. Suspicion was infectious, and Raven could see it creeping across their faces, doubt settling in like a fog.


    He pressed on his voice gaining momentum. "Things out there are mutating fast. What if he¡¯s next? What if tomorrow he wakes up with claws? Or worse¡ªwhat if he¡¯s already changing?"


    Raven¡¯s fingers twitched at his sides, a muscle in his jaw tightening. He wasn¡¯t sure if he wanted to laugh or deck the guy.


    He opened his mouth, but Wilkes cut in before he could fire back.


    Wilkes¡¯ voice dropped, low and deliberate. ¡°That¡¯s enough.¡± As he stepped forward, his skin shifted¡ªdarkening to a gunmetal sheen, the light catching in a way that made him look carved from raw iron. ¡°You calling me a monster too?¡±


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    The officer hesitated, but his expression remained defiant. "I''m just saying¡ª"


    "And I''m saying," Wilkes interrupted, voice dropping dangerously low, "That this kid just took out one of those big bastards you couldn¡¯t even scratch. He got inside the hospital, claimed the Ether sink, and stopped the spawns. So, unless you think you could¡¯ve done all that yourself, shut the hell up and fall in line."


    Silence.


    A few of the other officers exchanged looks but said nothing. The tension didn¡¯t fade entirely, but no one wanted to be the next to challenge Wilkes.


    The officer clenched his fists, but he didn¡¯t argue further. His mouth pressed into a thin, bitter line, and with a final glare at Raven, he stepped back into the crowd.


    Raven exhaled, rolling his shoulders, forcing himself to relax, the words stuck with him more than he liked. He wasn¡¯t afraid of dying¡ªbut of becoming something others feared? That was harder to shake. He hadn¡¯t realized how much tension had coiled through him until the moment passed. But the doubt lingered.


    He wasn¡¯t sure what bothered him more¡ªthe officer¡¯s accusation, or the way Wilkes¡¯ skin turned to metal like it was no big deal. Was everyone changing? Was he?


    This was why he avoided leadership¡ªtoo many eyes. Too many doubts. People questioned you. Challenged you. Distrusted you. And when things went south? They blamed you.


    He wasn¡¯t here to be anyone¡¯s hero.


    Wilkes turned to the rest of the gathered officers. ¡°Anyone else got a problem?¡± His gaze swept across them, daring someone to speak.


    ""No boss," most of the officers called in unison.


    "Good," Wilkes muttered, then turned back to Raven, jerking his head toward the exit. "Come on. Let¡¯s get back to business."


    Raven followed, but as he moved past the officer, he caught the man¡¯s lingering glare.


    This wasn¡¯t over.


    Raven noted the tension. He wasn¡¯t looking for authority, but he knew damn well no one would follow him without question. The doubt hadn¡¯t gone anywhere¡ªit was just biding its time.


    The officers nodded and set out, one team consisting of two shields, two spears, and a crossbow moved through the plaza while the other started patrolling around the hospital.


    Walking into another room, Wilkes clapped Raven on the shoulder. ¡°This was a good call.¡±


    Raven raised a brow. ¡°What, listening to me?¡±


    Wilkes smirked. ¡°Let¡¯s not get carried away. We¡¯ll see if this actually works first.¡±


    Raven chuckled, but there was something in Wilkes¡¯ tone¡ªsome underlying caution.


    Wilkes folded his arms, tilting his head as he studied Raven like a puzzle, he wasn¡¯t sure how to solve. Then, in a voice edged with curiosity and something unreadable, he asked:


    "Tell me, kid. Who exactly are you?"


    Raven hesitated, caught off guard by the question. He knew it wasn¡¯t meant to be hostile¡ªWilkes wasn¡¯t looking for a fight, but there was an edge to it, a weight behind the words that made it clear the man was genuinely trying to figure him out.


    ¡°Who am I?¡± Raven echoed, running a hand through his hair. ¡°Just a guy trying not to die.¡±


    Wilkes gave him a pointed look. ¡°That¡¯s a cop-out.¡±


    Raven sighed, leaning back against the table behind him. He glanced toward the hallway, wondering where Uri had disappeared to. Typical. Just when he was getting grilled, she vanished again.


    Fine.


    Raven crossed his arms and met Wilkes¡¯ gaze. ¡°I woke up yesterday to the world falling apart. Had a weird-ass dream, got handed a magic book, then had to fight for my life against some lizard thing.¡± He exhaled sharply. ¡°Made it back to my godfather¡¯s house, he got hurt, poisoned. Came here to get help. He died while we were trying to get here.¡±


    Wilkes¡¯ expression didn¡¯t change, but something in his posture shifted. A subtle softening, the kind that came from understanding.


    Raven forced down the lump in his throat and continued. ¡°I lost Darryl, but I figured if I could at least make it here and help, then maybe I could do something that mattered. Killed the big bastard that nearly crushed me. Claimed the sink. And now I¡¯m here, talking to you.¡±


    Wilkes nodded slowly. ¡°So, you lost someone.¡±


    Raven tensed at the phrasing. Lost. As if Darryl had just wandered off somewhere and wasn¡¯t lying dead in a back alley store. His fingers clenched into fists. ¡°Yeah.¡±


    Wilkes rubbed his jaw. ¡°I get it. The world just flipped on its head, and now you¡¯re standing in the middle of it, trying to keep moving before it swallows you whole.¡± He met Raven¡¯s gaze again, more serious now. ¡°You¡¯re a survivor.¡±


    Raven let out a bitter chuckle. ¡°Is that what you call it?¡±


    Wilkes shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s what I am. That¡¯s what the people in this hospital are. The ones outside? Most of them won¡¯t make it. People freeze up when shit like this happens. They wait for someone to save them.¡± His expression darkened. ¡°A lot of them won¡¯t get that chance.¡±


    Something about the way Wilkes spoke made Raven pause. ¡°You sound like you¡¯ve seen this before.¡±


    Wilkes looked away for a moment, as if considering how much to say. Finally, he sighed. ¡°Not like this. But I¡¯ve been in places where law and order didn¡¯t mean a damn thing. Where survival was about being smart, fast, and brutal.¡± He smirked faintly. ¡°Guess that¡¯s why I¡¯m still here.¡±


    Raven studied him, noting the way the man carried himself¡ªthe confidence, the readiness. Yeah. He believed it. Raven had met plenty of tough guys before. Most of them were full of shit. Wilkes? He wasn¡¯t just talking¡ªhe¡¯d lived through something ugly. And somehow, he was still standing.


    After a moment, Wilkes clapped a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Look, kid. I gave you shit earlier because I don¡¯t like unknowns. But you¡¯ve done more in one day than most of these people will do in a week.


    Wilkes was quiet for a moment, studying him. Then, with a begrudging nod, he said, "You¡¯ve got good instincts."


    Raven huffed. ¡°That a compliment?¡± he joked, but Darryl had believed in him too. That made Wilkes¡¯ words harder to brush off.


    ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡± Wilkes smirked. ¡°Now, what¡¯s your plan?¡±


    Raven exhaled, rolling his shoulders. ¡°I think I¡¯m best suited to scouting. I can get in and out without drawing attention, cover ground faster than a big group.¡± He hesitated before adding, ¡°And honestly? I need some space.¡±


    Wilkes frowned but didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Alright. But you check back every two hours. I don¡¯t need you vanishing like a dumbass.¡±


    Raven smirked. ¡°What, worried about me?¡±


    Wilkes crossed his arms. ¡°More worried about having to explain to your ghost why I didn¡¯t stop you from getting yourself killed.¡±


    Raven chuckled dryly. ¡°Fair enough.¡± He glanced at the door again, wondering just where Uri had wandered off to. He had a feeling she wasn¡¯t done messing with his life just yet.


    But that was a problem for later. Right now, he had a city to scout¡ªand a creeping sense that whatever waited out there would make the hospital look like the easy part.


    He wasn¡¯t sure if he was leading, running, or just surviving¡ªbut either way, people were watching now.

 Chapter 18. City Ruins

    Chapter 18. City Ruins


    Raven prowled through the hospital halls, scanning each room he passed for any sign of Uri. He checked the cafeteria, the main hall, even the rooftop in case she had a habit of perching like a smug, all-knowing gargoyle. Nothing.


    "Figures," he muttered. It was becoming a pattern¡ªwhenever he actually wanted questions answered, she vanished. Probably off gathering whatever cryptic observations she had for the day.


    He wasn¡¯t about to waste time playing hide and seek. Turning on his heel, he made his way to the back of the hospital, where an old service exit had been boarded up. He pressed his palm to the decayed wood, focusing, and stepped through with ease. The cold grip of phasing washed over him for a split second before he was outside, standing in an alley filled with shattered glass and abandoned cars.


    The streets stretched out before him, eerily silent save for the occasional distant echo of movement. Finally, alone, he exhaled, his boots crunching softly against the cracked pavement as he moved.


    Now that he had a moment to himself, the weight of the last twenty-four hours pressed in.


    Darryl was dead.


    And now he was tethered to a hospital full of people expecting leadership he never asked for. And somehow, he was supposed to be okay with all of it?


    Raven let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair as he moved. Did he really want to lead? Was that who he was now¡ªprotector, guide, commander? The idea felt foreign.


    He had never been a hero¡ªnot in his own eyes.


    He shook the thought away and kept moving. There was no point in thinking about it now.


    As he slipped through the city, he took advantage of his new ability, phasing into buildings to bypass obstacles, cutting through apartments and storefronts rather than dealing with collapsed streets. It was a strange way to travel¡ªlike a ghost slipping through the ruins of civilization¡ªbut it kept him off the main roads and away from prying eyes.


    The city was in a worse state than he expected.


    Only the second morning, and already buildings sagged, their windows webbed with cracks, like time itself was chewing through the city. Cars sat abandoned in the streets, their metal corroding at an almost visible rate.


    Something about this wasn¡¯t natural.


    In one cracked window, ivy had grown up the wall¡ªleaves pulsing faintly with veins of deep green. Ether wasn¡¯t just breaking the city. It was reshaping it.


    The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it.


    Near the five-hundred-meter mark, movement caught his eye. He ducked low behind the frame of a broken window, peering into a looted storefront.


    Goblins.


    A dozen of them. All armoured.


    They had made camp in what used to be a small convenience store, skins spread out across the floor, rusted weapons leaning against overturned shelves. Some gnawed at stolen food, others dozed against the walls, their sharp eyes flicking open at the slightest sound.


    Raven¡¯s grip tightened on his knife.


    This close to the hospital, they were a threat.


    Taking them all head-on would be suicide, but he didn¡¯t have to. He had a better advantage.


    Phasing through the walls like a ghost, thinning their numbers in quick, brutal strikes, and slipping away before they could react.


    Hit-and-run.


    Raven¡¯s lips curled into a grin as he adjusted his grip on his weapon.


    Time to get to work.


    He moved like a shadow, slipping through the outer wall and emerging in the dim interior of the store. The first goblin barely had time to shift in its sleep before Raven clamped a hand over its mouth and drove his dagger into its throat. It thrashed, but only for a moment, before going limp. He phased back through the wall before its absence could be noticed.


    Pausing outside, he listened.


    No immediate reaction.


    Good.


    He circled to the side of the building, found another weak spot in their defences, and phased in again, appearing between two more slumbering goblins. He drove his knife into one¡¯s heart while muffling its mouth with his free hand. The second stirred, its eyelids fluttering open just in time for a scream to rise in its throat¡ªonly for Raven to silence it with a brutal stab through the skull.


    The damage was done.


    A shriek rang out as another goblin spotted the carnage, the store exploding into chaos. Weapons scraped against the floor, bodies scrambled upright, and snarling faces twisted in rage as they scanned for their unseen attacker.


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    Raven phased out again, reappearing in the alley. His cover was blown¡ªbut that was part of the plan.


    He slipped his bow from his shoulder, the weight of it grounding him. For the cheapest option in the ether shop, it felt surprisingly well-crafted¡ªsmooth and balanced in his grip.


    He knocked an arrow and waited.


    The goblins stormed out of the shop, blinded momentarily by the early morning light. The first took an arrow to the chest and crumpled before it could react. Raven let another fly, catching the next goblin in the throat.


    The rest finally adjusted, their beady eyes locking onto him. With a collective snarl, they charged.


    Raven dropped the bow and readied his dagger.


    The first goblin swung a crude club at his head. He sidestepped the blow and drove his blade up through its chin, straight into the brain. Another lunged at him, snarling, and he phased¡ªslipping straight through it and striking the one behind, burying his dagger deep into its chest before twisting free.


    A flurry of blows, a dance of steel and phasing, and the goblins lay dead at his feet.


    A grin split Raven¡¯s face. The previous day had been a relentless cycle of reaction¡ªsurviving, running, barely keeping ahead of the chaos. But now? Now he was in control. He had a plan, executed it, and won. The feeling settled in his chest, steady and grounding. For the first time since this all started, he wasn¡¯t just surviving¡ªhe was taking charge.


    But the grin faded quickly. The blood, the bodies¡ªhe¡¯d done worse now than some of the monsters he fought. Was this still survival? Or something else?


    Uri watched from a distance, arms crossed, studying the way Raven moved. She had suspected he would move in this direction¡ªtaking the fight directly to the creatures that had torn apart his world.


    What she hadn¡¯t expected was just how quickly he was adapting.


    His movements had grown sharper, his phasing almost instinctive. He no longer hesitated before stepping through walls, no longer stumbled when reappearing. His seed core had given him stamina. He was fighting like someone who had been using the ability for months, not hours.


    It was almost impressive.


    Almost.


    But it wasn¡¯t just skill that fuelled him¡ªit was something else, something darker. His strikes were clean, efficient, but carried a weight beyond just survival. This was vengeance, plain and simple. And while vengeance could be a powerful tool, it could just as easily be a chain.


    Uri¡¯s fingers tightened around her arms.


    Raven was becoming dangerous. That much was certain. If he kept developing at this rate, he could become a truly frightening opponent. Not just for the monsters that plagued this world, but for anyone who stood in his way.


    The problem was, she didn¡¯t know which direction he would take.


    Would he become the leader his actions suggested? The protector she knew Asmodeus sought.


    Or would he allow his pain to consume him, becoming something far more destructive?


    She watched as he finished off the last goblin, standing amid the carnage, chest heaving, a grin spreading across his face.


    She hoped that the despair that had seized him the day before didn¡¯t become a force that controlled him, leading him to a path of destruction.


    Raven realized he didn¡¯t have a way to keep time. Judging by the sun, he figured he had been out for less than two hours. Not wanting to damage any goodwill he had earned with Wilkes; he moved to the store he had just cleared and began filling his backpack with tinned foods. Seeing there was more left on the shelves than expected, he grabbed a shopping basket and filled it to the brim before heading back toward the hospital.


    By the time Raven reached the hospital, the weight of the supplies in his arms had started to strain his muscles. He adjusted his grip, shifting the heavy basket to his other hand as he entered through the back, avoiding the main entrance where the officers had set up a defensive line.


    The moment he stepped inside, a voice called out to him.


    "Hey! You''re back."


    Raven turned to see a young wiry man with short brown hair and a worried expression¡ªhurrying toward him. He vaguely recognized him from the day before, but the guy¡¯s name escaped him.


    "Wilkes wants to see you as soon as possible," the man continued, glancing at the loaded backpack and basket in Raven''s hands. His eyes widened. "Holy shit, where¡¯d you get all that?"


    "Store a few blocks out," Raven replied, shifting the basket higher. "Plenty left, but it won¡¯t stay that way for long."


    The civilian nodded, eyeing the supplies like a starving man. "Wilkes will definitely want to hear about that. He¡¯s in the main hall."


    Raven gave a short nod and adjusted his grip before moving down the hall. The tension in the air was palpable. Eyes tracked his every move¡ªsome grateful, others wary, a few lingering with something closer to fear. The rumours had already spread¡ªhe was the man who walked through a wall, the one who killed the brute. He wasn¡¯t sure which version of the story they believed, but the weight of it pressed against his shoulders all the same.


    It wasn¡¯t surprising. News travelled fast in a confined space like this. They knew what he had done yesterday. Knew what he was capable of.


    And he didn¡¯t know how to feel about it.


    Setting the basket down in the cafeteria, he quickly made his way to the main hall. Wilkes was standing at the far end, speaking with a few officers, his imposing figure casting long shadows across the tiled floor.


    When he noticed Raven approaching, he dismissed the others and crossed his arms. "Took you long enough," he grunted.


    Raven arched a brow. "I didn¡¯t know I was on a timer."


    Wilkes exhaled sharply, but there was no real heat in his expression. "What did you find?"


    "Cleared out a small goblin camp. A dozen, maybe more. Armoured ones, so they weren¡¯t just a random wandering pack." He let that information settle before continuing. "There¡¯s still a good amount of food in the store they were holed up in, but it won¡¯t last forever."


    Wilkes¡¯s frown deepened. "Goblins setting up a camp that close isn¡¯t good. We need to keep an eye on that. But food¡ªfood we need. We¡¯ll have to send a group to recover the rest before someone else gets to it."


    Raven nodded, then gestured toward the cafeteria. "I brought back what I could carry."


    For the first time, Wilkes¡¯s expression eased into something almost resembling approval. "Good. That¡¯ll buy us time."


    He motioned for Raven to follow him toward a table covered in maps and scattered notes. "I wanted to see you because we¡¯ve got a decision to make," he said, voice lowering slightly. "Now that the hospital is secure, we need to find a more sustainable food source. I want your input."


    Raven raised a brow. "Why?"


    Wilkes gave him a long, measured look. "I don¡¯t care if you asked for it or not, but these people are looking at you just as much as they look at me," Wilkes said, arms crossed. "And I¡¯m not going to deal with people second-guessing my decisions because they¡¯re waiting to see what you¡¯ll do first. You¡¯re already involved. The question is, are you going to do something with it?"


    Raven leaned against the table, considering. Darryl would¡¯ve stepped up, no question. He¡¯d called it ¡°Doing what needs doing.¡± Raven wasn¡¯t sure if that had made him strong¡ªor just resigned. He hadn¡¯t signed up for this. He hadn¡¯t asked to be involved.


    And yet, here he was.


    Raven exhaled sharply, rubbing his face. He didn¡¯t want this responsibility, but he wasn¡¯t blind either. If they made the wrong move, if they wasted time, people would die. And he wasn¡¯t about to let the first stable foothold he had found collapse because he was too stubborn to get involved.


    "Alright," he said, rolling his shoulders. "Let¡¯s talk.¡±

 Chapter 19. Here They Come Again

    Chapter 19. Here they come again


    Raven followed Wilkes through the hospital halls, noting the changes since he had first arrived. The place had been chaos, full of frightened, directionless people clinging to survival. Now there was movement¡ªorder. Civilians were clearing debris, reinforcing weak points, organizing supplies. Liu¡¯s leadership was evident in the way people listened and followed instructions without hesitation. There was still fear in their eyes, but it was tempered by purpose. It was strange to see something functioning so smoothly in the middle of the apocalypse.


    It was also a stark contrast to what Raven had expected during the apocalypse and left him wondering what his role here was becoming.


    He wasn¡¯t a leader. He¡¯d spent enough time alone to know he worked best that way. The thought of people looking to him for answers made his skin crawl. Structure like what Wilkes and Liu were building grated on him. He had no interest in leading these people¡ªnot because he didn¡¯t care about their survival, but because he knew himself. He wasn¡¯t built for speeches or governance. He was built to get things done.


    As they stepped into an unused office, Raven finally voiced the decision he¡¯d made while he was out in the city. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be in charge,¡± he said simply.


    Wilkes raised a brow, leaning against the desk. ¡°You think it¡¯s that easy to step away?¡±


    ¡°I think you¡¯re better suited for it,¡± Raven replied. ¡°You¡¯re a cop. People listen to you. You¡¯ve got structure, discipline, leadership experience. You¡¯re already running things whether you like it or not.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled through his nose, arms crossed. ¡°And what about you? These people are looking at you just as much as me. You cleared the sink, stopped the spawns, helped fortify this place. You think they¡¯re not going to expect you to step up?¡±


    Raven shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t think a democracy is going to work in this mess¡ªnot yet anyway. People don¡¯t need votes. They need direction. One person making the hard calls, like a captain on a ship.¡± He levelled Wilkes with a steady gaze. ¡°That should be you.¡±


    Wilkes didn¡¯t look particularly pleased, but there was a glimmer of understanding in his expression. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of weight to put on one person¡¯s shoulders.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s better than a dozen people arguing about what to do next,¡± Raven countered. ¡°And you can handle it. People trust you. I respect you.¡±


    Wilkes let out a dry chuckle. ¡°That right?¡±


    Raven smirked slightly. ¡°Don¡¯t let it go to your head.¡± He shifted his stance. ¡°I¡¯ll follow orders, but only if I agree with them. I¡¯m not going to blindly do whatever you say. If I think you¡¯re wrong, I¡¯ll say it.¡±


    Wilkes studied him for a long moment, then nodded. ¡°That¡¯s fair. I don¡¯t need blind loyalty, just people willing to do what needs to be done.¡± Wilkes words mirroring his own earlier thought put Raven at ease in a way he hadn¡¯t been expecting.


    ¡°Then we¡¯ve got an understanding. Raven acknowledged, unsure if he felt relieved or trapped. Stepping back wasn¡¯t the same as walking away¡ªand they both knew it.¡±


    Wilkes extended a hand. Raven hesitated for only a second before clasping it. The handshake was firm, an agreement between two men who knew that survival came first.


    With that settled, Wilkes straightened. ¡°I still want your input on how to get food happening as soon as possible.¡±


    Raven barely had a moment to process Wilkes¡¯s agreement before shouts echoed from the plaza below. Both men snapped toward the window, eyes widening as they took in the scene outside. A stampede of desperate figures rushed toward the hospital¡ªdozens, no, at least a hundred people, their faces twisted in terror. Behind them, the patrol scrambled to keep order, their weapons flashing in the midday light as they tried to fend off the goblins that surged after them.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± Raven spat, already moving.


    Wilkes was right behind him, both men barrelling down the hall toward the main doors.


    By the time they reached the entrance, the first of the fleeing civilians had already arrived, their footsteps frantic as they shoved through the hospital doors. The officers stationed at the entry looked momentarily overwhelmed, their grips tightening on their batons and spears, but Wilkes wasted no time. His voice cut through the chaos like steel on steel.


    ¡°Form ranks! Shields up, weapons ready!¡±


    The men snapped to attention, falling into a defensive formation at the threshold.


    Raven turned his gaze back to the retreating patrol. The group was doing everything they could to slow the tide, their spears lashing out to keep the closest goblins at bay while a few well-placed bolts took down the boldest creatures attempting to leap at them. But they were being pushed hard, forced into a steady retreat.


    As the patrol neared the hospital steps, Wilkes made the call.


    ¡°Fall in!¡±


    The scouting party broke into a final sprint, reaching the entryway as the officers tightened their formation. The last of them barely cleared the doors before the goblins swarmed the open space outside.


    They stopped just short of the entrance, gathering at the far end of the street, a wall of snapping teeth and guttural shrieks. Their numbers had nearly doubled, almost fifty of them now, their ranks reinforced by medium-sized goblins clad in mismatched armour. They gripped crude weapons¡ªclubs, rusted swords, and jagged spears¡ªand beat them against the pavement, their war cries reverberating through the plaza.


    At the centre of the horde stood something larger.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Raven¡¯s eyes narrowed as he spotted the hulking goblin leading the charge. Taller than the rest, its armour more complete, and its beady yellow eyes filled with a cruel intelligence. It raised a rusted axe high, bellowing something in its guttural tongue.


    The goblins roared in response, surging forward.


    Raven reacted instantly, yanking an arrow from his quiver and knocking it in one fluid motion. He let it fly, barely needing to aim with the goblins packed so tightly together. His arrow punched through a snarling goblin¡¯s eye, dropping it mid-charge.


    He didn¡¯t stop.


    Another arrow. Another kill.


    The goblins kept coming.


    Beside him, the two officers with crossbows fired at a steadier pace, each bolt taking another creature down. They couldn¡¯t match Raven¡¯s speed, but every shot counted. The advancing horde faltered under the initial barrage, bodies dropping in the street. Almost a dozen goblins had fallen before the first wave even reached the shield wall.


    And when they did, the clash was deafening.


    The officers braced, shields locked together as the goblins slammed into them, the force shaking their line but not breaking it. They held firm, spears darting over their defences, skewering goblins as they tried to claw their way through.


    They were holding.


    For the first time since this madness started, Raven saw humans standing their ground and not just running or dying.


    Then the big bastard arrived.


    The armoured goblin leader leapt into the air with a bone-chilling roar, its massive axe raised high.


    It came down like a war hammer.


    The impact sent one of the officers flying, his shield crumpling beneath the brute¡¯s sheer power. The line wavered as goblins rushed into the opening, forcing their way through.


    Raven cursed and adjusted his aim, firing down into the breach. His arrows found targets, but there were too many.


    Wilkes charged into the fray.


    Raven caught the flash of metallic skin as Wilkes barrelled into the massive goblin, slamming into it with the force of a freight train. The impact sent the beast sprawling, but Wilkes didn¡¯t let up. He mounted the goblin and drove his police baton down like a hammer, striking again and again.


    The goblin howled in pain, stunned but not dead.


    Then, with a snarl, it threw Wilkes off with a surge of strength, scrambling to its feet.


    Raven swore and loosed another arrow, watching it punch into the brute¡¯s shoulder. It staggered, but didn¡¯t fall.


    Not enough.


    Dropping his bow, Raven sprinted forward, drawing his dagger.


    Wilkes was already engaging the brute again, his metallic fists smashing into the goblin¡¯s face with brutal efficiency. But Raven knew it wasn¡¯t enough. Wilkes was strong, durable, but he wasn¡¯t enhancing his strikes with ether¡ªnot yet.


    The fight was becoming a war of attrition¡ªone Wilkes couldn¡¯t win.


    Raven saw his opening.


    The brute¡¯s axe cleaved through the air, inches from Wilkes¡¯ head.


    Sprinting forward he vanished.


    Reappearing behind the goblin in a blink, dagger flashing as he drove it into the base of its thick neck. It roared, spinning wildly, swinging its axe in a blind arc.


    Raven phased again, passing through the attack like smoke.


    Wilkes capitalized, smashing his baton into the goblin¡¯s jaw with a sickening crunch.


    The brute staggered.


    Raven reappeared at its side, slashing at the back of its ankle. His blade bit deep, severing the tendon.


    The goblin collapsed to one knee, its snarls turning to panicked grunts.


    Wilkes didn¡¯t give it a chance to recover. He stepped in and drove his baton down with every ounce of strength he had, smashing the creature¡¯s skull into the pavement.


    The brute twitched once, then lay still.


    Silence.


    Then, a cry went up.


    The battle was over.


    Raven turned, chest heaving, and scanned the battlefield.


    The officers had held the line. The goblins were dead, their bodies littering the hospital entrance.


    For the first time, it wasn¡¯t just him. People stood together¡ªand it was working.


    But victory came at a cost.


    A pool of blood rapidly spread beneath the fallen lieutenant.


    Wilkes was the first to react, lunging toward the fallen lieutenant. ¡°Stay with me,¡± he urged, voice firm but laced with urgency. His hands pressed hard against the deep spear wound in the man¡¯s side, trying to slow the bleeding. A thick stream of crimson seeped between Wilkes¡¯ fingers, pooling onto the pavement.


    Raven took a step forward¡ªand froze.


    Black veins.


    The creeping lines spread outward from the wound, curling under the man¡¯s skin like living tendrils. Raven¡¯s stomach clenched as an all-too-familiar horror settled in. He¡¯d seen this before.


    ¡°Fuck,¡± he snarled. ¡°He¡¯s poisoned. We need Carter, now!¡±


    A woman near the doors gasped and bolted inside, shouting for the doctor. Wilkes didn''t waste breath on questions. His face darkened with grim determination as he and another officer hoisted the lieutenant onto a makeshift stretcher.


    ¡°Move!¡± Wilkes barked, his usual composed authority cracking under the weight of urgency.


    Raven grabbed the other end of the stretcher, the two of them rushing toward the hospital entrance. Every second counted. Every heartbeat could be the last.


    The moment they burst inside, Carter came barrelling out of his office, wearing a wild grin. ¡°I did it!¡± he exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.


    Wilkes rounded on him. ¡°Where the fuck have you been?¡± he thundered, his voice reverberating off the hospital walls.


    Carter¡¯s triumphant expression collapsed the moment he saw the blood-soaked bandages and the barely-conscious lieutenant. ¡°Shit,¡± he breathed. ¡°Get him to the surgery¡ªdown the hall, second door on the right. Now!¡±


    They sprinted down the corridor, shoving past stunned civilians. The second they reached the operating room; they positioned the lieutenant onto the surgical table.


    ¡°This is Thrak venom. It¡¯s a type of spider,¡± Raven informed the doctor.


    Carter muttered, examining the spreading infection. ¡°I¡¯ve seen wounds like this before, but this is acting fast. That wound''s already bad.¡±


    Raven¡¯s pulse thundered in his ears. Same black veins. Same panic. But this time¡­ maybe it wouldn¡¯t end the same.


    ¡°Can you save him?¡± Wilkes asked, voice taut.


    Carter¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I need to cut it out. Now.¡±


    He grabbed a small block of wood from a nearby table, prying open the lieutenant¡¯s mouth and wedging it between his teeth. ¡°Hold him down,¡± he instructed. ¡°This is going to hurt, and we don¡¯t have anaesthetics.¡±


    Wilkes and Raven moved without hesitation, pinning the lieutenant¡¯s arms as Carter took a scalpel and cut.


    The lieutenant convulsed, a strangled, agonized groan escaping through the wooden block. Blood welled from the fresh incision¡ªdark, viscous¡ªbut Carter worked quickly, slicing away the infected tissue with practiced precision.


    Then¡ªsomething unexpected happened.


    Carter exhaled slowly, his hands hovering over the raw, gaping wound.


    Raven watched, eyes narrowing as something¡­ shifted.


    Wisps of translucent liquid slithered from Carter¡¯s fingertips, drawn to the wound like iron to a magnet. They shimmered faintly and wove into the torn flesh, binding it together in delicate, pulsing strands.


    Like a 3D printer rebuilding muscle and sinew.


    The room was silent save for the wet sound of flesh knitting together.


    Raven and Wilkes exchanged a glance, neither sure of what they were witnessing.


    Finally, Carter exhaled sharply and stumbled back, sweat beading at his temple. The lieutenant¡¯s chest rose and fell in laboured but steady breaths.


    ¡°Holy shit,¡± Wilkes muttered.


    Raven crossed his arms, staring at Carter. ¡°Since when can you do that?¡±


    Carter wiped his brow, a mixture of exhilaration and exhaustion flickering in his expression. Uri had warned that ether would change things. He just hadn¡¯t expected it to start in a hospital hallway. ¡°Since about twenty minutes ago.¡± He glanced down at his hands, flexing them like he couldn¡¯t quite believe what he¡¯d just done. ¡°I think¡­ I think I have a skill,¡± he said before passing out.


    Raven met Wilkes¡¯ gaze, seeing his own stunned disbelief mirrored there. ¡°This changes everything,¡± he muttered, barely able to process what they were witnessing. The lieutenant¡¯s wound was knitting itself together before their eyes.

 Chapter 20. Emerging Traits

    Chapter 20. Emerging Traits


    Raven and Wilkes carefully moved Carter to a nearby bed, easing him down as he muttered incoherently, exhaustion taking hold after his first use of whatever strange ability he had awakened. Raven wasn¡¯t sure whether the man had passed out from overexertion or sheer shock at what he had just done, but either way, he needed rest. Wilkes glanced down at the unconscious doctor, his expression unreadable before he turned to Liu, who had followed them inside.


    ¡°Find someone to take care of the Lieutenant,¡± Wilkes ordered. ¡°He¡¯s stable, but I don¡¯t want him left alone in case something changes.¡±


    Liu nodded, stepping away to delegate the task. Raven sighed, rubbing the back of his head as he processed everything. They¡¯d barely finished dealing with the goblins, and now another hundred people had just flooded in, each with their own needs, problems, and expectations. A hundred mouths to feed. A hundred people looking for safety. A hundred more chances for something to go wrong.


    ¡°We really need to work out our food situation,¡± Raven muttered, more to himself than anyone else.


    Wilkes shot him a sidelong glance, his jaw tightening. ¡°Yeah,¡± he exhaled sharply. ¡°We¡¯ll figure something out. One thing at a time.¡±


    His mind flicked back to what Carter had done¡ªwater forming in the air, weaving itself into flesh as if it were just another part of the body. His gut told him that Carter hadn''t gotten that skill from a trait stone.


    ¡°I think we need to call a meeting and find out if anyone has obtained or started this mess with a trait,¡± Raven said slowly.


    Wilkes raised an eyebrow. ¡°Not a bad idea. I¡¯ll call a meeting with Liu, Carter, and Henson once he¡¯s up. We¡¯ll figure out the best way to handle this.¡±


    As they moved toward the main hall, Raven turned to Wilkes, his mind still turning over the idea of traits and how widespread they might be. ¡°Have any of your officers found trait stones?¡± he asked casually.


    Wilkes frowned. ¡°Trait stones?¡±


    Raven sighed, realizing Wilkes had no idea what he was talking about. ¡°Yeah, sometimes when a monster dies, it leaves behind a stone¡ªits kind of like a crystallized trait. If someone uses it, they can gain an ability linked to whatever creature it came from.¡±


    Wilkes came to a dead stop, looking at Raven as if he¡¯d just grown a second head. ¡°You¡¯re telling me we could have been getting powers off the things we¡¯ve been killing this whole time?¡±


    Raven shrugged. ¡°I mean¡­ yeah. Not every monster drops them and they aren''t the best option, but they show up pretty often when the ether density is high. I found one on my way here.¡±


    Wilkes let out a low curse, rubbing his temple before turning toward the nearest officer. ¡°Liu, get a squad together and search the bodies outside. I want anything that looks remotely like a stone brought to me immediately.¡±


    Liu nodded sharply, already moving to gather a few others.


    Raven smirked. ¡°Guess you¡¯re a little late to the party on this one.¡±


    Wilkes shot him a glare but didn¡¯t rise to the bait. ¡°If you knew about this, why didn¡¯t you say something sooner?¡±


    Raven raised a brow. ¡°I assumed you already knew Tin Man.¡±


    Wilkes muttered something under his breath before turning back toward the hall. ¡°We¡¯ll see what we find. If these things are as useful as you say, then we need to figure out who should be using them. We can¡¯t just hand them out like candy,¡± Raven said with a nod. ¡°Yeah. Wouldn¡¯t want to waste them on the wrong people.¡±


    As the officers moved outside to loot the bodies, Raven couldn¡¯t help but wonder just how many of these stones had gone unnoticed so far. If people had already been using them without realizing what they were, things could get complicated fast.


    As they approached the scouting group, Wilkes wasted no time. ¡°Report,¡± he called out, his voice carrying the weight of command.


    A man stepped forward, his crossbow slung over his shoulder. "Braidy," Wilkes acknowledged, "What happened out there?"


    Braidy nodded, his expression grim. ¡°We were sweeping through the shops. Most had already been picked clean, but we kept at it, figuring we might still find something useful. Then we reached one of the larger supermarkets. Only one entrance wasn¡¯t barred off, and a patrol of about a dozen goblins was stationed there.¡±


    Wilkes crossed his arms, listening intently as Braidy continued. ¡°We decided to take them out. The first few went down easy enough, but the rest turned tail and ran. That¡¯s when we moved in and found the people holed up inside. They¡¯d been trapped there since the day before, fighting off patrols and trying to stay hidden. We figured it was best to get them here, but before we could get far, those goblins that ran off came back¡ªwith friends. We had to fight our way back, keeping the bastards off the civilians while making sure we didn¡¯t get cut off. It was close, but we made it.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled, a sharp nod of approval accompanying his words. ¡°You did good, all of you.¡± He turned to address the gathered officers, his voice firm. ¡°First off, Henson is okay. He¡¯s resting, but he¡¯ll live.¡± A ripple of relief passed through the group, shoulders sagging, a few audible exhales breaking the tension.


    Wilkes let the moment settle before continuing. ¡°Secondly, I need you all to open your grimoires. Anyone with a part of the crest on the first page filled in¡ªstep forward.


    Four officers stepped forward, their expressions ranging from hesitant to curious. Raven and Wilkes exchanged a glance before Wilkes addressed them.


    ¡°What¡¯s depicted in your crest?¡± he asked, his voice level but firm.


    Braidy, still looking a little surprised, spoke first. ¡°Mine¡¯s an eye. It wasn¡¯t there yesterday¡ªit just appeared this morning after I picked up the crossbow.¡±


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    The other crossbow-wielding officer stepped forward as well. ¡°Same here. An eye.¡± He hesitated before adding, ¡°I haven¡¯t noticed anything unusual yet, but I feel... sharper, like I¡¯m noticing things I wouldn¡¯t have before.¡±


    Wilkes rubbed his chin. ¡°Interesting.¡± His gaze shifted to the next officer. ¡°And you?¡±


    The man squared his shoulders, gripping his spear slightly tighter. ¡°A tower,¡± he said. ¡°I got it after taking the shield and spear yesterday. During the retreat, I noticed something strange¡ªone of the goblins was coming at me fast, and when I bashed it with my shield, it flew back way harder than it should have. Like there was force behind it.¡±


    Raven¡¯s interest piqued. A skill activating without conscious effort? That meant the grimoire had already started integrating abilities based on instinct.


    The final officer stepped forward, looking slightly uncomfortable. ¡°I¡¯ve got a tower, too,¡± he admitted, shifting on his feet. ¡°But I don¡¯t have any skills.¡±


    Raven¡¯s eyes flicked down to the man¡¯s equipment and immediately noticed the difference. ¡°You don¡¯t have a shield,¡± he pointed out.


    The officer frowned. ¡°No, I didn¡¯t take one. Figured it would slow me down.¡±


    Raven exchanged a look with Wilkes. If these traits and skills were influenced by the gear they used and how they fought, then the way people equipped themselves might directly affect their potential abilities. The implications of that were something they needed to explore¡ªand fast.


    Wilkes clapped his hands together, the sound sharp and decisive. ¡°Alright, I want everyone back here in an hour. I¡¯ll track down Liu and Carter and get them up to speed. In the meantime, get your thoughts in order. We need to figure out the best way to use what we¡¯ve learned.¡±


    With that, the group dispersed, leaving Raven with some time to himself. He considered helping with the fortifications or checking on the new arrivals but ultimately decided on something more pressing building his ether core.


    He found an empty room, closed the door, and sat cross-legged on the floor. Taking a deep breath, he focused inward, just as Uri had taught him. He let his awareness settle on the pulsing warmth of ether in his body, guiding it toward his core. Slowly, steadily, he fed it, condensing the energy, pressing it together as tightly as he could. With each cycle, his core grew denser, capable of holding more. The process was slow but satisfying. He could feel the difference¡ªeach breath filled him with more strength, each moment of stillness reinforcing his ability to manipulate ether with greater ease.


    A knock on the door interrupted his meditation. Raven opened his eyes, blinking against the afternoon light filtering through a boarded-up window. A young man, barely in his twenties, stood in the doorway, looking nervous.


    ¡°Uh¡­ Wilkes sent me to get you,¡± the messenger said. ¡°The meeting¡¯s starting.¡±


    As Raven walked through the halls, he saw the toll of the new arrivals. The hospital, which had felt structured and secure just hours ago, now looked overcrowded and strained. People huddled in corners, exhausted faces watching as officers handed out limited rations. A child clung to her mother, eyes darting at every sound, as if expecting another attack at any moment.


    This wasn¡¯t sustainable. Wilkes was right¡ªthey needed a plan before things spiralled out of control.


    He was led into an office where Liu had set up a meeting space. Wilkes was already there, along with Carter, Henson¡ªwho looked far too healthy for someone who¡¯d taken a spear to the gut¡ªand Liu, who was sifting through a notepad filled with scribbled notes.


    Wilkes got straight to business. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got new variables on the table. We know inherent traits exist. We know trait stones exist. What we don¡¯t know is how common either of them are, or how many of the new arrivals might have them.¡± He turned to Carter. ¡°Thoughts?¡±


    Carter adjusted his glasses, looking thoughtful. ¡°If these traits and skills are being influenced by something as simple as holding a weapon, we need to determine what factors actually matter. Is it purely the weapon? The person¡¯s fighting style? Their natural disposition?¡± He leaned back in his chair. ¡°I¡¯m willing to test it¡ªthough I¡¯ll need volunteers.¡±


    ¡°Use me as one,¡± Henson said, arms crossed. ¡°I was dead a few hours ago, and now I feel better than ever. I want to know if I can push this further.¡±


    Liu pursed her lips. ¡°You should be resting.¡±


    Henson smirked. ¡°I¡¯ll rest when I¡¯m dead. Again.¡±


    Raven cut in. ¡°We also need to consider that some of the new arrivals might have developed traits on their own¡ªor used trait stones without realizing the full consequences.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°That¡¯s something we¡¯ll start asking about.¡± He glanced at Carter. ¡°And if we find more with developed skills?¡±


    ¡°Then we test them. See what they can do.¡± Carter¡¯s expression darkened slightly. ¡°And we make sure we know the risks. We¡¯re playing with forces we barely understand.¡±


    Henson cracked his knuckles. ¡°Still, having skills is better than not having them. Which brings me to my next point¡ªI want to start pulling together anyone willing to fight and forming a proper militia.¡± He met Wilkes¡¯ gaze. ¡°Officers aren¡¯t enough. We¡¯ve got a couple hundred people here, most of them relying on us to keep them safe. We need fighters.¡±


    Wilkes considered it for a long moment before nodding. ¡°Start drawing up a roster. Get volunteers. But no one¡¯s forced into it.¡±


    Raven shifted in his seat. ¡°And the trait stones?¡±


    Wilkes exhaled sharply. ¡°We got about two dozen handed in from today¡¯s cleanup.¡± His eyes flicked to Raven. ¡°Mainly focused on blunt weapons and knives.¡±


    Raven frowned. That lined up with what he¡¯d seen in combat so far. Basic weapons, basic skills. They were still on the lowest rung of whatever system Asmodeus had unleashed.


    Wilkes leaned forward. ¡°I get that these stones might not be ideal long-term, but any skill¡ªany advantage¡ªcould mean the difference between life and death out there. So, unless there¡¯s a damn good reason not to, I want my people using them.¡±


    Liu frowned. "So let me get this straight people can just¡­ absorb these things and get new abilities?"


    "That¡¯s the theory," Raven said. "And if it''s true, it means we¡¯ve been leaving power just lying around in the streets."


    Wilkes cracked his knuckles. "Then I say we test it. Carefully."


    Raven hesitated, he felt uneasy at the idea of potentially stunting people''s growth with inefficient traits but realized how urgent their situation was, he nodded. ¡°Alright. But we should track who uses what. We don¡¯t know if there are long-term side effects.¡±


    Wilkes smirked. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of paranoia I like.¡±


    Liu folded her arms, her sharp gaze sweeping the gathered group. "Paranoia aside, let¡¯s be blunt: this isn¡¯t sustainable. We were barely holding it together before, and now, with a hundred more mouths to feed? Even with rationing, we won¡¯t last the week.¡± She exhaled through her nose, frustration bleeding into her words. "I need solutions, not just hope that things will work out."


    Wilkes scratched at his chin. "Scavenging is our best bet. We can¡¯t rely on the sink for food yet, and sending a team to secure supplies is faster than waiting for Ether-based solutions we don¡¯t even understand."


    Liu didn¡¯t seem convinced. ¡°And what happens when we run out of easy places to loot? Did you learn anything new about the constructs?¡± She turned her attention to Raven.


    Raven glanced at his grimoire, thumbing through the pages absentmindedly. He still barely understood how the sink worked, let alone how to control it. Maybe it was time to stop improvising.


    "I¡¯ll look into it,¡± he said. ¡°Might as well figure out what else this thing can do before we get caught off guard again.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. "Do that. The sooner we know what we''re working with, the better." He ran a hand over his face, the exhaustion catching up to him in the dim light. "I swear, if we get one more surprise today, I¡¯m going to start swinging my baton at the air just in case."


    Liu smirked, but it was thin. "You¡¯d run out of energy before you ran out of problems."


    Raven began actively flipping through the pages of his grimoire, searching for anything useful, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. This wasn¡¯t just survival anymore. It was structure. It was weight. And it was his now, whether he liked it or not.


    He had no idea what he¡¯d find in the pages of his grimoire, but one thing was clear¡ªthis was the next step.

 Chapter 21. Laying Foundations

    Chapter 21: Laying Foundations


    Raven scanned the sink¡¯s options, but the answer remained the same¡ªnone of the constructs would work without the right people to run them. That was a problem.


    Then a thought struck him.


    What if traits could be bought?


    His eyes widened as the idea took hold. If the store could provide weapons, books, and even food, maybe it could offer something even more fundamental. He didn¡¯t wait¡ªhe stood abruptly, excusing himself with a rushed, ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon,¡± before anyone could question him.


    Wilkes frowned but let him go. Liu, watching curiously, merely raised an eyebrow before turning back to the discussion at hand.


    Raven moved quickly through the halls, arriving at the cafeteria. He placed his hand on the market stand and willed the store to show available traits. Sure enough, common traits appeared¡ªfarming, hunting, construction, even basic medicine.


    His mind raced.


    If they could use the sink to develop food production and self-sufficiency, they wouldn¡¯t just be surviving¡ªthey¡¯d be building something sustainable. He scrolled through the construct options again, checking costs and requirements. The hydroponic farm caught his eye. It was expensive, but exactly what they needed. If they could buy the farm and assign trait stones to willing workers, they could start a food source immediately.


    He turned on his heel and sprinted back to the meeting.


    As he entered, Wilkes folded his arms. ¡°Mind telling us where you ran off to all of a sudden?¡±


    Raven barely caught his breath before launching into an explanation. ¡°The shop¡ªit doesn¡¯t just sell items. We can buy common trait stones. Farming, hunting, construction. It means we don¡¯t have to wait for people to develop the right skills naturally. We can train them.¡±


    The group fell silent.


    Then Liu giggled. ¡°That¡­ that¡¯s brilliant, how did we not think to check this.¡± Her fingers tapped against the table, thoughts already racing.


    Wilkes rubbed his chin. ¡°So, we can actually set up a working farm?¡±


    Raven nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll need volunteers, but the sink just refilled. We can afford the farm and at least six people to start.¡±


    Hope crept into the room where there had only been pressure and desperation before.


    Wilkes raised a hand. ¡°This takes precedence. We¡¯ll table everything else and get the farm operational first.¡±


    Liu pressed a palm to the table. ¡°There¡¯s an empty ward on the eastern side of the second floor. Large windows, plenty of sunlight. That should be our spot.¡±


    The group headed upstairs. The ward was spacious, its once-white walls faded and stained, but the natural light made it the best option.


    Raven scanned his grimoire and selected the construct¡ªten meters long, five rows spaced a foot apart. As the group watched, the air thickened with swirling dust, moving in controlled, unnatural patterns. A faint hum filled the room, like static before a storm. Piping formed from dark stone, marbled with shifting veins of colour. Small bowls emerged along the rows. The ground trembled before the last of the dust lifted away, revealing a large tank and a pedestal with a worn-looking ledger.


    Raven stepped forward and placed his hand on the ledger. Bold letters flashed across its surface:


    Farming trait required for use.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    Well, that confirmed it. They needed trait stones.


    They exchanged glances and returned to the meeting room. Raven wasted no time, ducking back to the shop to make the purchase.


    On his return, he handed the stones to Wilkes and Liu. Liu turned one over in her palm and exhaled. ¡°I¡¯ll take one.¡±


    Raven eyed her. ¡°You sure?¡± he asked, voice low. ¡°This might mess with your natural trait development.¡±


    Liu didn¡¯t hesitate. She rolled the stone thoughtfully, then met his gaze. ¡°I¡¯m sure. People need to eat. If this helps us survive, it¡¯s worth it.¡±


    Raven watched her a moment longer, then nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see what this does.¡±


    The others gathered around as Liu pressed the stone to her chest. A soft glow pulsed from its core. Light shimmered from the surface, delicate wisps unravelling like threads before surging into her. The energy coiled around her chest, sinking inward like water into dry soil.


    She exhaled, fingers twitching as warmth spread through her body. The stone crumbled to dust.


    ¡°You good?¡± Wilkes asked.


    Liu flexed her fingers, then pulled her grimoire from her belt. She flipped it open, scanned the page, and her eyes widened.


    ¡°I have a new trait,¡± she murmured. ¡°Plant affinity¡­ and a skill called ¡®Growth.¡¯¡±


    Raven leaned over. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re officially our first farmer.¡±


    Liu smirked. ¡°Damn right.¡± She snapped the book shut. ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to get some volunteers.¡±


    As she left, Wilkes turned to Carter. ¡°You got a plan for researching these traits?¡±


    Carter crossed his arms, thinking. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll start with you and Raven. Then bring in the officers. I also think we should start lessons¡ªget the officers working on unlocking their seed cores when they¡¯re not patrolling.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Makes sense. We need every edge we can get.¡±


    Raven glanced at Carter. ¡°How long do you think it¡¯ll take to see results?¡±


    Carter shrugged. ¡°No idea. Could be fast, could be slower. But if we don¡¯t start, we¡¯ll never know.¡±


    Before Wilkes could respond, Carter added, ¡°We should train the farmers too. That garden construct might need Ether.¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°You think the farm needs an energy source?¡±


    Carter nodded. ¡°Everything else uses Ether. If the farm¡¯s a long-term solution, it might need more than a trait to run.¡±


    Wilkes rubbed his chin. ¡°If it¡¯s like our own abilities, stronger cores mean better results.¡±


    Raven crossed his arms. ¡°That¡¯s assuming they can unlock cores at all. Not everyone does.¡±


    Carter smirked. ¡°That¡¯s why we start now. Even basic Ether use could sustain the farm. We can¡¯t let it fail in a few weeks because no one can power it.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Add it to the list. Once we assign volunteers, start their Ether training.¡±


    Carter grinned. ¡°Good. We need more than fighters. We need people who can make this place work.¡±


    Raven exhaled. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we find some fast learners.¡±


    Wilkes turned to Henson. ¡°Training plan? And how many officers can we spare for scouting?¡±


    Henson leaned back. ¡°One squad should handle training if we get a couple dozen volunteers. We¡¯ll drill them in basics¡ªconditioning, weapons, shield wall. That formation¡¯s saved us before.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°And scouting?¡±


    ¡°Three-man patrols, max. We can¡¯t go blind, but we can¡¯t stretch thin.¡± He tapped his chin. ¡°Mix roles¡ªa ranged fighter, a shield, and a spear. Best we can do until gear improves.¡±


    He paused. ¡°But there¡¯s something else. These people are risking their lives. They¡¯ll need a reason to keep going.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled. ¡°You mean rewards.¡±


    Henson nodded. ¡°Priority access to gear. Rank. Influence. Something tangible. We need morale.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°We don¡¯t have much now, but if we want people pushing harder, we¡¯ll need to give them something. Keep thinking.¡±


    He scanned the room. No one spoke. He nodded sharply. ¡°Right. Carter, you¡¯re on Ether training. Henson, get volunteers trained and coordinate with Carter.¡±


    Liu returned. Wilkes raised an eyebrow. ¡°Perfect timing. Volunteers?¡±


    She grinned. ¡°More than enough. Five with gardening experience. One guy ran a hydroponic cannabis setup¡ªhe swears it was legal.¡±


    ¡°Perfect,¡± Wilkes said. ¡°Get them started. Let¡¯s see what this construct can do.¡±


    He turned to Raven. ¡°You¡¯re scouting. Check the sink¡¯s perimeter, map the area. My men need rest. You¡¯re our eyes now.¡±


    Raven moved through the halls, scanning shadowed corners and open doorways. He was looking for her¡ªUri.


    She¡¯d been gone too long.


    He checked the usual spots¡ªmedical, storage, the rooftop exit. Nothing. He clenched his fists, pushing down the unease. She could handle herself¡ªhe knew that¡ªbut still¡­


    Something felt wrong.


    Worried he moved for the exit, grabbing his gear on the way. The crisp air outside was a stark contrast to the tension inside. He adjusted his pack and disappeared into the ruins.


    Upstairs, Wilkes leaned against the window frame, watching Raven leave the perimeter. He¡¯d expected Raven to lead, expected conflict. But it hadn¡¯t happened.


    Instead, Raven handed over control without a fight.


    That unsettled Wilkes more than he liked to admit.


    The kid had done more than anyone for their survival. But something about him felt off¡ªsomething Wilkes had sensed from the beginning.


    He¡¯d seen it before. Soldiers who walked through hell and came back with shadows in their eyes. Some learned to live with it.


    Others never came back at all.


    Wilkes exhaled and pushed the thought aside.


    Whatever was going on in Raven¡¯s head, it wasn¡¯t something he could fix.


    They had work to do.

 Chapter 22. The Hospital

    Chapter 22: The Hospital


    Wilkes leaned against the window frame, watching Raven disappear beyond the hospital¡¯s perimeter. He knew he should be out there too, using his own skills to scout, but leadership required someone to stay behind. Someone had to keep things together.


    Pushing off the frame, he made his way toward the training area, deciding to check in on Henson. When he arrived, he found the man looking visibly overwhelmed, his arms crossed as he surveyed a crowd of nearly forty volunteers.


    Wilkes raised an eyebrow. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect this many, did you?¡±


    Henson let out a breath, shaking his head. ¡°Hell no. Half of them barely know how to hold a weapon, but I¡¯m sorting through them now.¡±


    Curious, Wilkes stuck around as Henson started asking the group about prior combat experience. Almost a dozen stepped forward. That wasn¡¯t surprising. What was surprising was the fact that several already had trait stones¡ªproof that they had fought enough to develop skills.


    Wilkes crossed his arms. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s see what we¡¯re working with.¡±


    Henson had them display their traits, and the results made Wilkes pause. Seven of them carried traits linked to blunt weapons, while five had dagger-related traits.


    He frowned slightly. ¡°These people aren¡¯t going to be effective in a shield wall.¡±


    Henson nodded. ¡°Nope. They¡¯ll need specialized training.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled, rubbing his chin in thought before making a decision. ¡°I¡¯ll take the ones with blunt traits. I know how to make them useful.¡± He then turned to the group of knife-wielders. ¡°Any of you actually trained?¡±


    The recruits exchanged glances before one finally stepped forward. He was lean, wiry, and carried himself like someone used to looking over his shoulder.


    ¡°I ain¡¯t trained,¡± the man admitted, his voice rough with experience. ¡°But I¡¯ve carried a knife my whole life. Grew up dealing with shady people. I can at least show them how not to stab themselves.¡±


    Wilkes studied him for a moment before nodding. ¡°That¡¯ll do. Get them started.¡±


    Henson, meanwhile, took the rest of the recruits to the plaza, where he began handing out mop handles and broomsticks. ¡°You train with what you got,¡± he muttered as he started drilling them in basic movements.


    Wilkes, on the other hand, went to the equipment storage where his officers had dumped their excess gear. He managed to scavenge enough batons for his group, while the knife users disappeared deeper into the hospital, already forming their own unit.


    They had the numbers. Now it was time to see if they had the discipline to match.


    As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Wilkes finally called a halt to training. His recruits were undisciplined and green, but they had heart.


    ¡°Again!¡± he barked, watching as one recruit barely blocked a strike in time. The kid groaned, gripping his baton with shaking hands.


    ¡°Damn it, Foster,¡± another recruit laughed, wiping sweat from his brow. ¡°You¡¯re gonna get your head caved in.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d like to see you try,¡± Foster muttered, setting his stance.


    Wilkes allowed himself the smallest smirk. At least they were getting competitive.


    He was quietly proud of the effort they had put in.


    Dismissing the group, he stretched out his sore shoulders and went in search of Carter. He found him in the basement near the sink, of all places. With him were Liu and five others¡ªmost likely the volunteer gardeners.


    Unlike Carter, the others were seated cross-legged, eyes closed in deep concentration. Every now and then, one of them would peek to check on Carter, only to quickly squeeze their eyes shut again. Wilkes leaned against the doorframe, watching in silence. He stayed for twenty minutes before Carter finally called a halt.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Carter said, rubbing his hands together. ¡°That¡¯s enough for today. Rest up and focus on that feeling you started to experience.¡±


    The group nodded and rose stiffly to their feet, shuffling out with tired but determined expressions. As they left, Liu and Carter approached Wilkes.


    ¡°The gardeners were able to interact with the construct,¡± Carter reported. ¡°But they became faint pretty quickly after starting. That tells me they need to develop their cores before they can use it properly.¡±


    Liu, however, was far more animated. ¡°It was amazing, Wilkes,¡± she interrupted, practically glowing with excitement. ¡°As soon as I touched the ledger, it lit up with options for crops I already knew about! We¡¯ve got carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, beets, and peas growing. And you should see it¡ªit¡¯s like they¡¯ve been planted for weeks! We each poured Ether into it until we were about to pass out, and the plants just kept growing.¡±


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Wilkes was taken aback. That sounded incredible.


    Carter, unbothered by the interruption, picked up where he left off. ¡°Lessons went surprisingly well. Turns out, I¡¯m much better at explaining what to feel for than Raven.¡± He smirked.


    ¡°That¡¯s good news,¡± Wilkes said. ¡°Any idea how long it¡¯ll take?¡±


    ¡°Liu here and maybe one other might be ready by tomorrow. Possibly sooner if they practice tonight,¡± Carter replied.


    Wilkes nodded, then narrowed his eyes. ¡°What made you decide to train down here?¡±


    ¡°The Ether density is thickest here,¡± Carter answered with a shrug. ¡°I¡¯m not a hundred percent sure it helps, but it sure doesn¡¯t hurt.¡±


    Wilkes was impressed. It was a smart decision.


    ¡°Keep at it,¡± he said. Then, noticing Liu¡¯s barely contained excitement, he added, ¡°Let¡¯s go check out this garden of yours.¡±


    They arrived at the ward-turned-greenhouse, and Wilkes froze in shock.


    Before him stood lush, thriving plants¡ªones that should have taken weeks to grow. Yet here they were, flourishing as if they had been cultivated for months. Each stalk, vine, and leaf looked impossibly healthy.


    He took a slow step forward, reaching out to run his fingers over the thick leaves of a tomato plant. The scent of fresh earth and ripe vegetation filled the air, thick with life in a way that felt unnatural¡ªlike the plants weren¡¯t just growing but pulsing with something deeper.


    ¡°This¡­¡± He exhaled, shaking his head in disbelief. ¡°If this is an effect of Ether, then maybe it¡¯s not all bad.¡±


    Liu grinned. ¡°Right? Imagine what we could do with more gardens like this.¡±


    Wilkes nodded, scanning the plants once more. ¡°We won¡¯t have to imagine for long,¡± he said, running a hand over one of the thick tomato vines. "A couple more of these, and we¡¯re not just surviving¡ªwe¡¯re rebuilding."


    For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to feel something close to hope.


    As Wilkes made his way back to his office, he spotted Patila striding toward him with an air of self-importance. Suppressing a sigh, Wilkes squared his shoulders. Of all the officers under his command, Patila was by far his least favourite. The man had been transferred as punishment for poor performance, his superiors hoping that Wilkes'' leadership might somehow shape him into something competent.


    But Wilkes knew better. Patila was a coward with an ego¡ªnever a good combination.


    Wilkes didn¡¯t break stride, forcing the officer to fall in step beside him. ¡°What can I help you with, Officer Patila?¡±


    Patila cleared his throat, his expression one of exaggerated seriousness. ¡°Sir, I wanted to speak to you about Raven.¡±


    Wilkes didn¡¯t stop walking. ¡°What about him?¡± His patience was already wearing thin. He could see exactly where this was going.


    Patila¡¯s voice dropped slightly, as if he were revealing some terrible secret. ¡°He¡¯s a monster, sir. I can see it in his eyes. And the way he just moved through the wall into the chapel yesterday¡­ that wasn¡¯t normal.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled slowly through his nose. ¡°Patila, what we understood as normal went out the window the moment this all started. Logic and reason? They don¡¯t apply the same way anymore. That¡¯s something we all need to get used to.¡±


    He stopped walking and turned to face the officer directly. ¡°Now tell me, what were you doing in the chapel, Officer Patila?¡±


    Patila paled slightly. ¡°I¡­ I heard something,¡± he stammered. ¡°I went to check it out.¡±


    Wilkes¡¯ expression hardened. ¡°The last I checked, you were supposed to be guarding the entrance with the others.¡±


    Patila shifted uncomfortably, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides. ¡°I¡ªsir, I thought it could be a threat. I was just trying to be careful.¡±


    Wilkes gave him a long, scrutinizing look before shaking his head. ¡°No. You were hiding.¡±


    Patila stiffened. ¡°Sir, I¡ª¡±


    Wilkes cut him off. ¡°Let me guess. Raven found you cowering somewhere. He called you out¡ªand now you¡¯re trying to shift the blame onto him?¡±


    Patila¡¯s face turned red, his mouth opening and closing uselessly. His hand twitched at his side, as if debating whether to stand his ground or flee.


    ¡°I don¡¯t tolerate cowardice, Officer,¡± Wilkes said, his voice quiet but firm. ¡°And I won¡¯t stand for slander¡ªespecially against someone who¡¯s done more for this group than you ever have.¡±


    Patila flinched but didn¡¯t argue.


    Wilkes stepped closer, his voice leaving no room for argument. ¡°If I catch you abandoning your post again¡ªespecially in an emergency¡ªyou¡¯re done. No second chances.¡±


    Visibly shaken, the officer swallowed hard and nodded.


    ¡°Good.¡± Wilkes stepped back. ¡°Now get back to work.¡±


    Patila didn¡¯t need to be told twice. He turned sharply and strode away, though Wilkes noted the tension in his shoulders.


    Patila was a problem. Not just because he was useless¡ªbut because men like him made situations worse. The kind who panicked when things went south. The kind who dragged others down with them.


    Wilkes had no illusions about changing the man, but if he ever endangered someone else or worse got them killed with his cowardice, Wilkes would see to it that he never wore a badge again.


    With a quiet sigh, he resumed his walk back to his office. There were real problems to deal with.


    As Wilkes reached his office, exhaustion pressed heavily on his shoulders. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows through the hospital corridors. He didn¡¯t have much time before he¡¯d have to take over guard duty, and if he didn¡¯t rest now, he¡¯d become a liability later.


    He locked the door behind him, unbuckled his gear, and sat on the edge of the cot. His body ached from training the recruits, but it was a satisfying ache¡ªthe kind that came with pushing people past their limits. His mind, however, refused to settle.


    His thoughts drifted to Raven.


    The kid had been gone for hours, and while Wilkes knew Raven could take care of himself, he couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that trouble had found him¡ªor, more likely, he had gone looking for it.


    Wilkes exhaled, dragging a hand down his face. His eyelids felt heavier than his body, but his mind refused to quiet. ¡°Damn it, kid¡­ just don¡¯t make me regret letting you go.¡±


    He lay back on the cot, the stiff mattress pressing into his sore muscles. The air smelled of old antiseptic and sweat, a stale reminder of how many people were crammed into this place. The hospital creaked around him¡ªdistant murmurs of people settling in, the faint sound of boots pacing the hallways, the ever-present hum of tension in the air.


    A nagging feeling clung to him. The kind that said he¡¯d missed something. Overlooked something. His fingers twitched against the cot, gripping at nothing. He frowned in his sleep, jaw tightening even as exhaustion won.


    Sleep didn¡¯t come easy.


    But when it did, it came with uneasy dreams.

 Chapter 23. Those Who Seek

    Chapter 23: Those Who Seek


    Raven moved swiftly, his steps light and calculated as he swept the perimeter. He had covered nearly three-quarters of the area without encountering anything of real concern. The streets were eerily still, the silence pressing against him like an unseen weight. The few goblins he had stumbled upon were isolated or in groups no larger than three¡ªeasy enough to take down. He dispatched them quickly and efficiently, their bodies left to rot in the shadows.


    But something was off.


    He hadn''t seen a single lizard. The day before, they had been everywhere¡ªskulking between buildings, watching from rooftops, hunting. Their sudden absence made his skin crawl. Either something had forced them to move, or they were lying in wait. Neither possibility sat well with him.


    As he rounded a corner at the end of a narrow alley, he caught sight of something that made him freeze.


    Across the road, a barricaded shop stood out against the empty streets. Reinforced windows, stacked debris, and makeshift defences showed clear signs of habitation¡ªbut something was wrong.


    Very wrong.


    Strung up with rope, dangling grotesquely from the storefront, were monster bodies¡ªdozens of them. Goblins, lizards, even twisted, mutated animals. Their corpses had been displayed like trophies. The air was thick with the stench of death, the sickly-sweet rot curling into Raven¡¯s nose. His grip tightened on his weapon as his eyes flicked to the building itself.


    Inside the shop, there was movement¡ªshifting figures behind the barricades. He couldn¡¯t see clearly from here.


    A deep unease settled in his gut. Something about this felt... wrong.


    He needed a closer look.


    Slipping back the way he came, he circled behind a nearby building, keeping low as he moved. He crossed an empty lot, avoiding the open road, his instincts screaming caution. As he neared the shop¡¯s side window, he crouched, pressing himself close to the wall, listening. No voices. No footsteps. Only the faint shuffle of movement inside.


    Carefully, he lifted his head and peered through the grimy glass.


    His breath hitched.


    Behind a security mesh, in a caged-off area, was a group of at least two dozen people¡ªmostly women. Their clothes were tattered, their bodies bruised and battered. Some clung to each other, eyes hollow and distant. Others sat still, their faces expressionless, too broken to react to their surroundings.


    Raven¡¯s jaw clenched. Who the hell did this?


    He shifted slightly, trying to see past the cage into the main room of the shop, where the flickers of movement had come from.


    Then¡ª


    Shk-click.


    The distinct, unmistakable sound of a shotgun being pumped sent ice down his spine.


    ¡°Turn around. Real slow.¡±


    The voice came from above.


    Raven¡¯s stomach dropped as he slowly pivoted and looked up. Leaning over the edge of the adjacent building, shotgun in hand, was a man¡ªdirty, unshaven, eyes filled with suspicion and something darker.


    And the barrel of his gun was aimed right at Raven¡¯s head.


    Raven kept his expression calm, his voice steady. "Take it easy, pal. No need to get twitchy."


    The man sneered, shifting slightly to get a better angle on Raven. "What the hell do you think you''re doing? This is our turf. We claimed it fair and square. We fought for everything we have here. You trying to poach?"


    Raven slowly shook his head. "No, no. I just saw movement and came to check it out."


    The man¡¯s eyes flicked over Raven¡¯s gear¡ªhis bow and knife¡ªand narrowed. "Drop ¡®em. Now."


    Raven let out a breath, sizing up the situation. "Not gonna happen."


    The man''s grip on the shotgun tightened. "You''ll do what you''re fucking told, kid."


    He lifted the barrel, aiming it squarely at Raven¡¯s head.


    Raven flipped him the bird.


    Before the man could react, Raven bolted forward, phasing straight through the wall below him as the shotgun roared¡ªthe blast ripping through the air where he had just stood. Ether surged through him, exhilarating and electric, like a cold wind brushing against his nerves as he slipped through reality.


    Emerging on the other side, Raven sprinted through the building, phasing again as he reached the far end, slipping into an alleyway. He didn¡¯t stop¡ªcircling the structure until he reached a vantage on the rooftop the man had fired from.


    The sound of the gunshot had stirred the nest.


    From the front of the store, they came pouring out¡ªa dozen men, weapons in hand, scanning the area for a threat. Raven recognized some of them immediately¡ªthe same bastards who had tried to drag him to the hospital the day before.


    Fucking scum.


    First day of the apocalypse and they were already raping and pillaging.


    Something dark and cold settled in Raven¡¯s chest. His hand tightened around the hilt of his knife.


    He knew, without a shadow of a doubt¡ª


    None of them were leaving here alive.


    Raven scanned the group below, quickly identifying at least three men with pistols. He didn¡¯t know how many bullets they had left, but he had no intention of finding out. No matter how fast he was, dodging bullets wasn¡¯t exactly an option.


    His eyes flicked between the men, assessing their positions. Aside from the scout he¡¯d already taken down, he didn¡¯t see any other lookouts¡ªbut that didn¡¯t mean there weren¡¯t more hiding in the shadows


    Then his gaze locked onto the leader.


    The bastard who had been calling the shots yesterday stood near the centre of the group, barking orders. But that wasn¡¯t what caught Raven¡¯s attention. In his hands was a weapon¡ªone he recognized instantly.


    The mace.


    The same one the big green bastard had been carrying before Raven killed him.


    That fucker looted my kill.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Cold realization settled over him. For them to have taken that mace, they had to have been much closer to the hospital than he had thought. That meant they¡¯d been watching, possibly even testing the defences. That spelled trouble.


    These men couldn¡¯t leave here alive.


    Raven weighed his options, then silently climbed onto the roof of the building he had retreated to, keeping low behind vents and ducting. He moved into position, drew an arrow, and took aim at the scout with the shotgun.


    The moment the shot was lined up, he released.


    The arrow whistled through the air, striking true¡ªright through the man¡¯s eye socket. The scout toppled off the roof, landing hard with a sickening crunch.


    Serves you right, fucker. Shoot at me, will ya?


    The group erupted into chaos, shouting and spinning in every direction, trying to pinpoint the attacker.


    Raven stayed low, watching. One of them turned his back for just a second too long. That was all he needed.


    Another arrow. Another clean shot. The man let out a strangled scream as the arrow buried itself near his heart. He crumpled onto the pavement.


    One of the others¡ªsmarter than the rest¡ªspotted the angle the arrow had come from. Raven saw it in his eyes the moment he figured it out.


    Shit.


    "UP THERE!" the man roared.


    Gunfire exploded in response. Bullets ricocheted off the vent in front of Raven, tearing through the metal. He didn¡¯t trust it to stop another round.


    Without hesitation, he phased downward, dropping into the building below just as the bullets shredded through the spot he had been crouching.


    A voice outside barked orders.


    "Stop wasting fucking bullets, you morons!"


    Raven smirked. Good advice. Too bad it won¡¯t save you.


    He moved to a window, carefully peering outside. The leader was regrouping, sending teams of two down different paths, closing in. Each pair carried a gun and a melee weapon¡ªknives, clubs, even a fire axe.


    No wonder they were able to take down monsters. They weren¡¯t just brutes¡ªthey had some level of tactics.


    Too bad they didn¡¯t have his advantages.


    Raven phased through a wall opposite to their approach, dropping into an alley. He sprinted toward another two-story building, phased through the outer wall, and dashed up the stairs, making his way to a window overlooking one of the paths they were taking.


    Sure enough, two of them were moving cautiously along, scanning the area.


    Raven drew his bow and fired.


    The first shot hit the gunman in the throat¡ªhe dropped instantly, choking on his own blood.


    The second man dove for the fallen pistol, scrambling to grab it.


    Raven¡¯s second shot pierced his arm, making him scream in pain as he clutched the injury. He tried to flee, staggering toward cover¡ª


    Raven fired again.


    Right through the heart.


    The man collapsed, dead before he hit the ground.


    Raven took a breath, lowering his bow. His eyes flicked toward the pistol lying on the ground. That could be useful.


    He moved quickly, jumping from the window and landing heavily in the street. His legs protested the impact, but he ignored it.


    He rushed toward the fallen gun, reaching out¡ª


    BANG!


    Pain exploded in his arm.


    A pistol shot.


    Raven gritted his teeth, grabbing the gun before phasing straight through the nearest wall.


    "Fuck, fuck, fuck¡ª"


    The pain was sharp and searing. He glanced down. The bullet had gone through his arm. No exit wound. That meant the damn thing was still lodged inside.


    Shock hit him.


    He had been one second away from death.


    Raven shoved the pain down, ripping a bandage from his pack and quickly wrapping the wound. His fingers shook slightly as he tied it off. He didn¡¯t have time to dig out the bullet now.


    He needed to keep moving.


    But as he secured the bandage, something flickered inside him.


    Rage.


    Cold, quiet, deadly rage.


    He would kill every last one of these bastards.


    Breathing hard, he moved back to the window, scanning the area. Who the fuck shot him?


    Nothing. The fading light made it hard to see.


    He needed a new vantage point. Moving carefully, he crept to another window, watching the street where he had been shot.


    Sure enough, after a couple of minutes, two men emerged from the shadows.


    "I know I got him," one said, scanning the area. "He can¡¯t have gone far. And he won¡¯t be shooting that bow with a bullet in him."


    The fucker was right.


    Raven¡¯s arm wouldn¡¯t hold a drawn bow now.


    He would have to do this a different way.


    He waited, watching them get closer and closer to his position.


    As they passed his window, Raven phased through, appearing right behind them.


    His blade plunged into the throat of the armed man, silencing him instantly. Blood spurted onto the pavement as Raven ripped the blade across.


    The second man reacted fast, swinging a baseball bat¡ªRaven ducked under it, rolling to the side.


    Before the man could recover, Raven slashed his leg, cutting deep. The man screamed, dropping to one knee.


    Raven didn¡¯t let him suffer.


    In one swift motion, he drove his blade into the man¡¯s heart, twisting the knife.


    The screaming cut off instantly.


    Raven yanked the blade free and was already moving.


    More would be coming.


    He had to keep hunting.


    Raven crouched low; his breath steady despite the dull throb in his injured arm. Seven left.


    He circled back toward where he had first been on the rooftop, moving carefully, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert. Two men were there, scanning the area. Why hadn¡¯t they moved on?


    Something wasn¡¯t right.


    He stayed hidden, watching, waiting. Then he saw it¡ªone of the men glanced across the alley toward a darkened doorway. A third man was lurking in the shadows, watching the other two¡¯s backs.


    Clever bastards.


    If Raven had rushed in, he never would have seen the third man. He would have walked right into an ambush.


    His grip tightened on his knife. Not so clever now.


    He pressed himself against the building he was using for cover and phased straight through, emerging into the darkness behind the hidden man.


    The third man never even saw it coming.


    Raven¡¯s blade slid between his ribs, a quick, clean kill. The body sagged against him, and Raven eased it to the ground, barely making a sound.


    But the other two noticed.


    One of them shouted, ¡°Shit! What was that?¡± They rushed forward, weapons raised, approaching their fallen comrade.


    Raven phased back through the wall just as his vision swam for a second¡ªtoo much blood loss, too much phasing in quick succession. He gritted his teeth and pushed through the haze, waiting.


    The moment the two men reached their fallen companion, Raven appeared behind them.


    He slashed at the first man, but the bastard was fast¡ªdiving forward at the last second, barely avoiding the blade.


    Raven shifted targets, slashing at the second man instead. His knife cut deep into the man¡¯s arm, blood spraying against the pavement as he stumbled over the corpse at his feet.


    The first man came at him fast, swinging a crowbar in a blind panic. Raven ducked¡ªthe air howled as the metal bar missed his head by inches.


    The fool had overcommitted. The weight of the weapon pulled him off balance, and Raven was already moving. His knife flashed, a single clean strike.


    The man gurgled. His throat was gone.


    The second man was scrambling back to his feet, still clutching his wounded arm. Too slow.


    Raven closed the distance in an instant, plunging his knife into the base of the man¡¯s skull. His body went limp before he even hit the ground.


    Raven exhaled, shaking off the adrenaline surge. His vision blurred for half a second. He had to stop bleeding soon or he would pass out.


    He gritted his teeth and forced himself forward.


    Four left.


    Raven made his way back to the street where he had first seen the barricaded shopfront. The last four men stood in front of it, weapons drawn, their heads swivelling in search of him.


    But it wasn¡¯t their posture or readiness that stopped Raven in his tracks.


    The leader had a hostage.


    A young girl, fifteen or sixteen, was held tightly in front of him, a knife pressed against her throat. She was trembling, her wide, terrified eyes darting around for any chance of escape. The leader¡¯s smug grin made Raven¡¯s blood boil.


    ¡°I know you¡¯re out there,¡± the leader called, his voice echoing through the street. ¡°Come out, or I start killing hostages until you do.¡±


    Raven froze.


    His rage had let him play fast and loose with his own life, but the girl? She had nothing to do with this. She was just a kid.


    His body screamed no¡ªhe knew that stepping out meant death. The moment he showed himself, he¡¯d be shot.


    But how could he let her die?


    His jaw clenched. His pulse thundered in his ears. There had to be another way.


    But the girl¡¯s eyes locked onto his, wide with terror. Waiting. Hoping.


    There wasn¡¯t.


    There was no choice. He stepped out from cover, hands slightly raised, the tension in his muscles coiled like a spring. The leader¡¯s face split into laughter.


    ¡°All that effort,¡± he taunted, shaking his head. ¡°And you¡¯re going to die for some little bitch you¡¯ve never even seen before? Incredible. What a fucking moron.¡±


    One of the men beside him raised the last pistol.


    Raven barely had time to process what was happening when the man¡¯s head exploded, a muffled crack sounding through the dimming dusk.


    The leader let out a strangled noise and threw the girl to the ground, staggering as if he¡¯d been hit. Raven¡¯s eyes flicked past him and saw it¡ªa crystalline object buried in his back.


    Before he could react, the other two men collapsed, foreign objects protruding from their torsos.


    The leader, still stumbling, let out a growl and whirled toward something in the shadows. With a swift, desperate movement, he hurled a knife toward the darkness.


    A woman cried out.


    Raven¡¯s instincts kicked in. He rushed toward the sound, his heart pounding in his chest.


    As he skidded to a stop near the alleyway, he saw her.


    Uri was crouched beside a woman¡ªone of the most beautiful Raven had ever seen. A knife was buried in her shoulder, blood spreading fast as Uri worked to stop the bleeding.


    ¡°Fuck.¡±


    Raven barely registered the leader slumping over, a projectile lodged in his skull.


    He turned to Uri, stunned, his mind scrambling to piece together what had just happened.


    ¡°Where the fuck have you been?¡±

 Interlude. Uri

    Interlude: Uri


    As the first light of dawn stretched over the city, Uri felt it¡ªa shift in the ether. Somewhere, someone had awakened their potential. It sent a ripple through the flow of energy around her, a beacon that she could follow if she wished.


    But that would have to wait.


    Her gaze turned toward the hospital, where Raven was on the cusp of accepting responsibility for these people. That was more important. He had the instincts of a leader, but he needed to embrace it himself. Uri had been subtly guiding him¡ªnudging Wilkes toward him, providing just enough information to push Raven into preparing for survival, and even pitting the two men against each other.


    She had hoped Raven would demand control, would take full command over the hospital, but instead, he had agreed to share leadership with the stern sergeant. A bit disappointing, but still workable. He just needed more time.


    Once Wilkes left, Uri continued to feed Raven small but vital pieces of information, staying with him while he took his first real step toward building something sustainable. She watched as he sat down to meditate, reaching into himself for the first time to shape the ether properly.


    Her curiosity got the better of her.


    Silently, she slipped from the room, her form flickering out of existence, teleporting toward the source of the etheric awakening she had felt earlier. A moment later, she reappeared¡ªinside a cage.


    Uri blinked.


    Surrounded by prisoners.


    Mostly women, though a few men sat hunched in the corners, all of them battered, and some of them broken. A dim light flickered from a fire outside the building, casting jagged shadows across the dirt-streaked floor.


    In one corner, a breathtaking woman sat, her delicate hands gently stroking the hair of a crying teenage girl curled into her lap.


    Uri narrowed her eyes.


    This was the one. The one who had awakened her potential. Interesting.


    She crouched beside them, her gaze flicking over the terrified girl. "I¡¯ll help you take care of her."


    For a long moment, the woman simply studied her. Then she nodded, shifting slightly so Uri could sit beside them.


    They had barely settled when the cage door screeched open.


    A filthy, leering man stepped inside and grabbed a woman by the arm. She shrieked, kicking and thrashing as she was dragged from the cage.


    The other prisoners turned away; faces set in stone.


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    Uri¡¯s jaw clenched. She knew exactly what was happening.


    The woman beside her watched in bitter silence before muttering, "Bastards won¡¯t try that with me again."


    Uri turned toward her, interest piqued. "What do you mean?"


    The woman smirked, her ethereal beauty twisting into something wickedly satisfied. "One of them tried to grab me last night. I felt that¡­ tingling sensation, the same one when a monster dies. And his balls froze solid as I tried to rip them off."


    Uri snorted, then outright laughed. "Good for you. What¡¯s your name?"


    "Annastasia." She met Uri¡¯s gaze, a glint of pride in her eyes. "And you?"


    "I¡¯m Uri." She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "If you like, I can teach you how to do a hell of a lot more than just freeze people¡¯s balls off."


    They spent the day together.


    Uri taught Annastasia¡ªAnny, as she liked to be called¡ªhow to compress ether, shaping it into something usable. She wasn¡¯t as fast as Raven had been¡ªbut then again, what he¡¯d done was nearly unheard of. Within hours, Anny had formed a seed core and was practicing shaping ice. Small, jagged shards at first, but soon, sharp spears that could be thrown with deadly precision.


    By late afternoon, yelling erupted from outside.


    The captors scrambled, running toward the front of the building. Then¡ª


    A gunshot.


    Uri grinned. Raven had found them.


    They sat in tense silence as the commotion outside grew louder.


    Two of the men burst back inside, panting, eyes wild. "Grab a hostage!" one of them snapped. "This fucker is dangerous! We need leverage!"


    They ran straight to the cage, shoving the prisoners aside until their hands latched onto a girl¡ªTabether.


    Anny¡¯s little sister.


    Anny lost it. Her scream tore through the air as she lunged forward, fingers outstretched, eyes wild with panic¡ªbut Uri grabbed her, yanking her back. "Don¡¯t!" she hissed. "If they shoot you, you¡¯re dead. Stay quiet!"


    Anny shook in rage, her hands clenched into trembling fists. Uri pressed a finger against her lips, urging her to be patient.


    When the men left, Anny turned to her, her voice shaking. "We have to get out of here!"


    Uri nodded, glancing toward the cage door. "Then start using your power." She pointed to the lock. "Freeze it."


    Anny didn¡¯t hesitate¡ªbut her hands shook.


    She pressed them against the rusted metal, her breath uneven, pushing past the exhaustion and fear. Ice crept over the surface, thickening as it seeped into the cracks of the old iron like veins of frost.


    Uri watched, then nodded. ¡°Now.¡±


    Anny tensed as Uri smashed the icicle against the frozen metal.


    The lock shattered. They slipped out, moving quickly but silently. As they neared the entrance, Uri saw it¡ªRaven standing in the open street, eyes filled with fury, but still stepping forward.


    "He¡¯s sacrificing himself for her," Anny whispered.


    Uri glanced at her and saw it¡ªthe same realization etched into her face. The same respect.


    Anny¡¯s fingers twitched. She wasn¡¯t going to let him die for nothing.


    Uri watched as one of the men raised a pistol, aiming at Raven¡¯s head.


    Anny didn¡¯t hesitate.


    A spear of pure ice ripped through the air, so fast that Raven barely saw it move.


    Crack. The sound of shattering bone as the first man¡¯s head exploded. For a moment, everything stopped silence ringing louder than the gunfire had. Even the captors froze, stunned by the sudden, brutal kill.


    The others barely had time to react.


    Another icicle slammed into the leader¡¯s back, sending him staggering forward with a guttural cry.


    Two more spears followed, piercing the last men through their torsos, toppling them into the dirt.


    The leader jerked Tabether forward, then hurled her aside¡ªas if tossing away a broken shield. His arm snapped up, a knife flashing toward the darkness.


    A glint of metal¡ªa knife¡ªspun toward the shadows.


    A sharp cry made Uri¡¯s head snap around. Anny stumbled backward, her breath hitching as the blade buried deep in her shoulder. Before she could react, Raven was already there.


    His eyes landed on Anny, his expression freezing for a single, unreadable moment.


    Then, he turned to Uri.


    His voice was low, sharp, edged with barely restrained fury.


    "Where the fuck have you been?"

 Chapter 24. Puppet Master

    Chapter 24. Puppet Master


    Raven fixed Uri with a sharp look, but she only smirked in response. "Where have I been? Oh, you know, just taking a spa day while you were out making new friends."


    Raven exhaled through his nose, rolling his shoulders back. "Yeah, we¡¯ll talk about that later."


    Before Uri could fire back another quip, a cry interrupted them.


    "Anny!"


    Tabetha ran forward, her face streaked with tears as she dropped to her sister¡¯s side. Panic overtook her, hands hovering over Anny¡¯s wound, afraid to touch it. "Is she going to die? Tell me she¡¯s not going to die!"


    Uri placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "She¡¯s fine, kid. It¡¯s not a fatal wound¡ªjust needs proper treatment. Help me get her up."


    With careful effort, they lifted Anny. She groaned, eyes fluttering open as she blinked at the dimming sky above. She turned her gaze toward Raven and gave him a small, tired smile. "You saved us... thank you."


    Raven, caught off guard, scratched the back of his head. "I think you got that backward. If you hadn¡¯t stepped in, I¡¯d be the one dead in the street right now. So¡­ thanks for that."


    A flicker of amusement passed through Anny¡¯s eyes before she winced, holding her shoulder.


    The moment of quiet was broken as more of the captured survivors emerged from the shop, stepping cautiously into the open. Some looked around in disbelief, their freedom almost too much to process. A few let out quiet cheers, while others sank to their knees, sobbing in exhausted relief.


    One of the cheering women turned to Raven. "What do we do now?"


    Raven pointed toward the group. "Start gathering everyone up. We have a safe place at the hospital."


    His words were met with hesitation. One of the women crossed her arms, distrust written all over her face. "That¡¯s what these bastards told us too," she spat.


    Raven clenched his jaw. He didn¡¯t have a good response to that, so he didn¡¯t bother pretending he did.


    "You can come or stay, but we have food and shelter. The police are in charge for now, a guy named Wilkes if any of you know him. I can¡¯t prove anything to you, but that¡¯s where we¡¯re going. Your call."


    The group murmured amongst themselves before making their decisions. Some chose to stay, too broken or afraid to trust anyone else. But the majority followed, limping in small clusters as they moved down the street.


    As night crept over the city, new sounds began to stir.


    Raven¡¯s hunter instincts screamed a warning. The night belonged to the predators.


    They were only about five hundred meters from the hospital, but the twisting alleys between them and safety made it feel like a long way.


    Choosing to move back onto the main road, Raven kept his senses sharp. Something was off. A creeping tension filled the air, something watching them. He turned the corner, leading the group onto the main street when¡ª


    A low growl rumbled in the silence.


    From the shadows, a massive dog stepped forward.


    Raven¡¯s breath hitched. It looked like a Doberman, but twice the size, its frame packed with unnatural muscle. Spines jutted from its back, and where it stood, the concrete sizzled beneath its paws, smoke rising in curling tendrils.


    Shit.


    The beast¡¯s glowing eyes locked onto the weakened survivors; hunger evident in its posture.


    Raven reacted instantly. "Uri, take Anny!"


    Leaving Anny in Uri¡¯s care, he stepped forward, making himself large, trying to intimidate the creature. The dog didn¡¯t flinch.


    Instead, it charged.


    With a snap decision, Raven phased. Ether surged through him like ice water under his skin¡ªnumbing, electric. The edges of the world warped for a breath, the sound dimming, as if reality itself held its breath. The massive hound passed harmlessly through him as it lunged for his throat. He spun on his heel, drawing his knife.


    The beast circled, slower this time, realizing its prey wasn¡¯t so easy.


    It lunged again, swiping a massive claw at him. Raven barely managed to phase in time¡ªthe air behind him distorted, leaving a trail of burning embers.


    What the fuck is this thing?


    It was fast. Stronger than anything other than the big green bastard.


    The dog prowled, muscles coiled, preparing for another attack. Raven let it come.


    The beast lunged.


    Raven waited.


    At the last second, he phased, stepping just aside as the creature¡¯s fiery breath scorched the air where he had stood.


    He struck.


    His knife punched up under its jaw, the force driving the blade through soft flesh, into bone, into the monster¡¯s brain. The hellhound let out a choked snarl, its burning eyes flickering before it collapsed in a smoking heap. A heavy silence filled the street.


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    Then¡ª


    More howls.


    Raven¡¯s blood ran cold. They had to move.


    "Go! Now!" he ordered, ushering the group forward. They rushed down the street, pushing themselves to move faster despite their injuries.


    By the time they reached the hospital plaza, Raven heard a shout from the barricade.


    "Who¡¯s out there?!"


    "It¡¯s Raven! I have survivors! Injured!" he called back.


    A pause, then movement. The guards waved them forward. Seeing the wounded, one of them turned and yelled, "Get help!"


    As they made their way inside, Henson approached. "Where¡¯s Wilkes?" Raven asked, still catching his breath.


    "Sleeping. He passed out an hour ago. We figured we¡¯d let him rest¡ªhasn¡¯t slept since this all started."


    Raven grunted. "Fair. What about Carter? We need his skills."


    "Think he¡¯s in his office."


    Before Raven could reply, Liu arrived, taking in the battered, exhausted survivors with a sharp gaze.


    In a whirlwind of efficiency, she had them sorted, given food, and led to available beds before Raven could even process how she moved that fast.


    Raven guided Uri and Tabetha down the hall toward the surgery room, ensuring they were inside before stepping away. His next stop was Carter.


    He moved quickly, navigating the dim corridors until he reached the makeshift office Carter had claimed. Through the cracked doorway, he spotted the man sitting on the floor, deep in meditation. Not wanting to startle him, Raven knocked lightly on the doorframe.


    Carter''s eyes flicked open instantly. The moment he saw Raven standing there, tension rippled through his body. He got to his feet in one smooth motion.


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Raven didn¡¯t waste time. "We''ve got one injured. She saved my life¡ªI¡¯m hoping you can save hers." ¡°You look like a higher priority¡± Wilkes said nodding towards Ravens arm, ¡°No, her first, I¡¯ll be fine¡±


    Carter nodded sharply. "I¡¯ll take a look."


    The two moved swiftly back toward the surgery room, Carter scanning the setup as soon as they entered. He assessed Anny, frowning as he stepped closer. Then, without looking up, he muttered, "You should wait outside."


    Raven folded his arms. "Why?"


    Carter glanced at him, expression blank. "Because I need to remove some of her clothing to treat the wound."


    Raven nearly tripped over his own feet backing toward the door. "Right. Yeah. Got it. I¡¯m gone."


    The door shut behind him, and he let out a slow breath, rubbing his face. His cheeks were still burning.


    Standing there in the dim hallway, he heard Anny groan in pain inside, and his stomach twisted. He hated waiting around, hated being useless when people were hurting.


    A moment later, the door opened, and Uri stepped out.


    Raven glanced at her, then did a quick double take.


    He was surprised to realize that he was glad she was back.


    He exhaled, shaking his head. "Alright. Again¡ªwhere the fuck have you been?"


    Uri smirked. "Miss me that much?"


    Raven scowled. "Not the point."


    She leaned against the wall, stretching her arms above her head lazily. "I saw a vision of Anny. I don¡¯t know how to explain it¡ªI just knew I had to go to her. So, I did."


    Raven frowned. "Is that supposed to make sense to me?"


    Uri shrugged. "Doesn¡¯t have to. I do what I want."


    Raven exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Is that how you found me too?"


    At that, Uri laughed outright. "No. You weren¡¯t exactly hard to find¡ªtaking on an orc by yourself kinda gets attention."


    Raven was still curious about how Uri knew so much, but he realized it didn¡¯t matter to him right now. There were more pressing concerns.


    Deciding to take advantage of her insight, he leaned against the wall. ¡°We set up a hydroponic farm,¡± he said. ¡°Seems like a good first step.¡±


    Uri¡¯s expression brightened slightly. ¡°Good. You¡¯ll need it.¡±


    ¡°You think your skill can give us any insight into what we should be doing next?¡± Raven asked.


    Uri just smiled, that knowing smirk she always wore when she had more information than she was willing to share. ¡°That depends.¡±


    Raven narrowed his eyes. ¡°On what?¡±


    ¡°On whether you¡¯re staying here or not.¡±


    That made him pause. ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    Uri gestured vaguely down the hall. ¡°This Sink can grow, Raven. It can become more than just a shelter¡ªit can be a refuge, a stronghold, maybe even a bustling city if you¡¯re willing to invest in it and the people living here.¡± She tilted her head. ¡°But you need to decide if that¡¯s the best plan.¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°You¡¯re saying I need to make that choice?¡±


    Uri nodded. ¡°We need more information, and you have easy access to it now.¡± She tapped his forehead lightly. ¡°Go shopping, Raven. Find books that detail what a Sink is and what it¡¯s capable of. Then make a decision.¡±


    Raven felt a weight settle on his shoulders. Why him? He wasn¡¯t a leader. He wasn¡¯t someone who built things¡ªhe survived. That¡¯s what he did.


    ¡°That¡¯s Wilkes¡¯ decision.¡±


    Saying it felt like passing the burden off, but wasn¡¯t that what Wilkes wanted? What Raven wanted? Uri¡¯s smirk faded into confusion. ¡°I thought you agreed to be equals?¡±


    Raven sighed. ¡°We did. But then I realized I don¡¯t want to be a leader.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I agreed to follow Wilkes as long as I agree with what he¡¯s doing.¡±


    For the first time since meeting her, Uri¡¯s smirk vanished.


    The shift was instant, almost unnatural, her eyes flashing with something sharp and unreadable¡ªbut gone before he could place it. The air between them felt heavier for just a second, like a storm about to break. Something in his gut twisted. It wasn¡¯t just irritation; it was something colder.


    Raven had seen it, though. And for some reason, it left a strange weight in his chest. She forced a smile. ¡°That¡¯s an interesting choice, Raven.¡±


    Raven wasn¡¯t sure what he had just seen, but for some reason, he felt like he had just done something wrong.


    Deciding to leave it alone for now, he turned and made his way toward the patient ward. He checked in on Anny, finding her asleep in a hospital bed, her breathing steady. Tabetha was curled up beside her, passed out in a chair, her head resting on the bed.


    Satisfied that they were okay, Raven headed to the ward where his cot was.


    Raven sat on the edge of the cot, staring at his hands.


    They were clean now, but he could still feel the blood. The warmth of it. The way it had splattered across his skin.


    He had killed before¡ªmonsters, creatures, things that shouldn¡¯t exist. That had been easy. There was no hesitation when something unnatural lunged for his throat.


    But this had been different.


    They had been human.


    He clenched his fists, but that didn¡¯t stop the images from surfacing.


    The man who had looked him in the eye, mouth opening to shout before Raven¡¯s arrow pierced his throat. The gurgling sound he had made before collapsing.


    The one who had screamed in pain when Raven¡¯s knife sank into his flesh, his desperate attempt to flee cut short by a blade to the back.


    Raven exhaled sharply, resting his elbows on his knees.


    It had been necessary.


    They would have kept hurting people. They would have kept taking women, enslaving them, killing anyone who got in their way.


    They deserved to die.


    So why did it feel like he had crossed something he couldn¡¯t come back from?


    A part of him had enjoyed it. And that terrified him.


    It wasn¡¯t sadism. He wasn¡¯t a killer by nature. But in that moment¡ªstanding over their corpses, breath sharp in his lungs, blood cooling on his hands¡ªthere had been something else.


    A thrill. A cold, focused clarity. A feeling of absolute control.


    And worse? A part of him had wanted them to suffer. He knew what they had done to those women. He had seen the terror in their eyes, the bruises, the broken spirits.


    So he had killed without remorse.


    And it had been easy.


    That was what scared him most.


    Eventually, exhaustion took him, and he fell asleep.


    But his dreams were restless.


    He saw armies of goblins, their twisted faces sneering as they marched in formation.


    Packs of fire-breathing hounds prowled through the city ruins, their glowing eyes searching for prey.


    And looming above it all, Uri stood over him.


    Strings stretched from her fingers to his limbs, pulling, twisting, controlling.


    A puppet master.


    Raven tossed in his sleep. The strings tightened.


    A whisper, distant and unfamiliar, brushed against his thoughts.


    "Keep moving."


    Then softer. Closer. In his ear.


    "Don¡¯t stop."


    Raven¡¯s eyes snapped open.


    The phantom pull of the strings still tingled in his limbs.

 Chapter 25. Real Life Superhero

    Chapter 25. Real Life Superhero


    Raven woke early, his sleep restless and filled with strange, fragmented dreams he could barely recall. The lingering unease sat heavy on his mind, but he pushed it aside. He had other things to focus on.


    After speaking with Uri the night before, he realized he had been underutilizing a major resource¡ªthe shop. If the ledger could provide tools, weapons, and traits, it could likely provide knowledge as well.


    Making his way to the cafeteria, Raven approached the ledger stand and placed his hands on its surface. He focused his intent on learning about the Sink. For the first time, the number of available options staggered him.


    Hundreds¡ªno, thousands of titles.


    He scrolled through them, overwhelmed. There was no way he could go through all this information. Focusing harder, he narrowed his search to ether and survival. The options shrank to a more manageable number, though still dozens of choices remained.


    At the top of the list, one title stood out immediately.


    Ellecrast: A History - The Founding of the Greatest City on Eiladon -9.


    Raven¡¯s brow furrowed. What the fuck was Eiladon -9?


    The book cost eighty ether. He hesitated only a moment before pushing his energy into the ledger. As the ether drained from him, he expected to feel completely spent¡ªbut to his surprise, he still had some left.


    The book materialized before him, old and leather-bound, embossed with strange yet elegant symbols across the cover. Gripping it, he left the cafeteria and found an unused room, eager to begin reading.


    As he flipped through the pages, Raven¡¯s mind raced with revelation after revelation.


    Eiladon -9 wasn¡¯t just another city. It wasn¡¯t even on Earth.


    It was another planet. Another galaxy. Maybe even another universe. The book didn¡¯t specify Earth¡¯s relation to it.


    Raven was stunned.


    The realization that other worlds existed¡ªthat people had built thriving civilizations on them¡ªfelt like a punch to the gut. He had assumed Earth was alone in all of this. Clearly, it wasn¡¯t.


    He continued reading, fascinated. The book provided a historical account of how Ellecrast had started¡ªa struggling settlement that grew into a massive capital city.


    One passage stood out: ¡°Ether Sinks are a natural phenomenon, forming where ether pools beneath the surface. As they develop, they pull energy from the environment, stabilizing and growing stronger. Once a Sink reaches sapling stage, it will begin actively drawing ether from surrounding areas, consolidating its power.¡±


    Raven¡¯s eyes widened. Sinks were natural. They weren¡¯t just part of the Reckoning.


    The book hinted at a universal truth¡ªany great city needed to be built on a Sink, or it would inevitably fail. But not every Sink became a city. Some collapsed before they could grow. Some were abandoned, lost to time. Only those with the right leadership survived.


    Raven kept reading, engrossed, until a knock on the door startled him.


    He looked up, blinking as reality settled back in. The sun was well and truly up. He had been reading for hours.


    Wilkes stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "I was starting to think you got lost in here."


    Raven got to his feet, rubbing the back of his neck. "Shit¡ªsorry. I meant to come find you sooner."


    Wilkes waved off the apology. "Find anything useful?"


    Raven nodded and explained what he had learned. He described the early days of Ellecrast, how it had been built on an Ether Sink, much like their hospital. He talked about basic constructs¡ªwater collection, filtration, farms, and workshops.


    Surprisingly, most of the buildings in Ellecrast¡¯s early days weren¡¯t created magically. Instead, they were crafted by skilled tradesmen, people whose traits were designed for creation.


    Wilkes listened intently, nodding along. "That¡¯s useful information. When you¡¯re done with the book, I¡¯d like to read it myself."


    "Of course," Raven said without hesitation. "You should also talk to Carter¡ªhe¡¯s got ether now. He should be using it to buy knowledge."


    Wilkes gave him a thoughtful look before nodding. "Not a bad idea."


    Then, his expression shifted slightly as he studied Raven. "How are you holding up? After last night?"


    Raven shrugged. "I¡¯m fine."


    Wilkes arched an eyebrow. "Fine? After dealing with a bunch of murdering slavers and fighting off some kind of fire-breathing demon dog?"


    Raven leaned back against the table, exhaling. "I don¡¯t know what you want me to say. People are always going to be shitty. I¡¯m not surprised. And as for the dog... well, I survived."


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    Wilkes¡¯s jaw tightened. "I get it. Doesn¡¯t mean you should have to deal with it alone."


    Raven didn¡¯t respond. He wasn¡¯t sure he agreed.


    "Either way," Wilkes continued, "There¡¯s another meeting in a few hours. I want you there."


    Raven sighed. "What¡¯s it about?"


    "Planning proper living spaces. We need to provide real shelter, not just scattered beds. If more people start showing up, we need to be ready. We¡¯re not just surviving anymore. We¡¯re building something, whether we meant to or not."


    Raven ran a hand through his hair, already dreading another meeting. But Wilkes was right.


    "Fine," he said. "I¡¯ll be there."


    Wilkes nodded. "Good. See you soon."


    As Wilkes left, Raven sat back down, staring at the book in front of him. The knowledge inside felt bigger than him, bigger than just the hospital.


    Ellecrast had started just like this place. A Sink, a few survivors, and a question of what came next.


    Maybe they weren¡¯t so different after all.


    Before the meeting, Raven found himself heading toward the surgery. He owed Anny a thank-you¡ªand maybe an explanation.


    The surgery room was quiet when he arrived. Anny was awake, sitting up in bed, talking with her sister. The moment Raven stepped inside, both sisters turned to look at him.


    Anny smiled.


    Tabetha launched herself at him.


    Raven barely had time to brace before the girl slammed into his chest, wrapping her arms around him with a force that nearly crushed his ribs.


    Caught completely off guard, he hesitated before awkwardly returning the hug.


    "Alright, alright¡ªJesus, kid, I need to breathe!" He wheezed, prying her arms free.


    Tabetha beamed up at him, her eyes wide with relief and gratitude. "Thank you! Thank you so much! You saved us!"


    Raven shifted uncomfortably. He didn¡¯t feel like a hero.


    "You¡¯re welcome," he said simply before nodding toward Anny. "Mind if I come in?"


    Tabetha nodded enthusiastically, rushing to grab a chair to place beside the bed.


    Anny was watching him closely. "You okay?" she asked, her voice softer than before.


    "I should be asking you that," Raven countered, sitting down.


    Anny chuckled, rolling her shoulder experimentally. "Honestly? I feel fine. Probably don¡¯t even need to be in bed anymore, but Carter told me to rest until he comes back."


    Raven leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Smart move. You took a knife to the shoulder. That¡¯s not something you just walk off."


    Raven extended his hand, a rare moment of formality creeping into his usual demeanour. "I don''t think we actually had a chance to introduce ourselves."


    Anny smiled, reaching out to shake his hand. "Annastasia. But most people call me Anny." She gestured toward the younger girl beside her, whose grin was still beaming from ear to ear. "And this is Tabetha, my little sister."


    Tabetha bounced on her feet, her energy still buzzing from relief and excitement. "You can call me Tabby!" she chirped. "And you¡¯re Raven! I heard them say your name last night, but I already knew it because you look like a Raven!"


    Raven blinked, not quite sure how to respond to that. "Uh... thanks?"


    Anny chuckled, shaking her head. "You''ll have to forgive her. She tends to say whatever pops into her head."


    "Yeah, I noticed." Raven smirked. Tabetha beamed proudly, as if it were an achievement.


    "Well, Anny. Tabby." He gave a slight nod. "Glad we could meet under... better circumstances."


    Anny''s smile softened, and for a moment, the weight of what had happened lingered between them. "Yeah," she said quietly. "Me too."


    Anny hesitated and gave him a curious look. "So¡­ you¡¯re a real-life superhero, huh?" She smirked. "Disappearing and appearing like that?"


    Raven barked out a short laugh, but it felt hollow even to him. "Hardly. I¡¯m just a glorified scout."


    "You, however, are straight out of a comic book¡ªcreating ice out of thin air? That¡¯s insane."


    Anny grinned, though she quickly shook her head. "That was Uri. She taught me how to do it."


    Raven tilted his head, studying her. "Maybe. But from what I¡¯ve seen, Uri doesn¡¯t just hand people powers. You¡¯re selling yourself short."


    Anny looked surprised by that, her expression softening slightly.


    Before she could respond, the door creaked open, and Carter stepped in. His sharp gaze swept the room before landing on Anny.


    "How¡¯s the patient?"


    Anny rolled her eyes. "Fine. Apparently, no one believes me."


    Raven took that as his cue to leave. He stood, nodding toward her. "Thanks again. You saved my ass out there."


    Anny watched him go, a small smile playing at her lips.


    That man was¡­ something else. After last night, she hadn¡¯t known what kind of person he really was¡ªa killer, a saviour, or something in between. He had cut down a dozen men without hesitation, yet here he was, making her sister laugh.


    She definitely hadn¡¯t expected him to be capable of both.


    As Raven left the surgery room, he barely made it down the hallway before Henson fell into step beside him.


    "Morning," Henson greeted, his tone neutral but carrying a sharpness Raven recognized as police instincts at work.


    Raven nodded. "Morning."


    Henson didn¡¯t waste time. "I need a rundown of what you saw out there yesterday."


    Raven sighed. He should have expected this¡ªhe was the only one who had been outside the Sink for any real length of time. As much as he didn¡¯t want to relive last night just yet, this was important.


    He recounted everything. The surprisingly low number of threats inside the Sink, the absence of lizards compared to the day before, and the brutal encounter with the slavers. He kept his voice measured and clinical, but Henson was good¡ªhe caught the slight tightness in Raven¡¯s tone when he mentioned the human kills.


    Henson didn¡¯t pry, though. Instead, he nodded thoughtfully. "Not sure whether we should be grateful or worried about the lack of hostiles inside the Sink."


    "Exactly what I was thinking," Raven admitted. "Feels too easy."


    "Only time will tell," Henson muttered. "But either way, thanks for the report. It helps us prepare."


    They walked in silence for a few steps before Henson spoke again, his tone lighter, more personal. "I also wanted to say¡­ what you¡¯ve done here? It¡¯s made a difference."


    Raven raised an eyebrow. "What, killing a dozen guys?"


    Henson exhaled through his nose. "No. The weapons, the knowledge¡ªmorale hasn''t broken yet because we actually have a plan. You¡¯ve given people a direction. And that gives them hope."


    Raven blinked. Hope? Him? That didn¡¯t feel right. He wasn¡¯t some leader with a grand vision¡ªhe was just surviving. Just doing what needed to be done.


    And yet, when he thought of Tabetha beaming up at him, of Anny watching him with quiet curiosity, of the hospital still standing¡ª


    Maybe hope had nothing to do with what he intended.


    "I¡¯m just trying to survive like everyone else," he said after a moment.


    "Maybe," Henson conceded. "But people are looking to you whether you like it or not."


    They reached the stairwell leading toward the meeting room, and Henson hesitated before adding one last thing.


    "A lot of people are scared for their families. If you find any way to broadcast that this hospital is safe, keep an eye out for it."


    Raven glanced at him. "You think there¡¯s still tech that works out there?"


    "There might be. Radio towers, emergency broadcast signals¡ªhell, even a megaphone would be a start. If we want to build something here, people need to know where to go."


    Raven nodded slowly. It made sense. But why hadn¡¯t he thought of it before? He¡¯d been so focused on survival, on fighting, on keeping people safe in the moment¡ªhe hadn¡¯t once considered looking beyond this place.


    What did that say about him?


    "I¡¯ll keep an eye out," he promised.


    Henson patted his shoulder as they headed inside. "Good man."

 Chapter 26. The First Bricks

    Chapter 26. The First Bricks.


    Raven and Henson walked into the meeting room, finding the others already gathered. Among them, to his mild irritation, was Uri.


    He shot her a look. "Decided to stick around for this one, huh?"


    Uri gave him a level look, unfazed as always. "Well, someone has to make sure you don¡¯t get yourself killed with bad decisions."


    Wilkes sighed, rubbing his temples. "Both of you¡ªbehave."


    Raven grinned slightly but took his seat without further comment. Once everyone settled, Wilkes leaned forward, his expression firm.


    "I¡¯m staying." His voice was resolute, allowing no room for debate. "And I intend to make this place liveable."


    No one spoke immediately, waiting for him to continue. "There¡¯s no way to communicate with the outside world. We don¡¯t have enough information to plan any long-term safety measures. That means we have to create our own."


    He gestured toward the walls around them. "The Sink gives us constructs. People are already gathering here. It makes sense to start from the hospital."


    A quiet murmur of agreement ran through the room. No one disagreed.


    Liu spoke first, immediately addressing the most pressing issue. "Food." She glanced at Wilkes. "The first crop from the farm is almost done, but it¡¯s only enough to last a couple of days¡ªand that¡¯s with rationing. We need another farm to create a surplus."


    Wilkes nodded. "Noted. What else?"


    Henson crossed his arms. "Weapons." His voice was grim. "Training with the recruits is going well, but I can¡¯t send them into battle with mop handles and broomsticks. If we want people to stand a chance, they need real weapons."


    He hesitated before adding, "We also need to provide them with something for their service. If we don¡¯t, morale won¡¯t hold forever."


    Carter chimed in; arms folded thoughtfully. "I¡¯m seeing good results with training the gardeners to form seed cores. Liu and two others have already done it. The remaining three are close."


    He glanced toward Henson. "We¡¯ve set up a schedule for the officers and recruits. We¡¯ll start teaching them this afternoon."


    Uri, who had been listening quietly, tapped a finger against the table. "You¡¯re all thinking too small."


    Wilkes raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten us."


    She smirked. "If the Sink were to grow, become a sapling, we wouldn¡¯t have to worry so much about these minor problems."


    Raven immediately caught the implications. His mind raced. "A bigger ether pool¡­ lower ambient ether levels outside the sink¡­" He sat up straighter. "No spawns. Or at least, only weak ones¡ªand fewer of them."


    The hospital would be as safe as they could make it.


    A heavy silence settled over the room as Raven¡¯s words sank in.


    Wilkes leaned forward; his fingers interlocked. "Explain that in practical terms. What would a sapling sink actually give us?"


    Uri tilted her head, almost amused. "Think of it like upgrading an engine. Right now, this Sink is still in its infancy. It''s strong enough to create small constructs and passively provide Ether to those who can use it, but it¡¯s nowhere near its full potential."


    She gestured toward the ground. "If it reaches sapling stage and puts down roots, its absorption rate increases exponentially. That means larger, more complex constructs, stronger Ether flow, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªit will naturally suppress high Ether density in the surrounding area."


    Henson let out a low whistle. "Which means?"


    Raven answered before Uri could. "It means the surrounding area wouldn''t support stronger monsters spawning. Maybe not even weaker ones"


    Liu frowned slightly. "That sounds... almost too good to be true. What''s the catch?"


    Uri leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "The catch is that it won¡¯t happen overnight, and it won¡¯t happen without effort. Sinks grow by consuming Ether, and that means feeding it. Constructs, developments, people using its resources¡ªit all contributes."


    Wilkes exhaled, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "So, you¡¯re saying the more we use it, the faster it grows?"


    Carter nodded in understanding. "It makes sense. If Ether pools function like energy sources, then the Sink is like a living system. It pulls in Ether, processes it, and expands. If we actively build, train, and interact with it, we could accelerate its growth."


    Henson looked sceptical. "And how do we know what¡¯s enough? Do we just keep making things and hope it grows up?"


    Uri smirked. "You¡¯re not far off, it will evolve all on its own if given enough time, but the quickest way is if people are pouring refined ether into it."


    Raven sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, so let¡¯s assume we want to push it to grow. What do we prioritize?"


    Liu, ever practical, spoke first. "Food still needs to be the priority. No point in pushing for long-term growth if people starve before we get there. A second farm is a must."


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    Wilkes nodded. "Agreed. One more farm, at least."


    Henson exhaled, glancing around the room. "And weapons. We¡¯re still barely armed. If we¡¯re committing to this place, we need a real defence plan. Training recruits is great, but without weapons, it¡¯s useless."


    Carter added, "And we need to make sure those same people are growing in strength, forming their cores. That means expanding training. If we want this to be a proper settlement, we need warriors, not just guards."


    Wilkes tapped the table. "Alright, so immediate focus: More food, better weapons, and a structured training program."


    Uri shrugged. "And if you¡¯re serious about all this, you might want to start thinking about governance."


    That earned her a few blank stares.


    "Governance?" Henson repeated, dubious.


    "What, you think this will run itself forever?" Uri asked, amused. "Right now, you¡¯ve got a loose structure¡ªWilkes makes decisions, Carter trains, Henson leads defence, Raven scouts, Liu manages resources. That¡¯s fine for now, but what happens when more people show up? When internal conflicts arise? When people start demanding more than just survival?"


    Wilkes let out a slow breath. "One problem at a time."


    Uri just smiled. "Of course. But don¡¯t be surprised when it becomes the next problem on the list."


    Raven leaned back in his chair; arms crossed. He wasn¡¯t sure if he liked where this was going¡ªbut for now, Wilkes was right. One problem at a time.


    With the meeting wrapped up, Raven made his way toward the ward-turned-greenhouse, his thoughts still lingering on Uri¡¯s explanation about the Sink.


    A sapling sink, the implications of it being a sapling gave him chills as he thought of what it would be like once it grew into a tree. A place where monsters wouldn¡¯t spawn. The idea was unbelievable, but if it worked¡­ the hospital could become a true sanctuary.


    For that to happen, though, they needed food.


    As he stepped into the greenhouse, the damp, earthy scent of growing plants filled his senses. Rows of dark stone troughs lined the room, each filled with sprouting vegetables, their leaves stretching toward the light from the tall windows.


    Liu had been right¡ªthe first crops were nearly ready, but it wouldn¡¯t be enough.


    Time to expand.


    Raven pulled out his grimoire, flipping through the pages until he found the construct section. He quickly located the Hydroponic Farm entry. The first one had cost two hundred Ether from the Sink¡ªhe had been given the task of setting up another one and creating a water source, since more taps were beginning to fail.


    He reached out to make the purchase¡ªthen something strange happened.


    The page glowed, and instead of the option to buy a new farm, an alternative appeared.


    Expand Current Hydroponics: 100 Ether.


    Raven frowned. That¡¯s new.


    Expanding it would save Ether, but would it be as large as placing an entirely new construct? Would it be as effective?


    Only one way to find out.


    He focused his intent on the expansion, and immediately, the room began to shift.


    The familiar ether dust began swirling through the air, forming new rows of dark stone troughs. The existing farm stretched outward, reaching the wall before curving and following the adjacent side, nearly doubling the size of the greenhouse.


    But something was missing.


    Another water tank hadn¡¯t appeared.


    Is that a problem? He frowned, rubbing his chin. Liu is definitely going to have something to say about this.


    Still, saving a hundred Ether was a good trade-off.


    With that handled, Raven made his way downstairs to the plaza, flipping through his grimoire again as he walked. The hospital needed a water source, and after some discussion, they had decided that the plaza was the best location¡ªopen, accessible, and central.


    Arriving at the clearing, Raven pulled up the available constructs for water sources. There were only three options:


    A well.


    A stone tank.


    A fountain.


    He scanned their descriptions. All three pulled water from the atmosphere, purified it, and maintained a constant flow. However, the fountain had the largest capacity.


    He hesitated.


    A fountain was big. Too big? Could it be used as cover for an enemy attack?


    Not wanting to make the call alone, he turned to one of the officers near the entrance.


    "Can you grab Wilkes."


    Minutes later, Wilkes arrived, arms crossed, clearly curious. "What¡¯s going on?"


    Raven showed him the options, explaining their benefits and concerns. "I was leaning toward the fountain, but I¡¯m worried it might give cover to an invading force."


    Wilkes examined the area thoughtfully, rubbing his chin. "It¡¯s a risk." He glanced around, considering the layout. "But¡­ we won¡¯t be able to keep people inside forever."


    After a long moment, he nodded. "Alright. If we¡¯re doing this, we need to start thinking bigger anyway. The barricades aren¡¯t a long-term solution. The surrounding buildings will have to become our new walls.


    "Raven considered that. "So the fountain works?"


    "It works."


    Raven nodded, turning back to his grimoire.


    "Alright. Let¡¯s do it."


    As he focused on the purchase, Ether surged into the construct. The ground rumbled beneath them, and a twenty-foot-wide fountain materialized from the stone.


    Water cascaded down multiple tiers, shimmering in the dim morning light. Lining its edges were runes and symbols, eerily similar to the ones on the farm.


    Raven exhaled, watching the final traces of Ether dust settle.


    The hospital was starting to feel like a real settlement.


    "That¡¯s the constructs done then?" Wilkes asked, arms crossed as he surveyed the fountain


    "Yeah. Expanded the greenhouse as much as I could. Should cover our food needs¡ªfor now, at least." Raven ran a hand through his hair. "Liu will let us know if it¡¯s not enough."


    Wilkes nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Good work. These are just the first bricks. Now, let¡¯s see how strong we can build from them."


    Deciding to head to the shop next, Raven was so lost in thought that he barely registered the movement in front of him before it was too late.


    He almost walked straight into someone, and only at the last second did they both step to the side¡ªjust barely avoiding a collision.


    "Whoa there, lost in your own world?"


    Raven blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Anny stood before him, arms crossed, lips quirked into an amused smirk.


    "Geez, you¡¯d think a guy would notice a pretty girl in front of him," she teased him, eyes gleaming with mischief.


    Raven froze.


    His mind went completely blank, whatever he had been thinking about disappearing into the void.


    Now that she pointed it out¡­ he did notice.


    He¡¯d been around plenty of people since this all started. Fighters, survivors, hardened men and women trying to make sense of this new world. But Anny¡­ she still had a lightness about her, even after everything.


    That, more than anything, caught him off guard.


    Anny really was pretty¡ªmore than pretty, if he was being honest. Even tired and still recovering, there was something about her presence that drew his attention in a way that felt unfamiliar.


    Realizing he had been staring too long, he coughed¡ªhard¡ªand looked away, scratching the back of his neck.


    "I¡ªuh¡ªyeah, yeah, I was just¡­ in my own world," he muttered, desperate for a lifeline.


    Anny chuckled, clearly enjoying his discomfort.


    "Uh-huh. Sure, you were."


    Raven sighed and shook his head.


    "Look, my bad. I wasn¡¯t paying attention."


    "Clearly."


    Anny rocked back on her heels; arms still folded as she studied him with undisguised amusement.


    "So, what¡¯s got the great and broody Raven so distracted this morning?"


    He hesitated for a second before deciding there was no harm in telling her.


    "I was heading to the shop. I had some things I wanted to check out¡ªmainly if Ether can be stored¡­ and more about inherent traits."


    That seemed to catch her interest.


    "Huh. That actually sounds kinda useful. Mind if I tag along?"


    Raven considered that for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Let¡¯s see what we can find."


    With that, the two of them headed toward the cafeteria, Anny still grinning like she had won something.


    Raven exhaled, shaking his head as they walked.


    She was going to be trouble. He could already tell.

 Chapter 27. Shopping

    Chapter 27 - Shopping


    Raven and Anny walked side by side toward the cafeteria, the air between them relaxed despite the constant tension of their new reality.


    ¡°So,¡± Anny began, glancing at him with curiosity. ¡°What exactly are you hoping to find? Ether storage sounds... vague.¡±


    Raven shrugged. ¡°Not really sure yet. Just figured having extra ether pools to draw from would be useful. Right now, we¡¯re completely reliant on the Sink, and while that¡¯s been great, we don¡¯t actually know if it has limits.¡±


    She hummed thoughtfully. ¡°So, this is more about futureproofing?¡±


    ¡°Exactly,¡± he confirmed. ¡°We¡¯re setting things up, but long-term stability means having backup plans. If we can store ether somewhere instead of letting it sit in the Sink, we have reserves to work with.¡±


    Anny nodded, seemingly impressed. ¡°Smart.¡±


    They reached the cafeteria, and Raven placed his hand on the market ledger, willing it to reveal anything related to Ether storage.


    At first, the sheer number of options made him regret not checking this sooner. He should have done this days ago.


    Containers, vials, crystals, reservoirs¡ªthere were dozens of methods for storing Ether. But one in particular caught his eye.


    Tokens.


    Small, flat coins that acted as a physical representation of ether. The ledger described them as an ancient form of trade that had been used across many civilizations. Different denominations held varying amounts of stored ether, making them functionally¡­ currency.


    Raven grinned.


    This was huge.


    Henson had been right¡ªif they expected people to put their lives on the line, they needed a reward system. And now, they had one.


    Without hesitation, he drained the remaining Ether from the Sink, purchasing 200 Ether¡¯s worth of tokens in varying denominations. He¡¯d bring these straight to Wilkes.


    Anny, having noticed the shift in his expression, smirked. ¡°Alright, what¡¯s got you looking so smug?¡±


    He held up one of the small, metallic tokens, watching it glint faintly under the dim cafeteria lighting. ¡°I think I just solved a problem the leadership was having.¡±


    Anny tilted her head, then understanding dawned in her eyes. ¡°Wait. You mean, like, actual money?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    She gave him an approving nod. ¡°Damn. You don¡¯t waste time, do you?¡±


    Raven chuckled, slipping the tokens into his pouch. ¡°I try not to.¡±


    As they turned to leave, something caught his attention¡ªa familiar smudge of dried blood on Anny¡¯s torn clothing. Despite the light-hearted moment, she still looked like she had just crawled out of a battlefield.


    His ether reserves were mostly recovered, he wasn¡¯t on empty.


    ¡°Hold on,¡± Raven muttered, flipping through the ledger again.


    Anny blinked. ¡°What are you doing?¡±


    ¡°Getting you clothes that aren¡¯t ruined.¡±


    She scoffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Oh, so now I¡¯m an eyesore?¡±


    He shot her a dry look. ¡°Yes. Exactly. You¡¯re hideous.¡±


    She laughed, nudging his shoulder playfully. ¡°Ass.¡±


    Ignoring her, Raven refined his search to something affordable. Most of the clothing options were well beyond his reach, but one stood out.


    A skirt and blouse set woven with the same runes found on the constructs. The description mentioned that applying ether could clean and mend the fabric over time.


    100 Ether.


    Raven hesitated, then pushed his remaining ether into the purchase.


    To his surprise, his reserves didn¡¯t fully drain. He was close to empty, but not completely.


    That was¡­ interesting.


    Before he could dwell on it, the clothing materialized before him in a neat bundle. He grabbed it and handed it to Anny without ceremony.


    She stared at it. Then at him. Then back at the clothes.


    ¡°You just¡­ bought me clothes?¡±


    ¡°Yeah,¡± he said, already moving toward the exit. ¡°You¡¯re welcome.¡±


    Anny clutched the bundle against her chest, watching him with an unreadable expression. Then, with a soft laugh, she shook her head and followed.


    He really was something else.


    Anny split off, tucking the bundle of clothes under her arm. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get changed. Meet me for dinner?¡±


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    Raven hesitated. ¡°If Wilkes doesn¡¯t have me running around again, sure. If I¡¯m not there, don¡¯t wait up.¡±


    She grinned. ¡°I won¡¯t. Tabetha, though? She might send out a search party.¡±


    Raven snorted. ¡°I¡¯ll risk it.¡±


    Anny laughed as she turned down the hall, leaving him alone. Shaking his head, Raven adjusted the pouch of ether tokens on his belt and made his way to Wilkes'' makeshift office.


    He found Wilkes sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed. Raven leaned against the doorframe, smirking.


    ¡°Carter got you grinding too, huh?¡±


    Wilkes'' eyes opened immediately, his expression neutral. ¡°Raven. What can I help you with?¡±


    ¡°Oh, you know. Fixing problems. Trying to keep the world from falling apart. No big deal.¡± He tossed one of the tokens onto Wilkes¡¯ desk. ¡°You might want to see this.¡±


    Wilkes picked up the small metallic coin, turning it between his fingers. ¡°What am I looking at?¡±


    Raven pulled out two more, placing a 10 ether and a 50 ether token beside the first.


    ¡°Currency.¡±


    Wilkes'' brow furrowed. ¡°Explain.¡±


    ¡°These are physical ether tokens. Anyone with a core can store ether in them, and they can be used to buy things at the shop.¡±


    Wilkes exhaled sharply. ¡°Holy shit.¡± His fingers tightened around the coin. ¡°You know what you¡¯ve just done?¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°What?¡±


    Wilkes sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°The can of worms you just opened is going to take a whole lot of closing.¡±


    Raven crossed his arms. ¡°How so?¡±


    Wilkes dropped the coin on the desk. ¡°Right now, anyone with a seed core can generate ether. Meaning¡ªthey can print money.¡±


    Raven blinked.


    ¡°¡­Shit.¡±


    Wilkes nodded grimly.


    Raven leaned against the wall, thinking. ¡°Do we set up taxes? How would that even work?¡±


    Wilkes shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ll need to figure out a way to regulate this. If we don¡¯t, we¡¯re looking at inflation, corruption, and a dozen other problems.¡±


    Raven huffed. ¡°Great. I come to give you good news and now we have a new problem.¡±


    Wilkes smirked. ¡°Welcome to leadership.¡±


    Raven waited patiently while a runner went to grab the others, Wilkes had decided this was a matter that needed immediate attention.


    Once everyone was gathered and bought up to date on what he had discovered, Wilkes asked if anyone knew enough about economics to make a plan, no one volunteered.


    Liu cleared her throat  ¡°I know someone that might be able to help, she was an accountant before all of this, she¡¯s very good.¡± ¡°Go and find her, explain the situation and see if she can help.¡±


    A short time later Liu returned with a diminutive Asian woman who looked like a librarian, stern vibe and big glasses. She introduced herself as Susan Miller, Wilkes explained the situation in full and Susan declared she could probably help requesting some paper to work with.


    Susan began creating notes, pen scratching against paper. The room gave her space, the tension thick as they waited for her to piece together a system that wouldn¡¯t implode before it even began.


    While she was focused, Wilkes cleared his throat. ¡°Anyone got any other updates while we wait?¡±


    The group exchanged glances, but no one spoke. Nothing major had happened in the last few hours¡ªno new threats, no significant developments.


    Carter, however, took the opportunity to glance at Raven. ¡°Actually, Raven, would Anny be willing to help teach people how to develop their seed cores?¡±


    Raven frowned. ¡°I can ask. She seemed like a quick study, but that doesn¡¯t mean she wants to be a teacher.¡±


    Carter sighed, rubbing his temples. ¡°You have no idea how draining this is. Teaching a couple of people? Fine. But guiding a whole group, explaining the same thing over and over while half of them barely get it? It¡¯s exhausting.¡± He exhaled sharply. ¡°It¡¯s like trying to teach a blind man to paint.¡±


    He¡¯d talk to her later; she¡¯d picked it up fast, and she might enjoy the challenge.


    Before the conversation could continue, Susan tapped her pen on the table sharply, breaking the silence. ¡°Alright,¡± she said, voice steady, eyes sharp. ¡°I¡¯ve got some ideas.¡±


    The tension in the room shifted. Wilkes leaned forward, Carter stopped rubbing his temples, and Raven crossed his arms. Everyone was listening.


    The room straightened, attention shifting to her.


    ¡°First off,¡± she began, ¡°We need a shopkeeper. Someone to act as the sole point of interaction with the market ledger.¡±


    Wilkes raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°Two reasons,¡± Susan explained. ¡°One, oversight. We can¡¯t have people going in and buying dangerous shit without some kind of regulation. Two, taxes. If we¡¯re going to manage an economy, we need a way to control the flow of ether.¡±


    Raven exchanged glances with Wilkes. That¡­ made sense.


    Susan continued. ¡°Right now, everyone who forms a Seed Core should exchange their ether for ether coins. They¡¯ll receive 50% back in tokens, and the rest will be taxed into the community pool. If someone wants to sit around meditating all day, that¡¯s fine, but they¡¯ll be capped at 50 ether coins per day. That way, the community still benefits from their efforts.¡±


    Henson crossed his arms. ¡°What about the gardeners? They use their ether to keep us all alive. Taxing them seems¡­ counterproductive.¡±


    Susan nodded. ¡°Agreed. Gardeners get an exemption. They don¡¯t pay tax until after 50 Ether coins. That way, they can fuel the farms without being penalized.¡±


    Wilkes leaned forward. ¡°And our fighters?¡±


    Susan glanced at him. ¡°They need to be separated into officers and recruits. Officers¡ªthose capable of leading teams¡ªshould be paid a higher wage. We can afford ten officers at 30 Ether per day. If we¡¯ve got around 40 recruits, they should get 15 each per day.¡±


    Carter let out a low whistle. ¡°That¡¯s a lot¡ª I just hope we¡¯re not setting up something we can¡¯t control.¡± He rubbed his temples again. ¡°Teaching is one thing, but trying to keep order in a system this new?" That¡¯s another battle entirely."


    Susan shrugged. ¡°It is, but they¡¯re keeping everyone safe. And since they¡¯ll eventually form seed cores, they¡¯ll have higher tax thresholds before being deducted¡ªsame as the gardeners.¡±


    Raven was impressed. She had figured out a system in minutes.


    Susan tapped her pen against the table. ¡°All of this still leaves us with roughly 1,400 Ether per day from the Sink itself.¡±


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Enough to keep us running.¡±


    ¡°Exactly. But another reason we need a shopkeeper is to convert the sink¡¯s ether into coins. If we let it overflow, we waste resources.¡±


    Silence hung over the room as everyone absorbed the information.


    Wilkes finally spoke. ¡°Any concerns or questions?¡±


    No one responded.


    Wilkes nodded. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s give this a try. It should be a good incentive for people to develop a seed core.¡± He paused, tossing one of the ether coins in the air before catching it.


    ¡°But let¡¯s not fool ourselves,¡± he added, watching the coin spin in his fingers. ¡°No system is perfect. If we don¡¯t keep a close eye on this, it¡¯ll spiral out of control before we even realize it.¡±


    He turned to Raven. ¡°Raven, if you can ask young Annastasia to assist Carter, that¡¯d be appreciated.¡±


    Raven nodded. He¡¯d talk to her.


    Wilkes turned to Liu and Susan. ¡°You two oversee finding a shopkeeper. Choose someone trustworthy."


    As Wilkes was calling the meeting to a close, an officer burst into the room, breathing heavily.


    ¡°There¡¯s a large group approaching the plaza,¡± he reported, his voice urgent. ¡°At least fifty people. They look desperate.¡±


    The room fell silent for a beat. Then, everyone moved at once.


    Wilkes was already on his feet, heading toward the hospital entrance with Raven, Carter, and Henson close behind. The others followed; the meeting abandoned in an instant.


    As they reached the front doors, they saw them.


    Beyond the newly constructed fountain, a crowd of worn, hungry-looking survivors stood fifty meters away. A smaller group¡ªlikely representatives¡ªstood at the front, separate from the rest.


    Raven stopped cold. His stomach twisted, a dark chill creeping up his spine.


    Brad.


    And right behind him¡­ Sky.


    His fingers clenched into fists as a low, quiet rage simmered beneath his skin. Of all the people that could have walked back into his life¡­ it had to be them.