Ephyrus entered the expansive hall where Amorah and Fiona conversed. "Our son has arrived." Fiona scanned the room, exclaiming, "Trent is here?" With a swift exit, she hurried from the large room. Trent shattered the imposing wall of the spacious chamber, dusting off his suit. Ephyrus and Amorah, wearing wide smiles, stood in the room's center. As Trent entered, the sound of cracking stones echoed beneath his steps.
Observing the couple's smiles, Trent raised a brow. "Welcome, son," Amorah greeted with a warm smile, an unfamiliar kindness evident.
In the hallway, Acher and the others encountered lifeless bodies strewn across the floor. "Why are there dead people everywhere?" Simon inquired, sidestepping another body. "They're already dead; just step over them," Chen remarked, urging them forward. A large, sharp-toothed worm startled Cyrus and Chen. "What is that?" The worm rapidly approached. Cyrus utilized his ability to burst it.
"Whoa!" exclaimed a boy with dark grey hair as he emerged from hiding, scratching his head. "I'm Varris. What are your names?" he asked, continuing to scratch his head.
"I'm Acher, the first son of King Augustus," Acher introduced himself. Cyrus frowned, whispering, "Why are we introducing ourselves?" Acher shrugged.
"I'm Chen, Simon," Cyrus sighed, adding, "Cyrus."
"Cool names! What's your favorite anime?" they exchanged glances and then looked at the peculiar skinny boy. "Mine is Goku," Acher responded. "Hunter X Hunter," Cyrus answered, and Chen chimed in, "Naruto." Simon scratched his chin, saying, "I don't watch those."
Varris, under the moonlight, cried, his tears glinting. "Why are you crying?" Acher asked quietly. "My favorite anime is Naruto too," Varris confessed. "Then why are you crying?" Simon inquired. "The fact that I have to kill you is what makes me cry." The four exchanged puzzled looks.
The quartet exchanged glances, then turned their attention to a young, distraught boy. Behind him, more large worms multiplied. "I once dreamed of having a friend, sitting in front of a big TV, binge-watching Naruto," the boy confessed, wiping away tears. "It's unfortunate that I have to kill you all, including you, Chen." The charging worm approached. Acher summoned his sword, adopting a defensive stance. With a powerful swing, he sliced through many worms, sending the others and Varris flying. Chen shot at the airborne worms, while Cyrus used his ability to burst many in under a minute. Varris, recovering on the ground, looked up with short, dark hair hanging in the air.
Chen fired his gun at the remaining airborne worms, while Cyrus used his abilities to burst through many in under a minute. Varries rose from the ground; his hand, with short dark hair hanging in the air, suddenly shook violently, and tears dripped onto the floor. Raising his head, they were met with a shocking sight—his eyeball was gone, replaced by hollow holes.
"What the heck is that?" Simon cursed.
"My ability isn't working on him; I can't feel or see anything from him," Cyrus informed the group, leaving them bewildered.
As the two bickered, Trent observed, crossing his arms and tapping his right foot. Ephyrus, glancing at the large door to the left, discerned shadows—figures tied to chairs, others standing beside them, and three more hiding in the shadows.
"I sense Milli and Ella in the room," Ephyrus said, his gaze fixed on the door connecting to the empty, spacious room.
"Open the gate!" commanded Amorah. As the gate slid open, she eagerly anticipated Trent's reaction. However, when the gate fully opened, her joyful smile vanished, and Ephyrus too was stunned by what lay before them.
Earlier, before the war began, Old Man Patterson and his family exited the car, visibly perplexed. In the back seat, Ellis and Old Man Patterson sat with mouths agape. Elijah, concerned, inquired, "Grandpa, Ellis, are you two okay?" Old Man Patterson, bewildered, asked, "How did we get here?"
"Angel is a witch," Elijah explained. "We have to get into the mansion." Angel chimed in, "You're right." Stepping out of the car, they were immediately faced with danger as a sword lunged toward Elijah. He swiftly evaded, prompting Old Man Patterson to scream, and Ellis to gasp while covering her mouth. Angel employed her telekinetic ability to forcefully push the assailant away.
Ellis's scream drew their attention as she was dragged through the grass. Elijah rushed to her aid. Despite the violence, Ellis managed to pull out her gun and turned, wincing as her back grazed violently. Clenching her teeth in pain, she struggled until she freed herself from the plant-like robe wrapped around her leg.
Elijah reached her, helping her up and dusting her off. Her dress was torn at the back. Suddenly, a gunshot rang out. They turned to witness Angel facing three rogues—one with wind ability, another a witch with sharp nails, and the third a centaur. Old Man Patterson shot at the witch, and the Centaur charged toward Edward. However, Ellis swiftly aimed her gun and shot the centaur in the head, causing him to slide to a stop a few feet away from Edward.
Ellis, that's amazing," praised Elijah, giving Ellis a side hug. "Let's go, guys!" Angel shouted, and the group successfully entered the mansion undetected.
Present:
Upon Joel receiving the announcement, he summoned his helmet. However, a werewolf attacked him, causing his helmet to slip out of his hands. The mushroom continued to open, releasing a green gas. Joel used his strength to push the werewolf away and avoid its bite. Summoning his lancer, another werewolf seized it. Just as another wolf lunged at him, a larger werewolf with radiant silver fur intervened, pushing the attacking wolf aside.
Joel swiftly twirled and kicked the wolf in the stomach, then used his lancer to stab it. The silver-furred werewolf gestured telepathically, "Here, your helmet, put it on, quick!" Joel took the helmet and strapped it over his head.
The mushroom fully opened, releasing green gas that affected agents without proper face coverings, causing them to convulse on the ground. Joel, looking at the werewolf, thanked her. Her voice, as beautiful as a morning breeze, replied, "It is me, Nadiya." Joel was shocked, pointing at her, "You're Courtois's younger sister."
"Yeah, we should get ready," Joel turned around. All the HOJ affected by the green gas stood up, their eyes now green and glowing.
"What's going on?" Joel inquired. "I don't know, but whatever it is, it's not good," replied a concerned voice.
Inside the mansion, Trent rolled his eyes at Ephyrus and Amorah. "Where is my fiancée?" he demanded. Amorah, with an oddly affectionate tone, responded, "We just met; why are you talking about her?" Unsettled, Trent insisted, "I'm going to ask you just one more time, where's Ella!"
"Is she in place?" Ephyrus whispered into Amorah's ear, catching Trent's attention. "I don't know; I haven't seen Milli," Amorah replied. Ephyrus glared at her, and the tension in the room grew.