*BOOOOMM
The sound of an explosion rang throughout the streets, followed by body parts scattering in all directions.
The once beautiful city was now a deserted warzone. Smashed vehicles, buildings on the verge of collapse, crates of explosions were now a common sight.
In this very city two battalions wage urban warfare against each other.
It was the alliance army who were deployed to recover the city from the invaders.
*Bang Bang Bang
Gunshots, explosions and screams, dominated the area as both groups seek to seize the advantage.
Of course, the soldiers weren't the only ones in the city. Various civilians who couldn't escape during the mass evacuation and were held as hostages during the enemy's occupation of the city, now saw a chance of escaping during the conflict.
- On my signal, everybody run to that building across us!
Their plan was to escape through the building until they arrive at the alliance camp to seek refuge.
Among the group of civilians, were a boy and a girl, both seemed the same age, around 19years old.
- This is bad idea…
The Girl Lilia voiced her concerns to the boy at her side.
-If we don't go with them, we might never get a chance to get out again. Everyday it gets harder to find food, and the soldiers are tracking down every survivor camp, if we don't get out now its only a matter of time before they capture us.
The boy, Alexander tried to ease her doubts by pointing out that it was more dangerous to stay than escape, with no success.
- Still the soldiers are fighting right now, what if they decide to bombard the city again?
-Don't worry, our path is outside the area of conflict, even if they decide to do it its not going to be in this area.
Although they've been together for only 2 years, she realized early that her boyfriend always had good awareness, so it was hard to not trust his judgement.
-ok, let's hope you're right.
Deciding to follow the original plan, they got ready to depart.
- NOW! Everybody follow me!!
Following the leader's signal, the group started running to the abandoned building. Safely arriving it, they make the same moves to two more buildings.
Since the conflict far away from their route, they managed to arrive safely.
- Ok everybody just two more and we will be near the alliance camp!
Before continuing to travel they decided to take a rest in one of building.
Although it was abandoned it was in a slightly better state then the others.
- See I told you it would be safe.
- Yeah, Yeah, no need to brag.
- You should work on you habit of overthinking things; it will do you good.
-Oy...
*Pow
Alex's blunt remark earned him a hard punch on the shoulder.
- Ouch what was that for?!
-Idiot…
-Ok rest is over everybody get ready to move!!!
The leader's voice brought them back to reality as they started getting ready.
-Ready?
- Read…
Then a loud explosion hit the building, sending everyone flying.
*BOOMMMMM
*VOOOSHH
Following the explosion two loud jet engines passed above them.
- cough cough, fuck so they are giving up on the city.
Proving his suspicions correct the fighters came back for another bombing run,this time on the nearby buildings.
-AHHHHHH
-RUN!!!!!
-WE'RE GOING TO DIE.
Following the second bombing the group members went in a state of panic and rushed to the exits.
'Got to find Lily before they come back.
Getting up, Alex started running, looking for his girlfriend.
-LILY !!WERE ARE YOU???
Despite the lack of response, Alex kept looking but the smoke from the explosion showed no signs of clearing.
Then he saw a silhouette of a person walking through the smoke.
- LILY IS THAT YOU?
The person did not respond despite the shouting, so he had no choice to get closer, disregarding the danger.
As he got closer the silhouette revealed to be the person he was looking for, Lily but her condition was not the best.
Her clothes were filled with cuts and dirt, presumably from colliding with the debris, blood could be seen falling from a cut on her head and she was wobbling from left to right, probably the result of a concussion.
Seeing her condition, Alex rushed to her side, catching her before she could fall.
-Lily are you ok??
Hearing a familiar voice, Lily lifted her head, her hazy eyes met Alex's worried gaze.
- Alex, is that you??
'It looks like she still hasn't recovered from the explosion, but we need to get out of here.'
- Yeah, it's me, come on let's go before another bombing run comes.
Putting aside his worries for her, Alex Lifted Lily by the shoulder and headed towards the nearest exit.
*VRUMMMMMM
But they were too late, as consecutive explosion sounds began to dominate the area.
-SHIT!!!
Cursing out loud, Alex tried to speed up,but Lily hasn't fully recovered from the concussion.
As the bombs reached their building, the already fragile structure couldn't handle the strikes and started to collapse.
The explosions caused a moment of distraction on Alex in which he failed to notice the ceiling on the verge of falling above him.
Lily, despite her condition, made a quick decision.
- LILY HOP ON TO MY BAC….
Before Alex could act, she shoulder charged him out of danger.
'What!?'
Surprised by the sudden charge, Alex managed to turn around, only to see his beloved being crushed by the vast number of debris that fell from the ceiling.
But just before her gruesome death, Lily managed to muster a warm smile, as to signal Alex that she made the right choice.
Then the entire world faded to back.
***
-NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
The screams of a silver-haired boy echoed through the pure white room, however his sudden outburst was followed by a surge of pain, forcing him to calm down.
- That nightmare again...
taking deep breaths,the boy tried to calm his heartbeat.
' I thought i had already moved on...'
Although it was and event from his old life the scars from a loss of his beloved still lingered in his soul.
Deciding to deal with his nightmares later, Luke tried to stand up, but the pain from his injuries still haven't healed.
-Where am i??
Scanning his surroundings, Luke conclude he was in a hospital room, and judging by how spacious and luxurious it is, it must be a VIP room.
'I guess mother brought me here.'
*Click
He turned his attention to the sound of the door and a middle-aged man wearing a white robe carrying a clipboard entered the room. As they locked eyes the man flinched a little then responded with an aloof voice.
- Oh you're awake.
His tone gave the impression of someone who rather not be here.
Putting the clipboard in the nearby table, the man introduced himself.
-Pleasure to meet you young master Luke I am Elias the doctor in charge of you. Now if you will excuse me, I must check your condition.
- Sure
Elias then dragged a nearby chair to sit and touched Luke's head, spreading mana throughout his body.
'Using mana like an x-Ray, interesting.'
Although magic exists in this world, they didn't neglect science, as such new medications and treatment methods were being developed and being mixed with magic to create new techniques, covering for the lack of advanced machines like an x-ray chamber.
After finishing his inspection, he got up and wrote something on the clipboard then turned to Luke.
- So, most of your internal injuries have healed but there's still some broken bones and some bruises. Although it can be healed by a potion or healing magic I opted to let then heal naturally since you're still young but since you already have awakened mana it should be mostly healed in a few days, Any questions?
- How long was I out?
- About 6 hours, it's already late afternoon. If that's all I will take my leave.
Just before he went out, Elias stopped at the door and turned around to deliver a message to Luke.
- Your mother should be returning,she just went to get some food.
Delivering his message, he left.
'what a day!'
laying back on the bed, images of the day started to flash in Luke's mind from the failure of his awakening to getting smashed into the wall.
' I wonder how mom reacted to that.'
'Well whatever she did, it's not going to come cheap for my uncle.'
Despite the assurance that his mother is on his side no matter what, there's still the decision that his father is going to make in regards to his position.
' There's still a few days before my return so i better start making a plan.'