Outside the academy, in another city, a very dire situation was currently taking place. The people were in a state of panic, houses were on fire, and the sounds of people screaming, scattering across the road like sand in the desert, doing the best they could to get to safety.
Some would trample over others, using the heel of their shoes to squash and press down against whoever was unable to keep up or was just unfortunate during the panic, and had ended up falling to the ground and was unable to get back up, ending up being trampled upon by those still standing, in dire need of protection.
The air was laced with smoke coming from damaged vehicles and large fires, as the area around them was littered with broken down buildings, black smoke, and dead bodies, as far the eyes could see.
This was the current state of black Saber city, the very city where Kayden was born and raised.
From the military academy where he attends, a woman named Nero had been assigned to help these people in dire need of assistance. A lot of them, although possessed abilities, were unable to defend themselves against the threat plaguing their streets.
Currency, Nero was in a secure building in the city, where a number of military personnel were seated around a table discussing what course of action they would take next.
"This is really disastrous. The Shale has managed to take over 60% of the city in just a matter of weeks. We have deployed our best men out on the field to fight the alien, but they have all been either killed or somehow managed to escape with multiple wounds and missing limbs. We don't know what to do anymore, and if we don't act soon, then this whole city would be lost," one of the men explained, his voice stern and heavy.
"He's right. We have done all we can to fight. Those guys we deployed are far stronger than we are, and if they were unable to succeed, then what are the chances that we would have if we decide to step out onto the battlefield?" Another chimed in.
"We would just end up dying in the process. What would be the point of us wasting our own lives when it wouldn't even amount to anything. Wouldn't it be better for us to somehow ensure that the situation does not spread and affecting neighbouring towns and cities?" Someone else said.
"I agree. Black Saber city is currently a lost cause. Look at it as collateral damage as we'll do our best to ensure that what happened in the city doesn't affect anyother. I believe that is the best course of action to take, considering our current resources at hand," another person said.
"Moreover, none of the influential figures wish to get involved with the matters concerning these smalls cities. It would be best if we manage our remaining rescues efficiently since we have no one powerful enough to back us up on this plan," another person added.
Hearing what everyone seated around the table was saying, Nero, who was seated at the head of the table, had her head held down, her hands lying flat against the table's surface. As soon as they began to speak, her fingers began to curl backwards, moving inwards towards the centre of her palm.
"Shut up! All of you!" She suddenly yelled, causing everyone to paused what they were saying as they all turned to look at her. "Stop spilling such bullshit! Do you really think it's alright to just let these innocent civilians die?! Just because we've lost a lot of men, doesn't mean that there still isn't something we can do to help out these people!" She declared, shaking her head violently.
Seeing her current reaction, the men all turned to face one another, sharing a knowing glance as they began to chuckle to themselves.
"Huh? What's so funny?" She asked, her eye wide in shock. "Do you think this is a joke?! What if it were your family members who had been murdered out there?! What if it was your significant other?! Or what if it was even you who was out there, alone and helpless. Having to defend yourself against a threat multiple times stronger than yourselves.
"How would you feel then, huh?! All that fear and anguish, wishing, praying, begging that someone would swoop in and save your life! But then the people who can decide not to do so simply because it was inconvenient for them. What bullshit!" She lectured them. Still, it seemed like her heavy words had fallen on deaf ears.
A clap was heard, followed by another, and then, everyone began to applaud her for her strong words and conviction. But, there was still that mocking look on their faces.
"Bravo, Agent Nero!" One of the men said. "You have successfully showed us all just how crazy and deranged you can be. And to that, I applaud your efforts. It truly isn't a small feat to make people like us think you're crazy," the next second, everyone seated at the table burst out into a strong fit of laughter.
A couple of them began to mimic what she had said in a more childish tone, acting like a bunch of children.
Of course, this didn't sit well with her, as what happened next was something she wasn't quite sure if she would regret later. Infuriated by their childish behavior, her eyes suddenly went completely white, and an ominous energy began to radiate from her body.
Before any of them could react, she quickly moved and had grabbed one of the generals by the scruff of his uniform, raising his body up in the air like he weighed nothing, causing the others to get on high alert.
"I guess what I'm doing now should be considered normal, since it's already been established that I'm a crazy person," she said, before delivering a blow to the man with her other hand, letting go of his collar and allowing his body to fly backwards, not stopping until it had hit the wall behind him.
"Anyone else interested in a little exchange? I'm ready to beat up all of you grown ass men till you begin to see reason," she said, cracking her knuckles. "There's a reason why I'm an agent and you guys are generals. I am above you all in rank, being second to the highest rank in Earth's military forces. Or did you not learn all that back in high school?" She asked.
The general who had been punched in the face, began to get back onto his feet. From the side of his lip, a trail of blood could be seen escaping his body and making its way down to his jaw. With his hand, he wiped around that area, and could see the red coloration that tainted his index finger.
"Hmm… I guess I must have overstepped my bounds. My apologies, Agent," he said, straightening himself before walking back toward his seat. "I will remember to be more careful next time," he smiled at her, his eyes closed as he took his seat.
"You all should do the same, as well," he said, turning his head to face the others. Confused, they were wondering if he was being serious or not. However, from the corner of his eyes, they could see them squinting slightly, giving them the signal that he was lying.
"Yes, we have all made a mistake, and we humbly plead for your forgiveness. We won't repeat it again next time," they all said in unison, givinger her a salute.
Seeing this, the anger in her began to subside. Thinking that they had learnt their lesson, she had cancelled her ability, and her eyes returned back to normal, and that ominous aura surrounding her body had vanished also.
"I hope with this, you have all learnt your lesson. Now, let us focus on taking a different course of action. We cannot just let these innocent civilians die. Sure, we are short on valuable men, but that doesn't mean that we can't do something. What if we appeal to one of the influential families? Offer them something that would make them willing to assist us?" She proposed.
"What do you have in mind?" the man she had manhandled asked, rubbing his beard.
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In another city, a similar situation was ongoing, as the city was in peril, and dire need of assistance from the military. Currency, out in the open road, there was a blue-scaled creature casting a multitude of spells towards the soldiers, while the soldiers would do their best to dodge or deflect the attacks.
"Everyone! Fall back! Fall back!" The leader of the squad of soldiers yelled, creating a large beam of flames that travelled across the area, heading straight at the Shale. As the attack made contact, it erupted in a large explosion, the force of the blast pushing cars, rocks, and other objects that littered the ground further back.
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This will be the last chapter for today. I want to start uploading two chapters daily.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.