Amidst the confusion, Rex suddenly heard the chatter on the soldiers' walkie-talkies as they issued commands to fire upon the room where Cris, Ruvella, and he had been staying. Reacting swiftly, Ruvella cast protective spells to create a barrier around the three of them and the immediate area, fortifying their defenses just in time.
The relentless barrage of gunfire and explosions reverberated through the apartment, the deafening noise resonating with an ominous intensity. The ground trembled as artillery rounds struck the building, causing it to shake violently. Each explosion sent shockwaves of fear and uncertainty through the soldiers.
Inside the room, the flames and smoke began to engulf everything, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Cris found himself surrounded by chaos and danger. The room felt like a pressure cooker, with the heat and suffocating smoke threatening to consume his. So he stopped his magic.
In the midst of this peril, Rex shouted, his voice barely audible above the cacophony, "We have to get out of here! Forty-five minutes left!"
Without hesitation, the trio rushed toward the shattered window, their instincts driving them to escape the rapidly deteriorating situation. The window, already riddled with holes from the recent bombings, offered their only way out.
As they leaped out of the window, their bodies hurtling through the air, the world around them seemed to slow for a moment. Ruvella felt a surge of adrenaline as she landed gracefully on the ground, the impact barely affecting her. She glanced around and saw two transparent spheres, Rex and Cris, running in opposite directions.
Cris's voice echoed in her mind as he sent her a text message, his words laced with urgency, "Do you want to get us killed? Stop casting the barrier. People can see us even though we're invisible."
Ruvella immediately comprehended her mistake and ceased her magical barrier. She then sprinted away from their previous location.
Ruvella, with her orcish heritage and the essence of shadow running through her veins, possessed extraordinary speed. Within minutes, she had managed to distance herself from the space port, reaching a staggering 30 kilometers away. Her chest heaved as she took in deep, ragged breaths, her lungs struggling to recover from the exertion.
As she paused to catch her breath, a sudden, ominous sight unfolded before her eyes. From the sky above, a colossal beam of energy descended like the wrath of the heavens, obliterating the entire space port in a cataclysmic explosion. The devastating blast unleashed an inferno of destruction, reducing the once-bustling center to nothing but ruins and billowing smoke.
Ruvella stood there, aghast at the sheer magnitude of the devastation she had just witnessed. The space port, once a symbol of bustling activity and civilization, had been reduced to a smoldering, chaotic wasteland in a matter of moments. The echoes of the explosion reverberated through the air, a haunting reminder of the brutal consequences of their actions.
A day had passed since the massive destruction that had rocked Venturia. Media outlets across the planet were abuzz with news of the incident, while military trucks patrolled the streets, systematically checking every vehicle and building for any signs of Rex, Cris, and Ruvella.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit alleyway tucked away from the prying eyes of the soldiers, Cris removed his hood, revealing a disguise that made him appear as an elderly man in his eighties. His clever ruse had allowed the soldiers to dismiss him as just another elderly passerby. After walking a considerable distance, he came to a stop in front of an abandoned house, a place that had been quiet and deserted for a long time.
Cris gazed at the dilapidated structure, memories from the past flooding back to him. This house had once been a haven, a place of refuge where he had found solace and comfort. But now, it stood as a silent witness to the turmoil and chaos that had enveloped Venturia.
Cris carefully retrieved a set of keys from a dried flower tub, his hands trembling slightly with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation. These keys, which had been entrusted to him by his grandfather, held the power to unlock the door to a place that very few knew existed—a hidden sanctuary that had served as his secret hideout for years.
As he inserted the key into the lock and turned it, the door creaked open to reveal an empty interior. The absence of furniture and personal belongings accentuated the solitude that had enveloped this house for a long time. Cris moved through the ground floor with a sense of familiarity, his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness.
With each step, he ascended to the second floor, his destination being the bedroom. This room held a special significance, as it had been a haven for him during his earlier years. It was a place where he had sought refuge from the challenges of life, where he had hidden away secrets and cherished memories.
Upon entering the bedroom, Cris approached the bed, his gaze falling upon a box tucked beneath it. With a sense of reverence, he retrieved the box and opened it, revealing its contents. Nestled within was an old 9mm pistol, a relic from another era. The firearm, with its weathered appearance, had been submerged in oil for an extended period, preserving it against the ravages of time.
Beside the pistol, there lay a bottle containing a clear liquid. It had been carefully sealed, a testament to Cris's meticulous preparations. This bottle held the key to another piece of his past, a connection to his family's history that he had kept hidden away.
Cris's attention then turned to a tablet resting in the box. It was a device that had once held importance in his life, a link to the world beyond these walls. Despite the years of neglect, the tablet bore the hallmarks of a quality brand, and its battery, miraculously, remained intact.
He proceeded to charge the tablet, taking care to ensure that the battery received the necessary power. Once it was charged, he powered on the tablet, the screen flickering to life after a prolonged slumber. It was a moment of reconnection, a rekindling of the past.
As the tablet's interface came to life, Cris felt a surge of nostalgia wash over him. This device had been a companion during his formative years, a window to knowledge and communication. Now, it would serve a different purpose—one that was tied to the enigmatic circumstances he found himself in.
With steady hands, Cris accessed the syetem storage and retrieved a small machine that he had acquired in Civarat, a special tool designed for moments like this. It served as both a battery charger and a repair tool, allowing him to restore the tablet to its former functionality.
The tablet start charging... with in 20 minutes the tablet start showing signs of being alive again.. A loading screen can be seen on the tablet... Sigh...
After sometime, Cris explored the contents of the tablet, The Tablet held only a single application—a photo gallery. With a nostalgia, he opened the gallery and was met with a collection of photographs that spanned a lifetime. Each image held a story, a memory frozen in time.
Among the photographs, there were pictures of himself during various stages of his life—childhood innocence, teenage rebellion, and adulthood marked by responsibility. These snapshots served as a poignant reminder of the journey he had undertaken.
As he scrolled through the images, Cris encountered photographs of his family members, each face evoking a unique emotion within him. The smiles, the laughter, and the shared moments filled him with a sense of warmth and longing. Family had always been an anchor in his life, and seeing their faces brought a bittersweet comfort.
Yet, as he delved deeper into the photo gallery, he stumbled upon a folder that held a different significance. Inside were pictures of a beautiful girl—a girl who had been a part of his life in a profound way. The images traced her life from childhood through her formative years and into her university days. She had been his crush, his first love, a figure whose presence had illuminated his world.
Cris couldn't help but linger on these pictures, his gaze fixed on the radiant smile that graced her face in each frame. He recalled the stolen glances, the unspoken words, and the moments when their paths had crossed. However, her family's social standing and his own circumstances had created an unbridgeable divide, and he had never found the courage to express his true feelings.
As he continued to scroll through the images, his heart sank. The last photograph in the folder captured a moment of profound significance—it was her wedding day. She stood in a resplendent bridal gown, a vision of beauty and happiness. Beside her was a groom, a doctor by profession, who held her hand with a look of unwavering devotion.
Cris closed his eyes, the weight of his emotions overwhelming him. Even though time had passed, he couldn't forget her, nor could he erase the love that had remained hidden within his heart. He recalled the painful moment when, as the bride and groom had exchanged their vows and sealed their marriage with a kiss, he had excused himself and sought refuge in a restroom.
There, he had tried to regain his composure, to conceal the tears that threatened to betray him. But as the couple had sealed their love, he had been unable to stifle the tears that had streamed down his face. His emotions had poured forth, a mixture of happiness for her and a profound sadness for himself.
Now, in the solitude of this hidden house, Cris found himself once again overwhelmed by the memories and the love he had carried within him for so long. The tears fell freely, the weight of unspoken words and unfulfilled dreams bearing down on him.
As Cris sat in the dimly lit room, tears streaming down his face, memories from his childhood flooded his mind. One memory, in particular, stood out—a simple yet profound promise that had bound him to the girl he had loved.
In this memory, he and the girl had been playing together, their laughter filling the air. He had gathered the courage to speak his heart, saying, "Hey, I don't have a boyfriend, and you don't have a girlfriend, so why don't we be boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Her response had been filled with a childlike sincerity and a touch of sweetness. She had looked into his eyes and replied, "Nope, let's be a couple forever." With that, they had clasped each other's hands, sealing their promise with unwavering determination. "We will be a couple forever," they had vowed, "and only death will set us apart."
With their small hands clasped tightly together, they had made a solemn vow, promising to be a couple for eternity, bound together until death would be the only thing to part them. It was a sweet and innocent promise, a pledge made in a world untainted by the complexities of adulthood.
Yet, as time passed and circumstances changed, their paths had diverged. Cris had joined the military shortly after her wedding, leaving behind the life they had once he envisioned together. When the photographs from her wedding had arrived, she had tried to reach out to him, seeking answers for his sadness, but he had given her the cold shoulder, maintaining a painful silence.
Instead, he had thrown himself into his work, taking on dangerous missions as a member of the death squad. Despite the perilous situations he faced, he miraculously emerged unscathed each time. His unwavering dedication to protecting the people he was assigned to safeguard earned him the esteemed title of the greatest bodyguard in Ventura.
Now, in the solitude of his hidden house, he found himself revisiting those cherished memories and the love that had always been a part of him. The tears that fell were not only tears of sorrow but also tears of gratitude for the connection they had shared, even if it had taken a different form over the years.
Chapter 28: Resturant
As Cris delved deep into his memories, he was suddenly jolted back to the present by the sound of the door opening downstairs. His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly retrieved his weapon, ready to defend himself if needed. The footsteps were approaching slowly, and Cris felt a surge of tension.
Then, he heard a familiar voice call out, "Cris, stop... it's me, Rex." Cris hesitated for a moment, his finger still on the trigger, but he recognized Rex's voice. With a relieved sigh, he lowered his weapon. He had become somewhat paranoid given recent events.
Rex entered the room carrying a bag, and as soon as he saw the tablet with a girl's wedding picture, he tossed the bag to Cris and took the tablet. Cris's face turned pale as he motioned to catch the bag, clearly distressed by Rex's discovery.
Rex examined a few of the pictures on the tablet and then glanced at Cris. He had a mischievous look in his eyes, considering teasing his friend for a moment. However, when he saw the genuine anguish on Cris's face, he closed the tablet and handed it back to him.
"Stop weeping like a child, will ya?" Rex said, trying to lighten the mood. He understood that the memories held within those pictures were deeply personal and emotional for Cris, and he didn't want to make things harder for him.
Rex took the bag from Cris, revealing three wine bottles inside. He pulled out two bottles and tossed one to Cris, who deftly caught it. Cris glanced at Rex with a mixture of gratitude and curiosity as Rex uncorked one of the bottles.
Rex grinned and said, "Hey, you seem a bit down. How about we sit down and have a drink before Ruvella arrives?"
Cris nodded, his somber mood softening at the offer. They both took a seat in the room, the wine bottle between them. As they poured themselves a glass, the atmosphere began to ease. Cris appreciated the gesture of camaraderie from his friend, and the two of them began to share stories and memories, reminiscing about the past and discussing their next moves in the turbulent world of Venturia.
Another two days had passed, and Cris and Rex were growing increasingly impatient while waiting for Ruvella. They couldn't help but wonder where she could be. They had received occasional messages from her through the system, explaining that she was occupied with something important at night. However, as time went on, their curiosity intensified.
Finally, one evening, Ruvella arrived. When she entered the room, Cris and Rex were taken aback by her transformation. She was dressed in a stunning, elegant outfit that made her look like a glamorous model from one of Venturia's famous movies. Her face was adorned with makeup that accentuated her beauty.
Upon seeing her, Rex and Cris exchanged knowing glances, realizing the reason behind her absence and her new appearance. It seemed that Ruvella had been indulging in some exciting nightlife activities in Venturia, leaving her friends intrigued and perhaps a little envious of her experiences.
As Ruvella settled down on the couch, she began sharing the adventures and experiences she had over the past three days in Venturia. Her stories were filled with excitement, glamour, and a touch of intrigue, leaving Cris and Rex thoroughly entertained.
However, their lively conversation was interrupted by a sudden notification that echoed in all of their minds:
Mission Completed: Escape Mission Reward: A Restaurant Other Reward Canceled Due to Making Commotion Penalty...
The news surprised Cris, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that they had successfully completed their mission. However, the penalty for causing a commotion seemed to have resulted in the cancellation of another reward.
Then, another message appeared on their mental screens:
"It seems the team leader owns the land and building. Team leader Cris, do you want to build the restaurant here?"
Cris felt a mixture of emotions. He wondered if this house that held so many memories for him would be removed to make way for the restaurant. He quickly asked the system for clarification:
Cris: Will this house be removed?
System: No, instead, the land near the house will expand to accommodate the restaurant, with the house at the center. You can also use additional points to renovate the house.
Cris breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. He didn't want to lose the house that held sentimental value to him. With the decision in front of him, he tapped on "Yes" to build the restaurant while preserving the cherished memories within the house.
As Rex and Ruvella were about to comment on Cris's decision regarding the restaurant, the entire house started to shake violently. The ground beneath them quaked, and the area around them seemed to break apart as if the earth itself was splitting. Houses and streets were gradually moving away, creating a noticeable gap between them.
Stumbling outside, the three of them watched in awe as their house underwent a dramatic transformation right before their eyes. The earth around the house began to separate, forming a square hole that expanded over half an acre. Lava started to seep out from the depths of this hole, but to their surprise, it cooled rapidly as it reached the ground level of the house.
Intriguingly, a massive and intricate magic circle materialized in front of their house. Dwarves and humans began emerging from the circle, carrying various building tools with them. It was as if a whole construction crew had appeared out of thin air.
Cris, Rex, and Ruvella stood there, bewildered by the surreal scene unfolding before them. They exchanged puzzled glances and wondered what was happening and what role their home would play in this strange occurrence.
Piles of building tools were tossed out from the magic circle, followed by the arrival of cyclopes carrying bricks and various construction materials. The trio watched in astonishment as more and more creatures emerged from the circle, each contributing to the construction efforts.
Among the newcomers was an old goblin carrying a large bag. Recognizing him, the trio invited him into the house, eager to understand the unfolding situation. Outside, a growing crowd of curious onlookers had gathered, but they were unable to approach due to a mysterious barrier that prevented them from getting too close.
As time passed, the military arrived with a hovering spaceship, and the media also joined the scene. A protective dome was erected, keeping everyone at a safe distance while blocking their view of the ongoing developments. News of the unusual event began to spread like wildfire, attracting people from far and wide who were eager to witness the extraordinary spectacle for themselves.
n the capital city of Venturia, within the confines of Vortex Umbra's office, a sense of urgency filled the air.
"Sir, Sir! Emergency news," exclaimed an assistant, rushing into the room. "There's an abnormality found in district 983. It appears to be an action from Civarat. The space shuttle is awaiting your orders. B87 GUN has been targeted at that location, but there's a massive number of civilians in the vicinity."
General Umbra, seated behind his desk, glanced at his assistant and replied calmly, "Instruct them to halt their actions. Maintain public order. There's no need to take any immediate action."
The assistant hesitated for a moment, sensing that something was amiss. Nevertheless, she retreated, closing the office door behind her.
Once alone, General Umbra's gaze swept around his office, suspicion gnawing at him. "I know you're still here," he said.
Suddenly, a masked man materialized in front of him. Without waiting for permission, the intruder took a seat. With a deliberate motion, he removed his mask, revealing his identity.
General Umbra's eyes widened in shock. "Xaden..."
The masked man known as Xaden simply nodded. "Yes, General. It's been a long time."