Time flew by quickly.
Without realizing it, three months had passed since the new pillar system was created.
The addition of Black and Blue pillars seemed to be effective, as the number of Crys' victims and Crys crossing the border had lessened.
Asa managed the black pillars well, setting up training and patrol schedules and creating bonding times every now and then.
After a long period of living on her own, feeling lonely most of the time, she had finally found a little warmth in her life again.
The quality of life in Antara had improved. Every second of the day, people wearing all black and all blue uniforms could be seen all around the town.
To make the pillars more recognizable, they were given color-coded uniforms.
In the sea of black in the barracks, there was often someone wearing an all-blue outfit visiting—Madelyn Dillon.
The friendship between Asa and Madelyn had grown much stronger since they first met. Perhaps because both of them were female, they found each other more relatable and understanding.
Although most of their conversations were dominated by Madelyn chatting about her days and worries. Asa, as a listener, also enjoyed their interactions.
As the sun cast its golden glow over the barracks, Madelyn, as usual, paid a visit. And, just like clockwork, she had to endure the relentless teasing of Dunn Blair, who seemed incapable of resisting a chance to mock her.
"You're here a bit early than usual, idle lady," greeted Dunn, stationed at the gate as Madelyn arrived.
Normally, Madelyn would counter with a sharp retort, but this time, she chose to brush off his taunts. "Where's big sister?" she asked, her tone hurried.
Taken aback by her uncharacteristic response, Dunn raised an eyebrow. "Inside. Watching others practice. What's going on?"
Before Madelyn could respond, the rhythmic clatter of horseshoes on cobblestones caught their attention.
Approaching them like a character from a fairy tale, Joan Eve, clad in a pristine white cloak and mounted on a majestic horse, made a grand entrance in front of the barracks.
"All pillar leaders have been summoned for a meeting at the Royal Garden Tower. Hurry," Joan Eve commanded, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
Without wasting a breath, Joan Eve turned away and rode in the direction of the Royal Garden Tower.
Dunn chuckled, "What happened to saying thank you? Unmannered doll," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in amusement.
Realizing something important must have happened, Dunn quickly entered the barracks with Madelyn, eager to tell his leader about the sudden invitation of a meeting at the Royal Garden Tower.
"Take over the barracks," Asa instructed Dunn before she walked off with Madelyn.
Unlike Joan Eve, neither Madelyn nor Asa relied on horses for their daily commute.
Madelyn wasn't particularly skilled at riding; she was more accustomed to sitting behind her brother during horseback journeys.
Meanwhile, Asa found it more practical to traverse on foot. Walking allowed her to be agile and prepared for combat at a moment's notice, without the hindrance of a horse slowing her down.
"What happened?" Asa inquired as they walked together.
Madelyn looked at her, concern etched across her face, "Something is off. A few weeks ago, you reported an increase in the number of wandering Crys outside of Antara, right? I took a sample from one of the latest Crys bodies and conducted some research, intending to determine whether they can reproduce themselves. I haven't received an answer yet. Instead, I noticed a peculiar difference in the new Crys compared to the old ones we usually encountered. Their blood is unlike that of the old Crys, which closely resembled ours. This difference appears to make them much stronger than the old Crys and, obviously, harder to defeat."
Hearing these explanations, Asa quickly grasped the reason behind the sudden call for a meeting.
Through her friendship with Madelyn, Asa had acquired valuable medical knowledge.
She had learned that the pollen that infected Crys was actually inhaled by everyone.
The key difference lay in the fact that a healthy body possessed antibodies that swiftly fought off the pollen before it could infect the individual.
Those who became infected were usually people whose bodies were already compromised, lacking the initial strength to ward off the intrusion effectively.
Asa's understanding of this mechanism added a layer of urgency to their situation.
It was clear that not only were they dealing with a rising number of formidable Crys, but also a potential vulnerability in their own ranks that needed to be addressed promptly.
Asa furrowed her brow, deep in thought, "It's possible that either the pollen has grown stronger or our antibodies have grown weaker. Moreover, there's a chance that these new types of Crys could be the result of two older and common Crys reproducing, creating a new strain that is significantly stronger."
The implications of this revelation hung heavy in the air.
It meant they were dealing with an evolving enemy, one that was adapting and becoming increasingly dangerous.
Asa realized that they needed to not only strengthen their defenses but also delve into finding a solution to counter this newfound threat.
The stakes were higher than ever, and Asa knew they had to act swiftly and decisively to protect Antara from this growing threat.
After a considerable walk, they finally arrived at the Royal Garden Tower.
Madelyn seemed to know which room they were called to for the meeting, so she confidently led the way with Asa in tow. Together, they walk through the bustling and busy atmosphere inside the tower.
Upon reaching the designated room, Madelyn pushed open the door, revealing the three Main Pillars and Joan Eve inside.
"Big brother," Madelyn greeted Theodore, who appeared to be in a discussion with the other two Main Pillars.
"Oh, you've arrived," Theodore responded, acknowledging their presence.
"Little Madelyn," Edgar chimed in, a small smile gracing his face as he gazed over Madelyn and Asa, appreciating their presence.
Madelyn respectfully bowed to the Main Pillars. "Greetings, brothers."
Mimicking her, Asa performed a polite bow as well. "Greetings," she said, omitting the 'brothers' part but conveying her respect nonetheless.
"Welcome, both of you," Joseph, the youngest Main Pillar, said warmly. "I assume both of you are already aware of the situation?"
Both Madelyn and Asa nodded in acknowledgment, their expressions determined and focused at the mention of the issue.
"Any words you want to say on this?" he asked.
"I believe our first priority should be to reinforce the outer defenses of Antara," Joan began, his voice steady. "The increasing number of these powerful Crys poses a significant threat. Strengthening our borders and providing additional training to our warriors will be crucial in defending our land."
Theodore nodded thoughtfully, acknowledging Joan's input. "Sound advice. Anyone else?" he prompted, turning his gaze toward the others, ready to hear their perspectives on the matter.
Madelyn's determination shone through as she raised her hand, earning a chuckle from Joseph.
This kid acting like she's in a classroom.
With a hint of a soft laughter, Edgar encouraged her, saying, "Alright, Madelyn. Go on."
Madelyn seized the opportunity to voice her opinion. "While reinforcing the outer defenses of Antara is important," she began, her tone thoughtful, "I believe we must also delve into the root cause of these changes in the Crys. Merely strengthening our defenses might offer temporary relief, but it won't be a lasting solution. If the Crys continue to grow stronger and smarter, our defenses could become obsolete over time."
Joseph nodded in agreement, acknowledging the wisdom in Madelyn's words. "That makes sense," he said, his expression back into that of a serious one.
The Main Pillars exchanged glances before directing their attention to the only Pillar leader who had yet to speak in the room.
"What do you think, Asa?" Edgar asked, his gaze fixed on her.
Asa's response came swiftly, her voice steady and determined. "I think we can do both."