Frozen sweat slicked Zephyr's skin as he watched the beast stalk closer. He squeezed Eugene's hand, his touch urgent. "Silence," he hissed, his voice barely a rasp. "Stay behind me. No matter what happens, don't panic."
Eugene, her eyes wide with terror, could only nod. Her breath hitched, fear a palpable heat radiating off her like a fever burning through her insides.
But Zephyr's concern wasn't solely for her. The true threat was the group.
Thirteen souls, including Eugene, huddled together. A daunting number to protect, especially against the true beast of Apex World. Panic, Zephyr knew, could turn them into a liability. Alone, he wouldn't perish. Exosuitless, he might sustain injuries, but he had a fighting chance against a single Sentinel.
But the thought of abandoning these people, some possessing the potential to become valuable Legions, gnawed at him. Humanity's survival hinged on bolstering their ranks. The more Legions, the sturdier the shield against the threats that lurked.
A choked scream, "Aahh..., m-monster!!" shattered the silence, igniting a wildfire of panic. The terrified cry cascaded through the group, sending bodies scrambling in a desperate spiral. But some still stayed despite the dread they felt. Uncle Chow was one of them, who then walked to Zephyr's side to protect Eugene.
Zephyr flinched his heart, an icy fist in his chest. He braced himself for the Sentinel's wrath, tightening every sense until they thrummed with anticipation.
But the expected roar never came. No enraged charge. No earth-shaking tremor. The monstrous beasts just watched the fleeing figures with unsettling stillness.
Then, a hiss. A chilling sound like steel grinding against bone echoed from the Sentinel's throat. Its colossal tail swayed, a slow, deliberate pendulum marking the tense silence.
Confusion painted questions across Zephyr's face. His initial fear morphed into something else - a gnawing awareness that he'd missed something crucial. A piece of the puzzle lay hidden, lost amidst the chaos.
'Sentinels, the lowest rung on the Apex World hierarchy, always move in packs,' Zephyr recalled, realization dawning. 'But this one stands alone.' He scanned the darkness, searching for any sign of its companions, but none appeared.
A single, burning question consumed him: 'How can a Sentinel be here already? In the old timeline, they didn't emerge with humans until a month after the Apex World consumed Earth. What's changed?'
He'd meticulously verified his knowledge with experts and Legions before - no real beasts existed during the first month, offering humanity a window to adapt. But now, a Sentinel roamed. What had shifted?
So far, his actions hadn't significantly deviated from his past life. Arriving earlier at the Fortress of the Divine Light didn't seem like enough to disrupt the historical sequence.
Unless..., he'd overlooked something. A seemingly minor change, a ripple in the past, triggered unforeseen consequences in this new timeline. The Sentinel's presence was a stark reminder - his actions held more weight than he realized.
However, Zephyr didn't have time to think about that problem. He focused on what was in front of him. "Run the moment I restrain it," He rasped, resigned to the unconscious villagers' fate if the Sentinels attacked first. His sole focus: restrain or distract the beast long enough for them to escape, however scattered they were.
But the attack Zephyr braced for never came. The Sentinel merely shuddered, cat-like, swiveling its head before turning its back. Its sharp gaze swept over them, then lost interest as abruptly as it appeared. Like a phantom, it melted back into the darkness.
Zephyr, dagger still clutched, remained frozen, tension draining but senses on high alert. Confusion gnawed at him.
'A Sentinel, the Apex World's nightmare, just retreated from humans?! What twisted reality is this?' He seethed inwardly. In his decade as a Legion, not once had a beast cowered before humans. They were programmed for one purpose: eradicate humanity.
Thus, witnessing the retreating Sentinel, Zephyr's mind reeled. If those towering nightmares could simply flee, how had humanity been driven to extinction within 13 years of the Apex World? Surely, the one he saw wasn't alone. But where were its packmates?
'No use dwelling on it,' He thought, pushing the unsettling questions aside. 'There'll be time to unravel the mysteries later. Now, with Sentinels involved sooner than expected, my preparations need to be accelerated. The Exo-skeleton armor can't wait.'
Zephyr crouched down, meeting Eugene's terrified gaze beside Uncle Chow. The girl trembled, her face a mask of horror. His gentle touch reached for Eugene's trembling hands. "It's alright," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm against the lingering fear. "The beast is gone. It was afraid of me." He lied, but his eyes held a promise of safety. "I'll take you somewhere safe, away from all this."
Eugene remained unresponsive at first, lost in the echo of the Sentinel's presence. But slowly, the tremor in her body subsided. The pallor receded from her face, allowing her to meet Zephyr's gaze. A flicker of understanding lit up her eyes, followed by a hesitant nod as if his words had finally pierced the fog of terror.
Shouting would be easier, a rallying cry to gather the scattered survivors. But with the Sentinel's chilling presence still fresh, the risk was a gamble Zephyr wasn't willing to take.
Luck, he knew, was a fickle mistress. Yet, the timing of the Sentinel's arrival couldn't be entirely coincidental, could it? Were those beasts more cunning than they seemed? He dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. Even for the Apex World's lowest rung, sentient strategy was beyond their primal instincts.
Unprepared to invite further danger, Zephyr steeled himself. He'd move with the few he had, even if it meant the arduous task of carrying the unconscious. Leaving anyone behind wasn't an option.
As Zephyr prepared to leave, several stragglers rejoined the group, allowing him to carry the unconscious alongside the others. He chose a path he'd cleared before, seeking safe passage for his weary companions. But the Sentinel incident, a chilling surprise beyond his calculations, had sharpened his senses. He couldn't afford another mishap.
After a grueling four-hour journey, they reached the Fortress of the Divine Light. Relief washed over the refugees as they gazed at the towering walls, a beacon of hope in the ravaged world. What greeted them inside surpassed even their wildest expectations. Instead of the expected medieval austerity, a majestic city unfolded before them, its architecture luxurious despite its ancient charm. It was a stark contrast to the ruins of the modern world, shattered by the terraforming event.
"I'd love to invite you and Uncle Chow to my place," Zephyr began apologetically, "but it wouldn't be fair to the others. Space is limited, and in the Fortress of the Divine Light, things work differently."
He explained that life within the shelter was governed by new rules and procedures. Their official language was Apexian, and their currency was Shards. While all necessities were available, mastering the language was crucial for communication and fulfilling their needs.
"Don't worry, I'll be here tomorrow morning." Zephyr reassured them, "I'll teach you Apexian quickly. In the meantime, I need to head home. You'll be safe here in Hall Square."
Eugene offered a grateful smile and nod, while Uncle Chow and the others bowed deeply, their heads scraping the ground in thanks for Zephyr's rescue. Little did they know, their savior might not be their only concern.
Across the expansive Square Hall, Jin-Uk caught sight of the newcomers. He nudged his companion, Ja-Sung, his gaze lingering on the group.
"New arrivals," he announced in a neutral tone.
Ja-Sung's lips curved into a sinister smirk. "Oh, how fortunate," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "Fresh stock for our growing... workforce."