I chuckled, enjoying her reaction. "It's the power of imagination, Bennett," I said, gesturing to the scene around us. "With it, I can shape reality itself."
Bennett's eyes sparkled. "It's... beautiful," she whispered. "Just like the place I remembered."
She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath of the fragrant air. The weight of her responsibilities seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of peace.
I watched her, warmth filling my chest. In that moment, I saw a vulnerable side of Bennett she rarely revealed.
"Thank you, Xian," she said, her eyes still closed. "This is exactly what I needed."
I nodded, content with the small act of kindness I had offered.
We spent the remaining time exploring the dreamlike landscape, the wind whispering secrets through the fields of flowers. It was a stolen moment of tranquility, a temporary escape from the harsh realities of our world. But as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the idyllic scene, we knew it was time to return.
"I wonder," Bennett mused, her voice soft in the fading light, "is there any difference in time between here and the real world?"
I shrugged, "I just... make it so that when I go to a dimension like this, time stops."
Bennett's eyes widened slightly. "So, we could spend an eternity here, and no time would pass in the real world?" The idea seemed to fascinate her, a tempting escape from the pressures and responsibilities that awaited her.
"Theoretically, yes," I replied, a hint of amusement in my voice. "But I wouldn't recommend it. There's still a lot of work to be done back home."
She nodded, a wistful smile playing on her lips. "You're right," she sighed. "As much as I'd love to stay here forever, we have a mission to complete."
"Let's sit back on the chairs," I suggested, gesturing towards the cafe table that had accompanied us into this dreamlike dimension.
We returned to our seats, the untouched cups of coffee still steaming on the table, a testament to the timelessness of this pocket dimension. As we sat, a comfortable silence settled between us, the only sounds the gentle rustling of the wind and the distant chirping of birds. It was a peaceful interlude, a moment of respite from the chaos and danger that awaited us in the real world.
Bennett leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of flowers. "Thank you for this, Xian," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "It was... truly magical."
I smiled, my heart warmed by her words. "You're welcome, Bennett. It was my pleasure."
We sat in silence for a few more moments, each lost in our own thoughts, savoring the tranquility of this fleeting paradise. But as the last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, a sense of duty pulled us back to reality. The world outside needed us, and we couldn't linger in this dreamlike realm forever.
"It's time to go," Bennett said, her voice tinged with a hint of regret.
"Are you going home?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
She nodded, a tired smile gracing her lips. "I need to rest. Maybe next time, if I find the 'genius,' I'll text you... what's your number?"
I chuckled softly, reaching for my phone. "Sure, here you go," I said, handing it to her. She quickly typed in her number, her fingers flying across the screen with practiced ease, a testament to her efficiency and competence.
"There," she said, handing the phone back to me with a satisfied smile. "Thanks for the dimension. I should head back now." She stood up gracefully, her movements fluid and elegant.
Whistle~
Nice swing... I thought, a playful smirk tugging at my lips as I watched Bennett leave the cafe.
Swooosh! With a blink, I teleported back to the WRA Building, materializing in the familiar office space.
"Oh, you're back?" Dove asked, looking up from her computer screen. She was the only one in the room, the usual hustle and bustle of the office replaced by a quiet stillness.
I glanced around, noticing the empty desks and silent workstations. "Where's everyone else?"
"They're out on patrol," Dove replied, her voice a mix of exhaustion and determination. "We received a tip about some suspicious activity in the warehouse district. It could be connected to the Seers."
A surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. The Seers were on the move again, their insidious plans unfolding in the shadows. I couldn't let them get away with it. The Unseen Alliance had to act, to protect the innocent and thwart their enemies' schemes.
"I'll go," I declared, my voice firm. "I'll join the others and see what we can find."
Dove nodded, a grateful smile on her face. "Be careful, Xian. We don't know what we're up against."
"I will," I assured her, my resolve unwavering. "I won't let them harm anyone."
***
Lili, invisible and undetected, infiltrated the warehouse, her eyes scanning the scene below. There, amidst crates and machinery, she recognized a group of individuals she knew all too well: the Seers.
She nodded to herself, satisfied with her reconnaissance, and swiftly made her way back to the hole in the roof where she had entered. Elang was waiting for her, his expression tense with anticipation.
"How is it?" he asked, his voice hushed.
"Yeah, they're here," Lili replied, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Ready to make a mess?"
IM and Yolan, hidden in the shadows nearby, prepared their equipment. Yolan materialized a sword, shield, and a vial of smoke.
"Alright, let's throw the smoke first," Yolan said, her voice firm. "But is that Rubik's Cube math guy inside?" IM inquired, a hint of apprehension in his voice.
Lili shook her head. "No, I didn't see him around."
A wave of relief washed over IM. He had no desire to face that mental challenge again, even with his newfound mathematical prowess. The memory of the Rubik's Cube and its torturous puzzles still lingered in his mind.
"Good," he said, his voice a low murmur. "Let's get this over with."
Yolan uncorked the vial, and a thick cloud of smoke billowed out, obscuring the warehouse interior, creating a veil of confusion and disorientation. Under the cover of the smoke, the Unveiled Family made their move.
Lili, still invisible, slipped past the confused Seers, her silent movements creating an eerie atmosphere. Yolan and IM charged in, their weapons at the ready. Yolan's sword flashed, deflecting energy blasts and slicing through the air with deadly precision. IM, his body phasing in and out of reality, disoriented the Seers, his attacks unpredictable and disarming.
Elang, fueled by a burning desire for revenge, unleashed a torrent of flames, his voice echoing through the smoke-filled warehouse. "I'm home, baby!!!" he yelled, his tone a mix of triumph and fury.
The Seers, caught off guard by the sudden attack, scrambled to defend themselves. Their surprise quickly turned to fear as they recognized Elang, the once-timid boy they had experimented on and discarded. Now, he was a weapon of vengeance, his flames burning with an intensity that matched his rage.
"Elang!?" one of the Seers exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. "But how...?"
Elang's laughter echoed through the warehouse, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. "You thought you could control me, manipulate me, turn me into your puppet?" he snarled, his eyes blazing with fury. "Well, guess what? I'm back, and I'm not going to let you hurt anyone else!"
The Seers, their fear turning to desperation, summoned their Guardians, their spectral forms materializing amidst the chaos. The warehouse became a battleground of clashing powers, the air crackling with energy as the Unveiled Family and the Seers fought for dominance.
One of the Seers, a woman with piercing blue eyes, unleashed her Guardian's power: a swarm of razor-sharp metal shards that sliced through the air with deadly precision.
But what they didn't know was that Yolan was an item manipulator, capable of transforming any metal or steel to her will.
"Armor," she whispered, her eyes focused on the incoming projectiles. The razor-sharp shards, instead of harming her, transformed into gleaming pieces of armor that seamlessly attached themselves to her body, creating a protective barrier.
The Seer's attack, meant to incapacitate Yolan, had inadvertently empowered her. She stood tall, her newfound armor shimmering in the dim light, a symbol of her resilience and defiance.
"Nice try," she taunted, a confident smirk playing on her lips. "But your tricks won't work on me."
With a swift motion, she drew her sword, its blade humming with energy. She charged towards the Seer, her movements a blur of speed and grace. The Seer, caught off guard by Yolan's sudden transformation, barely had time to react before Yolan's sword sliced through the air, cleaving her Guardian in two.
The Seer gasped, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Her connection to her Guardian severed, she collapsed to the ground, her power extinguished.
Meanwhile, IM continued his relentless assault, phasing through walls and opponents alike, his unpredictable movements sowing chaos and confusion among the Seers. His laughter echoed through the warehouse, a counterpoint to the Seers' growing panic.
Lili, her invisibility a potent weapon, moved silently through the shadows, disarming the Seers and disrupting their attacks. Her presence, though unseen, was felt in the sudden disappearance of weapons and the inexplicable malfunctions of their equipment.
And Elang, his flames now a controlled inferno, danced through the warehouse, his attacks precise and devastating. He targeted the Seers' weaknesses, his fire a relentless force that consumed their confidence and their resolve.
The battle raged on, the Unveiled Family's coordinated attacks overwhelming the Seers' defenses. One by one, the Seers fell, their powers extinguished, their bodies crumpling to the ground. The warehouse, once a stronghold of darkness, was now bathed in the light of justice, the echoes of the battle a testament to the Unveiled Family's triumph.
< Chapter 190 > Fin.