The vividness of the rift dominated the scene, casting an eerie glow across the base. Chatter and chaos surrounded me, filling the air with a thick tension that clung to everything. Hundreds of footsteps pounded the paved roads, their owners rushing in the opposite direction of the rift, driven by a primal fear that needed no explanation.
I couldn't tear my eyes away from the rift. It was massive, a yawning void that dwarfed the towering walls of the base as if mocking the very idea of defense. The walls that once seemed impenetrable now felt insignificant, mere lines drawn in the sand before an unstoppable force. The rift itself seemed to pulse with a life of its own, a swirling mass of dark energy that beckoned and repelled in equal measure. Its edges shimmered and twisted, distorting the very fabric of reality around it. I could feel the air growing colder the closer we got to it, as if the rift was sucking the warmth and life out of everything in its vicinity.
On the walls, Voidwalkers stood tall, their armor gleaming dully under the oppressive light of the rift. They puffed out their chests, trying to embody the hopes and dreams of the civilians they protected. Yet, even from a distance, I could see the cracks in their composure. Hands twitched awkwardly, fingers flexing in nervous gestures. A few of them shivered despite the warmth of their armor, betraying the fear they tried so hard to conceal. Their eyes were wide, darting between each other as if searching for some unspoken reassurance that none of them could provide.
I observed their body language closely, noting the way some shifted their weight from foot to foot, their stances far less rigid than they should have been. It was clear that even these seasoned fighters, who had faced countless horrors before, were unnerved by the sheer magnitude of the rift. Their eyes, usually sharp and focused, now darted nervously from the rift to the streets below, where the last remnants of the civilian population were scrambling for safety. I noticed one of the Voidwalkers, a younger soldier, biting his lip so hard that it drew blood. His hands gripped his weapon tightly, the knuckles turning white as he struggled to maintain control.
Shiori's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Th-that rift is a—! What the hell is that thing doing here!?" Her voice was loud and panicked, a sharp contrast to her usual composed demeanor. Her wide eyes flickered between the rift and the fleeing crowds, and for a moment, she looked completely lost.
Her shoulders trembled slightly as she tried to regain control, her breath coming in short, sharp bursts. I watched as she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, forcing herself to calm down. It was a struggle, but slowly, her shivering eyes steadied, and her tensed body regained some semblance of composure.
She turned to me, her gaze still intense. "I still don't know your main purpose here, but—" she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I'm sure you still want to survive. So let's get to the bunker. This building may look sturdy, but it won't stand a chance against the Abyssal Creatures that will come out of that rift."
I raised an eyebrow, my voice calm and measured despite the chaos around us. "So?"
"So let's go to the bunker immediately," she repeated, her tone more insistent now. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and strode away, her steps quick and purposeful. I followed without protest. There was no point in staying here any longer than necessary.
As we exited the administration building, the streets were nearly empty. Only a few stragglers remained, civilians stumbling in their frantic attempts to reach the safety of the bunkers. The air was heavy with a sense of impending doom, the kind that clung to your skin and made every breath feel like a struggle.
I observed the remaining civilians as we made our way toward the bunker. A woman, clutching a bundle of belongings to her chest, glanced nervously over her shoulder every few steps. Her pace quickened with every glance, as if the very act of looking back would summon the Abyssal Creatures from the rift. Nearby, a man in tattered clothing tripped and fell, his hands scraping against the rough pavement. He scrambled to his feet, his eyes wide with fear as he frantically scanned the area for any sign of danger.
The few that were left moved with a sense of urgency, their footsteps echoing in the otherwise deserted streets. The sound of distant explosions reached my ears, likely from other parts of the base where the defense efforts were in full swing. The faint crackling of static from communication devices filled the air, the hurried voices of commanders and soldiers barking orders as they tried to maintain some semblance of order in the chaos.
We were about to follow the others toward the bunker when a figure appeared out of the shadows, moving with an almost unnatural grace. His presence seemed to command attention, and despite the chaos around us, the world seemed to pause for a brief moment as he spoke.
"Shiori." The single word was clear and measured, slicing through the noise with an authority that demanded attention. It wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be.
Shiori halted, turning to face the speaker. Her expression remained cool, detached even, as if she were merely acknowledging an inconvenience. "Yes, what's the matter?" she asked, her tone dismissive.
The man before her was a Voidwalker, his presence unmistakable in the chaos. His armor, marked with battle scars, carried the weight of countless battles, and yet there was a calmness in his eyes that contrasted sharply with the urgency around him. He looked at Shiori, his gaze unwavering.
"This place isn't safe anymore. You need to get out of here as quickly as possible," he said. His words were simple, but the underlying tension in his voice spoke volumes.
Shiori narrowed her eyes slightly, her voice steady but laced with concern. "What about the others in the bunker? We can't just leave them behind."
The Voidwalker's expression hardened, his jaw clenched as his gaze swept over the group. Urgency flickered in his eyes, a sharp contrast to the calm exterior he tried to maintain. "You don't have much time," he said, his voice low but laced with intensity. "Every second you waste here puts you all in greater danger. You have to move now." He stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "If you delay any longer, the Abyssal Creatures will overrun this area. You need to get ahead of them, find a secure position, and proceed to the Citadel. There's no room for hesitation."
Before Shiori could respond, hurried footsteps echoed through the alley. Haruto and Edward appeared first, their faces set with determination. Right behind them were Lana and Amira, their expressions a mix of worry and resolve.
"Nexus!" Haruto shouted, his voice carrying over the din. "We need to get everyone into the bunker, now!"
Edward's eyes darted around, assessing the situation. "The rift is expanding faster than we thought. We have to get everyone inside."
Lana and Amira nodded in agreement, their breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps as they reached us. "We can't afford to lose anyone," Lana added, her voice firm despite the chaos.
The Voidwalker nodded, his expression resolute. "Alright, head to the garage with them and get to Ryūhei."
Haruto and the others froze, their eyes widening as they finally registered his presence. Haruto's mouth opened and closed a few times, his brows knitting together. He took a step forward, his voice trembling despite his attempt to remain composed. "Commander, what do you mean by going to Ryūhei?" The words slipped out, polite yet heavy with shock, his eyes searching the commander's face for answers.
The Voidwalker raised a hand, silencing Haruto. "Just follow my orders. Make sure Shiori arrives safely and protect her together with the others." His tone left no room for argument, the weight of his command pressing down on them.
Haruto didn't say another word and followed the command. But Shiori stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "We can't just leave everyone behind. There has to be another way."
The Voidwalker's eyes narrowed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "While you're assigned here, my orders are absolute." The weight of his words hung in the air, silencing any further objections.
He glanced around the base, a hint of sorrow flickering in his eyes. "This base is done for. I can survive, but I can't promise the same for the rest of you." His voice was steady, but the gravity of his statement was unmistakable.
The Voidwalker took a deep breath, his gaze hardening as he looked at each of us. "If everyone tries to evacuate, the Abyssal Creatures will hunt you down," he said, his voice steady but grim. "You won't escape them. Your future won't change."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "This is the only way," he continued, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "We have to stick to the plan. It's your best chance for survival."
The alley fell silent, the finality of his statement hanging heavily in the air. Haruto and the others exchanged uneasy glances, the reality of their situation settling in. The Voidwalker's resolve was unshakable, and they knew there was no arguing with him.