The chaotic pursuit through the dark forest had caused the military students to split into two directions—some veered west, while others, including Larry, followed Ariana east. Eric, too focused on running, failed to notice that Larry was no longer with him. The two had unknowingly parted ways, and now, as Eric ran, a gnawing sense of dread filled his chest. Larry, defenseless and blind, was in the care of the others, and Eric couldn't shake the cold feeling that something terrible was about to happen. He had suspected all along that this mission was a setup, but without evidence, there was little he could do.
Now, hidden away in a darkened room with the others, the only noise was the faint rasp of their breathing. Meteor Beasts were drawn to sound, so the students had been ordered to stay silent. The room they were in was pitch black, devoid of any light source. Time stretched unbearably, the silence thick and oppressive.
Then, a soft flicker of flames danced at the tips of Brandon's fingers. His core energy flared briefly, casting a warm, flickering light over the group. They stood in what appeared to be an abandoned storage chamber, empty and cold. Dust motes swirled in the air, illuminated by the faint glow of Brandon's fireball.
While the others rested, Eric's attention never wavered from the map he'd been poring over, even in the darkness. His mind was racing, trying to figure out a way to regroup with the rest of the team. The most direct route was infested with Meteor Beasts, creatures mutated by the sentient energy that had nearly destroyed the world. He considered fighting their way through, but as he glanced at the tired faces of the first-year students huddled around, he knew that was a risk they couldn't afford. They had already lost two.
With a heavy heart, Eric approached the second-year students. His jaw was set, and his voice was firm when he spoke, though there was an undercurrent of tension that Bliss didn't miss.
"Have you contacted the others?" Eric asked Brandon, his gaze sharp as he tried to suppress his worry.
Bliss bristled at Eric's tone, but Brandon simply smirked, unaffected. "I've tried," Brandon replied nonchalantly, "but there's no response."
Eric's stomach dropped. "We have to get to them now," he said, a bit of panic creeping into his voice. He knew Larry was with the second-year students, and the thought chilled him. Something about Brandon and Jim didn't sit right with him.
Brandon placed a hand on Eric's shoulder. "Relax. Jim, David, Martin, and Edwin are with them. Their chances of survival are higher than ours."
Eric nodded, but unease gnawed at him. "We can't stay here long," he muttered. His mind was filled with dark possibilities. "Everybody, get ready to move!" he called to the group. His voice echoed through the hollow space. They couldn't afford to waste time.
Bliss leaned toward Brandon, whispering, "Aren't you going to stop him?"
Brandon smiled, a faint trace of amusement in his eyes. "Let him be. He's fighting a losing battle."
****
Meanwhile, at the City Hall, the enormous building stood half-destroyed, its crumbling structure a monument to the apocalypse. The old clock on the wall had stopped at thirty-three seconds past three, the exact moment the meteor's energy had torn the world apart. It was a haunting reminder of the destruction that had reshaped Earth and left the skies devoid of stars, moon, or sun.
Jim led the other group into the hall, his Infernal Core glowing faintly. His body was attuned to the energy of fire, allowing him to conjure flames and manipulate heat with ease. Behind him, David walked in silence, his Aqua Core energy swirling faintly, ready to be unleashed if needed. Larry, quiet and tense, followed Ariana closely. His heart was hammering in his chest, though he said nothing. The blindfold over his eyes concealed the fear written on his face, but Ariana could sense his anxiety.
"Don't worry, Larry," she whispered. "The second-year students will protect us."
Her words sank like stones in Larry's stomach. If only she knew the truth. His instincts screamed danger, but what could he do?
The massive door ahead creaked as Jim pushed it open, revealing a yawning darkness beyond. They stood at the threshold, waiting. The silence was suffocating. The faint shuffle of footsteps and the distant rumble of the city were the only sounds.
"I think it's empty," Edwin suggested, his voice barely above a whisper. The others nodded in agreement, and with Jim leading the way, they stepped inside.
Jim summoned a small fireball, casting flickering light over their surroundings. The hallway they entered stretched long and narrow, with towering walls on either side. Faded, ancient murals were etched into the stone, telling stories of a time long forgotten.
"Hey, boy. Bring the bag," Martin called to Larry. Larry quickly obeyed, fumbling slightly as he handed the bag over.
Martin unzipped the bag, rifling through the contents until he pulled out a small device. A grin spread across his face as he rose to his feet. "It's here. What we're looking for is close."
The air in the hallway felt thick with anticipation. They moved forward cautiously, Jim's fireball illuminating the narrow path. "Something's off," Jim muttered. "Why haven't we run into any beasts yet?"
"Maybe we're just lucky," Martin joked, though his voice lacked confidence.
Jim shook his head. "No. These walls… they're not ordinary."
Before anyone could respond, a sickening squelch echoed through the hallway. Edwin, who had been leaning against the wall, was suddenly yanked into it by a grotesque hand that emerged from the stone itself. His scream was muffled as the wall swallowed him whole.
Panic erupted. Without thinking, the group bolted down the hallway, Jim conjuring another fireball and throwing it ahead to light their way. As they ran, they passed the bodies of meteor beasts—mangled and strewn across the floor. Their grotesque forms twisted in death.
The team finally burst into a room, its walls glowing with an eerie blue light. At the center of the room was a massive, inhuman hand, its fingers frozen mid-claw. Resting in its palm was a shimmering blue orb—the very thing they had come for.
"There it is," Martin breathed, his voice trembling. "Let's grab it and get out of here."
Nobody moved. The air was thick with the weight of what had just happened. The memory of Edwin's disappearance haunted them.
Jim's voice cut through the tension. "Larry, go retrieve the item." His tone left no room for argument.
Larry hesitated. He could feel the energy of the orb even without seeing it. But he had no choice. Slowly, he approached the hand, his footsteps echoing through the room. The light of the orb pulsed, and with every step, Larry felt an unexplainable pull toward it.
He reached out and grasped the orb.
Immediately, the building began to shake. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as the walls trembled, closing in.
"What's happening?" Ariana shouted, clutching David's arm.
"The orb!" David replied. "It's triggering something."
Jim took the orb from Larry, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "You did well, Larry," he said coldly, "but you know how this ends."
"I… I didn't do anything," Larry stammered, backing away. "Please… I'll do anything."
The teleporter, which Martin had set up, began to hum, a green light filling the room as it activated. Jim glanced at the others. "It's ready. Let's go."
The group quickly stepped into the teleporter, all except Larry.
"You said you'd do anything, Larry," Jim sneered. "Well, we only have room for five."
Larry's world crumbled as he realized the truth. He was being left behind.
"I'm sorry, Larry," Ariana whispered, her voice cracking with guilt as the teleporter activated.
In an instant, they were gone, and Larry was alone. The walls shuddered, and the grotesque forms of meteor beasts began to emerge from the shadows, their hungry eyes locking onto him.