As soon as the earthquake subsided, Elric quickly pulled George and Melissa up, rushing toward the cellar.
When they reached the cellar, they found the entrance blocked by a massive stone.
Without hesitation, Elric clenched his right fist.
Channeling his psychic energy into his fist, he delivered a powerful punch to the stone.
With a resounding "bang," the stone shattered into pieces, revealing the wooden entrance beneath.
Elric swiftly pulled open the wooden boards, his voice low and urgent.
"Get in quickly!"
George and Melissa scrambled into the cellar, nearly stumbling in their haste.
The cellar was pitch dark, filled with the damp smell of wine.
George fumbled in his cellar for a candle, his hands trembling as he struggled to light it.
The faint candlelight illuminated the cramped space, casting flickering shadows on the walls and revealing the pale, terrified faces of the two.
Melissa was still visibly shaken, her face ashen, and her eyes kept darting nervously toward the entrance, as though expecting danger to strike again at any moment.
She wrung her hands nervously, her voice trembling.
"That was so close… we almost…"
George, though outwardly calm, was still breathing heavily, his heart pounding as if it might burst from his chest.
He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, trying to reassure Melissa with a low voice.
"It's okay. We're safe for now…"
Elric closed the wooden hatch, his expression still tense as he listened intently for any sound outside.
For a long moment, the only sounds in the cellar were the faint flicker of the candle and the heavy breathing of the three.
George and Melissa exchanged a glance, their expressions complicated as they looked at Elric.
Elric slowly approached them, a hint of guilt on his face.
"I'm sorry for hiding the fact that I'm a psychic."
George stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Elric's shoulder, shaking his head without a hint of reproach in his voice.
"You don't have to apologize. We understand.
If it weren't for your powers, Melissa and I wouldn't be standing here right now."
Tears welled up in Melissa's eyes as she rushed forward, pulling Elric into a tight embrace.
She gently cupped his face, her eyes filled with concern as she carefully inspected him for injuries.
Once she was sure he was unharmed, she let out a deep sigh of relief, her voice trembling slightly.
"Thank goodness you're okay… that's all that matters…"
Although her words were a bit emotional, they were full of concern.
Elric lowered his head, looking at Melissa holding him and George standing by, his heart heavy with emotion.
He hadn't expected to be met with understanding and unconditional care instead of fear or rejection after revealing his secret.
He bit his lip and took out a heavy pouch from his spatial ring.
The pouch was tightly secured, and inside, there was a faint clinking of metal—clearly filled with coins.
Elric handed the pouch to Melissa, feeling a pang of reluctance.
"The earthquake might be over, but there's bound to be more fighting and chaos in the city.
Don't go out tonight—stay here until morning."
Elric said in a low voice.
George and Melissa both frowned, as if they wanted to say something, but Elric continued.
"If I'm not back by morning, take this money and leave Blackstone City. Don't hesitate."
Elric had considered giving them the spatial ring, but since George was an ordinary person who couldn't use it, he decided against it.
Instead, he gave them just enough coins—not too much to attract attention, but enough to ensure their safety.
"This should be enough for you to leave the city and settle elsewhere.
I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but this is the best arrangement I can make now."
His eyes held a trace of guilt.
Melissa clutched the pouch tightly, her eyes shimmering with tears, her lips trembling as though she wanted to speak.
George gently placed a hand on her shoulder, softly interrupting her.
He walked over to Elric, patting him on the shoulder, his voice rough and hoarse.
"No matter what happens, you'll always have a place with us. Remember that."
Elric's chest tightened, and emotions surged within him, leaving him momentarily speechless.
His throat felt dry, and though he wanted to respond, no words seemed adequate.
He gazed at George and Melissa, feeling the weight of their unwavering support and love.
Slowly, he knelt down before them, kowtow deeply.
This act of kneeling carried all the gratitude and remorse he couldn't express in words.
Melissa's heart ached at the sight, her hand trembling as she reached out to help Elric up, but George gently stopped her.
He shook his head slightly, indicating that this was Elric's way of expressing his feelings.
George accepted the kowtow.
"Let him go,"
George said softly.
Elric took a deep breath and stood up without saying another word.
He quickly opened the hatch and, with a determined look, left the cellar.
George and Melissa remained standing in the cellar, their eyes filled with complex emotions as they watched Elric's back disappear from view.
The sound of his footsteps seemed to linger in the air.
...
The streets were already in complete chaos, filled with an overwhelming sense of fear and despair.
Countless residents were fleeing in every direction, like headless chickens rushing toward the four city gates.
In the panic, people pushed and shoved each other, some tripping and being trampled by the crowd, their cries of agony piercing the night air.
Those who fell were left helpless on the ground, their desperate pleas blending into the cacophony of panic.
The houses lining the streets were on fire, flames spreading rapidly along the rooftops, burning fiercely.
The red glow of the fire illuminated the night sky, casting a terrifying light on the terrified faces of the fleeing residents.
Thick smoke billowed through the air, filling every corner with its choking stench and making it hard to breathe.
Blackstone City had descended into chaos.
Amidst the turmoil, some opportunists were taking advantage of the situation, looting collapsed shops and houses.
Occasionally, flashes of psychic energy lit up the sky, casting eerie lights over the crumbling city below.
Elric looked out over the scene, feeling a heavy sense of dread.
He quickly sprang into action, agilely climbing a nearby wall, his hands deftly gripping the cracks in the bricks as he scaled the building.
Standing on the rooftop, the scene was even more grim.
Thick columns of black smoke rose from buildings all around, towering pillars that stretched between the earth and the sky.
The air was filled with heat, and the thick smoke made it nearly impossible to breathe.
Everywhere he looked, flames and destruction filled the landscape.
Buildings were collapsing into piles of rubble, consumed by fire.
The night sky was completely shrouded by heavy smoke, with the moon and stars long gone.
The entire sky had taken on a dark, oppressive red hue, the firelight and smoke casting an eerie glow overhead."