Deborah's POV
We sat in the abandoned Quarry office, the tension in the small space heightened by Rose's presence, yet there was a glimmer of new hope in her eyes.
"Are you truly certain there's a place on the surface where people can live safely?" Rose asked, her voice carrying a note of skepticism but also a yearning that was unmistakable.
I nodded and began to tell her about Tirfothuinn—a safe haven surrounded by the sea, where humans no longer had to fear the Enigma radiation. The people of Murias had already settled there.
Matthew reached into his pocket and pulled out several amulets crafted for the Murias survivors. Each pendant was meticulously polished from Falshi and designed to match the size and physique of its wearer for optimal protection.
"Amulets," Rose repeated softly, admiration lacing her tone. "You named them?"
I smiled slightly. "Yes. Each one is carefully crafted to best suit the wearer."
Rose touched one of the pendants, appreciation shining in her eyes. "Your attention to detail is impressive, even ensuring compatibility with each wearer." She traced the smooth surface of the amulet carefully with her fingers.
However, her expression quickly became serious. "Do you understand how Falshi generates energy? In my research, I found that once Falshi produces energy, it's extremely potent. But where exactly does all that energy go?"
I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. I needed to convey the knowledge I had gained from the Sky City, framing it as research from Mark. "According to Murias's mineral expert, Mark, Falshi releases an enormous amount of energy when exposed to both sunlight and Enigma radiation. However, only 1% of that energy is used to maintain the five cities, while the rest vanishes without a trace."
Such a wasteful arrangement. The memory of the Sky City's greed and apathy filled me with a quiet fury.
Matthew glanced at me, sensing my anger but not pressing me. Instead, he spread a hand-drawn map across the table. It was the result of his sleepless nights, carefully charting the surface terrain and the various mutated creatures we might encounter. He had even included detailed notes beside each entry, listing methods for dealing with these creatures to help everyone understand how best to protect themselves.
Rose picked up the map, her face a mix of shock and concentration. She had known the surface was harsh, but she had never anticipated so many mutated creatures roaming the wilds.
Matthew began to explain, "Werewolves transform the first time they see moonlight. It's a turning point for them. Although it's painful, once they survive the initial transformation, they can shift between wolf and human form freely—it becomes a weapon for their survival."
Mike interrupted with a mischievous grin, calling out, "Better pack extra pants! Tight athletic pants might be the most practical!"
Everyone burst out laughing, filling the office with warmth and laughter. Even Rose's tense expression softened as she smiled at Mike's remark, her eyes relaxing.
As the laughter faded, I sighed. "If only Finias had witches, that would be ideal."
Rose looked at me, puzzled. "Witches? You mean like those who cast spells? That's something out of fairy tales, isn't it?"
I nodded. "The environment here suppresses magic. Even if there were witches or warlocks among us, they might go their whole lives unaware of their abilities."
Rose fell silent, thoughtful, as if weighing every word we'd spoken.
Her gaze remained fixed on me, as though waiting for an answer beyond imagination. Her voice dropped low, hesitant, "How do you know all this…could it be…"
I nodded, meeting her eyes. "Yes, I'm a witch. But here, magic is restrained, and many abilities are suppressed."
Her expression shifted instantly, her eyes wide, her mouth slightly open in shock, as though she'd stumbled into a world she'd always thought was fantasy. She was clearly struggling to process it, a flicker of curiosity urging her to grasp this newfound truth.
At that moment, John stepped forward, handing her a list. It was a detailed inventory of supplies we'd need for survival on the surface. "Warm clothing, blankets, long-lasting food, fire starters…" Rose read the items aloud, her voice carrying a hint of confusion.
She looked up, a slight frown on her face. "Warm clothing? The temperature in these cities is stable, with geothermal heat. We don't typically need such things."
Alex chimed in, "We'll need to be prepared. The surface weather is unpredictable, with extreme cold. We'll have to form a protective circle of werewolves around the humans to shield them. Werewolves' body heat and fur can help keep them warm."
John's expression grew solemn as he added, "The surface weather is as treacherous as it is unpredictable. Murias lost 13,718 lives during a single freezing night."
The color drained from Rose's face as she repeated, almost in a whisper, "13,718 lives…It's unimaginable."
I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "With the lessons we've learned from Murias, Finias's journey will be much safer."
She lowered her head, murmuring, "Thank you…thank you, truly…"
I could see the glimmer of emotion in her eyes. Despite her efforts to remain composed, a mix of shock and gratitude shone through. It was undoubtedly the most astonishing, unbelievable news she'd ever heard. Her usually calm expression became complex, filled with anxiety, hope, and a heavy sense of responsibility.
I continued, "Rose, to successfully lead this exodus, you'll need a trustworthy team. This isn't an easy task; every aspect needs someone in charge, supporting each other."
Rose nodded, as though understanding the underlying message. "You mean…to be wary of hidden forces, particularly those behind the scenes?"
I nodded affirmatively. This journey would face resistance, and only by building a careful, solid core team could we ensure the migration's success.
Jac handed Rose another paper, listing some of the hazards we had encountered on the surface, along with specific countermeasures. His handwriting was precise, each entry detailed, marking which animals and plants were safe to consume, which were toxic, and strategies for dealing with sudden mutated creature attacks.
Rose read through the document carefully, her expression growing graver with each line.
While we were deep in discussion, Matthew suddenly furrowed his brow, a look of discomfort crossing his face as though he were experiencing some form of pain. Soon after, John, Alex, Jac, and Jim showed similar expressions, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads as they turned pale.
I rushed forward, concern etched on my face. "What's wrong with you? What's happening?"
Matthew looked up slowly, his face filled with confusion and a hint of worry. Before he could answer, Rose noticed the change, watching them with a mix of curiosity and unease. "What's going on? Why do they look like they're in pain?"
Matthew took a few deep breaths, managing to calm himself slightly. His voice was low and tense. "Something must have happened in Tirfothuinn."
"Tirfothuinn? Something's wrong?" I echoed, a wave of apprehension washing over me. "How do you know?"
John gritted his teeth in pain, barely able to explain, "Werewolves share a telepathic bond, especially those within the same pack. If they're in danger, we can sense it, even from afar."
A faint sadness flickered across Mike's face as he murmured, "No wonder I feel nothing…my pack is all gone." His voice held a quiet sorrow, a tinge of loneliness.
I placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, unsure what to say. A sense of urgency surged within me. "What should we do now?" I looked to Matthew, awaiting his decision.
He took a deep breath, his tone resolute. "We need to return to Tirfothuinn immediately and ensure its safety."
Rose frowned, a hint of hesitation in her voice. "And the people of Finias? The preparations here are still unfinished…"
I replied firmly, "Staying in Finias is a death sentence. The migration plan is the only way forward."
Matthew nodded, reassuring her, "Don't worry. Tirfothuinn is under Sanctifolium's protection—it should be able to fend off external threats. This likely concerns an internal issue among the werewolves."
Rose's expression eased slightly as she murmured, "Sanctifolium…with its protection, they should be safe."
Matthew raised his hand decisively, "We can't delay. Let's leave for Tirfothuinn right away!"
We quickly gathered our belongings, organizing maps, documents, and lists to ensure nothing was left behind. Rose hurriedly took her car around, and we climbed in, the scenery outside the windows flashing by as the engine roared to life, speeding us toward Tirfothuinn.
We stopped some distance away from the first checkpoint leading to the FDB exit, moving cautiously as we got out of the vehicle. We wanted to avoid drawing any attention and ensure that Rose wasn't implicated in any unnecessary trouble because of our actions.
The "night" in the underground city had deepened, casting the buildings in a dim, yellowish glow. An uneasy tension hung in the air.
I turned to the others, whispering, "Stay hidden behind this wall. I'll attempt to get through the first checkpoint guard." Matthew and the others nodded, quickly concealing themselves in the shadows and waiting for my directive.