As the group rushed out, they saw Bronya standing alone in the middle of a chaotic scene, surrounded by monstrous creatures. The creatures were grotesque, their twisted forms clawing and growling as they closed in on her.
Caelus's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight. "Did she just follow us?"
March raised an eyebrow, glancing at Caelus. "I think so. But should we help her? She did try to capture us earlier..."
Before Caelus could respond, Seele acted quickly, leaping into the fray with agility that left the others momentarily stunned. Her movements were swift, her purple scarf fluttering as she engaged the monsters with precision and grace. It wasn't long before Caelus and March joined her, moving in sync as they took down the creatures one by one.
Dan Heng stood behind, shaking his head with a sigh as he watched the others charge into the fight. "Not my monkey, not my circus," he muttered under his breath, clearly not eager to jump into the chaos. But then he glanced at Caelus and March, and his tone softened. "Oh, who am I kidding? They're my monkeys."
With a resigned sigh, Dan Heng followed them into the fight, drawing his weapon as he prepared to deal with the remaining monsters.
Seele swiftly dispatched another creature with a precise strike, then turned back to the group, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "You should thank me later. Looks like you all have some... unfinished business with Miss Bronya."
Caelus, still unsure of Bronya's intentions, kept his focus on the fight. "We'll deal with her later. For now, let's make sure none of these things get away."
As the battle raged on, the group worked seamlessly together. March darted between enemies, using her speed to outmaneuver them, while Caelus relied on his new abilities to manipulate space and create distance between himself and the monsters. His control over space allowed him to distort the path of attacks, sending enemies flying in different directions or trapping them in pockets of compressed space.
Dan Heng moved with precision, his skills in combat a testament to his experience. He was quick to dispatch the larger monsters, while Seele handled the smaller, more agile ones with ease. As the last monster fell to the ground, the air seemed to settle.
Bronya, still breathing heavily from the fight, turned toward the group. Her expression was unreadable, but her stance was defensive. She still didn't trust them, and it was clear that whatever her reasons for following them were, she wasn't going to make it easy.
"Thanks for the help," she said coldly, clearly unwilling to show any sign of gratitude beyond the basics. "But don't think this means I trust you."
Caelus nodded but didn't let his guard down. "We're not here for your trust. We just wanted to get out of that mess alive."
March stepped forward, her voice softer but still firm. "You've got a lot of explaining to do, Bronya. What's going on here? Why are you fighting these monsters alone?"
Bronya's gaze flickered, and for a moment, she seemed conflicted. "I... I didn't have a choice. The monsters are being released from somewhere. I'm trying to stop it, but it's not easy."
Seele raised an eyebrow, clearly interested in what Bronya was saying. "So, you're not just some puppet of the Silvermane Guards, after all."
Bronya's eyes flashed with irritation. "I'm not a puppet. I have my reasons, just like you all have yours."
Caelus narrowed his eyes, sensing the tension. "Then tell us what's really going on. We're all in this together now, whether you like it or not."
There was a long pause before Bronya spoke again, her voice quieter this time. "Cocolia's plans are bigger than any of us realize. These monsters... they're part of something she's trying to control. Something... far worse than just a few creatures. We're all going to be caught in it soon enough."
The group exchanged looks, realizing that the situation was more dangerous than they had initially thought.
"Looks like we don't have much of a choice then," Caelus muttered, tightening his grip on his bat. "We need to stop her, no matter what."
March nodded, determination in her eyes. "We'll figure this out. Together."
Dan Heng's voice came from behind them, tinged with a bit of sarcasm. "I guess we're all stuck in the circus now."
Seele smirked as she looked at him. "Welcome to the show, then."
With the threat of the monsters temporarily neutralized, the group was left with a new mission: to stop Cocolia and whatever dark plans she had set in motion, before it was too late.
As the group stood in the aftermath of the battle, the silence of the underground city was broken only by their breathing and the distant hum of the city's machinery. Bronya, still wary but visibly shaken from the fight, glanced around at the group, as if deciding whether to trust them—or perhaps whether she had any other choice.
Caelus stood at the forefront, his bat still crackling with star energy as he considered their next move. "You didn't tell us the whole story, Bronya," he said, his voice steady but tinged with suspicion. "You said Cocolia's plans are bigger than just these monsters, but what exactly are we dealing with here?"
Bronya's eyes hardened. "You wouldn't understand. It's... complicated." She paused, as if weighing her words carefully. "Cocolia has been experimenting with something... dangerous. The monsters you saw? They're not just mindless beasts. They're connected to something far more sinister. She's trying to tap into an ancient power, one that's been dormant for centuries. And it's spreading."
Sampo, who had been silently observing, spoke up. "Tapping into ancient power? You're telling me that's why this city's been in chaos? Cocolia's not just playing with fire—she's setting the world on a collision course."
Caelus frowned. "And what exactly is this ancient power? You're saying it's linked to these monsters, but what is it? Some kind of... weapon?"
Bronya looked at Sampo before answering. "Not a weapon. A force. A force that can warp reality itself. The monsters are just the beginning. She's trying to unlock something buried beneath the city. If she succeeds... well, you won't just have to deal with a few monsters. You'll be dealing with something that could tear the entire world apart."
March stepped forward, her expression serious. "So why don't we stop her now, before it's too late?"
Bronya looked conflicted. "It's not that simple. Cocolia's not just some power-hungry ruler. She has her own reasons, her own goals. I may not agree with her methods, but stopping her won't be easy. She's already prepared for every move we could make."
Seele, who had been silent up until now, crossed her arms. "Sounds like we need a plan then."
Dan Heng stepped up, his eyes sharp as always. "What about this 'ancient force'? Can we destroy it? Or is it something we have to stop her from accessing altogether?"
Bronya hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly, as if the idea of answering was hard for her. "It's not something that can be destroyed—not easily, anyway. But if we can stop Cocolia from accessing the core beneath the city, we might be able to sever the connection and prevent the force from spreading further."
Caelus clenched his fist, his gaze firm. "Then that's our next move. We stop her from getting what she wants, before it's too late."
March nodded in agreement, her usual playful tone gone. "Let's get this done, then. No more running, no more hiding. It's time to take action."
Bronya's eyes flickered with something unreadable—perhaps a mixture of doubt and hope. "If you're really in this, then you'll have to trust me. We can't do this alone."
Sampo gave a dramatic sigh, throwing his hands up. "Ah, the old 'trust me' card. But alright, fine. Let's go with your plan, but just remember, Bronya, we're not exactly best friends."
"Good," Bronya said, a cold smile tugging at her lips. "You don't need to be."
The group stood in a tense silence, understanding the gravity of their situation. They weren't just dealing with a corrupted city or a series of monsters—they were facing something far darker, and more dangerous than they had ever anticipated.
Caelus's eyes glinted with determination. "Then let's move. The longer we wait, the harder it'll be to stop whatever Cocolia's planning."
With a final glance at each other, the group set out toward the heart of the city, where the truth—and the ancient power Cocolia sought—awaited. The stakes had never been higher, and each of them knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger, uncertainty, and tough decisions.
But they had no choice. The fate of the world was at risk, and they were the only ones who could stop it.
To be continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy sorry for the short Ch today, not feeling it today