The morning after the battle, Rodensky stood atop the village's broken watchtower, gazing at the horizon. The faint glow of the World Tree Seed pulsed from his inventory, a constant reminder of the future he was slowly forging.
The events of the battle replayed in his mind the screams, the bloodshed, and the overwhelming sense of responsibility. He clenched his fists, his body still aching from the clash with the Black Snake Guild leader.
"This isn't enough," he muttered to himself. "I need to become stronger. Stronger than anyone else. Strong enough that no one has to suffer like this again."
His thoughts drifted to his family their faces, their laughter, the warmth of their home. A pang of longing shot through him. He hadn't seen them since the fusion of Astralis with the real world.
"Are they safe?" he wondered aloud, his voice barely a whisper.
Izabella approached quietly, her usual confident demeanor softened. "You miss them, don't you?"
Rodensky gave a faint nod. "I can't help it. I know I can't stop now, but...I just hope they're okay."
She placed a hand on his arm. "They'd be proud of you, you know. And when this is over, you'll see them again."
Rodensky forced a smile but said nothing. Deep down, the uncertainty gnawed at him.
---
Pov Shift: Rodensky's Family
In the bustling capital city of the Second Continent, Rodensky's mother and two sisters worked tirelessly, plastering walls with missing posters. Each poster bore Rodensky's name and a photograph from before Astralis merged with the world.
"Have you seen this boy?" his mother asked passerby after passerby, her voice breaking with desperation.
A woman shook her head sympathetically. "I'm sorry. There's so much chaos these days...but don't lose hope."
Rodensky's younger sister tugged on her mother's sleeve. "Mama, do you think Roden's fighting monsters out there? Like a hero?"
The older woman froze, her lips trembling before she managed to answer. "Maybe. Maybe he's doing exactly that."
But in her heart, fear and doubt lingered. The world had become so dangerous. Monsters roamed freely, and only challengers stood a chance of survival. She prayed Rodensky was one of them.
---
Pov Shift: Emmanuel's Family
On the Third Continent, the situation was far worse. Entire cities lay in ruins, and the streets were swarmed with beasts. Emmanuel's family, a group of six, moved with a caravan of refugees, hoping to reach the safety of the Second Continent.
"Keep moving," Emmanuel's father urged, his tone firm but edged with exhaustion. He carried Emmanuel's youngest sibling, a toddler who clung to him with wide, frightened eyes.
His wife looked back at the crowd behind them. "We're running out of time. The beasts are catching up."
"We'll make it," he reassured her, though his voice carried little conviction. "We have to."
They had heard rumors of powerful challengers protecting certain areas on the Second Continent, and they clung to the hope that Emmanuel, wherever he was, might be one of them.
"He'll find us," Emmanuel's mother whispered to herself. "He always does."
---
Return to the Trio
Back in the village, Emmanuel sat by the fire, sharpening his blade. He looked up at Rodensky and smirked. "You're awfully quiet today. Thinking about home?"
Rodensky nodded. "You?"
Emmanuel's smirk faded slightly. "Yeah. I just hope they're okay. The Third Continent isn't exactly hospitable these days."
Izabella joined them, her armor glinting faintly in the firelight. "We all have people we're fighting for. Families, friends...a world worth saving." She gazed at the flickering flames. "Let's not let them down."
The three shared a rare moment of silence, their thoughts united despite their differing paths. The fight was far from over, but they would face it together.