"Why isn't the Essence Storm weakening?" Finn's voice is barely audible amidst the chaos, his tone shaky as he clings to an increasingly fragile sense of reassurance.
He glances at Mara, the little girl resting in Kiaran's arms. Her breaths are shallow, her face pale, though a faint flicker of hope seems to linger in her weary eyes.
Seren marches at the head of the group, her gaze fixed ahead as if the road itself holds the answers. The sharp gaze of her ice blue eyes remain unwavering, her focus unbroken.
"There are only two possible explanations for this" she says, her voice low but firm, laced with an undertone of unease.
Finn's brows knit together, his voice tinged with urgency. "What are they?"
Seren takes a deep breath. "Either the Essence is dispersing more evenly from the center, which is unlikely but would be good news."
She hesitates before continuing. Finn's curiosity rises. "Or?"
Seren's march falters slightly as she turns her gaze to meet the team's. Her tone carries a somber weight that underscores the gravity of the situation.
"Or the storm has grown so strong that even its edges now carry the same power as its center. If that's the case..." She lets the unspoken conclusion hang in the air before finishing, "...we should brace for a Void Breach."
A suffocating silence settles over the group, their steps slowing down momentarily as the implications sink in. The very mention of a Void Breach sends a shiver through even the most composed among them.
Nico, walking close besides Seren, tries to cut through the tension with an attempt to raise the mood.
"Come on, lighten up! We've got Seren's dad stationed here, right? One of the Top 10. Must be pretty great to have a guy like that in your familiy, right?"
Seren's jaw tightens imperceptibly at his words. She casts a sidelong glance, her pace slowing just enough to punctuate her response.
"If my father has to step in" she says, her voice eerily calm, "it's already too late for us."
Kiaran, still carrying Mara, frowns. "What does that even mean?"
Seren halts, turning to face him directly. The fire in her eyes is palpable, her tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"It means my father brings annihilation. If he's forced to use his Stigma, or worse, his Arkana, then there won't be anything left to salvage. Not us, not this storm, nothing."
Kiaran's mouth opens in protest, but his words are cut short as the group collectively freezes. The faint sound of footsteps echoes from the street ahead, unnervingly steady against the chaos of the storm.
Seren's hand moves instinctively to her sword, and in one fluid motion, it is drawn, gleaming faintly in the eerie light filtering through the storm's haze.
"Combat positions!" she orders sharply.
Finn's hands glow with a flickering blue hue as he prepares to summon his protective barrier. Nico, adjusts his stance, his shoulders squaring as he readies for a fight. Even Kiaran shifts his hold on Mara, preparing to defend her if it comes to it.
Before any action can escalate, a familiar voice cuts through the tension. "Stand down. It's me."
The team collectively exhales as Officer Samir emerges from the swirling dust. His expression is as unreadable as ever, but his commanding presence instantly restores a measure of control.
"I was searching for stragglers" he says, his tone clipped. "I take it you've noticed the storm intensifying. Why are you lagging behind?"
"It's not why, but who" Seren replies, gesturing toward Mara, her small frame resting limply in Kiaran's protective embrace.
Samir's sharp eyes assess the girl, his expression darkening. "Her family?"
Seren's voice wavers ever so slightly as she answers, "Her father's not in the city. Her mother... she didn't make it."
For a fleeting moment, a shadow of emotion flickers across Samir's face, though he quickly masks it with a curt nod.
"Understood. Let's move. The camp isn't far, and Kiaran you will drop Mara off with Betty at the field hospital"
~~~
The military camp is a hive of organized chaos, something that would usually be considered paradox. Shouted commands echo through the air as soldiers and recruits alike scramble to prepare. Weapons are inspected, equipment is secured, and the ever present hum of readiness permeates the atmosphere.
News spreads rapidly across the compound: the storm, now officially designated "Trudy", has been incread in level, to Category 2, with a high likelihood of escalating to Category 3. Whispers of unease ripple through the ranks.
"I thought this was supposed to be training!" a flustered recruit shouts, his voice cracking.
"Why didn't anyone tell us we'd be dealing with a Category 3 Void Rift?" another adds, his words tinged with rising panic.
"SILENCE!"
The unease threatens to boil over into full on chaos until Samir's commanding voice restores order.
The weight of his authority slams into the camp like a physical force. Even the air feels heavier, compelling recruits and seasoned soldiers alike to fall silent and focus.
Kael steps forward, his sharp tone slicing through the silence. "Listen up! Given the inexperience of many here, we will form teams. Each team will consist of one experienced soldier and five recruits. This will ensure maximum efficiency and survivability. Clear?"
"Yes, Sir!" the camp responds in unison, their voices regaining some semblance of discipline.
Seren turns to her team. "We're only four. We'll need one more recruit to have a full group."
Her gaze scans the southeastern corner of the camp, where disorganized recruits mill about in clusters. Her eyes land on a tall figure standing apart from the rest. The figure's long, messy black hair and imposing height catch her attention, and her breath hitches.
"Lumen?" she whispers, her voice barely audible as she quickens her pace toward the figure.
As the figure turns, Seren's heart sinks. Instead of the golden eyes she had hoped for, she's met with dark brown ones. The sharp sting of disappointment floods her chest.
"Sorry, do I know you?" the figure asks, her voice calm and curious.
Seren stammers, her cheeks burning. "oh, y-you're a woman."
The stranger chuckles softly. "Indeed I am. What gave it away? My hair or... perhaps something else?"
Seren's embarrassment deepens, and she averts her gaze.
"I wish I could vanish right now" she thinks.
Her team catches up, and Nico smirks, clapping her on the shoulder. "Found someone already? Nicely done, Seren!"
The stranger introduces herself with a friendly smile. "I'm Ahri. Mind if I join your team?"
Seren quickly regains her composure. "Uh, yeah. Welcome aboard. I'm Seren, that's Finn, Kiaran over there, and Nico."
Together, the newly formed team heads to the staging area, where a seasoned soldier waits to meet them. A man, introducing himself as Robert, greets them with an easygoing demeanor, shaking hands with each member.
"It's good to meet all of you" he says, his voice warm yet firm. "Before we proceed, let's review our Stigmata and capabilities. It's critical we operate as a cohesive unit."
Seren nods, her mind momentarily shifting back to the raging storm beyond the camp. A sense of anticipation mingles with the ever-present tension in her chest.
This mission is no longer just a training exercise, instead it's a test of survival.