In a towering skyscraper crowned with an emblem of a roaring beast and two golden swords crossed behind it, a man stood by the expansive glass wall of his office. The city stretched out below him, a sea of glowing lights and towering buildings. Yet, the bustling metropolis couldn't hold his attention. His sharp blue eyes, piercing and calculating, were lost in thought. Memories from a distant past flickered in his mind like a haunting refrain.
He adjusted the cuffs of his golden tuxedo. The garment clung to him like a second skin, exuding authority and wealth. His brown hair, meticulously groomed, added to the commanding aura he radiated. Power rolled off him in waves, a silent warning to anyone who dared to approach unprepared.
After a long pause, Drax turned from the window and faced his desk. With a subtle flick of his wrist, the air shimmered. Holographic screens burst to life, filling the room with streams of glowing data. Lines of information scrolled past his sharp gaze as he swiped between screens, his focus razor-sharp. He was searching for something, though even he wasn't entirely sure what.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The sound echoed through the silent room, snapping him out of his trance. His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Come in," he said, his voice low and composed, betraying no emotion.
The door creaked open, and a figure clad in golden armor stepped in. Her vibrant red hair cascaded down her shoulders, a stark contrast to the polished plates of her uniform. Despite her beauty, there was a grim determination in her emerald-green eyes.
"Good day, sir," she greeted, her voice steady. "I've brought information regarding the portals you inquired about."
Drax's brow arched slightly, a subtle shift that signaled his interest. "Speak," he commanded, his attention momentarily fixed on the screens before him.
"We've detected significant distortions within the dungeon portals," she began, stepping further into the room. "Raiders have reported encountering monsters far beyond the expected difficulty of their designated dungeon ranks."
"How severe are the fatalities?" Drax asked, his tone as cold as steel.
"Thirty percent, sir," she replied, her voice steady but tinged with unease.
Drax's lips tightened into a thin line. "From now on, restrict access to dungeons. Only those two ranks above a dungeon may undertake a raid. Ensure a guild master inspects every site beforehand."
"Yes, sir," she replied, but her hesitation was palpable.
He finally turned to her, his gaze locking onto hers like a predator sizing up its prey. "What is it?" he asked, his tone sharp.
"There's… been no word from the guilds, sir. Not since their last expedition into the Plain of Ashes," she admitted, her voice softer now.
Drax's eyes darkened. "The Plain of Ashes?" he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief.
The wastelands—officially known as the Plain of Ashes—were a forsaken stretch of land ravaged by the earliest waves of monsters when the portals first appeared. Toxic air hung thick over the desolate landscape, and pools of acid dotted the ground like oozing scars. Ancient, colossal beasts roamed freely there, their existence a grim reminder of humanity's fragile grasp on survival. It was a death sentence for all but the most powerful.
"What in the world would compel them to go there?" he demanded, his voice colder now, laced with barely restrained fury.
Ren straightened her posture, though the nervous flicker in her eyes betrayed her. "Reports of a new type of portal, sir. Something far more complex and dangerous than any we've seen in the city. The guilds ventured into the wastelands to investigate."
"And?" Drax pressed, his voice like a whip.
"They confirmed the reports," she said, her tone grim. "These portals are bringing forth creatures that defy classification—monsters we've never encountered, even in our beasts categories"
Drax's expression remained impassive, but his mind was racing. A new type of portal could destabilize everything. Humanity was already stretched thin, barely managing to survive against the existing threats. This new development threatened to tip the scales irreversibly.
"Arrange a meeting with the guild masters immediately," he ordered, his voice firm. "If this is true, we must act swiftly. We can't afford to lose any more ground."
"Yes, sir," Ren said, bowing slightly before turning to leave.
"Wait," Drax said, stopping her in her tracks. "The other matter I assigned to you… any updates?"
Ren hesitated, her lips tightening. "I'm sorry, sir. No information yet."
Drax exhaled heavily, waving her away. As the door closed behind her, he turned back to the city, his hands clasped behind his back. His reflection stared back at him from the glass, a man burdened with the weight of the world.
"A power that could rival the entire world…" he murmured to himself. "What is it? Where is it?"
---
Darian's eyes fluttered open, the world around him blurry and spinning. His head throbbed painfully as he tried to focus. He was lying on a bed, the sterile white walls around him giving away his location.
"Where… am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse.
"You're awake," a soft, feminine voice answered. Turning his head, he saw a nurse in a crisp white gown and cap. Her warm smile did little to ease his confusion.
"You're in the city hospital," she explained, adjusting the IV line attached to his arm.
Darian's mind reeled as fragmented memories began to surface. A sharp headache followed, causing him to groan.
"Don't overexert yourself," the nurse said gently, propping up his pillow. "I'll fetch the doctor."
As she left, Darian stared at his hands. Scales, faint but undeniable, marked his skin. He rubbed at them, hoping they would disappear. But they remained—a stark reminder of what had happened.
"It wasn't a dream…" he muttered.
Minutes later, the nurse returned with a doctor. The older man examined Darian thoroughly, his expression a mix of surprise and mild reprimand.
"You're remarkably lucky, young man," the doctor said, hanging his stethoscope around his neck. "Given the condition you were in when they brought you here, it's a miracle you're alive."
"They?" Darian asked, confusion etched on his face.
The doctor stepped aside, revealing two men in dark suits standing at the door. One of them, a tall figure with a sharp jawline and piercing eyes, stepped forward.
"It seems you're awake," the man said, his voice deep and authoritative. "We have some questions for you."