Jack followed Elisa as they roamed the city, visiting various faction branches scattered throughout their locality. The sudden surge in faction politics was still a shock to them both, with new groups sprouting up and competing for dominance. The allure of power and influence had seemingly infected the city, and factions were eager to recruit new members.
Elisa had applied to every faction they visited, but her intentions were far from ordinary. She wasn't just looking for any faction; she wanted one that aligned with her vision of using her system for the greater good of society. Each faction conducted tests—some immediately, others later—checking for system users and evaluating intellectual abilities.
As they exited yet another faction building, Jack glanced at Elisa, curiosity written all over his face. "Why don't you settle for this faction? You passed their test," he pointed out, referring to the results from the last ten minutes.
Elisa shook her head, a determined look in her eyes. "I'm not just going to join any faction. It has to be one that aligns with my goals—their vision and mission matter."
They continued walking, the sun beginning to dip lower in the sky. "There's just one left on the list," Elisa said, glancing at her notes. "The Red Faction. They're focused on getting the attention of the Space Federation."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "If you knew that's the faction you wanted, why did we waste time wandering around these other ones?"
Elisa smirked, a twinkle in her eyes. "Simple. I wanted to pass their exams. The results will boost my chances of getting into the Red Faction."
As they approached a tall, imposing building with the Red Faction's emblem prominently displayed, Elisa's excitement was palpable. "And the best part? This is their headquarters."
Inside, they were greeted by a polished receptionist sitting behind a sleek desk. "Welcome. Are you here to join the Red Faction?" she asked, her eyes scanning them curiously.
"Yes, ma'am," Elisa replied with her signature smile.
"You're just in time. Today is the last day we're recruiting new members," the receptionist informed her. Turning to Jack, she asked, "What about you?"
Jack quickly shook his head. "No, I'm just here to support her."
The receptionist nodded, unfazed. "Would you like to be interviewed by our head?" she asked Elisa, who eagerly nodded.
"Follow me. Your friend can wait here," the receptionist instructed, leading Elisa down a long corridor. Jack watched them disappear into the hallway, settling into a chair to wait.
Elisa was ushered into a spacious, well-lit room. Behind a large desk sat a man she instantly recognized. He was an activist, a well-known figure who championed the rights of the poor and marginalized. Her heart soared—this was exactly the kind of leader she wanted to work with.
"Let's begin with your name," the man said, picking up a pen and an empty sheet of paper.
Elisa smiled confidently, ready to embark on the next chapter of her journey.
****
A sudden, deafening thud reverberated through the ground, shaking the very foundations of the Red Faction building. Jack's heart skipped a beat as he instinctively rushed to the window, peering out to see what had caused the disturbance. Despite the tremor, the people outside remained relatively calm, assuming it was just another industrial mishap—nothing out of the ordinary.
However, Jack's system had a different perspective.
The notification flashed in his mind, interrupting his thoughts. Jack's eyes narrowed as he glanced towards the warehouse, a dilapidated structure looming ominously across the street. The thud must have come from there, and now the system wanted him to investigate.
"Maybe I'll do it when Elisa's done," he murmured, retreating from the window and sinking back into his seat.
But the system was relentless.
Jack sighed heavily, realizing he had little choice. The system's threats were never empty. Reluctantly, he stood, leaving the Red Faction building behind and heading towards the warehouse.
The street was eerily quiet as Jack approached the warehouse compound. He scanned his surroundings, noting the lack of security. The place looked abandoned, and its desolate aura sent a chill down his spine. He had heard plenty of creepy tales about deserted warehouses, but now he was about to step into one himself.
The warehouse door stood slightly ajar, a surprising but welcome sight. He didn't have the energy—or the nerve—to sneak around and climb through windows. Pushing the door open, Jack slipped inside.
The system's notification rang in his mind, but Jack's relief was short-lived. Footsteps echoed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. He quickly ducked behind a large barrel, its size providing enough cover to conceal him completely.
Two figures entered the warehouse, their voices carrying a conspiratorial tone. Jack peered through a small gap, his eyes widening as he took in their appearance. Their skin was a deep, unnatural blue, and their movements were deliberate and calculated. They were clearly not from Earth.
"The king was pleased with the success of the missile drop. He expects nothing less than perfection for the army's landing. We can't afford any disruptions," one of them said, their voice harsh and commanding.
Jack's instincts screamed at him—these beings were alien, and their presence spelled trouble.
The two figures shut the warehouse door behind them, their footsteps echoing as they moved further into the building. Their voices began to fade, slipping beyond Jack's earshot.
Another notification popped up, and suddenly, Jack's hearing sharpened. He could hear the conversation clearly again, even as the pair moved deeper into the warehouse.
"The fleet will land here," the first voice continued. "They'll bring the EMF device to ensure this kingdom is plunged into darkness."
"The fleet is already on its way," the second voice added. "They're advancing slowly, but when they arrive, it will be a devastating surprise for Earth's inhabitants."
Jack's blood ran cold. This wasn't just some random alien encounter—it was a planned invasion. The countdown had begun, and Earth had no idea what was coming.