The lingering echoes of chaos slowly faded behind them, though the heavy air of tension clung tightly to their skin. Viktor, with Elina resting on his back, led the group toward the city gate of Vala.
Vala was the closest city moving north of gale, which was the city they were currently at in the country of Vendantra. They were hoping to escape the encroaching danger and make their way to the safe zone in Vaite, a fortified stronghold in the country of Vendantra.
The dim glow of a distant moon peeked through cracks in the clouds, casting faint silvery outlines across broken buildings and deserted pathways. Every creak of a wooden beam or scuffle of debris set their nerves on edge, but they pressed forward, fueled by desperation and sheer willpower.
Rian, his breaths ragged but measured. Though exhausted, the resolute determination in his gaze never wavered. Lydia's healing magic flickered intermittently as she continued to mend minor wounds along the way, though even her reserves were beginning to dwindle, given she was still a very weak healer.
The group's pace remained sharp, urgency driving their steps as they navigated toward the city's gate of Vala. Vala was a vital route on their journey to the rumored safe zone in Vaite which was the nearest they could get to from the information player shared amongst themselves on the system.
Reports of the apocalypse spread like wildfire. Radio frequencies hummed with fragmented transmissions:
"[Gate breaches in all countries of the world]"
"[Casualties are increasing, reinforcing troops required]"
"[Emergency shelters established in all major capitals]"
The world had no choice but to adapt to the sudden nightmare thrust upon it. Governments, fractured but defiant, initiated emergency defense protocols. Refugee centers were established in safe zones around the globe, offering sanctuary and sustenance to those lucky enough to escape the horrors unfolding in the cities.
For Vendantra, Vaite became a beacon of hope. Bordered by mountains and protected by strategic fortifications hastily built by the remaining military forces, it served as the primary rally point for the displaced citizens. Its location made it defensible, but reaching it from Verdantra was another matter entirely, a perilous journey fraught with threats both seen and unseen.
"We're not far from the city gate," Rian said, breaking the tense silence. His voice was strained but steady. "If we can get through Vala, the road to Vaite should be clear enough."
"That's a big 'if,'" Lydia murmured, wiping sweat from her left cheek. "There's no telling what might still be lurking around here and there, too."
"We have to assume danger is waiting at every corner," Viktor replied grimly, tightening his grip on Elina. "But we don't stop moving. Not until we're safe."
The little girl stirred on his back, her voice soft yet tinged with worry. "Are we going to find Luca there?"
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Viktor's face, but he forced a reassuring tone. "Yes, we'll meet him there. He'll catch up, he too should have gotten the message."
Elina's small nod gave Viktor a fleeting sense of resolve, even as doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind. He didn't know if Luca had managed to escape or if the fighter still battled the high orc in a distant part of the city. But there was no room for hesitation, hope was a fragile shield, but one they couldn't afford to drop.
They reached the outer edges of Vala under a sky tinged with the hues of early dawn. The city gate loomed ahead, a towering construct reinforced with heavy steel panels hastily welded together to provide a last line of defense against the gate that dwelled on the island when it comes open. It stood ominously quiet, the shadows playing tricks on weary eyes.
Viktor slowed his pace, his senses on high alert. "Stay close. No sudden moves until we know what we're dealing with."
Lydia raised a hand, casting a soft glow that illuminated their immediate surroundings. The flickering light revealed abandoned vehicles, shattered crates, and the eerie remnants of what once was a bustling checkpoint. Bloodstains painted the ground in grim patterns, though no bodies were visible, a stark reminder of the violence that had swept through mere hours ago.
Rian stepped closer to examine the gate's control panel, his fingers brushing against scorched wires and broken circuits. "It's been sabotaged. Looks like whoever tried to hold this position to calm the evacuation didn't make it." But still no dead body was in sight, almost as if they were all picked up.
"Is the gate operational?" Viktor asked.
"Barely," Rian replied, grimacing. "We might be able to get it open manually, but it's going to take time."
Elina whimpered softly, burying her face into Viktor's back. "I don't want to stay here," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I know," Viktor said gently. "We won't stay any longer than we have to. Just be brave a little longer, okay?"
With a little whisper she said "okay".
As they worked to manually lift the gate, a sudden gust of wind swept through the desolate checkpoint, carrying with it a faint, chilling sound like the whispers of something unnatural hiding in the shadows. The group froze, instincts honed by the night of terror making them keenly aware of the ever present danger.
"Did you hear that?" Elira whispered, her voice barely audible.
Rian nodded, his eyes narrowing. "We need to hurry."
Viktor made haste to the switch that rian was standing and trying to figure out it wiring he pulled a green wire placing it on an iron placement, asking rian, have you tried this? Before rian could nod his head saying, no, a metal clank at the gate made an assuring sound as the gate started to go up.
The gate started moving up with a smile that went across their face was soon cut short as the gate stopped just at foot level. With Viktor trying to repeat the process of making contact with the rod but still no response, Viktor called rian as they both made haste to the gate pulling it up which was as heavy as they could imagine.
Together, Viktor and Rian strained against the gate's weight, muscles burning as they forced it upward inch by agonizing inch. Lydia kept watch, her magic ready should an enemy reveal itself. Finally, with a metallic groan, the gate gave way, opening just enough for them to slip through.
"Go," Viktor commanded, ushering the others through first. As soon as everyone was clear, he and Rian lowered the gate behind them, securing it as best they could before sprinting after the group.
Beyond the gate, the landscape stretched wide and open, a stark contrast to the claustrophobic streets they had just escaped. Rolling hills and scattered trees marked the path toward the Vale, the faint glow of the rising sun casting a surreal light over the land. Though the world remained hostile and uncertain, the open expanse offered a brief reprieve from the oppressive darkness.
"We'll follow this route straight to Vaite," Rian said, "It's about three days journey if we keep a steady pace."
"Three day's," Lydia echoed grimly. "That's a long time to stay exposed."
"We'll make it," Viktor said firmly. "We have to."
Elina's small hand found his, her grip tight despite her exhaustion. "We'll be okay, right?"
Viktor knelt to meet her gaze. "We'll be okay. Just stay close, and we'll get there together."
As the group pressed onward, their footsteps blending into the gentle rustle of the new world which was in site, the lingering shadows of their escape began to fade. Though the road ahead remained uncertain, they walked with purpose, driven by the hope of finding safety and the will to survive whatever lay ahead.
Behind them, gale loomed like a fading nightmare, its echoes slowly being drowned out by the promise of a new day. For Viktor and his companions, there was only one direction to go forward.
As Luca, using the skill,
[lighting roar]
For the second time on the walls of the city of gale to break it in attempt for his escape even though he is giving out his location. That was the only way he could leave the city, given he didn't know the exact direction in which the gate was located.
As the skill hits the wall it began crumbling in a circular yet spherical area where the skill went through, he was able to squeeze himself through as he heard a roar which sounded familiar yet far away. With a little change of his face he picked up the pace running towards the city of Vaite.
Dawn broke over the plains as both groups pressed forward just outside the city of Gale. Viktor's party moved steadily, determination etched on their faces, while Luca pushed onward alone, his senses sharp for any lurking threats. The open expanse stretched endlessly, offering a broad contrast to the chaos left behind.