Ashenreach District — STF Facility
Kite's eyes slowly fluttered open. The first thing he saw was a cracked, burned ceiling looming above. He jolted up—but a firm hand stopped him.
"Don't sit up so fast," Lauren said, gently pressing him down. "You're still hurt."
He looked around. The once-lively lounge now resembled a ruin. Kite lay on a half-scorched couch. Ethan sat on the edge of a broken table. Lauren rested on the armrest beside him. Ralf leaned against the wall near the door, arms crossed. Kora and Lora huddled together on the floor, quivering.
Relief washed over Kite at the sight of his comrades—until a dreadful realization hit him.
"…Where are the others?" he asked weakly, voice heavy with fear.
The air grew still. Faces darkened. Kora and Lora clung tighter, trembling harder.
Then the door creaked open. Officers entered the room. Konstantin stepped forward, stopping in front of Kite.
"So," he said flatly, "you're awake. Good. I need answers."
The atmosphere thickened. Lauren frowned.
"He just woke up. Can't it wait?"
"He's a Specialist," Konstantin replied coldly. "And we're short on both time and men."
No one argued.
Kite tried again. "Where's everyone else?"
Konstantin's stare didn't soften. "Fine. I'll answer your question—you answer mine."
———
A Few Hours Ago
The STF's facility doors burst open. Ralf stormed in, breath ragged.
"The city is under attack!"
Everyone in the lounge snapped to alert, gathering around the table.
"What happened?" Ethan demanded.
"The Abyssal Chain has released Nightmare Gas. Over half the town is already under its effect."
The name Abyssal Chain sent chills through the room.
"Nightmare Gas…" Ethan muttered. "That forces people into a coma-like sleep unless they have strong mental resistance."
"Exactly," Ralf confirmed. "And this isn't a random strike. They've taken the whole city hostage."
"But why now?" Lauren asked. "There's still time before it begins."
"We don't know," Ralf said. "But it's coordinated. Tactical."
Ethan's tone grew serious. "We don't have time to waste. We can't reach everyone—some of them may already be fighting."
"I'll go with Ralf to locate the cult," he continued. "Lauren, Kora, and Lora—your priority is rescuing anyone still unaffected and inform Louisiana to evacuate fast."
He turned to Sabrina.
"You go find Kite and Ryenne. They're the Lord's chosen companions. If the cult's targeting anyone, it'll be them."
Everyone nodded—and vanished into the chaos.
———
Noble Heights — Route 4
Ethan and Ralf sprinted down the shadowed path.
Suddenly, white-hot chains cracked through the air. They narrowly dodged the attack and slid to a halt.
Seven cultists in white hoods stood in their path.
Ethan stepped forward, twin daggers glowing with golden light at the edges. Ralf flipped his revolvers open and reloaded, the barrels pulsing with crimson energy.
Ethan smirked. "Time to teach these bastards a lesson."
Ralf cocked his gun. "Couldn't agree more."