The hotel room was dimly lit, the soft glow from the city filtering through the half-drawn curtains. Soren leaned back on the plush sofa, his coat draped over the armrest and his tie loosened. His mind spun with thoughts—the meeting in Dubai with Colton and Kaelen had gone as planned. They agreed to stay vigilant and keep moving discreetly, but tension lingered between them. Bringing the remaining 7-stars together was a risk, but with Dimitri and Luxarion missing, Ren acting on his own, and Hakan completely off the grid, they had no other choice.
A soft knock broke the silence.
"Come in," Soren said without looking up.
The door creaked open, and Arham walked in, back to his usual self—sharp suit, clean-cut hair, and a calm but weary look on his face. He moved to the armchair across from Soren and dropped down with a sigh.
"How was Dubai?" he asked.
"As expected. They're both on board, but Colton isn't convinced that gathering together is the right call," Soren replied, his tone flat and indifferent.
Arham gave a slight nod.
"Can't blame him. With Ren's recent move, everyone's already on edge. Bringing the 7-stars together might just make us a bigger target."
Soren didn't respond right away, his eyes still fixed on the coffee table. After a moment, he spoke.
"Kaelen thinks it's necessary. If we don't regroup, whoever's out there will pick us off one by one."
Arham scoffed, crossing his arms.
"Assuming they can even find us. You've been moving like a ghost lately."
Soren glanced at him, his expression unreadable.
"That's the point. The enemy can't hit what they can't see. Ren's move in the Atlantic gave us cover. Right now, everyone's eyes are on him. We use that."
Arham grunted.
"Makes sense. Though it's risky banking on Ren to be a distraction. You think he's onto us?"
Soren's gaze grew colder.
"Ren's not the type to care about what we're doing. He moves on his own terms, regardless of the consequences. He's not a team player—never was."
Arham leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"So, what's next? You're planning to meet up with Colton and Kaelen again?"
Soren shook his head.
"Not yet. I need to get a clearer picture of the situation here. The Accord's losing its grip, and if things escalate, we need to be ahead of it."
The tension in the room thickened as silence fell once more. After a while, Soren glanced toward the closed door leading to the adjoining room.
"Where's Zara?"
Arham gestured toward it.
"She's in the next room. Got some sleep after we landed. I made sure no one tracked us."
Soren gave a faint nod.
"Good. We'll need her when we start gathering intel. For now, let her rest."
Arham looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"You're being unusually considerate. That meeting must've drained you more than usual."
Soren shot him a sharp glare.
"Just making sure the team's functional. No point in running them into the ground."
Arham gave a half-smile, not pushing it further.
"So, what's the play here? Are we contacting the Accord, or are we still moving under the radar?"
Soren thought for a moment, his mind calculating every angle.
"We'll stay low. Ren's move has given us an opening, but it's not going to last. The public's focus is on him, but if another attack hits, they'll start demanding answers from the Accord. We need to be prepared for that."
"You really think there'll be another attack?" Arham asked, his tone more serious now.
Soren's eyes narrowed.
"Of course. This wasn't just a one-time thing. Whoever's behind it isn't stupid—they're testing the waters, looking for cracks. Ren showing up at the Atlantic Rift wasn't a coincidence. They're baiting the strongest to show their hand."
Arham's brow furrowed.
"So you're saying that someone's deliberately causing Tower Breaks to force the 7-stars to reveal themselves?"
Soren nodded.
"Exactly. And Ren took the bait. Whether he knows it or not, he's playing into their hands."
Arham shook his head, processing the implications.
"Then what's our next move? Keep moving like shadows?"
Soren leaned back, his expression unreadable.
"For now, yes. We'll keep gathering intel, but we won't make any public moves. I'll contact Colton again once we're certain of the next attack point. Until then, we remain ghosts."
Arham gave a small nod of agreement.
"Got it. I'll coordinate with Zara once she's awake."
Soren didn't respond, his gaze distant. He knew the world was spiraling into chaos, and if they didn't act with precision, they'd be caught in the fallout.
In the distance, the sound of church bells echoed through Geneva, a reminder that even in times of peace, danger lurked just beyond the horizon. Soren clenched his fist, his mind still calculating every possible move.
"Ren... what the hell are you trying to do?" he muttered to himself.
Soren sat on the edge of the hotel sofa, mind racing. He reached for the remote and flicked the TV on, flipping through the channels without much thought—until one broadcast caught his attention.
"Breaking news: Two mysterious figures appeared in Shizumi earlier today..."
Soren froze, his eyes narrowing as he listened.
"The city has faced considerable damage. Fortunately, casualties have been minimal, and no lives have been lost."
He clenched his jaw, trying to piece it together.
"Were they after Hakan?" his mind raced. "Or something else...?"
The reporter continued, her tone grim but steady.
"Furthermore, the Vice-Captain of the Black Dragons, Alaric, and their youngest member, Rina, have been severely injured and are currently receiving medical treatment. Their leader, Hakan Raihan, remains missing and has yet to make any public appearance since the battle against Vealzaryon."
Soren's eyes sharpened.
"Figures. They're vulnerable without him. Someone must be targeting them... but why Shizumi now of all times?"
The reporter continued, highlighting how the threat had been neutralized thanks to the efforts of the Obsidian Wardens and Tempest Vanguard.
"The invaders were eventually defeated with the help of fellow guilds, Obsidian Wardens and Tempest Vanguard... Moving on to today's game—"
Soren clicked the TV off, his hand tightening on the remote.
"Jirrah dead. Ren pulling that stunt at the Atlantic. Now an attack on Shizumi? What the hell is going on? And even in Shizumi... there was an elf. A dark elf..."
He set the remote down with more force than intended, then stood up, adjusting his coat and grabbing it off the armrest.
"This doesn't add up. Someone's playing a deeper game here."
He moved to the door, pulling it open with deliberate calm, though his mind was anything but. He glanced at one of the guards stationed outside.
"Tell Arham and Zara to get ready. We're leaving soon."
The guard nodded.
"Yes, sir."
Soren didn't wait for further responses. He stepped into the hallway and moved briskly to the elevator, pressing the button with a steady hand. As the doors closed behind him, his thoughts churned.
"First Jirrah. Then Ren at the tower. Now Shizumi under attack. Someone's putting the pieces in motion, but for what? And that dark elf... Is it connected to Vealzaryon?"
Once outside the hotel, Soren took a slow, measured breath. The evening air was crisp, carrying the distant hum of traffic and chatter from the city. He adjusted his grey coat, draping it over his shoulder and letting it hang loosely as he started walking, his sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons of his shirt undone.
His steps were calm, almost casual, but his mind was anything but.
"Shizumi... why Shizumi of all places? If they were after Hakan, that makes sense. But those two weren't strong enough to kill him. Even if Hakan was there, he wouldn't have struggled against them. So why attack the city at all?"
He let out a slow breath, his footsteps echoing against the cobblestone.
"If they're targeting the 7-stars... it doesn't add up. Those two were strong, but they weren't 7-star level. The ones who took them down—Raiden and Kaede—aren't even 7-star heroes. Just high six-star, at best. So why send soldiers like that to take on Hakan's territory?"
Soren's eyes hardened, his thoughts focusing.
"Unless... they didn't know Hakan wasn't there. Or they were looking for something else entirely."
He stopped near a fountain, the trickling water doing nothing to ease his mind.
"If someone's trying to hunt the 7-stars, they wouldn't start with Hakan. They'd go for the more isolated ones—the ones who aren't surrounded by entire guilds. Taking out Jirrah made sense—strong but usually alone. But this? A direct assault on Shizumi when it's well-protected? It's too risky for no gain."
He rubbed his temples, trying to piece together the fragmented logic.
"If they were after Hakan, they'd send stronger forces—beings on par with Dimitri or Luxarion. Not those two weaklings. Which means... they weren't actually hunting Hakan. They were looking for something else. Or testing something else."
He gritted his teeth.
"Or... they knew Hakan wasn't there. But how? Who could have that kind of intel? No one outside the Black Dragons knows his exact whereabouts... unless someone figured it out through the lack of sightings."
A new thought crossed his mind, his gaze narrowing.
"If they're targeting the 7-stars, why start with Hakan's turf when he's the hardest to kill? Why not go after Colton, or Kaelen, or even Ren? None of it lines up. Unless..."
His mind flashed back to the reports on the attackers. One of them was identified as a dark elf. Soren's expression darkened.
"Dark elves... the hell are they doing on Earth? They weren't part of any known Tower Breaks until now. Did one of the towers wake up without us knowing? Or... are they not from the towers at all?"
He clenched his fists, frustration building.
"If they're hunting 7-stars, they're going about it like amateurs. It's either a test... or a distraction. And either way, it's working. Ren's actions are giving them cover, and the Accord is already starting to split. Someone's playing a bigger game here—one that involves throwing the world into chaos."
He pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at it, considering his next move.
"Ren... what the hell are you planning? Are you even aware of how much of a distraction you've become?"
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and started walking again, the weight of unanswered questions gnawing at him.
"If they're after the strongest, they'll come for me eventually. But I won't just sit around waiting for them to make their move. I'll find them first—and rip out their motives from their throats."
His pace quickened, determination hardening in his eyes.
"Whatever's coming... I'll make sure I'm ready. No matter who or what is behind it."
The wind howled around the towering skyscraper, its steel frame reflecting the fading light of dusk. At the very top, perched casually on the edge, sat Ren Tianlong. One leg dangled over the side, while his other knee was bent, his elbow resting atop it. His sharp, calculating gaze swept across the cityscape below—neon lights flickering to life as the world below continued unaware of his presence.
Ren leaned back slightly, taking in the sprawling view, his coat fluttering against the breeze. He'd already heard the news—Shizumi had been attacked. The report had been full of noise and speculation, but one detail caught his attention:
A dark elf.
He smirked faintly, as if amused by the idea.
"So... elves now? First Tower Breaks, then rogue heroes, and now this. What's next? Demons falling from the sky?"
He let out a low chuckle, but his mind remained tense, processing the information.
"Dark elves... Never seen them come from any tower before. The rifts have been unpredictable lately, but this? It's something else. New variables in the equation."
He pulled out his phone, flicking through updates and news reports, but most of it was noise—panic and speculation. Nothing substantial.
"I could go check it out myself," he muttered, tapping his fingers against his knee.
"But going to Shizumi... that might stir things up."
Ren's eyes darkened as he remembered the last time he was in Shizumi. The entire Black Dragons guild, every one of Hakan's warriors—kneeling before him, unable to withstand his presence. He hadn't even been trying to dominate them—just stepped inside their headquarters and demanded Hakan's location. When Alaric failed to give him an answer, Ren's aura alone had crushed them to their knees.
The thought made him smirk again, but the amusement didn't last long.
"Going back now wouldn't accomplish anything. Hakan's still missing, and without him there, it'd just be a pointless show of force."
His eyes narrowed, and he let out a slow breath.
"But why there? If someone's targeting the strongest, why attack Shizumi when Hakan isn't even present? Did they know he wasn't there? Or... were they looking for something else entirely?"
He mulled it over, his mind racing through possibilities.
"And even if they weren't after Hakan, why send dark elves? They're not like any tower monster I've seen. And they sure as hell don't fit the usual pattern of rift creatures."
He leaned back against the steel beam behind him, letting the wind whip past his face.
"So... new enemies, but no clear motive. Whoever's moving the pieces wants us confused—divided. They want the strongest hunting shadows while something else creeps through the cracks."
Ren's gaze shifted to the horizon, his smirk long gone, replaced by a cool, contemplative expression.
"Should I team up with the others? Nah... Doesn't fit me. Besides, the last thing I need is them thinking I'm trying to play nice. The way I move... it's better to stay alone."
He scoffed, rubbing his forehead.
"Besides... teaming up with idiots like Jirrah or stuck-up bastards like Luxarion never sat right with me. Maybe Colton would listen, but Soren? He's too paranoid. And Hakan? Tch... I don't know nothing about him."
He couldn't help but laugh at his own thoughts. The idea of working together with the other 7-stars almost sounded like a joke. He'd always been the lone wolf—even in his own guild. Hell, he only had one guild member: Xian Fei.
"She probably already handled today's business without a hitch. The woman's practically running the entire operation herself."
He exhaled slowly. Xian was efficient, cold, and resourceful—a woman who thrived on organization and control. He left everything in her hands: finances, logistics, guild management. As long as she handled the boring stuff, he could focus on what he did best—hunting down threats and crushing anything that moved against him.
"Hmph. I guess I'm lucky to have someone who gives a damn about all that paperwork crap."
Ren pushed himself off the edge, landing gracefully on the roof. His thoughts didn't leave him, though—the sense that something was deeply off with the world lately. First the unexplained tower breaks, then Jirrah's death, and now this mess in Shizumi.
He glanced down at the bustling streets far below, almost feeling detached from the world that lay beneath him.
"Am I really just gonna wait it out? Let the others get picked off one by one?"
He clenched his fists, annoyance flickering in his gaze.
"If they're trying to hunt the strongest, they'll come for me too. Fine. Let them. I'm done playing defense. If these elves think they can throw their weight around, I'll put them in their place."
He glanced at his phone one last time, scrolling through news reports and updates. Nothing new—just more panic and confusion.
"Hmph. Let them scramble. I'll move on my own terms."
He looked out at the distant cityscape, his smirk returning, but this time it was darker—more dangerous.
"If they're hunting the apex... they'll find themselves prey before they know it."
Ren sat down on the edge again, deciding to bide his time. No need to rush—the game was only just beginning, and he wasn't about to show his hand just yet.
The cavern pulsed with a dark, unnatural energy, shadows crawling along the jagged stone walls. At the center of the vast chamber sat Seraphina Nyxthalia, draped regally on a throne of obsidian and bone. Her piercing violet eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, lips curled in a cruel, condescending smile.
In front of her stood Aurelian Thaldris, his long silvery hair and frost-like eyes reflecting the faint light from the glowing runes etched into the cavern walls. His posture remained rigid, hands folded behind his back as he awaited her command.
A moment of silence hung between them before Aurelian finally spoke, his voice calm and unwavering.
"Did you find anything?"
Seraphina's smirk vanished, replaced by a look of mild annoyance.
"Nothing. Those pathetic toys—Feydor and Karnath—have been defeated."
Aurelian's gaze didn't waver, though his expression darkened slightly.
"Defeated? By whom?"
Seraphina scoffed, crossing one leg over the other.
"By the pathetic humans of that miserable city—Shizumi. Their so-called protectors managed to subdue them. Disgraceful."
Aurelian's eyes narrowed.
"Then why not send Luxarion or Dimitri next? Surely, they would eradicate any resistance without issue."
Seraphina raised a finger, shaking it slowly.
"No. That would be a mistake. If Luxarion or Dimitri were seen, it would cause a mass panic—enough to trigger a response from the Accord and make the world realize something is wrong. Humans are weak, but they're not entirely stupid. If they sense a real threat, they'll start looking for answers... and that will speed up the awakening of the Sevenfold Monarch."
Aurelian seemed to contemplate this, his cold demeanor unchanging.
"So we wait?"
Seraphina's lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Precisely. Let the humans destroy themselves in their confusion. The 7-star heroes are already scattering, paranoid and uncertain. The last thing we need is to force them into cooperation. As long as they remain isolated, our task will be far easier."
Aurelian raised an eyebrow, his tone cautious.
"And if they start to regroup despite our efforts?"
Seraphina leaned back on her throne, tapping her fingernails against the armrest.
"If they do... then we'll have no choice but to eliminate them one by one. But not yet. They're far too cautious at the moment—too afraid to make any bold moves."
She reached into the folds of her cloak and pulled out a small vial of dark, swirling essence. Its chaotic energy hummed ominously as she held it out to Aurelian.
"Take this."
Aurelian hesitated, glancing at the vial.
"What is it?"
"A contingency," Seraphina replied, her tone dismissive. "Should you find yourself on the verge of death, break it. It will flood your body with power—enough to destroy even the most persistent human worms. But use it wisely... it won't save you twice."
Aurelian accepted the vial, gripping it firmly.
"Understood."
Aurelian bowed his head briefly before disappearing into the shadows, leaving her alone in the dimly lit chamber.
Silence settled over the cavern once more, and Seraphina's expression twisted into one of disgust. She gritted her teeth, her hand clenching the armrest of the throne as memories surfaced.
"The Sevenfold Monarch... That cursed prophecy... The very idea that one mortal insect could stand against Master—it's beyond absurd."
She closed her eyes, recalling the last battle—the clash that shook the very foundations of the Realms.
"Those foolish guardians and warriors... all rallying behind that prophecy, claiming the Monarch would save them. How pathetic. Even when they combined their forces from countless Realms, they couldn't hold back Master's wrath. Yet they believe one insignificant human could succeed where they failed?"
She let out a bitter laugh, her tone dripping with venom.
"As if the Realms' united might could even touch him. Dragons, Celestial's , Gaints , Human , Ancient Realms—every last one of them crumbled under his power. They brought forth their so-called champions, poured their strength into a hopeless cause... and still fell like insects."
Her eyes burned with hatred, her voice dropping to a cold whisper.
"Idiots. The Realms themselves collapsed, yet they clung to that hopeless dream. They crafted their little Monarch prophecy as if it could actually save them. How foolish... how laughable."
Her grip tightened, dark energy crackling around her fingertips, leaving cracks on the stone armrest.
"The very idea that a single human could stand against Master is an insult to his might. None of them understand... none of them comprehend his limitless power. I'll crush that hope—erase it before it ever has the chance to awaken. The Sevenfold Monarch will die before he even knows what he is."
Her sinister smile returned, her aura swirling with dark malice.
"Let the humans scramble. Let them break under the weight of their own weakness. I'll savor every moment as their hope crumbles... and when the time comes, I'll drag that Monarch to his knees and show him the futility of his destiny."
She let out a slow breath, her confidence unwavering, eyes blazing with cruel intent.
"Even if every Realm combined their forces, they couldn't scratch him. And now they're betting on a mere human? Fools. I'll make sure that chosen one never rises... and I'll tear his fate apart with my own hands."
With that, she closed her eyes, her mind already plotting the next move—biding her time until the perfect moment to strike.
The winds screamed across the broken earth, kicking up dust in swirling patterns beneath the shattered ruins. Ren Tianlong stood alone, his coat fluttering as he scanned the eerie silence.
This place was dead.
Yet, the air was thick with something else—a presence that didn't belong.
He moved forward, his boots crunching against ancient stone. And then, he heard it.
Chanting. Low, unnatural whispers—twisting in the wind like poison.
Ren followed the sound, stepping past the remnants of what might have once been a temple. He rounded a broken pillar, and there they were.
A group of dark elves, kneeling before a massive sigil carved into the stone. Their hands stretched out, voices rising in unholy prayer, shadows twisting unnaturally around their forms.
Ren exhaled slowly, already bored.
"Tch. Cult shit."
One of the elves lifted his head, his violet eyes burning with dark power. A sneer twisted his lips.
"Another human. You are too late."
Ren smirked, cracking his knuckles.
"Too late for what? You idiots worshiping a rock?"
The dark elf's expression hardened.
"You do not understand. Aurelian Thaldris will awaken, and your kind will cease to exist."
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Aurelian? That ice-eyed bastard from Shizumi?" He scoffed. "You're talking like he's some kind of god."
The elves' eyes gleamed with devotion.
"He is the rightful Monarch. The one who will bring balance. Your resistance is meaningless."
Ren's smirk faded slightly.
"Monarch? What the hell are you talking about?"
The elf tilted his head, almost amused by Ren's ignorance.
"You truly do not know? Pathetic."
Ren rolled his shoulders, loosening up.
"Yeah? Here's the thing." His eyes flashed. "I don't need to know."
"Kneel."
Reality bent.
A crushing wave of authority surged outward. The moment the word left his lips, the elves froze, their bodies locking up against their will.
One of them dropped to his knees instantly, his face twisted in horror.
"W-what—?"
Another fought against it, trembling, his muscles straining—but Ren's presence was absolute. One by one, the elves fell, their foreheads nearly touching the ground, their bodies refusing to move.
The lead elf, his hands trembling, forced his gaze upward.
"W-what is this…?"
Ren stepped forward, his footsteps heavy with dominance, his gaze cold.
"You don't get to talk."
He raised his hand, fingers curling slightly.
"Perish."
The words carried weight beyond sound, vibrating through the very air itself.
The elf's eyes widened—and then his body crumpled instantly, his heart stopping in his chest. Dead.
The others gasped, their minds shattering under the sheer pressure of Ren's command. One elf vomited blood, his body convulsing as he tried to resist.
Another screamed, grasping his own head as if trying to fight something crushing his mind.
Ren tilted his head, watching them suffer.
"Weak."
One of them, through sheer desperation, forced out a whisper.
"Kill him!"
The moment the words left his lips, the sigil behind them flared to life, releasing a barrage of dark spears aimed at Ren.
Ren didn't move.
The instant they reached his Absolute Dominion, the spears froze midair. The energy twisted, the weapons splintering into harmless wisps of black mist before dispersing entirely.
Ren sighed.
"Pathetic."
In the next moment, he vanished.
A blur of motion.
Lightning-fast destruction. No wasted movement.
The elf who had shouted barely had time to blink before Ren's fist caved in his chest, his ribcage shattering instantly. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Another lunged, dagger coated in black fire slicing toward Ren's throat—but Ren caught the blade with two fingers.
The elf stared in horror.
Ren tightened his grip.
The dagger cracked—then shattered completely.
Before the elf could react, Ren's elbow slammed into his skull, sending him crumpling into the dust.
Two down. Four to go.
The remaining elves scrambled back, eyes filled with pure terror.
Ren stepped forward, his presence pressing down on them like a storm.
"You wasted your time. Now, one of you is going to tell me exactly what the hell you're doing here."
The strongest among them—the last one still standing—gritted his teeth, rage twisting his features.
"You don't understand, human. This is bigger than you. Aurelian will awaken. Your strength means nothing."
Ren grabbed him by the throat, lifting him effortlessly.
"I don't like repeating myself." His eyes glowed with raw power. "Talk."
The elf spat blood, but smirked through the pain.
"You think you're strong? You think you can change fate? You are nothing. The Monarch's will cannot be denied."
Ren's grip tightened.
Bones snapped.
The elf screamed, his body convulsing.
Ren tossed him aside, letting him writhe on the ground, his patience gone.
"You idiots keep throwing that word around. Monarch this, Monarch that. What does it mean?"
The elf, barely clinging to consciousness, chuckled weakly.
"It doesn't matter. Even if you kill me... Aurelian will awaken."
Ren clicked his tongue.
"Tch. That's all I needed to hear."
Without hesitation, he drove his hand forward, his aura crushing the elf's chest in a single devastating blow.
The elf choked, gasping for breath—then fell limp.
Silence followed.
Ren stood there, dusting off his hands.
"Damn. Was hoping for something more useful."
He exhaled, rubbing his temple. This just kept getting messier.
"Aurelian… Monarch… whatever the hell that means."
He had no idea what these elves were talking about. But if they were willing to die for it, then it wasn't just empty words.
His phone buzzed. He picked it up.
Xian Fei's voice came through, tense.
"Ren. Another attack. And this time, it's not just elves."
Ren sighed.
"Where?"
"South Africa. The Accord's already panicking."
Ren rolled his neck. One battle after another.
"Fine. I'm on my way."
Without another word, he vanished into the night.
Soren walked through the dimly lit streets of Switzerland, hands in his pockets, his mind racing.
Too many questions. Too many missing pieces.
Shizumi. The attack came out of nowhere, but something about it didn't feel right. And now—
"Breaking news—massive energy spikes have been detected in Cape Town, South Africa. However, officials confirm that no Tower Break has been recorded at the site."
The words from the news anchor stopped Soren in his tracks. His entire body tensed.
Huge energy readings. No Tower Break.
Just like Shizumi.
His thoughts clicked into place. This wasn't about attacking cities randomly. This wasn't about targeting the strongest heroes.
They were searching for something. Or worse—someone.
His breath left him in a sharp exhale.
"Shit."
Then—BOOM.
A precise explosion of Black fire erupted beneath him, the force blasting him into the sky at blinding speed.
"Zara! Arham! Get to Cape Town—take the plane and move as fast as you can!"
His voice crackled through their earpieces before another detonation sent him tearing through the atmosphere like a comet.
Soren's eyes burned with urgency, the wind screaming past him as he pushed himself even faster.
Four times the speed of a fighter jet.
"Damn it! It was right in front of us this whole time!"
The realization hit him harder than the wind pressure against his face.
"They aren't targeting the strongest. They're looking for something—or someone."
His fists clenched.
"If that's the case, then Cape Town won't be the last."
His comm buzzed.
"What the hell is he thinking going there alone?!" Arham's voice came through.
Zara's voice followed, calm but urgent. "We don't have a choice. We move, now."
Arham sighed. "Damn it, Soren… what are you getting yourself into?"
Soren tapped his earpiece, his speed unchanging as he punched through the clouds.
"Colton. Pick up."
After a few seconds, the line connected.
"What now?" Colton's voice was impatient, but Soren didn't care.
"Listen. This isn't about hunting us down. They're looking for something."
A pause. Then—"You sure?"
"The pattern is clear." Soren's voice was firm. "Shizumi had an energy surge with no Tower Break. Now Cape Town has the same thing. This isn't random—it's deliberate."
Colton exhaled. "So you're saying someone's setting this up?"
"Exactly. And I need you to do something for me."
"Of course you do."
"Get in contact with Kaelen. Start tracking locations that have high energy spikes but no recorded Tower Breaks."
Colton clicked his tongue. "Fine. But don't die like Jirrah."
Soren's expression hardened.
"Not before we avenge him."
With that, he cut the call and vanished into the storm clouds, streaking toward Cape Town at impossible speed.