Julie followed Mr. Bramble down the corridors that were glowing with red flashes. She looked around at the people who all seemed to be in a rush as they went about their business.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOE4ynZgWT
"What's a level 3 emergency?!" Julie called as she followed close to Mr. Bramble.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzTGWNiWnz
Mr. Bramble looked back at her as he walked. "Emergencies are categorized from level 4 to level 1," he said. "Level 4 being very minor danger, to level 1 being world-ending destruction."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkwWcAjm8p
Julie almost held her breath as she listened, finding it hard to picture world-ending destruction. What would such a gruesome scene look like?
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpKyOkfi8B
"So then what's level 3?" Julie asked.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr1efDtZiT
Mr. Bramble looked forward. "It's pretty much our definition of a mass casualty event," he said, his voice serious. "An incident involving multiple deaths."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLlGzF1yOP
Julie said no more words, asked no more questions as she followed Mr. Bramble into the main hall, where she saw multiple people all crowded together. Some were on computers, speaking into headsets as they sat behind desks, while others stood side by side, whispering to one another.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQCUnB1jMx
Julie looked at these individuals and guessed that it was these men and women who were the warriors, the VoinGarde.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC43pkENzsH
Julie made sure to stay close to Mr. Bramble as they both stood within the crowds of people. She looked around, searching for any sign of Tora, but no matter where she looked, she could find no trace of the white-haired boy.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjRmgiiyO6
"Attention!" A loud voice echoed through the room.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhDQoZDKCG
Julie looked forward along with the many eyes that belonged to the crowd. There, in the center of the room, stood Mr. C and Tora, his arms crossed, looking more serious than Julie had seen before.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhKs2KUlKnJ
Mr. C stepped forward, addressing the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a level 3 emergency on our hands. A mass casualty event has occurred on Harrow Street. Reports indicate multiple deaths and severe injuries caused by a rogue Fae."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug0wB0Uc2Y
The room filled with murmurs of concern and determination. Mr. C raised his hand for silence. "We need all hands on deck for this operation. The rogue Fae must be contained and eliminated. Our countermeasures will include establishing a perimeter around Harrow Street and deploying containment teams to neutralize the threat."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rDbKq6Xgz
Julie noticed Tora's eyes darken upon hearing this. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a fierce intensity.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUvkHn0jdQm
"Our primary goal is to prevent further loss of life," Mr. C continued. "Everyone will be assigned specific roles. VoinGarde warriors, you know your tasks. Support teams, ensure communication lines are clear and provide any necessary assistance. We move out in ten minutes."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObqGczCB4J
As the room buzzed with activity, people began to organize and prepare for the mission. Julie watched as the VoinGarde warriors suited up, their faces set with grim determination.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBHw7Lirvv
Julie spotted Tora, his expression dark and unreadable. She made her way through the crowd to reach him.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHlhvVJ0bx
"Tora!" she called out.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCnCYzkMqV
He turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Julie, you should stay here. This isn't safe for you."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6yCWLicwO0
"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Julie said, determination in her voice.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUMLJCquPG
"I need to save Trevor."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRN6nXhjLS6
Tora stopped walking and looked back at Julie. "You're still saying that?" he asked.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HtlEK5Zut
"Yes, I'm not giving up on him," Julie insisted, her voice firm. "He's my friend, and I know he can be saved."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T6yfOizBb
Tora's expression hardened. "Julie, you don't understand. It's because of me that Trevor got away and was able to take so many lives. I hesitated. I can't afford to make that mistake again."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9es3eaQjNJ
"You hesitated because you care," Julie argued. "Why are you so ready to give up on him? Trevor is an innocent life!"
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipWt68DssU
Tora stopped and turned to face her, his eyes sad. "Because the one called Trevor is already dead."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ckn7OHggM
Julie's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNsqCEXpWc
"The Fae that took Trevor has consumed him," Tora said quietly. "What you see now is just a shell controlled by that creature. There's nothing left of the person you knew."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Sx0ODk4J1
"That's not true!" Julie protested. "There has to be a way to bring him back!"
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9UBPHdpdKH
Tora shook his head. "I wish there were. But the truth is, we're dealing with something far beyond our control. If we don't stop it now, more innocent lives will be lost."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbeFYTh7ZEn
Julie felt tears welling up in her eyes. "I can't just give up on him, Tora. There has to be something we can do."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2p67JpgcF
Tora's expression softened as he placed a hand on Julie's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Julie. I know this is hard, but sometimes we have to make the toughest choices to protect others."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTE062Snb81
Julie looked into Tora's eyes, seeing the pain and regret in them.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiz9uuf3eG
"I'm coming with you," Julie said.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHpe3UyxfD
Tora looked at her and slowly shook his head. "No, Julie, it's too dangerous. You should stay here and get fully registered."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6iFEp0FGcv
"I'm coming with you," Julie repeated, walking closer to Tora.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbXiBcGulWz
"Sorry, it's against the rules," he said, turning his head away from Julie's face that was now just a few inches away from his own.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnBfPRQ9m2
"Funny, I didn't think you were the kind of person that followed rules," Julie said with a sly stare.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbyE6MgRGA
Tora looked down at her, momentarily astonished, before a small smile appeared on his lips. "You assume right," he said with pride. "Okay, you can come along, but don't get in my way." He turned and started walking toward the exit.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3gj5Eyyol
Just then, Cerilla appeared in front of Tora in a flash of speed, yelling, "Wait up, fire chucker! You owe me a fight!"
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1FdQiiNke
Tora sighed, clearly annoyed. "Can't you see there are more pressing matters that need to be handled?"
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinNHkMWIPu
Cerilla, angry and defiant, crossed her arms. "I'm not leaving your side until you fulfill your promise to fight me. So, I'm coming along as well."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBjjIpoxAf
Tora groaned in frustration but nodded. "Fine, but don't get in my way either."
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1VYvsHita0
"Get in your way? You're the one that will get in my way!" Cerilla yelled.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr7OdNP3EXS
"Uh huh," Tora replied nonchalantly, not breaking his stride.
***
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFx4Udz3ha
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters and to see the illustrations.
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2UlfCtc2Aa
https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqYYibptle
or support me by donating to my Patreon
127Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡku3b4z6Bem
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.