The city was in chaos, the sudden warning had sent everyone into a state of panic.
People could be seen closing the shutters of their stores. While others could be seen running to their house.
Castor looked outside his bar with a small grin, it was nothing but pure excitement and fear at the same time.
Tonight many things will be decided, and the fate of this city is one of them. Still, Castor felt it— That maybe Atlas— The city itself was nothing more than a smaller piece, a replaceable pawn with no worth at all.
Which was odd? Why would he feel that a city full of people had no worth?
Is there something more important in this city than the people themselves? Castor thought to himself as he closed the windows and doors. Locking them for his safety.
While walking down the stairs he remembered his question again. What could be more important than the city itself?
Thinking like this he started laughing— As a face appeared on his mind.
"No way... that's impossible." He shook his head in denial. There was no way something as absurd as that could be possible.
Sitting down he poured himself a drink, and slowly took a sip before looking down.
Castor sighed.
"Asher... Hope you stay alive tonight."
Taking another sip he muttered as he looked at the translucent glass containing the yellow liquid, Castor's face reflecting over it.
"After all... the hunt has begun."
*****
At another corner of the city, A woman could be seen looking down. Her black hair and cape fluttered at the cold winds.
Morgana was calm— No fear or sign of frustration could be seen on her beautiful face. The only visible emotion was a cold bloodlust spreading across her.
An aura that seems to be telling about her location to the whole city. Screaming that the High–Priestess Morgana is here.
On the roads people wearing white uniforms with stars etched on their chests could be seen marching in groups of five.
Four of the people were glowing in the orange light of dawn itself. Illuminating the streets and filling the surroundings with the warmth of the sun.
Similarly, all across the city some people glowed in the same light— Their bodies filled with strength they marched bravely. Filling their assigned roles.
This was Morgana's second ability— The embrace of dawn.
Unlike Morgana's first ability to create swords of light, this ability strengthened her allies. This ability
allowed her to augment her ally's strength she had selected herself.
Like a war general, She would inspire the spark of light in her companions, filling them with a fiery glow.
She has not used it on awakened except a few selected people. Since the cost of maintaining it needed to be managed.All of a sudden a loud thunderclap echoed in the air. Making the city quake.
In the sky a man could be seen levitating— His steel-like armor shone under the soft glow of the moon reflecting the stars themselves.
Morgana looked at him, then at the black clouds that had appeared filling the sky in their embrace. Obscuring the moon and stars as they roared and clashed in the sky.
Creating a sword of light mid-air she held it tightly. Feeling the grip in her hand she swung it lightly in the air as a light spread across her creating ten more swords.
Jacob continued to watch her with emotionless eyes, his face clearly calculating the odds of this battle. As if satisfied with the odds he grinned, following that lightning struck the ground destroying the landscape—and creating burned craters.
The battle between transcendents has begun.
******
At Philips Street Franz along with four other awakeners could be seen walking swiftly amidst the chaos.
The awakeners glowed in orange hue– Normally such an act would have gathered a lot of attention but right now it was something they could manage.
All five of them had a charm in their hands weakening their presence alongside other equipment— They were artifacts.
Not everyone could get them but this team was special. They were infiltrating the heart of their enemy, while their other companions— The Templar Knights would fight to deal with the enemy.
The team was made up of three men and two women. Franz, Taylor, Peter, Nena and Rose.
All five experienced fighters led by Franz the sole awakened of their group.
The charm though useful was made in a hurry by its creator making it less proficient than it was supposed to be. But it has done its job making them appear at the heart of enemy territory without notice.
One by one the charm broke with a clinging sound, the glow of the awakeners didn't help either, telling their position without delay.
"Shit!" Taylor cursed as his charm finally broke as well. From another building, ten awakeners rushed forward their hands holding weapons of all kinds.
"Run, we won't engage in a fight right now," Franz shouted letting them know their priorities. All four of them nodded, and without wasting any time their speed increased as they dashed forward.
It wasn't going to be easy as the floor froze in cold ice, making the temperature drop rapidly. Rose slipped, her steps halting for a moment before being picked up by Peter.
"Ugh— These fuckers!!" Rose swore in frustration her dark ponytail whipping against her neck with the sudden movement. In a surge of anger, a forceful gust of wind erupted from the ground, pushing back the advancing enemies with audible grunts of surprise.
"Great!" Nena commented while running forward her small legs making it much harder to maintain balance on such a slippery surface.
"Rose, don't engage in any fight right now, we need to find the monsters first."
Reminded of monsters Rose's face flushed, she had been so angry all of a sudden that she completely forgot about their mission. But no one could blame her, they all were carrying artifacts and some negative effects were obvious to come around.
"Hello"
Before Rose could reply for her mishap another voice gained their attention, outside the field of ice a man wearing a brown coat stood there. He had an innocent face, his voice cheerful unexpected amidst the chaotic situation.
Franz stopped his team with a hand gesture and his face turned pale as he observed the newcomer.
'Dangerous! Utterly dangerous.' Franz's mind buzzed, understanding the danger before them. This innocent-looking man was like how Asher described him to be.
The man's emerald-like eyes looked at them one by one with a soft smile— He looked at them from head to toe observing every detail as if looking for something. Then, in a relaxed tone, he rubbed the back of his neck and inquired, "I am Victor. Do you happen to know... where I can find the Reaper?"