I blinked slowly as the soft ceiling lights greeted me. For a long second, I didn't move. I just let the silence wash over me like waves on some forgotten beach. My mind was a haze, but something felt... off.
There was no pain, no searing cuts, no missing limbs, no sharp burning behind my eyes or the iron taste of blood in my mouth.
I moved my fingers from both hands. I exhaled shakily.
I was whole.
I sat up slowly like my bones were made of glass and the world was made of nightmares. A soft gasp escaped me as I took in the room. The bed I was lying on was nothing short of royalty. Thick silk sheets, feather-soft pillows... it was the kind of luxury only ministers or rich criminals could afford. I turned my head slowly and spotted the window.
And that's when it hit me. Singapore was dead.
The skyline was shattered. Buildings I knew like the back of my hand were nothing but skeletons of their former selves. Smoke rose in lazy spirals across the blackened horizon. Fires danced where life used to thrive. It looked like a god had taken a hammer to my home.
I touched my face. No gashes, no blood, not even a scratch. I looked down and realized I was wearing a white nightgown. My stomach twisted. Did he...? No. He wouldn't. He saved me, didn't he?
My head spun suddenly, vision doubling. I staggered out of the bed, but my knees buckled instantly and strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.
"Easy. You lost a lot of iron. Your body is trying to restore it. Sit down."
He eased me back on the bed like I weighed nothing. I looked up at him, still wearing that faceless obsidian mask. His hair caught the light. It was llong-ish, tousled, and colored like a dying flame. Red and orange, streaked together like sunset bleeding into fire.
"Thank you. For saving me."
He tilted his head.
"You're... surprisingly calm. I pull you out of the jaws of death, tuck you into a five-star hotel, and your first reaction is a 'thank you'?"
"Well, yeah," I said, trying to sit straighter. "You didn't let me die. I've got questions but first comes gratitude."
He chuckled. "Relax. I didn't dress you, if that's what you're worried about. The healing? That was all you. Your Flux kicked in the moment your life was on the line. Your body did the work."
I blinked. "But... my arm was gone. My leg—"
"You regenerated. Instinctively. Most don't even know how to activate their Flux. But you? Your body's working overtime to keep you alive. That's what a 9.3 Rating means."
I froze.
He continued, gaze turning out toward the burning ruins beyond the window.
"The Hydrides of Doom... we call them HODs now. They're attracted to high-rated Flux bearers. Anything above a 2.0 and they're already sniffing around. But a 9.3 with no defense? You're like caviar and wine to them. A delicacy."
A cold shiver danced down my spine. I hugged my knees up to my chest.
"I... was that why they ignored me at first?"
"Yes. You weren't awakened yet. But they knew what you were. So they waited. They circle like wolves waiting for a cub to slip."
I closed my eyes. "Mira's dead."
There was a long silence.
"I saw."
"She had a 0.5 Rating," I murmured. "She always joked she wouldn't make it past the first hour. But she smiled when she died. She smiled... and said thank you."
The man didn't respond. He didn't need to. I felt the weight of his quiet. After a moment, I asked again, quietly.
"Why are you helping me?"
He turned back from the window and sat across from me on the bed.
"Because I was told to."
"Told to?" I echoed.
"Ten years ago. The Ashen Blood Rain fell. You remember the angel who made the broadcast, right? The six-winged seraph who called herself your new god?"
I nodded slowly. "Sera."
"She's the one. When she made her rounds that day, she met many people. Some died. Some rose. But she said one thing that stuck with me. She said that she will give me a wish. Just one."
My heart stopped.
"I made my wish and when I cake to Singapore to actually look for her and wait for a decade, she told me to find a woman who had a powerful Flux Rating. I didn't know it was you until I saw you fighting back there. Broken, bloody, lost... and still swinging a pipe like you were trying to beat death into submission."
I felt my throat tighten.
"I've seen plenty of people die and even more pretend to be heroes. But what you did? You weren't trying to win. You were trying to feel something. That's not bravery. That's pain. Real pain. And she... Sera, said that pain was the key."
"To what?" I whispered.
He stood up and walked to the window.
"To changing the fate of the world, whatever that means. In a few hours, Singapore will be completely lost. This building might not stand either. But I have a way out."
"How?"
"I'll explain everything. But for now, you rest. Let your body stabilize. Your Flux is barely hanging onto control."
I swallowed hard and looked at my hand. Perfect. Like nothing had happened. But deep inside, I knew better.
Something had awakened. Something I couldn't name.
_____
The restaurant was eerily pristine, untouched by the chaos outside. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the polished marble floors. The scent of gourmet dishes lingered in the air.
I stood behind Mr. Phaser, dressed in office attire that felt both familiar and foreign. The white blouse and black skirt clung to me, a reminder of my days as a tour guide. I had asked who dressed me with the nightgown, but his only response was:
"You'll meet her soon enough."
Apparently, the masked man was one of the most influential people in the world (his words, not mine) and he wanted me to act as his secretary. It was a measure to ensure that I would be included in the survival plan without arousing attention.
And right now, survival is the only thing on my mind.
Around us, the most influential figures in Singapore convened. The President, the Faction Master of Marimus, top Flux Elites, and other political leaders. Their faces were etched with concern, their voices hushed but urgent.
Mr. Phaser, still wearing his obsidian mask, sat at the head of the table. His presence commanded attention and the others deferred to him with a mix of respect and apprehension. I stoof behind him as per his instructions.
Seriously, how powerful is this man?
The President spoke first. "Eighty percent of our population is gone. The survivors have been evacuated onto cargo ships, heading towards Japan. It's the only safe haven we have left that is close to us."
The Faction Master added, "We've implemented emergency protocols, but our resources are dwindling. The HODs are relentless."
Mr. Phaser leaned forward. "What measures are in place to ensure the safety of the evacuees?"
A military official responded, "We've deployed our remaining forces to escort the ships. Air surveillance is monitoring for any threats."
Mr. Phaser nodded. "Good. But we need a long-term plan. Singapore is lost. We must focus on survival and rebuilding."
He turned to me.
"Miss Permonelle, based on your knowledge, which regions would be safest for relocation?"
Caught off guard, I hesitated. Why was he asking me? Even though I read about every single country when I was training to be a tour guide, why would you ask me?!
"Well, considering the current state, Japan seems viable. It's geographically stable and has the infrastructure to support refugees. However, we should also consider regions like New Zealand or parts of the South East Asian Islands. They're less populated and might be less affected."
The room fell silent, absorbing my words. The Faction Master looked at me with newfound interest.
"Impressive insight."
Mr. Phaser smirked beneath his mask. "She's full of surprises."
I glanced at the Faction Master, realizing I had been working under him without ever knowing. Mira would have been ecstatic, probably gushing about his looks and status.
Mira...
The thought of her brought a pang to my chest.
Mr. Phaser's voice broke through my reverie.
"Miss Permonelle, stand behind me."
I complied, positioning myself as his secretary, though I wasn't sure why. Perhaps it was a strategic move, or maybe he just wanted me close.
The discussions continued, focusing on resource allocation, potential alliances, and the establishment of new governance structures. The weight of leadership bore heavily on everyone present.
As the meeting concluded, Mr. Phaser addressed the group.
"We have a long road ahead. But with unity and determination, we can overcome this. For now, let's all rest up. Tomorrow, we leave this capital."