Chapter 5
Mika stood alone, eyes burning with a fierce determination. She muttered to herself, "The last famous knight who retired… there's gotta be a connection to the last hero. I just know it. Five years of research… it's coming to an end. I have to investigate on my own—I don't want anyone messing this up." Her fists clenched. "Not those guys. Not my team. I'm coming for you, Hero's heirs."
A few days slipped by in tense silence. The city of Elysia remained under a dark cloud—fear hung heavy in the air, thick enough to choke on. Demons prowled the streets, and the Empire's army moved like shadows, waiting for orders. Then, suddenly, a different story broke through the chaos.
Footsteps thundered from a distance, rushing toward Haruto's office.
A female voice, breathless and urgent, burst through the door before anyone had a chance to knock. "Sir! Sir!"
Haruto looked up, startled. "What? What's the problem, Mika?"
She hurried inside, coughing softly as she tried to catch her breath. "Sir, we've got a big problem."
His brow furrowed. "What? Not the army? Not the monsters?"
She shook her head, eyes wide with fear. "It's worse than that."
Haruto stood abruptly. "Worse? Tell me—quick."
Mika hesitated, then spoke, voice trembling. "It's… it's about the humans. They're turning into monsters."
Haruto's eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"
Mika pressed on, voice strained. "Some of my crew saw it. Teenagers with spiritual powers—some can't control it. They're causing chaos all over the city. I… I think they've become something else. Monsters, maybe. Because monsters are the only ones who can use those powers like that."
Haruto's heart sank. He looked around, sensing the weight of her words. Before he could say anything, footsteps echoed down the hall, and the doors swung open to reveal a gathering of elders, eyes heavy with worry. Mika looked like she might cry at any moment.
The chaos in Elysia was undeniable now. The room was thick with whispers—distrust, fear, uncertainty. Mika's words only fueled the storm.
Haruto cleared his throat, speaking with authority. "Sorry to disturb you all. I know you'd rather be elsewhere, but we're in deep trouble. Mika's report is serious. I called this meeting because we need to face the truth. We have a crisis, and we need answers."
Shinji, one of the elders, leaned forward. "What's going on, Haruto?"
Haruto nodded at Mika. "She'll tell us. But I warn you—what she's about to say might be even worse than what you're imagining. Mika?"
She took a shaky breath and spoke, voice barely above a whisper. "Today, five of my crew members saw it—the dehumanization. Humans with spiritual powers, mostly teenagers, losing control. Causing chaos. Some can't stop their powers, and others… they've turned into monsters. I think it's like what we know about monsters—except now, it's happening to humans."
The elders exchanged anxious glances, their whispers lowering into murmurs. Mika shrank under their scrutiny, afraid they'd dismiss her as exaggerating.
Kaelen spoke first, voice dark. "So it's real. Last night, I heard similar rumors. Several eastern houses destroyed. No sign of retreat from the Empire. We're staring at annihilation."
Bram nodded grimly. "What are we supposed to do? The army's stretched thin, and the ones left are barely trained. We're defenseless."
Haruto stepped forward. "Calm down. We need a plan—quick. We can't just stand here and watch our city fall. We'll inform the king, but we need options. Arrest them? Find a way to strip their powers? Or… kill them."
Kaelen scoffed. "That last option seems the only way. They're monsters now—there's no turning back."
Shinji hesitated, voice soft but firm. "They're still human. Killing them would make us monsters too."
Ryota leaned in, eyes sharp. "Shinji's right. We can't just wipe out our own people. We need a better plan."
Haruto nodded, fighting his frustration. "We don't have time for idealism. Lives are at stake. Mika, how many of your team have combat experience?"
She hesitated. "Ten or fewer, I'd say."
He sighed. "See? We're not ready for this. We're just spies, not warriors. We're barely equipped to handle what's coming."
Mika clenched her fists, determination flickering again. "I'll find a way to neutralize those human-monsters. I have to. And I need to revisit that knight—find out what I can about him. Maybe he's the key."
Haruto looked at her, seriousness in his eyes. "Good. Keep working. We need solutions—fast."
Mika nodded and turned to leave, her face shadowed with frustration and resolve. She knew the elders looked down on her team, dismissed their efforts. But she couldn't stop now.
Back in her mind, she whispered, *We have to find a way to neutralize them. I have to research that knight again. This can't be the end.*
Haruto watched her go, then turned back to the elders. "Our plan? We need one that will save Elysia. We can't afford mistakes."
Dorian broke the silence. "Executing them might be the only way. Better than letting them destroy everything."
Kaelen nodded grimly. "It's decided then. We'll handle it."
Night fell over Elysia.
As Akirion and his parents enjoyed dinner, a strange shuffling sound grew louder around their house. Eriolth moved to the window, eyes narrowing in fear. His face paled as he stared out into the darkness, the unsettling realization sinking in—something was coming.
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