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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6mAXYie54
"What's a level 3 emergency?!" Julie called as she followed close to Mr. Bramble.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiR9GwaW4sj
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwkWpXHe8i
Julie almost held her breath as she listened, finding it hard to picture world-ending destruction. What would such a gruesome scene look like?
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ87GkA7Xi1J
"So then what's level 3?" Julie asked.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucRwUugl4b
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7tuuAHvmp
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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3Jr2sDw41
Julie looked at these individuals and guessed that it was these men and women who were the warriors, the VoinGarde.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfF9z4YUaP
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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDsiaIbD3P
"Attention!" A loud voice echoed through the room.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLF9AHurLB
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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6zUyO9PuQ
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtcsK9OGQ7y
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9QRlg2Rzk
Julie noticed Tora's eyes darken upon hearing this. His usual calm demeanor was replaced by a fierce intensity.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVPiqzbZy5
"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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJI47ScE7qV
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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrD4uh1HMt
Julie spotted Tora, his expression dark and unreadable. She made her way through the crowd to reach him.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wSitzxRH8
"Tora!" she called out.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyHFYsVKrP5
He turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Julie, you should stay here. This isn't safe for you."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Vzr8Ovb8u
"I can't just sit here and do nothing," Julie said, determination in her voice.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfgtw1NFwT
"I need to save Trevor."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtr3W1fPscV
Tora stopped walking and looked back at Julie. "You're still saying that?" he asked.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGOX1ruiWE
"Yes, I'm not giving up on him," Julie insisted, her voice firm. "He's my friend, and I know he can be saved."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3r8YV0ujYa
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPheKXJr69H
"You hesitated because you care," Julie argued. "Why are you so ready to give up on him? Trevor is an innocent life!"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmuHDcmP3S
Tora stopped and turned to face her, his eyes sad. "Because the one called Trevor is already dead."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUZjWbkdgl
Julie's breath caught in her throat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIu7uQHOmEW
"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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOADsmFB3z
"That's not true!" Julie protested. "There has to be a way to bring him back!"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0qQJfJS8q
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4aCqQX0n7
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQt0xXMkfG0
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBrwzKRDHl
Julie looked into Tora's eyes, seeing the pain and regret in them.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DVUYfgUsQ
"I'm coming with you," Julie said.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2GmOAPSOuX
Tora looked at her and slowly shook his head. "No, Julie, it's too dangerous. You should stay here and get fully registered."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyN0gy2q26o
"I'm coming with you," Julie repeated, walking closer to Tora.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡflfaPkGaBC
"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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJBIP01YDK
"Funny, I didn't think you were the kind of person that followed rules," Julie said with a sly stare.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdPARdN3Cp
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.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzTBm2JRdA
Just then, Cerilla appeared in front of Tora in a flash of speed, yelling, "Wait up, fire chucker! You owe me a fight!"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4rnEb68Iv
Tora sighed, clearly annoyed. "Can't you see there are more pressing matters that need to be handled?"
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sJnUXZvTu
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."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiRicnkkRH
Tora groaned in frustration but nodded. "Fine, but don't get in my way either."
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbohRujrg3
"Get in your way? You're the one that will get in my way!" Cerilla yelled.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBzYYYwQQ5
"Uh huh," Tora replied nonchalantly, not breaking his stride.
***
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡElM1ttCN8Q
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters and to see the illustrations.
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jJPhe8oEG
https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF9fcyz2YX
or support me by donating to my Patreon
88Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX4HHpV4Gf
darkpale1234@gmail.com
ns216.73.216.247da2
and then Add to home screen.