Ascenders Rift

Outside of Livia's mobile lab, Evan, Rick, Joe, Emilia, and Layla walked towards an open space.

Layla was a bit silent as was everyone else; Evan looked at her and whispered in her ears, "What's wrong, disappointed?"

Layla's ears turned red, but she shook her head and gave him a reply, "No, I mean, kind of... but, I can't help but not to be, we don't have that luxury after all."

When Layla said this, her eyes flashed with regret as she really wanted to 'bond' before going out and fighting again, but her eyes showed firmness knowing that only once all dangers are gone could they have free time to rest.

Evan looked at her deeply and held her hand tightly within his own, causing her to glance at him in surprise. He smiled and spoke, "Spoken like a true model; I'll reward you once we finish our missions."

Layla giggled as she didn't show shyness this time but stare directly into his eyes with an expectant look as she smiled and replied, "I hope so."

Evan chuckled, not saying anything as they stuck close to each other and slowly walked along with everyone else, who wasn't paying attention to the oddly enough.

Rick sighed as he saw Emilia ahead, talking with her brother, laughing now and then, his eyes flashed as if he recalled a few scenes from childhood.

Images of him and his brother sharing close bonds, but as if he'd instead not think on it, Rick snorted as he cast his eyes to the current surroundings.contemporary romance

Emilia, who chatted with Joe, glanced at him slightly, noticing the look on his face, but said nothing in the end as their group soon arrived within the underground base's central area. Here, the different armored vehicles and militia were up and about along with the wounded and other survivors.

However, unlike before, there were a lot of differences. Evan and the others stood quietly, watching the people moving about with much better expressions, some even saluting as they walked by them.

'It's a much better feeling, there's hope in their eyes,' Emilia said with a smile.

"Emmy's right, I prefer them like this than before," Layla said as she could feel their emotions.

"Mn, they should be able to rebuild themselves even stronger," Rick said with a look of certainty in his eyes.

Joe, on the other hand, had a troubled look on his face as he stared at Evan and shook his head.

Evan gave him a look and spoke, "What's wrong, Joe? Don't want to fight?"

Joe scratched the back of his head and spoke, "Hey, it's not like that, you know, I just thought we'd get a little break."

Evan shook his head as he stared ahead of them and replied, "I know what you mean, but right now, we don't have the luxury, too many factors are changing, and the best way to stay on top of it all is to keep moving forward. We are the ones who stand before everyone else, this is the duty of vanguards!"

As if someone heard them, a familiar voice sounded nearby, "Hehe, he's right."

As if they knew who it was, no one was shocked; they only turned and looked at her with a smile.

"Breya, you're back, how was it? Is Sir Milon okay?" Emilia asked with a curious look.

Breya made a victory sign as she replied, "How else? It was one hundred percent successful, heck; it even had much better effects on his body than I'd initially imagine due to his genes. He healed many times faster, and his strength as somehow grown stronger. At least now, they won't have to worry about not being able to fight by themselves any longer."

Rick and the others made curious looks but said nothing; they knew they would learn of it later.

Breya now looked at Evan and spoke, "I've gotten your message. Are you ready to drive us to our deaths now?"

Evan stared at her and chuckled as he replied, "Yup, the sooner, the better, it will take us about a week or more to get within those areas. Plus, even longer to accomplish our objective..."

Breya and the others nodded at those words, their eyes having a tinge of sharpness as they knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy.

Not wasting any more time, Evan looked at everyone and spoke as he took a step forward, "Let's get moving, we have a long way to go."

"Right."

The others replied as they, along with Evan, soon left this area, traveled towards the exit of the underground base as they each know that they'd have to walk a new path of gruesome battles from this point onwards.

***

The moment Evan's party left, on the roof of the main building, a few figures were gathered in silence as they stared at the direction they went, their faces filled with gratitude as they smiled.

Suddenly, Livia had appeared from a door that opened with a loud creak, drawing a few persons attention, she then walked up to them and bowed before speaking.

"I congratulate City Head Milon for your successful recovery."

Milon, who was full of spirit, turned around and replied, "Thank you words, Livia, but I'm sure you didn't come to say just this."

Livia made an embarrassed look as she saw that beside Milon, Wilma, Leo, Julie, Irene, and Oron, along with a few others, looked at her with teasing looks.

Milon the shook his head before staring out the window and speaking again, "If you're here to talk about Sir Evan and his party, I know, you don't have to tell me, for right now, we only need to do our part so that at the end of this month..."

When Milon spoke to here, he paused his words, everyone in the room soon had sharp eyes as they awaited his next words.

Milon then clenched his fists, as a few bits of flames arose around his figure, his aura having a drastically superior presence compared to before. Soon, Milon spoke again with a firm and confident set of eyes, "We will be ready to fight against all the odds."

The room now had an empowering mood, as everyone gripped their fists tightly, with eagerness for soon to come change.

On a building outside of the main base, Razel stared at Evan and the others with his hawk-like eyes. His thoughts were known only to himself as his figure faded from the building.

***

Outside of the X Space, within the valley that homed the portal to the hidden world.

The Insect Hive's main army had crowded around the gate in bulk units, each ranging from giant mutant spiders to humanoid spider-like men and women along with other strange insect races.

Away from these critters, looming above a blood-stained lake within an area with a massive cobweb, the Insect Queen Yelshiva glared down with a frown on her face. A terrifying power rose from her body as if she was about to eradicate everything within the world.

The black gold armored bug guard Marcruse, who stood by her side, stared at her as he spoke, "My dearest queen, what is it that troubles you?"

Yelshiva's aura soon faded as she looked at Marcruse and spoke in a cold tone, "Marcruse, I don't know why, but the blood connection for both Devora and Marlin vanished from my senses. It worries me..."

Marcruse made a serious look as he didn't say anything for a while, he then spoke, "My dearest queen, if it is that you can't sense their connection, then it could only be the results of two actions."

Marcruse didn't say anymore, but Yelshiva glared at him and spoke, "Speak."

Marcruse sighed before he continued, "The first is that they've either been annihilated by a greater power, and the second is that they've severed it themselves. While the first case is a bit difficult, the second..."

Marcruse was about to say something, but as if he only noticed something, he held onto his words as upon seeing Yelshiva's face, he knew that saying any more would ultimately draw upon her rage.

"Those two wretched things! Who could face their combined might amongst those humans? They've likely chosen to abandon the hive, humph! Good, since they are like that, then I will no longer hold back!"

Yelshiva said with a ruthless tone of voice that sounded across the area, the air her growing even more sinister, causing many of the mighty insect soldiers and generals to shrink back.

Yelshiva then glanced at Marcus and spoke, "Tell me, Marcruse, how much longer until this portal is ready?"

Marcruse sighed, knowing he couldn't hold her back any longer. He thought for a bit before speaking, "Less than three weeks, my queen."

Yelshiva's eyes glowed in a sinister light as she spoke loudly, "Good, here me my warriors, hear my generals! We'll be moving as one the moment that portal is stabilized, any lifeform within that world who crosses our path shall be annihilated!"

"By the queens wish!"

The shouts of the Insect Army resounded, stirring any creature within the valley's range with a tinge of dread as if a storm was brewing.

***

Author's Note:

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