4 Chapter 4 - Alpha City and It's Protector's

Alpha City 4 was once a prosperous, sprawling urban jungle. High-rise buildings lined her streets, penthouses adorned many apartment complexes, her streets saw both vehicles and pedestrians travel through them all day and night. It even had a glorious name that was recognized worldwide. It carried a sort-of prestige if you were to say that you came from that city.

But things changed when the world fell.

The Apocalypse stripped her of her glory and renown. It erased her name from the mouths of people, instead replacing it with 'the first city to fall'. It's tall buildings and bustling nightlife were eliminated near-instantly when the first wave of beasts invaded and attacked. Those fortunate to escape suffered both physically and psychologically.

Of course, mankind was quick to adapt. Where guns and tanks and military weapons failed to hurt or harm the monsters, innate abilities lying deep within the human body were jumpstarted and proved to be extremely lethal against the creatures. Of course, it wasn't so easy. Man had to first learn how to control these newly-discovered powers, followed by planning on how to help others discover and develop their own. It took patience and great effort, but man was eventually able to push back the waves of monsters, slowly but surely retaking their city, as well as the rest of the world, or so they liked to believe. Whether or not it were true... Well, that was a question best left for the scholars to debate.

Eventually, after many discussions between all the nations that survived, a new government was established - the United World Government. Among the many changes that were implemented was the renaming of many cities. Along with the rebuilding of this once-glorious city also came a new name - Alpha City 4. It was the fourth to be named, hence the four, and alpha because it was the first to fall, though only just barely. There were a total of ten Alpha City's.

Alpha City 4 was among the strongest of her sister city's. She was the sole city to have six SSS-rank mages. Thus,many came flocking to Alpha City 4, feeling it was the safest city in the world just for having those six mages.

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12:15 pm.

Deirdre and Violet were just walking out of an ice cream parlor when a bright flashed caused both of them to glance toward the west. A giant arc of electricity could be seen in the distance shining a dazzling yellow.

"See that bright yellow arc, Violet? That's your daddy." Deirdre lifted the little girl up and onto her shoulders with ease, letting her get a better view of the sight. Violet's eyes lit up and she smiled brightly, staring at the magnificent arc. Just as it shone brightly, so did her eyes. "Daddy's really strong!" she proclaimed. Deirdre nodded and smiled a proud smile. "Indeed, he is."

Suddenly, a spear of electricity pierced down from the sky, splitting clouds as it rocketed downwards, striking the ground with a resounding boom that carried with it a small electrical charge that made people's skin tingle, followed by a dust cloud that rose high into the sky. Even the translucent barrier noticeably reverberated from the great shock.

For several seconds there was dead silence as people looked toward where the boom had originated from. Then a second spear came down, followed by a blood curdling scream. Howl? Shriek? It was hard to describe the ear-splitting sound. However, it was fear-inducing.

Deirdre was surprised seeing that second lightning spear. Grey had never had to use two.

A rank-D mage ran up to her, and in a rush said there was an evacuation order in effect, and to please make her way to the transport bunkers. Then she ran into the parlor and repeated the message to the shop owner before rushing out and heading off down the street, looking back-and-forth as she went.

'Evacuation order? Why haven't I received a notification? Where are the sirens?' These questions bounced around her head as she once more looked toward where the electrical arc had been, a bad feeling welling up in her chest.

Then power went out. All shops immediately went dark. "Oh no..." Deirdre breathed as her eyes widened, a look of realization and shock encompassing her face. She set Violet down, knelt before her and grabbed her arms tightly.

"Violet, be a good girl and do exactly what I tell you."

Violet was frightened. Big sis Dee never acted like this. Something must be wrong. Deirdre stood and grabbed a running passerby and quickly spoke to him, glancing at Violet once. The man nodded, though he didn't seem happy. She once more knelt before Violet and looked at her intensely. "Violet, I need you to go with this nice man. I have to go do something really quick, but I'll be back soon, okay?" The man reached down and took hold of Violet's hand and began to pull her away. Violet struggled as tears welled up and began to stream down her cheeks. "Big Sis Dee, I want to go with you! Please!" She reached out with her free hand as she was pulled along by the man, doing her best to struggle against his grip, but in vain.

All Deirdre could do was give the little girl a sad smile as she watched her disappear into the crowd. If they hadn't suddenly appeared running past her, she might actually have changed her mind and took Violet with her, even though she knew it would have been a foolish idea.

Deirdre shook her head and shut her eyes for an instant, letting her emotions calm down and slow her heart rate.

It was time for her to go to work.