Chapter 2: The Awakening

The silence that followed Yeon's declaration hung heavy in the air. I stared at her, then at the others, who were grinning like they'd just won a jackpot. Adopting a child? Me? I hadn't signed up for this.

"Are you all serious?" I finally asked, trying to keep my tone steady. "I can't just take in a child on a whim."

"Why not?" V replied, leaning back against the boulder with a smug expression. "You're the future king of the tower. If anyone can handle it, it's you."

"Exactly!" Yeon chimed in, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Besides, she's clearly special. Just look at her!"

I glanced at the girl again. She was still peacefully asleep, completely unaware of the chaos surrounding her. The soft white tufts of her hair framed her delicate face, and her eyes, even when closed, seemed to hint at a vast power lying dormant.

"Fine," I sighed, rubbing my temples. "But this doesn't mean I'm going to be a doting parent."

"Of course not," Eduan said, feigning innocence. "You'll be the strict type."

"Yeah, right," Gustang laughed. "Good luck with that!"

As their laughter echoed around me, I felt a strange mix of annoyance and something else—responsibility? Could I really handle being a guardian in this unpredictable place?

Suddenly, a low rumble interrupted my thoughts. The ground shook again, this time more violently. Instinct kicked in, and I moved to shield the girl, instinctively stepping closer to Yeon as the others prepared for a possible attack.

"What's happening?" I shouted, my voice barely cutting through the noise.

"It's coming from above!" Arlen yelled, scanning the surroundings. "We need to get to safety!"

Without thinking, I grabbed the girl from Yeon's arms and held her tightly against my chest. The world around us felt unstable, but I couldn't let anything happen to her. "This way!" I commanded, leading everyone toward a nearby cave entrance.

Once inside, the tremors subsided, replaced by an unsettling stillness. I glanced down at the girl in my arms. Her brow furrowed slightly as if sensing the tension in the air.

"What do we do now?" Yeon asked, her voice laced with worry.

"We wait it out," I replied, trying to keep my voice calm. "But we need to keep an eye on her. If she's as special as Headon said, we can't risk exposing her to danger."

As we huddled in the cave, the weight of the situation settled on me. I had a child—well, sort of—and already I felt the protective instincts kick in. I couldn't let anything happen to her, not now.

After a few tense minutes, the ground stopped shaking, and the cave was silent. I cautiously stepped out, peering into the dim light. The floor above us was now quiet, but something felt off.

"Everyone stay close," I instructed, my voice low. "Let's see what's happening."

As we stepped outside, the sight before us was surreal. The landscape had changed drastically. The once-familiar terrain was now marked by deep fissures, and remnants of what had been an intense battle littered the ground.

"Looks like something big went down," V muttered, scanning the area. "We should check for survivors."

"Agreed," I replied, still holding the girl tightly. "But we need to be careful."

As we moved cautiously through the wreckage, I couldn't shake the feeling that whatever had caused this chaos was far from over. And with the girl in my arms, I knew we were now part of something much larger than ourselves.

Suddenly, I felt a warmth emanating from her. I looked down to see her stirring slightly, her eyes fluttering open. Though she didn't speak, her gaze seemed to search for understanding, and I felt a jolt of energy, a connection that seemed to span beyond words.

I took a deep breath, the enormity of the moment settling in. "I'm Jahad," I said softly, trying to convey reassurance. "You're safe now. We're going to figure this out together."

As the sun set over the chaotic landscape, I knew that our journey was just beginning—and that her hidden potential would play a crucial role in the challenges that lay ahead.