Chapter 8: Fall of Fein ( 4 )

Dune held the metallic circle in his hand, its weight a solemn reminder of the responsibility now entrusted to him. As Aurore departed, he understood her decision; after all, Aurore lacked the means and power to confront the impending danger.

As Dune navigated through the chaos of the city streets, his heart raced at the sight of the monstrous creatures. Towering at three to four meters tall, their humanoid forms moved with unsettling agility on all fours.

Two long horns protruded from their heads, gleaming menacingly in the dim light, while their sharp teeth and claws glistened with the blood of their victims.

Their jet-black bodies were adorned with intricate purple lines, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. With each predatory stride, they unleashed terror upon the hapless humans, their relentless pursuit shrouded in a palpable aura of malevolence.

Dune's confusion deepened as he witnessed the chaos unfolding around him. The barrier and walls should have provided protection, yet here were these creatures roaming freely through the streets.

As he searched for a place where his brother Ned might be held captive, he spotted a familiar figure with long black hair in dire peril. It was Amanda, his history teacher, a young woman of twenty-eight, desperately fending off one of the monstrous creatures.

Without hesitation, Dune rushed to her aid, seizing an axe from a fallen warrior and driving it into the creature's skull. "Miss Amanda, are you okay?" he asked as he helped her to her feet.

Amanda's confusion mirrored Dune's urgency. "Dune? What are you doing here?" she asked, startled by his sudden appearance.

But Dune wasted no time. "My brother, I need to find him. Amanda, tell me where he is." Though Amanda knew of Ned's fate as a Zeten wielder marked for death, her own convictions led her to defy that destiny. "Follow me," she said, determination in her voice as they raced together to find Ned.

As they cautiously navigated through the chaos, Dune and Amanda arrived at the execution grounds, scanning desperately for any sign of Ned.

"Dammit, where is he?" Dune muttered in frustration. Amanda offered a glimmer of hope. "Maybe he escaped?"

Just as they contemplated their next move, a massive explosion rocked the western side of the city, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The unmistakable sight of blue Neba in dragon form confirmed Amanda's fears—it was one of Cadogan's most formidable attacks.

With a sense of urgency coursing through him, Dune tightly gripped the metallic Zeten cross, his mind swirling with questions about its purpose.

Even Aurore had been clueless about its significance, except for the cryptic notion that it held the key to something vital.

Suddenly, a surge of energy pulsed through Dune, a familiar sensation that stirred his senses. It was his brother Ned's presence, his Neba, resonating within him.

Dune sprinted toward the west, where the remnants of Cadogan's powerful attack lingered in the air.

His heart pounded with urgency as he sought his brother's Neba aura, Amanda hurrying to keep pace behind him. Despite the chaos around them, they pressed on, determined to find Ned alive amidst the destruction.

Dune's heart swelled with relief as he finally spotted his brother among the chaos of battle. But to his surprise, Ned wasn't alone.

Standing beside him was Atlas, the leader of their crew and a figure of immense strength and authority. Despite his formidable power, Atlas refrained from displaying Zeten or Neba, perhaps out of caution toward Cadogan, the city's reigning authority.

But it wasn't just Atlas; flanking Ned were the twin brothers, Ezra and Liam. They fought with unbridled ferocity, harnessing both Neba and Zeten to combat the horde of humanoid creatures with their red and orange auras.

Their synchronized movements and aggressive fighting style were a testament to their unwavering determination to protect their friend and their city.

In the midst of the chaos, Ned stood resolute, surrounded by his loyal companions. It was a scene that filled Dune with a mixture of emotions—relief, pride, and a deep sense of trust in his brother and their comrades.

Together, they formed an unbreakable bond, united in their resolve to defend their home against the encroaching darkness.

Dune didn't hesitate; he leaped into the fray, joining his brother and their comrades in the heat of battle. His arrival brought a momentary pause as his friends welcomed him with both jests and relief.

"Took you long Dune!" "He's always so late" Ezra and Liam chimed in unison, their laughter mingling with the cacophony of battle.

Atlas, the steadfast leader of their group, couldn't help but crack a smile at Dune's arrival. "Glad to see you're still in one piece," he remarked, his voice carrying a mixture of amusement and relief.

Dune approached his brother, embracing him tightly. "I'm glad you're alive," he said, the words filled with emotion.

Before they could exchange any further words, the urgency of the situation pressed upon them. With Amanda now by their side, they fought as a cohesive unit, each strike aimed at repelling the encroaching darkness.

Their voices mingled with the sounds of battle as they coordinated their efforts, determined to stand firm against the relentless tide of monsters threatening their city.

The crew's momentary relief was shattered as exhaustion began to take its toll. Neba drained from their bodies, leaving them vulnerable and weakened.

The twins showed signs of weariness, their once formidable abilities now waning. Even Amanda, with her powerful Yellow Neba, struggled to muster her usual strength.

Atlas, ever the strategist, contemplated using his Neba to aid his comrades. But before he could act, time itself seemed to halt.

The creatures surrounding them froze in place, transformed into icy statues. It was Cadogan's doing

a display of his formidable power.

Cadogan descended from the air, his appearance was a stark contrast to the regal figure they knew. Blood-stained and weary, he bore the marks of battle.

Yet Cadogan was exhausted it was noticeable that he was almost out of Neba, but his resolve still remained unyielding.

Cadogan Looked at people in front of him.. "There is no end to them," Cadogan remarked with a bitter laugh. "Our only choice is to fight until we die."

The crew, along with Amanda, nodded in grim agreement. But Atlas couldn't help but voice his concern. "You're low on Neba. How do you plan to keep fighting?"

With a defiant smirk, Cadogan removed his shirt, revealing a shocking sight etched onto his chest—a Light Blue Cross Tattoo, unmistakably the mark of Zeten.