Chapter 116: Tremor

Sarudei PoV

[Earlier, back in the city]

I winced as I finally regained conscious. Goerld and his friends were caring for us. Oddly, my wounds didn't hurt as much or look as bad as I'd expected. We were in another part of the city. In the center were fierce clashes of ki. Prince Huitlo's retainers and Wilneth were still fighting against Yusan. The shockwaves ripped across the city. If not for the energy forcefields set up around the center, the entire city might've been gone.

"We need to help them," I said, pushing myself up.

"No, you don't," Tessa said, putting her hands on her hips. "You're in no state to fight."

"I need to put an end to that monster," I said, gripping my sword.

Roan sighed. "Day, that's not even the real Yusan. It's a metal copy."

My eyes widened. "Eh? It's not?"

Goerld sighed as he watched the ongoing battle. "While we haven't met the real Yusan yet, I can see why you and the Titanos folks fear him."

"It's not only that," I mumbled, looking down at the makeshift sleeping bag. "He isn't only strong, but cruel. If he is allowed to have his way, he will create even more despair."

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself up, willing my body to cooperate. The world around me was still spinning, but I had to focus. I couldn't let fear or pain hold me back.

"Day," Tessa said, frowning, her voice tinged with worry. She stepped closer, her expression softening. "You need to rest. You can't fight like this."

"That's precisely why I will put a stop to him," I said firmly as I picked up my sword. "If I don't, who will? I can't just sit here while innocent people are in danger. I have to do something!"

Before anyone could stop me, I staggered forward, my resolve pushing me through the fatigue and pain. I could see the chaos unfolding in the distance—the bright flashes of energy, the menacing figure of Yusan clashing with Wilneth, Tia, and Zairius.

As I approached the edge of the forcefield, I could feel the energy pulsating from the center. I knew I was walking toward my own funeral, but Yusan was too strong. Too dangerous.

"Wait!" Tessa called after me, and I briefly turned to see her face filled with concern. "If you go out there unprepared, you'll only get yourself hurt again!"

"Then help me prepare," I said, my voice steady. "I can't stand by while they risk everything. I owe it to them—and to everyone who's already suffered because of Yusan."

Goerld stepped forward, his expression serious yet supportive. "Sarudei, if you truly want to fight, then we'll help you. But you need to be smart about this. We can't afford to lose anyone."

"Exactly," Roan added, his voice firm. "We can't just charge in recklessly. We need a plan."

I took a moment to gather my thoughts, my heart racing with the urgency of the situation. "Then let's make a plan. I know I can't take on Yusan alone, but together, we can find a way to help Tia and Zairius. We need to distract him and give them the upper hand."

Tessa nodded slowly, her expression softening. "Alright, if you're really set on this, then we'll help too."

"No, you stay back," Goerld said, he spun his arms. "Allow me to handle this."

"Wait, but didn't you just say we'll help her?" Tessa asked.

Goerld sighed. "I know, but I think it might be best if I go first. I'll see if I can help change the tide. If it seems futile, run. If I manage to make a difference then jump in."

I frowned. It almost sounded like he was the one sacrificing himself to stop that fake Yusan.

"That said, we need Huitlo and Ret to hurry up and find the real Yusan or at least break the flow of ki to the fake," Lia said.

"Wait, the real one is controlling that thing from afar?" I asked.

"Seems like it."

I gulped. I knew Yusan was strong, but not this strong.

"Day, you're shivering," Tessa said, fronwing.

"Actually, you girls and Roan should go help the other guys find the real Yusan," Goerld said.

Mirasa sighed. "Goerld, don't try to be the hero."

He snickered slightly and he glanced back at the fight against the fake Yusan. "I never have dreamt of being one. All I want is to end this fighting."

My lips curled slightly as he walked toward the barrier. Mom once said a true hero wasn't one who sought it out, but one who was willing to risk it all for others despite their fear or unease.

I glanced around for Arare. The guy should've been beside where I was, but there was no one there.

"Hey, Lia, where did Arare go?" I asked, glancing at the red suited soldier.

Lia sighed. "That idiot went on ahead. I tried to stop him, but that guy is as stubborn as you." She shrugged and shook her head. "Seriously, are all the people from Edesia like this?"

I laughed nervously inside. Was she calling me an idiot?

### Sarudei's POV

Goerld took a deep breath, his expression hardening with resolve. "Alright, I'm going in."

Without another word, he stepped toward the energy barrier, preparing to leap into the fray where Wilneth, Tia, and Zairius were already engaged in fierce combat against the fake Yusan. I watched, my heart racing, knowing he was about to face off against a formidable foe.

"Go, Goerld!" Tessa shouted, her voice ringing with a mixture of encouragement and fear. "Be careful!"

With a determined nod, Goerld focused his energy and shot upward, soaring through the opening created by the native's manipulation of the forcefield. He joined Wilneth, Tia, and Zairius in their battle, adding his strength to theirs as they faced the relentless onslaught of the metal copy of Yusan.

"Now what?" Roan asked, turning to us with a furrowed brow. "We should catch up to Arare before he gets himself into trouble."

"Right," I said, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand. "He can't do this alone either."

As we began to move, I felt an unsettling shift in the air. The energy around us seemed to thrum with a different frequency, as if the very atmosphere was charged with danger. I glanced at Tessa and Lia, their expressions mirroring my concern.

"Do you feel that?" I asked, my voice low.

Tessa nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "Yeah, it feels... heavy."

"Stay alert," Roan cautioned, his gaze scanning the surroundings. "We need to keep moving, but don't let your guard down."

As we hurried through the streets, the distant sounds of battle echoed behind us, a constant reminder of the stakes at hand. I could see the flickering lights of ki clashes illuminating the darkening sky ahead. But the further we walked, the more the uneasy feeling gnawed at me.

Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the ground beneath our feet, causing us to stumble. I steadied myself, looking at my friends in alarm. "What was that?"

"I don't know, but we have to keep moving!" Lia urged, her voice tense.

We picked up our pace, adrenaline fueling our urgency. With every step, the air felt thicker, almost suffocating. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was looming just out of sight.

As we rounded a corner, I spotted yellow and green in the distance—the unmistakable figure of Arare. Relief washed over me, but it was quickly overshadowed by the ominous sensation that surrounded us.

"There he is!" I exclaimed, pointing him out. "Arare! Over here!"

He turned, his eyes wide with surprise as he noticed us. "What took you guys so long?" he called out, a smirk on his face. "I thought you'd be right behind me!"

"Arare, you idiot!" Lia shouted, exasperation clear in her voice. "You can't just rush in like that!"

Before he could respond, another violent tremor shook the ground, this one even stronger than before. Dust and debris rained down from the buildings around us, and I felt a surge of panic rise in my chest.

"Something is wrong," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

A powerful blast of energy surged from the direction of the ongoing battle. It cut through the sky like a knife, illuminating everything in a blinding flash.

"Get down!" Roan yelled, pushing us all to the ground as the shockwave hit.

The force of the blast sent us sprawling, and I gasped as I felt the impact rattle my bones. The air was filled with a deafening roar, drowning out everything else.

When the chaos finally subsided, I looked up to see Arare standing amidst the rubble, a look of shock plastered across his face. "What was that?!" he exclaimed, his bravado evaporating in an instant.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. "I think Yusan is about to unleash something worse than we anticipated," I said, my voice trembling. "We need to hurry up come up with a new plan. If this keeps up, we won't stand a chance."

As my gaze shifted back to the sky, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. The battle was escalating. No one on this planet might survive past tonight...