The battle was over, but its aftermath clung to me like smoke. Pain sliced through my skull, sharp and relentless, each throb a jagged reminder of the battle''s toll. My vision wavered, shapes flickering in and out of focus, and every breath felt like a struggle, thick and labored. The ground beneath me swayed, unstable, threatening to swallow me whole.


    The acrid scent of burnt flesh and scorched metal hung in the air, suffocating. The hybrid’s smoldering body lay crumpled in the street, a twisted, charred husk. Jagged shadows stretched across the scene, while the silence that followed the chaos pressed in, heavy and stifling. The only sound was the distant crackle of flames as they consumed the remnants of the battle.


    The captain stood still, a statuesque figure bathed in the flickering light. His silver-streaked hair shimmered under the streetlamps, but his stillness only deepened the unease gnawing at my chest. His eyes locked with mine, cold and unreadable, like a barren landscape after a storm—devastated, empty.


    “You two did well,” he said flatly, his voice void of emotion. His words lingered, dismissive, as if this had been just another routine task.


    Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, each step deliberate, as though the wreckage around us were of no consequence.


    Zane let out a slow breath beside me. His shoulders sagged, the weight of exhaustion settling in. “Every time I see him fight… I still can’t believe it,” he murmured, awe lacing his voice. His gaze lingered on the captain before shifting to me. “You okay?”


    I nodded stiffly, throat tight. “Yeah. He’s... impressive,” I muttered, though the words tasted bitter. I had wielded my sword, designed for moments like this, yet it had felt useless. The memory of my blade skimming off the hybrid’s hide, strikes falling short, gnawed at me. My fists clenched, nails digging into raw skin.


    Zane saw it. Of course, he did. His hand rested gently on my shoulder, grounding me. “You’re not the only one feeling that way, Tess. We all wanted to do more. But knowing your limits, fighting smart, that’s the way to go.”


    I forced a weak smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes. The battle may have ended, but its weight pressed on me, invisible yet suffocating.


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    The captain’s voice sliced through the silence. “Let’s move. People are waiting.” He leaned against a bent streetlamp, gesturing for us to follow. His posture was casual, almost too calm in the midst of the chaos.


    Zane and I exchanged a glance, silent understanding passing between us. We followed, our steps heavy. The night had grown colder, the heat of battle fading into the distance. The streets were unnervingly quiet now, the chaos a distant memory replaced by a thick, oppressive stillness. Only the crunch of our boots against cracked pavement and the hum of flickering streetlights filled the silence.


    ---


    The hum of the lights faded, replaced by a sharp pulse in my skull. The pressure in my temples mounted with each step, growing louder, more insistent. My vision swam, the world tilting dangerously. Nausea rolled over me, every muscle feeling like it was made of lead. I gasped for air, shallow and ragged. Flashbacks of the fight—its glowing eyes, claws slashing through the air, the bitter taste of blood still clinging to my tongue—flashed through my mind. I pressed trembling fingers to my temples, trying to steady myself.


    “Hey, you okay?” Oliver’s voice cut through the fog. He stood a few feet away, unsure, his posture stiff. His glasses were askew, grime streaking his face, but concern shone in his eyes.


    I straightened, forcing my voice to sound steadier than I felt. “Yeah,” I rasped. “Just a headache.”


    Oliver’s frown deepened, his gaze never leaving mine. A silent question lingered in the air between us. Before he could speak, Daisy appeared, her usual energy dulled by exhaustion. She leaned against a lamppost, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. “Headache, huh?” she said lightly, but her sluggish movements betrayed her fatigue. “Rei, if it’s your grace acting up, there’s not much I can do. I’ve been running on empty, trying to patch everyone up.”


    Her skin glistened with sweat, her movements slow and heavy. “My grace takes a toll, too,” she added with a faint smile. “Give me a bit of time, and I’ll be back on my feet.”


    Oliver turned back to me, his hesitation clear. “Do you think it’s... your grace’s drawback?” he asked gently.


    I shrugged, unwilling to trust my voice. The pounding in my skull was a warning I couldn’t ignore. Now wasn’t the time to show weakness.


    Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath us. A low rumble spread through the earth, vibrating up my spine. I steadied myself, squinting into the distance. A massive beetle-like creature erupted from the ground, its dark, armored shell gleaming under the dim light. Glowing veins pulsed along its sides, and its segmented body supported thick, clawed legs. Hive-like pods rose from its back, spilling out smaller creatures. Their purple-black exoskeletons gleamed in the moonlight, sharp talons and multiple eyes bristling with menace.


    "This can’t be..." Oliver’s voice faltered as he stared at the creatures, his face pale.


    Daisy’s voice cut through the shock, tight with unease. “Hey, Mr. Monster Encyclopedia, what are we dealing with here?”


    Oliver blinked, his gaze shifting back and forth between the Swarm Carrier and the Brood Warriors pouring from its back. He swallowed hard, voice strained. “That’s a Swarm Carrier. And those smaller ones—Brood Warriors. They’re part of the Vekar’yn insectoid species.”


    I looked at him, confused. “Vekar’yn? You mean they’re not... normal monsters?”


    Oliver shook his head, grim. “No. The Vekar’yn were one of the first to appear when the rifts opened, but... their queen was killed over thirty years ago. After that, most of them died off. This doesn’t make sense.” He took a shaky breath. “These ones should be gone by now.”


    Daisy’s frown deepened. “So why are they here?”


    Oliver’s jaw tightened as he stared at the creatures. “I don’t know,” he muttered, barely audible. “But we can’t ignore them. Something’s wrong. They shouldn’t be alive.”


    The tense silence hung in the air as the creatures began to scatter, their eerie screeches filling the streets. My heart pounded in my chest, dread sinking deep. The Swarm Carrier moved slowly, its many eyes scanning, watching, waiting. The night, once quiet, now felt suffocating—alive with a new kind of threat.


    I gripped my sword tighter, its weight grounding me, even as my body screamed for rest. The battle had only been the beginning.


    [End of Chapter]