No matter how hard Xavier tried, he could not move. His body did not pay heed to his commands. He was like a frozen statue with enemies surrounding him. Only his eyes darted from left to right while more people emerged from the portal.

Xavier cursed himself for not having brought someone with him. Now, he could only watch as the shimmering portal continued to serve as a gateway for more enemies he could not tackle. The portal looked like a never-ending void that was rippling restlessly. He could also see faint purple-colored veins thrumming inside that void, making him wonder just how it came to existence.

Several questions were buzzing in his mind, but he had an answer to one of them. These people were not here for peace or co-operation. They all looked scrawny and had menacing looks on their faces. They did not look weak or desperately in search of a hideout, which meant they also had a thriving community. Then why had they shown up here?

Xavier could only think of one reason—they were probably here to invade Haven. He again tried with all his might to move, but his body stayed unmoving as a statue.

Move!!

He cursed in his mind as one of the men, whose face reminded him of a rat, entered through the portal. He looked around with a smug expression before his eyes landed on Xavier.

“Who is that idiot?” He asked his henchmen as his gaze drifted to the women cowering in a corner of the room. His eyes stared at them unabashedly as the women huddled together with tear-stained faces.

Xavier assumed Ratface to be the leader of this little group. The man took his time looking around at the room and understanding what must have happened. The men who could no longer father a child were still howling in pain, wriggling on the floor like worms, which Ratface pointedly ignored. He did not rush towards them to help or order the others to take them to the healers.

Instead, he took a step forward and stared Xavier in the eye. His eyes narrowed, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.

“He is one of the leader’s kids. Wretched little mole!! We should just behead him and get on with our task.”

But Ratface disagreed with the sentiment. He only raised a hand to quiet down his subordinate, who was seething in rage.

Ratface sneered, almost staring at Xavier right in the face. Xavier’s nose twitched at the way his stale breath invaded his nostrils.

“Not so soon, this kid looks like he wants to tear me apart, don’t you?”

Ratface taunted Xavier, who looked him in the eye.

“Ooh, I am already getting scared. Such bravery.”

The others guffawed as Ratface continued to taunt Xavier.

“I know what to do with you, little guy. I am going to make you watch everything you think you could avoid from happening.”

Ratface scratched his chin, mimicking as if he was lost in thought.

“Hmm, how about I kill your father in front of your eyes, and you see blood pooling around his corpse while my men then defile your mother. Oh, you also have a sweet little girlfriend, don’t you? How can I even forget her?”

Ratface cackled as the others joined him.

“This is going to be so much fun.”

He raised his hands as if summoning a demon and let it fall to the sides, slapping his thighs.

Bastard, free me, and then let us see who can talk!

Xavier cried in his mind as his eyes stared daggers at the sick and sorry example of a human.

Ratface was howling in laughter but stopped abruptly to look at Xavier, tilting his head as if noticing him for the first time.

“Ooh, someone is angry. I don’t like those eyes staring at me. Can someone tone it down, please?” He looked at his henchmen, one of whom flicked a hand and utilized his Card. The next instant, ropes flew out of nowhere and tightly coiled around Xavier. If earlier he had only turned into a statue, now the ropes were painfully digging into his flesh. But that was not even the worst part.

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He could not access his Cards or tap into their power, either. It was as if they were sealed away from him.

Xavier tried not to wince in pain, but the change in his facial expression made Ratface act as if it was a relief.

“Now, where was I? Ah, right…we have to attack their home and loot everything. What do you think?” He looked at his small group of followers, who all cheered loudly.

All of a sudden, fireballs poured into the house.

Loud explosions resounded from left and right. The building’s second floor crumbled and collapsed, sending rubble flying in all directions.

Are we under attack? No, wait. These bastards haven’t attacked yet. Who is that?

Xavier’s question was answered a moment later. The entrance burst open as several fireballs crashed into the wooden door. Smoke filled the hallway, shrouding the attacker.

More fireballs came from all directions, destroying the walls, ceiling, and the floor. Several burly men screamed at the top of their lungs as the fireballs reached them. They tried their utmost to evade the fireballs, but their escape paths were blocked. One slashed at a fireball, watching it explode right before his blade cut through it. The fireball exploded, charring the Card Holder’s hand. His scream tore through the entire building and the surroundings.

Merely seconds later, a small flock of Sparrows entered the room – or what was left of it. The Sparrows’ red plumage glittered lightly, starkly contrasting the smoke permeating the entire building.

One of the Card Holders used a Card to disperse the smoke, revealing the owner of the six Sparrows.

It was Xavier’s grandmother, Zora Vador!

Granny? What are you doing here? Just leave!

Xavier wanted to shout loud enough for his grandmother to hear, but his lips didn’t part. The aftereffect of the paralysis poison continued to affect him even though the paralysis effect should have worn off by now.

Xavier worried a lot, only to recall something he had forgotten.

Wait. Granny is not that weak. Her Sparrows evolved not too long ago either. I witnessed their destructive power just a moment ago. Calm down, Xavier! Granny called reinforcements before she barged inside…hopefully.

His grandmother was not as fragile as she used to be. She looked much younger and was most definitely stronger than ever. The apocalypse changed her life the most. Zora Vador had always been a strong-willed woman. The changes in the new world infused her with renewed confidence and willpower. After all, she could back herself with great power.

The Sparrows were a bit larger than he saw them last time. Their wingspan appeared broader and there were dark outlines on the edges of their wings. And their sharp pointed beaks opened up to blast fireballs at all the intruders with a near-perfect accuracy. The fireballs scorched, burned and melted down everything that came in their way. Xavier had seen their effects before but the fireballs seemed even more lethal now.

He was relieved that he was not on the Sparrows’ bad side.

“You’re the last one I expected to end up overwhelmed by a bunch of hoodlums,” Zora Vador snickered, her gaze lingering on her grandson.

Xavier frowned but he had to acknowledge that he didn’t expect to end up like this either. He lowered his guard thinking that the Card Holders were easy to deal with. That had been a foolish mistake.

“Still, good thinking with the warning, boy.” Zora praised her grandson upon seeing that Xavier understood what he did wrong.

A few minutes before the paralysis struck him, Xavier used Whispering Energy in an attempt to warn the others about the incident with the three women. He was certain that he could deal with the five men as he had the surprise effect on his side. At that point, Xavier didn’t know that Haven was about to get invaded. He had a bad hunch and chose to use Whispering Energy. It was better to send out a warning to prepare for the worst-case scenario than to leave everyone unprepared for what could happen.

His instincts didn’t betray him. He reached someone with Whispering Energy and warned that person. Xavier didn’t expect the person to be his grandmother, though.

But maybe that was for the best. His grandmother was a badass, after all!

Zora Vador was a tamer who couldn’t conjure flames like Xavier. She didn’t have the same Cards or an Innate Ability as him. However, her bond with the Sparrows was strong. She basically raised and fed them since they were born. They were attached to her even before the world changed and were her loyal companions.

Zora Vador didn’t need various powerful Cards. All she needed were a few Class Cards that fit into her combat style and other Cards that focused on the tamed monsters’ attributes. She didn’t have many Cards for close combat, but that was certainly not an issue for Zora Vador.

She willed the Sparrows to conjure dozens of fireballs throughout the living room. Simultaneously, Zora used several Cards to amplify her companion’s combat prowess, increase their elemental understanding, and enhance their fireballs’ destructive power as well.

Zora Vador released the fireballs ruthlessly. She didn’t hesitate to kill the invaders.

Several fireballs exploded on the chests and necks of some Card Holders. Their bodies were torn apart, creating gaping holes and severe wounds that couldn’t be tended with ordinary Healing Cards.

The Card Holders died miserably, their necks and chests ripped into shreds as blood splattered all over the walls.

Xavier swallowed hard when he saw the chaos that unfolded all around him. He hadn’t killed any humans yet, but his grandmother fought like it wasn’t her first time.

Shudders ran down his spine.

Why are the women in our family always so scary?