Chapter 157: Hope

Abel stirred as the basement rumbled around him, the low groan of shifting stone echoing through the enclosed space. Dust fell from the cracked ceiling, drifting in the dim light like dying embers. The world above still trembled minimally, though the violent shaking from earlier seemed to have waned. He exhaled slowly, his body aching in protest as he sat up, every sore muscle reminding him of the battles he had barely survived.

His gaze shifted to Lena, lying motionless on the bed nearby. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, though her body was still undergoing an inexplicable transformation. Her once-dark hair had lightened to the same pale, sand-covered shade as the feline fur that had saved her life, curling wildly as if it had absorbed something primal. A faint energy clung to her presence, something raw yet controlled. Abel’s brows furrowed. It was unmistakable—she had become a Pseudo.

He hadn’t expected this outcome. He had only been trying to keep her alive, but now, she was something more. His mind raced with possibilities. Would she change in other ways? Would the properties of that skin affect her thoughts and her instincts? Abel wasn’t sure, but he knew one thing—she was breathing, alive, and for now, that was enough.

He shifted his weight and winced, sharp pain flaring from his wrist. He instinctively cradled his arm, gritting his teeth as he rotated it slightly. It would take time to heal—at least a month, he estimated—but compared to what could have happened, it was a small price to pay.

The damage from the elemental spirit still weighed heavily on his body and mind. The image of those piercing pink eyes, the way she had torn through his strongest techniques as if they were nothing, lingered like a scar in his thoughts.

He had faced powerful foes before, but nothing quite like that. She hadn’t just overpowered him—she had made him feel insignificant.

With effort, Abel pushed himself up from the bed, his muscles screaming in protest. Soreness clung to every fiber of his being, but he forced himself forward. He needed to assess the situation outside, needed to understand what was happening to Reinhart. The rumbling had stopped, but that didn’t mean the danger had passed.

He stepped towards the basement entrance, casting one last glance at Lena. Her transformation was still underway, her presence shifting ever so slightly as whatever energy had merged with her continued its work. Abel wasn’t sure what she would wake up as—but he had no choice but to leave her for now. He tightened his robe around himself and ascended the stairs.

The air outside was thick with dust and the lingering scent of smoke and earth.

As Abel stepped onto the streets, he took in the sight before him. The town was still standing—mostly. Many buildings bore deep cracks, their foundations shaken by whatever force had rattled the land. Debris littered the roads, but the people of Reinhart were already at work.

Groups of citizens and officers worked together, clearing rubble and tending to those who had been injured in the chaos.

It was strange. Just days ago, the town had been bustling in its usual way, moving at the steady pace of a place still growing. Now, there was a quiet urgency in the air, a shared understanding that things had changed, even if no one fully understood how or why.

Abel moved forward, keeping his head down, observing. The farther he walked, the clearer it became that the earthquake had affected the entire town, yet somehow, despite the destruction, most of the major structures had held firm.

As he approached Pine Street, he spotted city hall in the distance. A few officers stood guard outside, their eyes scanning the streets warily, as if expecting another disaster to strike at any moment.

Before he could take another step, a familiar voice called out.

“Abel!”

He turned to see Jenny approaching, her expression shifting from relief to curiosity as she took in his appearance. He knew he looked rough—bruised, battered, his robe dirtied from battle—but she didn’t comment on it.

“I figured you’d show up sooner or later,” she said. “Burt and Elliot are inside, reassuring the citizens. They’ll be out soon.”

Abel nodded, his mind already turning toward the next steps. “Do we know anything about what caused the quake?”

Jenny shook her head, crossing her arms. “No one knows. Some people are saying it’s a sign, an omen of something bigger. Others think it was just nature having its way. Either way, people are shaken.”

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She paused for a moment, then added, “Are you okay?”

Abel offered a small, tired smile. “I’m alive.”

Jenny studied him for a second longer before nodding, seemingly satisfied with the answer. Still, Abel could tell she was wondering—wondering what kind of battle could have left someone like him in this state.

Before either of them could speak further, the doors to city hall creaked open. Burt and Elliot stepped outside, deep in discussion, their expressions grim.

Burt and Elliot emerged from city hall, deep in discussion. Their expressions were serious, their words hurried—until their eyes landed on Abel. They paused mid-conversation, exchanging a brief glance before making their way toward him.

Elliot was the first to speak, his brow furrowed. “Abel. Good to see you.”

Burt, arms crossed, gave him a once-over. “Damn, you look like you’ve been through hell.”

Abel smirked slightly but didn’t comment. Instead, he asked, “What’s going on? The town… it looks like it barely held together.”

Elliot and Burt exchanged another glance, this one laced with confusion.

“You mean you don’t know?” Elliot asked, his voice tinged with surprise. “We thought someone like you would’ve felt it, or at least had an idea.”

Abel shook his head, frowning. “I was… occupied. What exactly happened?”

Burt exhaled, rubbing his jaw. “Massive earthquakes. The kind that makes you think the whole world’s coming apart at the seams.”

Elliot nodded. “Some places got it worse than others. We’re lucky Reinhart held together as well as it did, I'm hearing that surrounding towns had it worse. Most of the structures are intact, but we’ve got damage, injuries, and people scared out of their minds. I'm shocked Ike hasn't come running to complain yet.”

Abel listened intently, his mind already turning dismissing the comment on Ike, as he knew his whereabouts. Could this have been the calamity the Tower warned about? It had to be. But if that was the case, then what was its true source?

His gaze hardened. No matter the cause, the aftermath was real. He could see it in the haunted faces of the townspeople, in the rubble-strewn streets, in the silent, heavy air that clung to Reinhart like a shroud.

“This isn’t something we can ignore,” Abel said, looking between them. “We need to focus on recovery. Find survivors, clear the debris, and start planning how to rebuild.”

Elliot nodded. “We’re already on it. People are gathering supplies, officers are organizing teams, and we’ve already started checking for anyone still trapped.”

Abel exhaled and straightened, despite the pain still lingering in his body. “Then I’ll help.”

Burt looked at him skeptically. “You sure you’re up for it? You look like you got trampled by a war beast.”

Abel chuckled dryly. “I’ve been through worse.”

Just as he was about to move, a sharp vibration pulsed from the badge tucked inside his robe. Abel instinctively reached for it, his brows furrowing as he pulled it out. A message.

As he read, his expression shifted.

The calamity has been warded off. Bask’s future begins now.

There was more. The region will undergo reconstruction, a transformation unlike any before. The old ways—those dictated by the Rollen Kingdom—will be cast aside. Bask will forge its own path, its Apostles will rise, and its people will shape their own destiny.

Abel’s grip on the badge tightened. This was monumental. A declaration of independence, a severing of the chains that had long bound Bask, but Abel couldn't help but question what had happened behind the scenes. From talk within the tower, he understood that the gifted wasn't fond of the non-gifted, but it couldn't simply be due to this could it?

His thoughts were interrupted by yet another message. This one was different.

To the Apostles who contributed to averting this calamity: Your efforts will not be forgotten. You will be rewarded handsomely. Expect further communication soon.

Abel nearly dismissed it, but then—

Your contribution ranks the highest.

He blinked.

The Tower is pleased with your efforts and recognizes your sacrifices. For your exceptional role in this event, you will be formally invited to Bask City in two and a half months. There, you will be honored as one of the first recipients of the new independent Bask’s highest medal of recognition.

Abel stared at the words, momentarily stunned.

The Tower Master himself will escort you. As a reward, along with some pre-selected Items, you will be granted the right to request anything from the Tower Master.

His heart pounded. A single request—anything within the Tower’s power.

He already knew what he wanted.

The reason he started down this path, to begin with.

His family. He had to find them.

Burt nudged him. “What’s with that look?”

Abel slipped the badge back into his robe, shaking his head slightly. “Nothing.”

There would be time to dwell on this later. For now, there was work to do.

With that, he joined Elliot, Burt, Jet, and the officers, aiding in the recovery efforts. The town was wounded, but it would not fall. And for the first time in a long while, there was something tangible in the air—

Hope.

End of Volume 2