"No, no , no, this can't be happening," I whispered, my heart racing with fear. The blue veins were spreading rapidly across Albert's arm, and I knew that we were running out of time.

"We need to get you to the bunker," I said, my voice trembling with fear. "We'll find a way to cure you."

"I don't think there's a cure for this," Albert said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You need to go without me. I'll slow you down."

I shook my head, refusing to leave him behind. "I'm not leaving you here, Albert," I said, my voice firm. "We'll find a way to get you cured."

"We don't have time," Albert said, his face pale with fear. "You need to go. Now."

"GET BENT, Al. I'm not leaving you here to die," I said, my voice rising frantically. "We'll fight this together, okay? We'll find a way to get you to safety."

Albert's face softened, and he reached out to grip my hand. "Sienna, you have to go. I don't want to be responsible for your death as well. You're the sister I've never had."

The cat jumped between us, head moving between us intently.

Memories flashed through my mind - memories of us playing together in the park as toddlers and studying late into the night for this dream. Al always had my back, no matter how tough things got. I couldn't just leave him here to die.

I couldn't bear the thought of losing him.

I suddenly felt a headache come on, and my world spun. I stumbled back, trying to regain my balance.

"Sienna?" Albert asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I don't feel so good," I said, my vision blurring.

The cat thrummed loudly, its eyes staring straight up into mine.

Who are you? A voice echoed through my mind.

I'm... I'm Sienna.

Who is Sienna? What motivates you? What drives you?

I'm an ordinary girl. I just wish I could do more. I want to help and save people. I want to help Al.

The cat's eyes glowed with a golden light, and the world around me changed instantly. Alien geometries and strange creatures appeared before me, and I felt like I was floating in a sea of pure energy.

We have long surveyed your conviction, Sienna Russo. Despite a broken home and an empty hearth, you have unwaveringly carried a flame of hope. A flame that refuses to be extinguished, no matter the darkness that surrounds you.

We offer you an accord. A chance to save your dearest friend and to champion humanity. But it is a path full of sacrifice and peril. A path that must be treat-

"Cut that shit short. I'll do whatever it takes to save Albert," I said, my voice filled with determination. "If I have to fight the armies of hell itself as a one-girl show, I will! Just tell me what I have to do! I'll sign the damned dotted line if he'll pull through."

Then you will accept the mantle of responsibility? The pact may only be forged should your heart be truly willing, and the cost and personal sacrifice will be significant.

"Yes!" I shouted, my voice echoing throughout the strange dimension. "I accept!"

And so it shall be. Here, we commit the chronicle of Sienna Russo. Scion of light and darkness, sentinel of hope, and savior of humanity. May the story of her courage and sacrifice inspire future generations to come.

With those words ringing in my ears, I opened my eyes. The blue glow faded from the cat's eyes, and I could see the world around me again.

I looked down at my hand, now covered in strange, glowing symbols. I didn't know what they meant, but I knew they were important.

Bright flashes began to run across my vision as my mind was bombarded with [System] messages.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

[Occupation has been updated. Congratulations, Sienna Russo! You have been granted the title of Magical Knight Cadet and access to new abilities.]

[Level up! You have gained new abilities and skill points]

[Quest added: Save Albert]

[World Quest added: Uncover the truth behind the outbreak]

[Talent Acquired: Luminary Conversion]

I didn't have time to process them all. I just knew one thing: I had to save Albert.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the messages as they flooded my mind. The first one caught my attention immediately:

[Luminary Conversion: Convert chaos energy into absorbable luminary energy. Luminary energy can enhance physical abilities, heal wounds and manipulate matter. Use with caution, as excessive use may lead to heavy exhaustion.]

"Sienna, please... you have to go," he said weakly. "I can feel myself slipping."

"I'll go," I said, "but not without you. I'm going to save you, Albert. I promise."

I took a deep breath and focused on the symbols on my hand. I could feel my body being flooded with warm energy, and I opened my eyes to see my hand glowing with a bright amber light. I channeled the chaotic energies thrumming in his body, converting them into luminary energy that I could absorb. I didn't understand exactly what I was doing, just that I could do it.

With that, I placed my glowing hand on his arm, channeling the luminary energy into him. The blue veins started to recede, and Albert's breathing became steadier.

"Wha... what did you do?" he asked, looking at his arm in amazement.

"I... I don't know," I said, still in a daze from everything that had just happened. "But I think I have Magical Knight powers now and I just signed some sort of pact. And I'm going to use them to save you and everyone else."

Albert nodded, his eyes filled with wonder. "I always knew you were special, Sienna! But this... this is something else entirely."

I shook my head, "We'll worry about that later. Let's focus on surviving this mess. We need to find the bunker and figure out what's going on."

The cat purred in agreement as if it understood our conversation. I couldn't help but wonder how it was somehow connected to the strange dimension I had just visited.

Together, we made our way through the deserted streets, avoiding the infected as best we could. Our world had been turned upside down, and I didn't know what awaited us around the next corner.

We walked silently for a few minutes, our eyes scanning the deserted streets for signs of life. But all we found were abandoned cars, shattered windows, and an abandoned shop here and there.

"Hey, look," Albert said, pointing to a large building in the distance. "I think that's the bunker. Let's go check it out."

I nodded, my heart racing with adrenaline and fear. We quickened our pace, making our way towards the bunker. As we got closer, I could feel the magical energy surging within me, like a river ready to burst its banks.

We approached the bunker cautiously, our eyes darting around for any sign of danger. The building was massive, a giant concrete behemoth with thick metal doors and barbed wire fencing surrounding it.

As we neared the entrance, the doors suddenly swung open with a loud creak. A figure stepped out, silhouetted by a bright light inside the bunker. It was a tall and muscular man with a stern expression on his face. He was wearing tactical gear and carrying a large assault rifle.

"Halt!" he bellowed, his voice commanding. "Who goes there? Identify yourselves!"

"We're freshmen from Kaleidoscope High!" I said, my voice trembling slightly. "The school was attacked by those monsters and we're looking for shelter."

The soldier looked us up and down, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said finally. "You kids are damned lucky to have made it this far, then. Everything's gone to shit out here. Come on in, but be prepared for anything."

He motioned for us to follow him, and we entered the bunker. The inside was dimly lit, with flickering fluorescent bulbs providing the only light. Soldiers milled about, carrying weapons and shouting orders to one another. Medical personnel rushed back and forth, carrying stretchers and tending to the wounded.

"We're going to need to check you out before we let you in," the soldier said, leading us to a group of medical personnel. "We can't have any infected getting in here. And I'm sorry to say, but we've had to shoot some of the people who were too far gone."

I shuddered at the thought. The world had truly gone to hell.

"Over there," the soldier said, pointing to a corner of the room. "The medics can take a look at your friend."

A doctor hurried over, examining Albert's arm with a concerned expression. "What happened to him?" she asked. "There are signs of tissue damage, but he's clear from infection symptoms."

"He was attacked by one of those things," I explained. "But I managed to save him somehow."

The doctors exchanged a confused look but didn't press the matter further. They gave Albert some medicine before sending me to the main living quarters as they dressed his wounds.

The cat had followed us in and was now perched on my shoulder, its eyes glowing softly in the darkness. It seemed to be watching everything with a keen interest.

The living quarters were cramped, with bunk beds lining the walls. People of all ages huddled together, some sleeping, others talking in hushed tones. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and fear. Soldiers and civilians alike were huddled together, sharing stories of the horrors they had witnessed outside.

I walked over to an empty bunk and sat down, exhausted from everything that had happened. I looked down at my hand, which still bore the glowing symbols. The [Luminary Conversion] had saved Albert's life, but I didn't know how it worked or what the consequences would be.

The cat hopped off my shoulder and strutted around before sitting and staring up at me with curious eyes.

"Thank you so much, " I whispered to it before wondering out loud, "What are you?

I felt silly for talking to a cat, but it was my only company.

To my complete and utter surprise, it opened its mouth and responded with a melodic, alto voice.

"Well, I guess I'm a cat? But well, let's just say I've been around for a while. A little more than a cat, I suppose."

I stared at it in shock before finally gathering my wits and mouthing out a response.

...

"What?"