Kael's eyes fluttered open, a sharp pain coursing through his body as he regained consciousness. The room around him was dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as the soft glow of the nearby lights flickered. His mind was a haze, memories of the recent events blurred and disjointed.
"Are you awake?" a familiar voice asked gently from the corner of the room.
Kael turned his head slowly, wincing as his muscles protested. He saw Reyl sitting by his bedside, a look of relief mixed with concern on his face.
"How much time has passed?" Kael managed to croak out, his throat dry and voice weak.
"Two days," Reyl replied, his expression grave. "You've been out for two days."
Kael's brow furrowed in confusion. "What happened? I don't remember anything."
Reyl took a deep breath before answering. "A lot has happened, Kael. First and foremost, your condition... it’s complicated. You’ve forcibly broken into the Soul Alignment realm."
Kael's eyes widened in shock. "Soul Alignment realm? How is that possible?"
"Someone forcefully infused more energy into your body than it could handle," Reyl explained. "Your body had to reconstruct itself to adapt to the sudden influx of power. If something had gone wrong, your spirit circuits could have shattered, or worse, you could have died."
Kael felt a shiver run down his spine. The thought of coming so close to death left him shaken. "So, I’m... alive? And my spirit circuits?"
"They're intact," Reyl reassured him. "But you need to rest. Your body is still recovering from the ordeal."
Kael nodded slowly, his mind racing with questions. "What about the others? What happened in the city?"
Reyl sighed, standing up from his chair. "It's a long story, and right now, you need to focus on healing. I’m going to get some medicine for you."
"Can't you just order it online?" Kael asked, puzzled by Reyl’s departure.
Reyl shook his head with a small smile. "Not everything can be done online, Kael. Some things require a personal touch."
Kael sat in the dimly lit room, the weight of Reyl’s words still settling on him. His body ached, every inch of him still recovering from the overwhelming surge of power that had nearly torn him apart. His thoughts were fragmented, clouded with a lingering sense of confusion and fear. Reyl had left the room to gather medicine, but Kael couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that something terrible had happened while he was unconscious.
Reaching for his tablet on the bedside table, Kael swiped the screen to life. A notification flashed across his vision, a breaking news headline that immediately caught his attention.
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Breaking News: Seven-Headed Beast Descends on Heart of Illumira Empire
Source: Illumira News Network
Reporter: Aria Falner
Location: Illumira Capital
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Aria Falner’s voice crackled through the speaker with an urgent tone, her words sharp and precise.
“Good evening, citizens of Illumira. This is Aria Falner, bringing you the latest updates on the terrifying events that have unfolded over the last 48 hours. A beast of unimaginable size and power—its origin unknown—has descended into the heart of the Illumira Empire. The creature, with seven heads and devastating strength, wreaked havoc across the city, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.”
The screen shifted to a live feed of the destroyed capital city, the crumbled remains of buildings and streets littered with debris. The image was haunting. The once-thriving city had been reduced to chaos.
“The monster’s arrival was heralded by a deafening screech that reverberated through the city, shattering windows and rupturing eardrums. Authorities have confirmed that six lives were tragically lost in the destruction, though the number of injured is much higher. Many citizens have had their eardrums burst due to the beast’s terrifying roar, and they are currently receiving treatment through the abilities of nearby Soul Parasites.”
Kael’s breath hitched as he heard the words. His mind raced with questions, and his fingers trembled as he scrolled through the report.
“Reports from emergency responders say that despite the massive scale of the attack, the true nature of the beast remains unknown. Witnesses have described the creature as having an ethereal, storm-like presence, and its heads were said to have emitted terrifying energies that distorted reality itself. However, no concrete details have emerged about what exactly this monster is or where it came from.”
A new image flashed on the screen, showing the remains of a building still smoldering from the attack. In the corner of the footage, a small group of survivors, their faces pale with fear, were being escorted away by soldiers in full gear. The scene was unsettling.
“The Empire’s public security forces are under intense scrutiny as they attempt to recover from the aftermath of the attack. While many of the elite Ascended Union forces were sent to handle the beast, they were caught off guard by its sheer power. Debate continues to rage regarding the preparedness of the authorities to handle such an overwhelming threat."
The image cut to a live interview with a concerned citizen standing in front of a collapsed building. The man was shaking, his clothes torn, his eyes wide with fear.
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Citizen (Live Interview):
“The Empire's supposed to protect us! But they couldn’t even stop that thing. I saw it with my own eyes—one moment everything was fine, the next, the sky was full of chaos! How could they let something like that happen? There’s no way they were ready for this.”
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The screen shifted back to Aria Falner, her face stern as she addressed the growing public unrest.
Aria Falner (Reporter):
"Indeed, the public’s frustration is palpable. Many are questioning the readiness of the Empire’s forces to deal with such a crisis. Security experts have pointed out that the Empire’s defenses have not seen a threat of this magnitude in generations. Some argue that the Empire has grown too complacent, while others blame the sudden appearance of the beast for catching them off guard.”
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The feed shifted to a recorded debate between two high-ranking officials on the matter.
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General Larrick (Public Security Official):
“We are facing an unprecedented situation. The beast’s attack was sudden and devastating, but our forces did everything they could under the circumstances. The creature’s strength, its ability to tear through our defenses... we could not have anticipated that. No one could.”
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Senator Erina (Critic of Public Security):
“You’re telling us that the Empire, with all its resources, was caught unaware by a monster of that size and power? What are we paying taxes for if not to prevent such tragedies? We need to hold the authorities accountable for failing to protect the people of Illumira. This attack could have been avoided if our security measures had been more robust!”
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General Larrick (Responding):
“Senator, I understand the public’s frustration, but let’s not forget that we are facing an enemy that defies all logic. This is not a mere beast; it’s a force of nature. Our military forces are already mobilizing to ensure the safety of the Empire, and I urge the citizens to have patience.”
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Kael’s eyes widened as the debate raged on, the weight of the information sinking in. The beast had caused devastation on an unimaginable scale, and yet, the authorities were left scrambling. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease as he considered the unknowns surrounding the creature. Something about the way it was being kept in the shadows, its true nature concealed, made his instincts flare with suspicion.
He tapped the screen to scroll further, seeking more details, but Reyl’s voice interrupted his thoughts from the doorway.
“You’re still up,” Reyl said, his expression softening as he noticed the concern on Kael’s face. “I thought you’d be resting.”
“I... I couldn’t sleep,” Kael muttered, still processing everything he had just read. “Reyl, this monster... do they have any idea what it really is?”
Reyl’s face darkened. “Not much. But the authorities are being tight-lipped about it. They’re withholding a lot of details. I’m sure there’s something they’re not telling the public.”
Kael looked back at the screen, feeling a gnawing sense of foreboding. “Why wouldn’t they just say what it was?”
Kael watched Reyl as he leaned against the doorframe, his expression a mixture of concern and solemnity. The news report still echoed in Kael’s mind, but something Reyl had said earlier lingered even more heavily.
“I need to tell you something,” Reyl began, his voice quiet but intense. He took a step closer, pulling up a chair beside Kael’s bed. “You saw the beast, didn’t you? The one in the capital?”
Kael nodded slowly, his mind still racing with the images from the report. "Yeah... I saw it breifly. Seven heads, storm-like presence. The news said it came out of nowhere, but it doesn’t feel like it was really... from nowhere."
Reyl exhaled, a deep sigh that seemed to carry the weight of a history Kael hadn’t known. “That creature… it’s not just some random monster. It’s far more dangerous than anything the Empire—or any empire—has ever faced.” He paused, his gaze focused intently on Kael. “Do you remember the Veilwood Sanctuary, Kael?”
Kael blinked, the mention of the place stirring something deep within him. The Veilwood Groves... where his bond with his Soul Parasite had taken place. The memory was hazy, but the significance of the place was undeniable. It was where his life had changed forever.
“Yes,” Kael answered, his voice distant as the memory washed over him. “I remember. It’s the place where I bonded with my Parasite. The ritual….”
Reyl paused for a moment, ensuring Kael was fully listening before continuing. "The place where you made your bond with your Soul Parasite—the Veilwood Sanctuary. That place holds a much darker history. It was the epicenter of a war between the five empires of the past."
Kael blinked, struggling to process. "Wait... five empires? I thought there were only four back then."
Reyl nodded gravely. "Yes. The history books are incomplete, deliberately. The truth is, before the current empires and federations took hold, there were only four major powers: Ignisvale, the land of volcanoes; Aqualis Empire, rulers of the oceans; Illumira Empire, the heart of civilization; and United Umbrosia, a shadowed land steeped in secrets. The war between them went on for decades, and the most destructive battle was fought over the Veilwood Groves, which stood at the boundary of their territories."
Kael frowned. "But that doesn’t explain... the seven-headed beast."
Reyl’s eyes darkened. "The beast was not born out of nature. It came from the chaos of war, from the forces these empires unleashed upon each other. When the four empires finally met, a cataclysmic event occurred, and the creature, the one you saw... was summoned or perhaps awakened. Its origin remains a mystery, but it annihilated all four of those empires in one fell swoop, spreading destruction that reached across the world. That was over two centuries ago."
Kael’s mind raced. "So, this beast... it's tied to the history of the war?"
Reyl exhaled slowly, "After the devastation, the planet was left in ruins. It was slow to recover. While other planets advanced, ours remained backward, its progress stunted by the scars of that war. New empires and federations formed out of the ashes: the Federation of Ferros, the Empire of Celestia, and Terragon. All of them, in their own ways, are built after those ancient empires fell and were divided."
image [https://i.imgur.com/cTrxJs5.jpeg]
"That’s... a lot," Kael murmured. "And the beast... is it really gone?"
Reyl hesitated. "Some say it's been dormant for centuries. But now that it's returned, its reawakening threatens everything. It's more than just a creature. It’s a symbol of the war that shattered this planet. If it rises again, no one knows what could happen next."
"I feel like he is hiding something"
Just then, Reyl walked back into the room, a concerned expression on his face. "Despite the destruction in the capital," he began, "you still have the academy opening ceremony tomorrow. I've already gotten your uniform."
Reyl's announcement hung in the air, but despite the chaos in the capital, Kael had to prepare for his academy's opening ceremony tomorrow. "By the way, Kael, I've already got your uniform ready," Reyl said, trying to lift the mood.
Kael perked up. "Really? Where is it?"
Reyl disappeared for a moment and returned, holding up a sleek, futuristic uniform. Kael's eyes widened at the sight.
The uniform was a marvel of modern design, exuding a sharp, military-inspired aesthetic. Made from a high-tech, lightweight fabric, it was both durable and breathable, with a slight reflective sheen that caught the light just right. The deep navy blue base color was accented with silver and black trim, and the academy's emblem, a stylized insignia, was embroidered in silver on the left chest.
The jacket was slightly oversized, extending to mid-thigh, giving it a commanding presence. It featured a high collar that could be worn up or folded down, and a double-breasted front with sleek silver buttons. Pockets were aplenty, with two on the chest, two at the waist, and an inner pocket for personal items. The shoulders were adorned with epaulets bearing the academy's insignia. The sleeves were slightly tapered with adjustable cuffs, allowing for a snug or looser fit as desired.
Instead of simple pants, the uniform included tailored, military-style trousers that were form-fitting yet flexible. They featured reinforced knees and a sleek design that tapered at the ankle, providing both style and practicality. There were two side pockets and two cargo-style pockets on the thighs, adding a functional element without sacrificing elegance.
The footwear consisted of ankle-high boots made from a durable, weather-resistant material. These boots had reinforced soles and were fastened with a combination of laces and straps, ensuring a secure fit.
A wide, black utility belt with silver accents cinched the waist, adding to the uniform's military feel while offering additional functionality. Optional gloves in matching navy blue with silver trim were available for colder weather or specific activities. An optional cap, with a structured brim and the academy's insignia, could be worn outdoors or during formal occasions.
The uniform also featured discreet integration points for wearable tech, such as communication devices or holographic projectors, seamlessly blending traditional and futuristic elements.
"Don't be late tomorrow"
Kael reassures, "I know."
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After hastily getting dressed in his new uniform, Kael dashed out the door, his hair still a mess from the rushed morning routine. He sprinted down the street, weaving through the crowded sidewalks filled with people murmuring about the attack.
He checked his watch and his heart sank. "I'm gonna be late!"