The cold, oppressive air of the first floor felt different. After the brutal fight on the rooftop, Nyx now stood quietly amidst the crowd of students who had gathered downstairs.

Nyx, however, wasn't in a hurry.

He stood at the back, blending into the crowd. His dark eyes scanned the room as he noted the changes in his classmates. Some of them had awakened powers—abilities that had surfaced in the midst of the chaos. The energy in the room was tense, as students compared their newfound strengths.

The door creaked loudly, interrupting the tense energy in the room. All eyes turned toward it, hope and fear flickering in equal measure. A group of students, emboldened by their powers, had taken the lead in opening the massive door. There was a collective gasp as it began to slowly slide open, revealing the world outside.

"Finally," someone whispered, their voice shaky. "We can escape."

But Nyx knew better. The world outside wasn't an escape. It was another battlefield, another challenge to overcome. Whatever awaited them beyond that door would be just as dangerous, if not more so.

As the massive door creaked open, the air grew thick with tension. A gust of wind blew in from outside, but it carried no sense of freedom. Instead, it brought with it a palpable fear. The students who had rushed to the door stopped dead in their tracks.

The air outside was heavy with a sense of dread. Something was out there—something far worse than the goblins they had seen inside.

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Nyx smirked to himself, He stayed hidden in the crowd, his presence unnoticed, as the others surged toward the door. 'Let them go first', he thought. 'Let them think they're free.'

Nyx's eyes glinted in the dim light, his mind already planning his next move. For now, he would wait. When the time was right, he would claim everything.

And no one would see him coming.

_________________________________________________

Through the cracked windows that lined the first floor, grotesque creatures stalked the outside world. Their forms twisted and unnatural, some with multiple limbs, others with jagged, sharp teeth glistening in the faint red light of the sky. Their glowing eyes pierced through the darkness, watching, waiting.

A collective gasp swept through the crowd.

"Look... outside!" a terrified voice shouted.

The hope that had filled the room moments ago evaporated instantly.

"We can't stay here!" someone yelled, desperation edging their voice. "We have to fight! We have powers now, right? We can take them on!"

But fear gripped most of them too tightly. No one dared to step forward.

Then, through the rising chaos, a single voice cut through like a blade.

"We aren't going to survive by cowering in fear."

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice—Raylen. He stood tall and resolute in the center of the room, his dark eyes flashing with determination. His hand clenched into a fist, and in an instant, a bolt of electricity sparked around him, crackling through the air.

Thunderous energy surged through his veins, and the room seemed to tremble at the raw power he emanated.

Raylen had awakened.

His power wasn't just some simple gift—it was immense, commanding. The lightning that danced around him crackled with fury, lighting up the dim room like a storm had come to life inside him.

"Those of you who have awakened, stand up!" Raylen called out, his voice booming with authority. "We need to fight together if we're going to survive this."

Nyx watched from the back, his expression unreadable. He had no intention of revealing himself yet. Let Raylen play the hero. Let the others feel strong. Nyx knew the real fight would come soon enough.