In Dafton City
The group had reached the end of the stairs. And what they saw, they surely did not expect. Down here, in Paradise, there was indeed no sky, though the overhang had been painted in different colors—most of the time blue. The air was nice, even fresher than on the surface, and a pleasant wind slapped against the bodies of Dae and the others, hushing away their foul odor and sweat.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyxB4EeVE8
Down here, it felt so good that the soldiers had to moan. Right after, they dropped to their knees. For days they had not rested well. At any moment, a ghoul or worse could appear. The stress had worn the soldiers down.
Pandora turned around and pointed at the several people walking around. They seemed to be in a market. Everywhere, tents had been erected, and fish, meat, and other things were being sold. One person noticed the group and approached them. It was a little girl with long black hair. She was carrying bread.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5HdnRpDRp
When she saw Pandora, her slow walk turned into a sprint. She hugged her, and Pandora replied in kind.
“Here, for you,” the girl uttered and handed Dae her bread. Dae accepted it reluctantly, replying:
“Won’t you need it yourself?”
“No, you eat it. I’m already full, hahahah! It’s good bread!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqtqJf5kClN
Pandora patted the girl’s head, and not long after, the girl hopped away.
“The bread is not poisoned,” Pandora informed Dae. “And don’t worry. Down here, everything is in abundance. Everyone is kind, and we share—our food, our water, our luck, and also our pain. Many people here lost someone dear to them. So the least we can do is live our lives to the fullest and in a good way.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIWKhHJQqc4
All of this became possible through our King. Maybe you’ll even meet him later! For now, follow me!”
“Where?” Dae demanded.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5DfHk306wm
He felt Rayshel’s gaze on him—or rather on his bread. So he broke it in two and tossed one half over to her. Then he tasted the bread, and his face alone was enough to show how delicious it was.
“I told you the bread is good!” Pandora reminded them. “Everything down here is good. And you’re coming to my place. You need to wash and eat!”
“I don’t think we need that, Pandora,” Dae replied. “I thank you for everything, but—”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsI92ZvBPFe
The grumbling of the soldiers stopped him. He looked over his shoulder, then back to Pandora, then at Rayshel, who was done eating her bread and rubbing her stomach.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCm095Oosz
“Okay, let’s do it. But we don’t stay any longer than needed!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqvC5opNlQ
And everyone rejoiced.
Somewhere else in Dafton City
The girls had guided the group to an abandoned building. It was at the edge of the city, and aside from that building, there was nothing else in sight. The ground was destroyed—no lush areas. One could even argue the ground was dead. The holes only made it uglier.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA778V01mbU
They strode on, the girls in front and holding their hands.
They halted before the gate.
“What now?” Sarah wanted to know. Rick and Emilia stood behind them, watching for potential danger.
“Now we wait,” one girl replied and pointed at a door in the distance that had just opened. A man stepped out.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWQnPmNXBj
He had dark skin, which stood in deep contrast to his golden-white eyes. He was tall and broad, wearing a black coat.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmMZdMk6Up
(Zahira: He’s strong! Really strong!)8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNr1hlSvib5
The man slowly approached the gate. Along the way, his eyes switched between the girls and the others dozens of times. At last, he came to a halt and shot out his question:
“Your parents!” ...8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi0MYuI0nrT
“I see. I’m sorry. It’s not every day I get a visit from a president. Though, looking at the situation, that title carries no weight anymore.”
“It does!” Rick and Emilia replied.
“If I were to attack your president now, what would you do?”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiVJcSwyzJR
Rick stepped forward, his eyes glowing faintly.
“Try me.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeXKYopAJds
(Zahira: You can’t take him on!)
“What is your angel telling you right now?” the man demanded, his eyes narrowing to a sharp line. “I can guess. She’s warning you, right?”
“I don’t care what she says. One thing’s sure—I’ll at least take one of your arms!”
“Hahahaha! Exactly! That’s the spirit!”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvqWvcQgm8
The gate swiftly opened. Combined with the man’s reaction, the group was left in surprise.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnP1XZYQzn
Only the girls ran to the man, who took them into a hug.
“Hahaha! Did I scare you?” the man asked, and they shook their heads. Then he put them down and approached Sarah.
“I am Michael, the leader of the Resistance!”
In the air
“Are you thinking about what your mother said?” Larah wanted to know.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaScBhQbLk7
She was sitting to Dean’s right. Sark was to his left, and Jessie sat next to Sark—sleeping, weapon tightly gripped.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSny8EN5c28
Dean’s gaze wandered down Larah’s arm and locked onto the sword.
“My mother surely knew what she was talking about. However, she never said it would happen—only that there was a great possibility.”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBHhJhSk6W
He lifted his head to meet her eyes.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVNiDvX2wa
“Larah, don’t succumb to the demon, to hate, or other negative emotions. Never forget the love you carry in your heart. Don’t forget hope. Don’t forget me.”
“Dean, I’ll never—”8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgjBMK3RTE
The plane lurched into turmoil. Then the radio went on:
“We are under attack! Brace yourselves!”
Dean rushed to a window and saw Seraphina—in her dragon form—rushing past the plane, straight toward the enemy.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmoRx5jzcC
Birds were flying toward them. But they weren’t normal birds—these had turned into ghouls. They were much larger now. Some of their feathers had fallen off. Their claws were immense, and their fangs would rip anything apart.8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHh90w1KDpY
One of them alone could threaten the plane—and now, a whole herd was approaching.
Indeed, brace yourself!
8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCl9zKHZLON
