The inside of the metro tunnel, with its mana-repaired walls and ceiling, stood like a defiant fortress against the savagery of the apocalypse outside. A purplish mana light reflected from the surfaces, illuminating the tunnel's dim atmosphere and casting the shadows of the survivors onto the walls. Yet, the fragility of this safety grew clearer with every passing moment, echoing in Aziel's mind through the cosmic whispers. The Shadow Fleet was coming, and this would not just be an attack, but an attempt at total annihilation.
Aziel stood in the widest section of the tunnel, in an area lit by mana crystals. The amber glow in his eyes was deepened by the dark purple veins of Kaelen's corrupt mana he had absorbed. Power flowed through his veins like a river, granting him a might he had never felt before. Yet, this might also brought great wisdom and responsibility. The legacy of an ancient noble was no longer just a lineage; it was his very existence.
Lena approached Aziel, holding a makeshift torch fashioned from a rusty water pipe found in the metro tunnel. Her face was illuminated by the torchlight; it was weary but resolute. "Our food and water supplies are running low, Aziel. I don't know how long this shelter can protect us." Her voice was anxious, but her eyes still held that spark of hope Aziel had ignited.
Aziel nodded. "I know. This is only a temporary refuge. The Shadow Fleet is approaching. Their power will tear these walls down." His eyes drifted to the deeper parts of the tunnel, disappearing into the darkness. "We need to find a safer place. And to find that place, I need to search for something about my past."
Lena looked at him with curiosity. "Your past? What do you mean?"
"The blood pact," Aziel whispered. "My ancestors… the ancient vampires and celestial gods. They wielded this mana power. And if my memories are whispering correctly, there should be hidden sanctuaries and knowledge repositories built specifically for times of apocalypse."
This was a surprising revelation for Lena and the other survivors. Aziel was revealing himself not as a mere savior, but as a being carrying the ancient secrets of the universe. One of the survivors, an old man with gray hair and a wise demeanor named Koram, stepped forward. His face was lined with age, but his eyes were sharp and intelligent. "Ancient Tales… the Sayings of the Elders… They spoke of forgotten powers hidden deep within the earth. But we always thought they were just legends."
Aziel looked at Koram. "Legends are sometimes forgotten truths. Just as mana awakened me, these secrets are now coming to light."
His mind was churning with memories infused with the mana he'd absorbed from Kaelen. Among these, a fragmented vision appeared: A temple hidden in the heart of a vast mountain, protected by mana. Its entrance was surrounded by ancient symbols and would only open for those with a specific mana signature. This vision resonated within Aziel's soul like a calling. This could be an answer for him, perhaps a new beginning.
"A temple," Aziel said, his eyes fixed on a point in the darkness. "In the heart of the mountains. That place might provide us with the knowledge and perhaps the protection we need."
"Mountains?" Lena frowned. "That's far. And the journey would be too dangerous. The world outside… It's not just full of cosmic creatures anymore. People are hunting each other to survive."
Aziel nodded. "I know. But we have no other choice. If we stay here, the Shadow Fleet will find us and destroy us. There, at least, we have a chance. And I will teach you what you need to defend yourselves."
The next few hours became an intense training period for Aziel. Using his mana, he continued to teach the survivors the basic principles of mana. Youngsters like Elara quickly grasped the concepts. Aziel taught them how to feel mana in its simplest form, how to gather it into spheres in their palms, and how to cast small energy bursts. While none of them could achieve Aziel's level of power, these basic abilities made them stronger than they had ever been. At the very least, they could defend themselves against the simplest threats.
Aziel also realized that old Koram had a deep connection to mana. Koram was slower to learn than the younger ones, but his ability to sense mana was incredible. It was as if he, too, had once been connected to mana. Aziel focused on Koram. "You have an ability too, Koram. Is there something in your past related to mana?"
Koram's eyes gazed into the distance. "I was a historian, young Aziel. I studied ancient texts. Texts that held the secrets of mana, legends, and forgotten races. But none of it was real… or so I thought." Koram raised his hand, and a faint mana light flickered between his fingers. "This… this is incredible."
Aziel understood that Koram's ability could provide them with new guidance. Perhaps Koram could better understand the temple's location or its secrets.
However, as preparations continued, a new whisper from the ancient hall of the Divine Sovereigns reached Aziel's mind. This time, among the whispers, a name echoed that chilled Aziel's soul: Astraeus.
Astraeus was the Divine Sovereigns' most lethal hunter. He was more than a warrior; he was a cosmic catastrophe. His very existence represented the death of stars and the annihilation of galaxies. With Astraeus's arrival, the vanguards of the Shadow Fleet were also becoming more distinct. Aziel's senses detected the energy signatures of colossal spacecraft and countless cosmic beings entering the Earth's atmosphere. The crimson rift in the sky had grown even larger, as if the heart of the universe was tearing itself apart.
Aziel opened his eyes. "We have no time left. We must leave immediately." His voice was resolute, but he couldn't hide the underlying anxiety.
The survivors understood the seriousness of the danger from Aziel's determined tone and expression. They began to gather their belongings, fear and uncertainty etched on each of their faces. But their trust in Aziel was deep.
The journey would not be easy. Navigating the ruined city was already difficult, and now they would have to avoid cosmic creatures and other desperate human groups in the open wilderness. Aziel took the lead, scanning his surroundings with mana to detect potential threats. Lena and Koram were with him, both trying to support Aziel in their own ways.
When they carefully emerged from the metro tunnel, the outside landscape was even more savage. The city had become a hell ruled by shadows and roars. In the distance, colossal silhouettes floated in the air, deepening the marks of destruction. Astraeus's presence weighed heavily on the air, making every breath difficult.
Aziel used his mana to create a barrier around them. This was an invisible shield, protecting them from dangers and somewhat concealing their mana signatures. But this barrier could not distract the vanguards of the Shadow Fleet forever.
Their first goal was to reach the foothills of the mountains. This meant a dangerous journey of several days. With each step, Aziel questioned himself, his powers, and his destiny. Why had he been chosen? Why was all this burden on his shoulders? But despite everything, the ancient legacy within him whispered: This is your destiny. This is your rebirth. And you are the one who will change the fate of the universe.
As night fell, the crimson sky gave way to the dull glow of stars. But even the stars were obscured by the silhouettes of the Shadow Fleet. Aziel hid his small group among the ruins, using his mana to make them even more invisible. Lena and Koram comforted the other survivors, offering them hope. Children clung to Aziel's embrace in fear, seeking warmth in his mana aura.
Aziel closed his eyes. His mind was still filled with the vision of that temple. What would he find there? The secrets of his ancient ancestors? A power to defy the Divine Sovereigns? Or just more questions? The future was uncertain, but Aziel was determined to embark on this journey to determine his own fate and the future of the universe. This journey was not just a search for refuge, but a quest to discover the true identity of the Lord of Mana and initiate the Cosmic Rebirth.