Two hours later...
All enforcers were sitting in their respective vehicles as they treaded across the vast savanna. They saw many types of animals as they passed, some more dangerous that others. But they could sense something was slightly off about them. In the vehicle which was holding all the scientists, Sterling wiped his glasses and then, put them on. He looked out of the window, gazing across the vast but dry land.
The silence stretched for longer, his thoughts dancing to a rhythm of unknown origin. He sighed, feeling bored. Then, the vehicle started beeping. The scientists were instantly alerted, realizing the chaos sensor was going off in a rapid manner. The other cars also beeped, creating an annoying melody. Cold sweat ran down the drivers face a he constantly glanced at the screen. Green lines spiked up and down in a random patter than not even math could calculate.
Right the next second, the screen shattered and then…silence. The car was too quiet…all other monitors in other cars and trucks also broke or shut off. The drivers face turned to horror as he screamed with all his might.
"IT'S A DELTA CLASS!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!"
He scanned the surroundings, seeing the wind pick up. Trees started to grow faster, their leaves falling unusually fast. Animals began to float, jumping as if they were on the moon. Then, right at that very instant… a black blot struck through the sky. The sky rippled and ripped open. A massive fragment opened right in front of them. The drivers screamed and drifted to the right, trying to avoid the rift.
Chaos beasts leapt out, destroying the environment. They roared like a pack of hungry wolves; jagged teeth lined on their mouth. Their crimson eyes sparkled as they saw the expedition team's vehicles run away. Some beasts began to run towards them while other devoured the nearby wildlife.
***
Major, Frank, Saul, Jasper and Elke began to panic. Looking outside, they saw the bulky chaos beasts rushing towards them. They imagined their heads being crushed between their massive jaws which made them lose all hope.
"We're so dead." Major said in a somber tone.
"I don't wanna die like…" Frank's face paled.
"Hey, guys. Calm down." Saul tried to control the situation. "Maybe we can escape somehow."
"The hell you mean escape! It's Delta class! The only one who can save us is God!" Elke cried out.
"Hey! What the hell are you screaming about? There are other people here." A voice shouted at them
They all turned around, seeing Arthur was shouting at them. Strangely the enforcers were very calm – almost as if they were reassured.
"We've got lieutenant general, Arthur here. We'll be safe!" Jasper said with utmost confidence. "Maybe we can help you fight them?"
Arthur locked eyes with Jasper for a moment, then laughed hysterically. The other officers also laughed in this manner which made the new team perplexed. After a few seconds, their laughter died down.
"Um…sir? What are you laughing about?" Jasper asked in a cautious tone.
"You fool. I'd be good as dead if I took on a class delta chaos fragment. Even If all enforcers here, including both the generals were to team up, we would still lose badly."
The team's last bit of hope drowned. They began slumping in their seats, accepting their coming demise. Arthur continued talking as he looked out the window, seeing that the beasts were approaching quickly.
"The Apex force is the team you call when you need to subdue a delta class fragment."
"Then…we're dead, aren't we? When these beasts catch up, we're gonna die." Frank cried out.
"Stop the crying. We're not going to die." Arthur scoffed.
"But how, sir?" Major inquired in a low voice.
Arthur smirked. "Because we have the supreme commander."
***
The chaos beasts howled as they got closer, seeking to fill their stomachs with human flesh. They ripped the ground the apart, destroying anything that blocked their path. One lunged, trying to grab a cars edge but…suddenly, he was pulled back and fell. The other monsters were also stopped in their tracks. Their roared, trying to break free of their restraint.
In the distance, Nyx was calmly sitting in the backseat of a car, peering at the beautiful darkness.
'Ah…this is my playground…let's have a little fun.'
She focused and her vision shifted to the shadows that were restraining the beasts. She switched her vision to be under a tree's shadows. Then, she clenched fists. The shadows pulled at the beasts, ripping them apart into countless pieces. The darkness crushed them under its weight. Blood and bone spread across the land like a plague. Not a single beast was spared under Nyx's eyes.
Cries filled the area as they escaped. The new recruits were left in shock after the supreme commanders show of power. Their jaws were literally wide open.
"See? You had nothing to worry about, did you?" Arthur chuckled.
The team snapped back to reality and sat down, still in shock after what they had seen before their eyes.
"But how…?" Elke whispered.
"That's the power of one of the pillars of the EOC…" Major muttered.
"I guess it's your first time seeing it." Maple commented. "I haven't seen it either but it really is something…"
"The ability to control darkness is extremely powerful. You, newbies should've seen it coming." Amelia pointed at them.
"But ma'am, how could we have known that her attribute was darkness? We don't even know your attributes?" Elke blurted.
Arthur blinked when he heard Elke list Nyx's power as an attribute but he didn't say anything.
"Maple…didn't you tell them your attribute?" Harvey asked gently.
"I may have forgotten to tell them." Maple replied sheepishly.
"Do we really have to tell our attributes to these, kiddos?" Amelias scoffed.
"Oh, come one, Amelia. They're grown men." Kay sighed.
After a few minutes of banter, Arthur brought them back to reality. The sky cleared and the sun hit them but this time it didn't hurt. They all heaved a sigh of relief before Arthur's voice echoed through their vehicle.
"Since, Maple's their instructor. Let's start with you."
"R-Right!" Maple replied, turning towards her trainees.
She drew a deep breath, calming down and opened her mouth while pointing at herself.
"My attribute is Harmony. It allows to me balance anything out."
Then, she pointed at Amelia but before she could talk, Amelia spoke up.
"My attribute is also information absorption like Major."
The group of new officers were pleasantly surprised by Amelia having a similar attribute to Major.
"So, does that mean…?" Major inquired.
"Yes, I also absorb info like a sponge."
"Moving on." Maple interrupted them. "Kay's attribute is concentration. It allows him to fully focus on anything. Kind of like putting him into the zone."
Then, she pointed at Harvey.
"His attribute is…well, it's kind of weird."
"It simply allows me to sense danger." Harvey explained more clearly.
Then, finally, Maple looked over to Arthur. She didn't say anything yet her heart began beating rapidly. Arthur glanced at Maple, feeling something in his heart but brushed it off. His lips parted as he said in a prideful tone.
"If you want to know my attribute, then you better earn it. I'm not going to tell my trump card to some guys who might die. It would be a waste."