Ravian's group was ready to depart.
Backpacks were sealed. Basic weapons distributed. Nothing excessive — speed mattered more than comfort. A few stayed behind, watching in silence as Ravian tightened the straps of his own pack.
Guy approached him, carrying an improvised spear made of stone and wood. Kael Relthur followed close behind, alert to everything.
— So this is it… — Guy murmured. — We're really going out to recruit people.
Ravian nodded.
— It's now or never.
He said his goodbyes with few words. There was no space for long speeches. Orb Valley waited for no one.
Moments later, Ravian, Guy, and Kael Relthur moved deep into the forest.
The sound of leaves crunching beneath their feet was constant. The closed canopy filtered the sunlight, scattering golden patches across the ground. Guy walked in thought until he finally broke the silence.
— Man… uh… — he scratched the back of his neck. — We know there are a lot of people scattered through this forest. But… are all of them really welcome in our group?
Ravian didn't answer right away. He walked a few more steps, then slightly turned his head.
— Right now, our ideals can't come before our survival — he said calmly, firmly. — We'll have to give up certain things if we want to stay alive.
Guy frowned.
— Does that mean letting anyone in?
— No. — Ravian stopped and faced him. — It means being strategic. Anyone who threatens the stability of the group… will be removed. No exceptions.
He paused briefly.
— Relax. Not just any monster, and not every opportunist, will become part of our society.
Guy let out a small, relieved smile.
— Good to know. Really good to know.
They walked for a few more minutes.
— So… — Guy spoke again. — Where do you think most people are?
Ravian observed the forest around them. Giant trees. Intertwined roots. Trails almost invisible.
— Tracking people here isn't easy — he admitted. — But don't worry.
He closed his eyes.
Breathed deeply.
He felt the wind brushing the leaves. The vibration of the earth beneath his feet. The weight of the sky above. Everything connected.
— This way — he said, opening his eyes. — Let's go.
They walked. And walked.
Until they found a small group.
There was no leader. No structure. Just a few kids sitting around a weak fire, laughing, eating, as if this were a summer camp.
Ravian approached without hostility.
— Hi. I'm Ravian — he said clearly. — I lead an already established society. We have supplies, weapons, shelter. We can help you. Protect you.
The youths exchanged wary looks.
— In return — Ravian continued — we need members willing to grow with us.
One of the boys stood and began circling him, observing closely, a crooked smile on his face.
— I don't know… — he said. — We're surviving just fine. Eating, drinking. We've got everything we need right here.
— This isn't just about you — Ravian insisted. — It's about collective survival.
The boy laughed.
— Screw collective survival. Everyone for themselves.
Ravian stayed calm.
— It's the third day — he said. — Look at your supplies. Your materials. Do you really think they'll last until day thirty? Intact?
The group hesitated.
— If they don't… — another boy shrugged — we'll steal.
His smile was cold.
— You've got a stable society, don't you? What if we pay it a visit?
Ravian's gaze hardened.
— I gave you an option. I won't insist. But don't follow me.
The same boy smiled again — differently now.
— You talk well, man. Real smooth.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Then—
— Fine — one of them said. — You convinced us. We'll go with you. We've got some things we can contribute if needed.
Ravian nodded.
— When we arrive, we'll inventory everything together.
— Oh — another added. — Further ahead there's a big camp. Dozens of people.
Ravian closed his eyes for a moment.
— I know. I can feel it too.
The boy swallowed hard.
— But to get there… you'll have to defeat the big guy.
— What? — Guy asked, confused.
— Their champion — the boy explained. — His name's Vernis. Earth user. From Gaia. His skin is hardened. He doesn't bleed. Doesn't break. Not even the creatures can hurt him.
Ravian cracked his neck.
— We'll see.
Not long after, they arrived.
The space between the trees was wide. A real camp. More than fifty people.
Ravian stepped forward… but no one noticed.
— Guy — he murmured. — Do your thing.
Guy knelt and pressed his palm to the ground.
The earth trembled.
Shouts.
Panic.
When the dust settled, only they remained standing.
— Everyone — Ravian spoke loudly. — I lead a society with resources, shelter, and weapons. We need to grow. We need you.
A figure stood.
Strong. Tall. Sixteen years old. Skin marked with muscles like living stone.
— Who do you think you are, coming here giving orders? — he growled.
— I didn't come to take anything — Ravian replied. — I came to offer protection.
— My name is Vernis — said the champion. — And if you want to take anyone from here… you'll have to go through me.
Laughter echoed.
Ravian handed his pack to Guy.
— Trust me — he said simply.
He stepped forward.
Vernis smiled.
— Then come.
Ravian burst forward.
Fast punches. Precise. Left. Right. Elbow. Abdomen.
The champion staggered back two steps.
Absolute silence.
Vernis spat blood… and smiled.
— I can see you're strong.
He raised his fists.
— This fight will be interesting.
And the forest held its breath.
High above the forest of Orb Valley, where the wind cut like blades and mountains rose like natural walls, there existed a place few could name — and even fewer could locate.
A base.
Heavily guarded.
Protected by advanced technology and layers of invisible security.
A training center… not for ordinary survivors, but for something beyond.
There, Asher trained.
The combat floor was solid, reinforced to withstand absurd impacts. Even so, every strike made the structure vibrate slightly.
Sweat ran down his face. Muscles burned. Breathing was heavy.
Yet his eyes remained firm.
Determined.
Asher attacked a reinforced training dummy, strike after strike. Each blow stronger than the last. There was no refined technique now — only raw force, release, contained rage.
Stronger.
Faster.
More violent.
Until—
His fist connected.
The dummy didn't break.
It melted.
Metal flowed like molten wax onto the floor.
— Wow… — a voice said from behind, clapping slowly. — That was… impressive.
Asher took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
— You're here…? — he said without turning. — Don't give me unnecessary praise.
The figure approached.
Always with that calm smile. That gaze that seemed to see too much.
— And when did I ever give you unnecessary praise? — replied Mr. Hellion, red-haired, twenty-four years old, dressed elegantly.
Asher turned.
— Then why don't you train with me? — he asked. — You're stronger. If I fight you… I'll get stronger too.
Hellion tilted his head slightly.
— I see you're trying to release something — he said. — Anger, perhaps.
— I'm controlling it — Asher snapped, too quickly.
Hellion smiled a little wider.
— Oh, are you?
In a blink, he moved.
The first punch was sharp. The second, a low kick. Then a fire sphere at point-blank range.
Asher blocked — barely.
Dodged by centimeters. Defended however he could. Counterattacked… unsuccessfully.
Hellion moved with absurd ease. He didn't sweat. Didn't strain. But he didn't underestimate either.
— You're fighting with too much emotion — he said, dodging another strike. — And that will destroy you.
The assault continued.
Until Hellion spoke again:
— I know why you train like this.
Asher froze for a fraction of a second.
— You're preparing to take revenge… — Hellion continued calmly. — For what Angelo did to you.
Something broke.
The room exploded with heat.
The air distorted. Metal objects began to melt. The floor cracked beneath Asher's feet.
His power surged. Rage took control.
Hellion narrowed his eyes.
— You really don't change… — he murmured.
Asher breathed heavily. His body radiated danger. Every step made the environment react.
— Calm down — Hellion said, raising his hands. — We don't want to destroy half the base.
In another sector, isolated by sound containment systems, Seraphina continued reading, unaware of the chaos being born just meters away.
That was when Hellion realized.
The problem wasn't strength.
It was control.
Asher attacked.
He moved too fast. Heat intensified. Metal liquefied in the air.
Hellion planted his feet.
Prepared for impact.
And in that instant, it became clear:
While societies grew in Orb Valley…
While leaders fought for dominance…
Something far more dangerous was losing its balance.