Unexpectedly—
The ground shudders violently.
Trainer: What in—?!
Dark clouds boil into existence overhead, churning unnaturally.
Xylon: (Walking toward Cendric) Cen—
Black ash begins to fall.
Xylon: Hm?
Cendric: [Isn't this…?] (His eyes widen in sudden realisation) Bain'bën Xylon—be careful!
Cendric yanks Xylon aside, dragging him into cover, then bolts toward a trainer.
Cendric: Zêgrï! Everyone must get to shelter—now! The ash is dangerous!
Screams rip through the field.
Several trainees collapse, clutching their arms and faces—their skin seared and blistered by the falling ash.
Cendric: (Rushing toward them) Use the Recuperation Eggs—on them! Just trust me!
They hesitate only a heartbeat—then act.
Those with Essence step forward, casting glazed, amber-coloured ovals over the injured students. The ovals shimmer as the burns begin to recede.
Jaxton: Uo me—secure the fields! Now!!
NOTE: Uo me (FõLa) translates as "Oh my."
The other half of those with Essence raise their hands in unison, weaving webbed Energy barriers over the trainees.
The barrier begins to seal—
—but Cendric bolts forward before it fully forms.
---
Alväin-Central
Imperial Library
The earth's violent tremor reaches the capital.
Shelves rattle. Ancient tomes slide.
King Alf and the Royal Commandant exchange a sharp look.
Princess Raina steps toward the window—
Her breath catches.
From a rupture in the darkened sky, Totutũks pour forth, spilling like ink into the air.
A sharp pain stabs behind her eyes.
Princess Raina: Ah—
Alf catches her instantly, steadying her against his chest.
Elflord: Are you all right?
A low, strained roar escapes her lips—
—and before anyone can react, she and the Elflord vanish.
Royal Commandant: Your Majesty—! Whoa!
The tremors intensify.
Royal Commandant: (Charging out of the library)
ALL SOLDIERS—PROTECT THE AREAS!
GET THE ELDARS TO SAFETY!!
---
Raina and Alf reappear violently, tumbling into the market of a village.
Princess Raina: What—?
Without warning—
Alf twists, pulling Raina tightly against him, then falls backward, rolling over her—
Just in time.
A Totutũk slams down where she had been.
Alf takes the hit meant for her.
He grits his teeth, one hand clutching the earth.
With a sharp glare, jagged stone spikes erupt by Alf's control, piercing the Totutũk's mid-chest.
The creature explodes into nothingness.
Alf rises, hauling Raina up with him.
Princess Raina: (Reaching for him) Your Flourish—are you hurt?
Elflord: (Quiet, reluctant) No.
His eyes flick to the hand he used to just bow Kewen.
Elflord: …No need.
He stiffens—sensing something.
NOTE: Kewen Trait — A rare ability to control metal and earth.
Princess Raina: Your Majesty, I do not know where we are, but it seems—
Alf places a hand on her shoulder.
Elflord: Raina.
She looks at him.
Elflord: Wait for me.
Princess Raina: What—?
He pushes.
An Energy hand forms, gripping her and dragging her far away from him.
Above Alf, Totutũks gather, circling.
Totutũk 1: This one possesses strong Essence.
Totutũk 2: Yet his Chi Core scents weak.
Totutũk 3: Our Mother may still be pleased.
Alf: [They cannot discern who I am?] (A faint smirk) [Of course. I am the Draga Successor of Deceit.]
He lowers himself gracefully—
—and slips off his right shoe.
---
Raina slices through the Energy hand with her whip, landing hard.
She pants, steadying herself.
Princess Raina: That was… the Kewen Trait.
The Yin possesses the Kewen Trait—
Then why did he push me away?!
Her fists clench.
Princess Raina: His life is in danger—so why?!
From the shadows of an old warehouse, seven twisted beings observe.
Evil Being 1: Heh-Eh-Eh… That Wendi is beautiful from behind. Imagine her from the front.
Evil Being 2: Let us take her through living forms.
The creatures shift, skin twisting—
—until Elven shapes emerge.
Evil Being 3: Hey, beautiful! Come over here!
Princess Raina, lost in thought, does not respond.
Evil Being 4: (Picking up a stone) I think— (He hurls it) —she is deaf!
The stone strikes Raina's head.
Silence.
---