Far away on the north side of the city, there was a military base. There are different sorts of buildings, each with its own functions and purpose. Some of them are huge dome-like structures for the practicing and controlling of one's aspects of affinity, and some are huge, tall structures meant for the research and manufacturing of weapons and other similar things used by the military.
There was one specific building that stood out the most. It was made up of different kinds of blocks, and there were no windows or doors for entrance. From the outside, every block is just as large as a normal-sized room, but from the inside, it is another story. Anyone who wants to enter the building has an ID card, and they just need to swipe that card in front of a block, then they can choose which block they need to visit. Upon choosing a certain block, that block will move from its place, come to the person who wants to enter it, and then it will open a door for that person.
It was a strange building that operated like a living being. And every time someone entered a block, they felt awe at the working of that building. It was created by someone extra smart and a great engineer.
There is also another building which, in comparison, was not so pleasing to look at. There are multiple rooms and other things attached to it. And among those rooms, there is an office for the engineer who designed the block building and helped the army build it.
This office was situated in a quieter wing, its walls lined with schematics and humming with the low thrum of active machinery. Within it, the air shimmered with rotating holograms and the blue light of engineering projections. Here sat Theron Noxvel, head engineer of the southern reclamation unit, a man in his late 40s absorbed in his work. His fingers danced over the holo-interface, adjusting barrier alignments and support structures for the expanding outer zones of Drayholme. Each flicker of energy represented blueprints for survival, lives dependent on his ingenuity.
He was an ordinary man with no affinity, yet he lived a comfortable life far beyond what someone of his status should enjoy. No one knew how hard he had worked his entire life to get where he was now, or how much racism and prejudice he had faced to get here.
In this world, people with affinity were the power holders. Those without powers were seen as little better than animals. But Theron was the one who had made a difference, raising the living standards for humans with no powers. Before him, the only livable part of the city with all the resources needed to sustain life was Draycrest. The other two districts, Ironreach and The Grind, were left abandoned, suffering terrible resource shortages. The people with powers only cared about their own district. Only after the appearance of Theron did they manage to build Ironreach from zero. After decades of his hard work, Ironreach finally had enough resources to sustain human life, though still not as many as Draycrest. The Grind remained his goal, and he worked day and night to make it livable someday.
He was immersed in his work, trying to figure out the layout of another city, when the door hissed open with a faint release of steam.
"Still buried under your own brilliance, Theron?" a calm yet firm voice interrupted.
Adkin Scot, an old friend with a knack for mischief and wisdom, stepped inside. Tall with warm brown skin and sharp eyes, he had a commanding presence. Today, his gaze held a hint of concern.
Theron looked up, allowing a smile to break through his exhaustion. "Scot! You're still alive? I figured by now some creature out there would have swallowed you whole."
Scot chuckled, stepping into the room with his usual relaxed swagger. "Too stubborn to die, my friend. You know that about me."
They exchanged a strong handshake, and Theron noticed the fatigue on Scot's face. They sat across from each other at a cluttered table, holographic displays flickering between them.
"So," Theron asked, leaning back, "how's your family?"
"Thriving," Scot said, pride in his voice. "The girls are both in the combat academies, training harder than I ever did. Makes me feel old but… proud." He gave a mock sigh. "I told them to stay away from boys, though. Especially those smooth-talking Mid-District types. Overprotective father to the core."
Theron chuckled. "They'll stop listening to you the moment you blink."
"They already have," Scot smirked, but Theron saw the worry behind it. The world outside was dangerous.
Scot leaned forward, his expression shifting. "By the way, when are you moving to the Draycrest District?"
Theron's brow furrowed. "Why would I?"
"Come on, Theron. Your daughter became a captain. That comes with rights. You've earned your place there."
Theron sighed. "I know. But leaving the Ironreach… It doesn't sit right with me. I want Kyle and Rosaline to have roots, not just a position. Kyle idolizes Elysia. He's ambitious, but he's only seen what the government wants him to see. You and I know the world outside is so dangerous that even the bravest, smartest people can perish without a trace. What if he joins the army and gets hurt?"
"Still worrying about what people think?" Scot probed gently.
"I'm not worried for me," Theron corrected. "I'm worried for Kyle. He won't let the world dictate his life, and that's the kind of person the world breaks."
Scot's expression turned serious. "He'll find his way. And if he's anything like you, he'll be just fine."
Theron chuckled softly. "Let's just hope he takes the good parts from me."
They shared a moment of laughter, but it soon faded.
"Are you prepared for what's coming?" Scot asked, his tone heavy with gravity.
"In this area, it's unlike anything we've dealt with before," Theron said, leaning in. "The terrain is half-collapsed, riddled with water channels and unstable walkways. It's a nightmare."
Scot nodded. "Then you need to explain it to everyone involved very carefully. I know with you backing us, we can complete this mission."
The two men stood and walked to the massive block-structured building. Scot swiped his card, chose "Operation Command," and a block from the top shifted its position, moving before them and opening a doorway. They entered, and the door sealed behind them, the block returning to its place.
They entered a vast hall filled with soldiers in sharp uniforms, each captain wearing a stern expression. At the center stood a large square table. Scot stepped forward, and all eyes turned toward Theron, a mix of skepticism and intrigue in their gazes.
"Good," Scot said with authority. "We're about to embark on an unprecedented mission. One that requires our best. Listen well." He gestured to Theron. "Take it from here."
Theron steadied himself and approached the table, activating the holo-interface. Projections of the terrain, structural instability charts, and weak points filled the air.
"It's good to meet everyone gathered here for this mission," he began. "I know how hard it is beyond the walls. Venturing out to reclaim land is a job that demands respect. It takes more than courage."
The soldiers fell silent, a sense of pride settling over them.
Theron continued at a slow, steady pace. "This time, our mission is to reclaim a city near a water resource. We all know water is vital. Claiming this city will resolve most of that problem. The city was built along a mountainside, with a river that flows into a sea."
At the word sea, a palpable wave of excitement rippled through the lower-ranked soldiers. Their postures straightened, and eager glances were exchanged. For most, the sea was a myth, a thing from stories. The mere chance to see it was a powerful lure.
"But," Theron's voice grew heavier, dousing the excitement. "When the unknown beings descended, people had to flee. This city is close to the river, the sea, and the mountains. The danger it represents is three times greater than any city we've reclaimed so far."
His words landed like a physical blow. The eager faces tightened into masks of grim anticipation. They knew their chances of facing beasts and monsters had just tripled. A tense, respectful silence followed. No one was in a hurry to ask questions.
Theron paused, a clear hesitation in his voice now. "From the looks of it, the city seems abandoned, but it is not merely abandoned. It has a life of its own. We've recovered most of the maps, but one crucial area remains elusive." He tapped a region flashing ominously on the hologram. "We've tried to scout it with high-speed drones, but every time, they were intercepted. Twenty percent of the area is still unknown. In a city this size, that remaining area can hide horrors we can't even imagine. And we were right."
He pointed to three triangle dots on the map, separate from each other. His voice dropped low, as if to contain the fear of his next words.
"Sometimes, before we lose them, our drones behave unusually. They don't just fail; they are played with. The footage shows the air itself bending, like a black hole devouring all light."
The screens displayed three different videos showing the air collapsing and disappearing into nothingness.
A deep, creeping dread filled the hall. The low-ranked soldiers felt a chill in their bones. This was wrong. This was unnatural.
"And according to our research," Theron said, the next word leaving his lips like a curse, "we believe this is the work of a devil."
The word devil did not just echo; it struck. The air was punched from the room. Every soldier, regardless of rank, froze. Eyes widened. Jaws clenched. It was a myth, a nightmare, a word from children's horror stories suddenly made real. The silence that followed was absolute and terrifying.
"This area is under the influence of a devil. We don't know what type, but we've determined its rank is at least Devil Phase. We never recovered the drones. Something is interfering. We don't have the time or resources to continue scouting. The Three Great clans have a list of areas they want to monopolize. We have to do this before it's too late. But we are not sending you in without preparation. This time, Major Scout Adkin will go in to take care of that devil himself."
"Why this city?" A voice broke the silence. A female captain, as young as Elysia, stood with fiery determination. "There are other water cities. Why are we going after this one instead of an easier target?"
"Because those 'easier' cities are already in the sights of the three great clans," Scot replied, his tone firm and leaving no room for argument. "They are fully interested in capturing those first. This one is harder, but it matters. It holds the potential for a teleportation gate. Clean water, trade routes. The future of the Ironreach and The Grind hinges on this mission. This isn't about ambition. It's for survival."
The crowd exchanged glances, doubt and fear boiling beneath the surface.
Suddenly, Theron slammed his hand on the table, the sound cracking through the hall and drawing every eye.
"You're afraid. Good. You should be." His voice rose to meet their uncertainty. "But we are not asking you to face it alone. This first operation is about preparation. Understanding the creature we are up against."
He gestured to the map, highlighting specific buildings. "These are partially intact structures your teams can use as safe zones. I've mapped a path through submerged corridors, hidden from the creatures."
"Are you suggesting we run and hide?" a captain scoffed from the back.
"No," Theron retorted, his gaze sharp. "I'm suggesting we outsmart them. Knowledge is our greatest weapon. We observe, learn, attack, and fall back to prepare a counterattack. For the devil, we will learn its type and its weakness. After the scout team finds that information, Major Adkin will deal with it, and I will help create a death trap for it."
A low murmur of resolve began to replace the fear.
Scot stepped forward. "This mission starts in three days. Squad leaders, meet with Theron for route coordination. Engineers, prep the equipment. The rest of you, train like your life depends on it. Because it will."
His voice ignited a spark. The tension shifted, now thick with grim resolve.
As they began to disperse, murmuring about the tasks ahead, Theron and Scot exchanged a glance. They understood the shadows still loomed, but so did a promise.
Theron turned back to his fading projections. The path ahead was uncertain and dangerous. But they had a plan. And for now, that had to be enough.
After some time, Scot said goodbye to Theron to practice and refocus. For Theron, half the day remained, and with it, another duty in the southern part of the city, where a reclaimed section of forest waited.
That forest was reclaimed by the army.
This part of the land was reclaimed only recently, a scar upon the body of a once-great forest. After the descent of the unknown creatures, it had been left untouched by human hands, a domain surrendered to the wild. For generations, it had been inhabited by monsters and beasts. While most posed little individual danger, an endless crowd of them was a separate matter entirely—a tide of teeth and claws that could overwhelm any ordinary defense.
The government was forced to ask the three great powers of the city for help. Only one house answered the call, sending a single transcendent human. At the start, everyone thought it a useless gesture, a token effort. But a single transcendent human possessed more power than a legion of masters. Despite all odds, the government and this one transcendent being managed to clear this part of the forest and erect the great, heavy metal wall of enhanced alloy.
The entire city was protected by these thick, heavy metal walls that stretched defiantly into the sky. However, in this world, any creature whose rank is that of a devil could easily tear those walls apart as if they were parchment. But long ago, when the unknown creatures first descended upon this world, there was the first cohort of the heroes who successfully managed to repel the creatures back. And among those heroes, there was a saint who possessed an extraordinary affinity for divine-level enchantments.
Because of that one hero, humankind managed to develop four great cities around the world. And each time someone conquers land, surrounding it with that ancient enchantment, people can live there without fear of the unknown creatures. In a sense, that enchantment holds unlimited power and does not need the thick, heavy metal walls. The only purpose of the walls is to keep the normal civilians far away from seeing those horrible creatures, a shield for their minds as much as for their bodies.
The part of the forest that was reclaimed by the army was still littered with the bodies of large creatures. Some of them were venomous, and some had skin so tough it could not be cut through. And due to those animals, the very composition of the wood in the area had also changed. The trees left behind were so tough and strong that the army was forced to use special enchantments to fell them. In the end, the trees were not the true problem.
The problem, however, was that the land they had secured was infertile, its soil a hard, toxic crust, seemingly beyond all restoration. It was once part of the vibrant forest, and now Theron's task was to head there, to walk that blighted earth, assess the deep sickness in the ground, and find a way to help the farmers restore life and fertility to the soil.
He wrapped up his glowing holograms, the light dying with a soft sigh, and headed out from his office. The vehicle assigned to transport him hadn't arrived yet, so he used the waiting time to review the final plan once more. He let his eyes trace over the shimmering maps and all the materials related to the upcoming mission, his mind scanning for any detail he might have overlooked, any shadow of a mistake.
Satisfied that his preparations were a woven tapestry with no loose threads, Theron finally noticed the vehicle pulling up, a silent beetle of polished metal. He boarded promptly, and it began its swift drive toward the southern sector of the city.
As the vehicle surged forward, Theron felt the familiar thrill of the advanced transportation system propelling him toward his destination. The sleek hovercraft glided like a ghost along the expansive circular road that surrounded Drayholme's outer districts, an engineering marvel designed to whisk engineers and specialists across the city at astonishing speeds.
Gazing out the window, Theron marveled at the breathtaking blend of urban landscape and stubborn nature. High-rise buildings brushed against the belly of the sky, interwoven with trees and greenery that seemed to be reclaiming their space among the steel and glass. It was a futuristic utopia, a dream of an ancient forest thriving in harmony with modernity. It was the Draycrest district.
Paved roads intertwined with pristine canals that flowed with crystal-clear water, and open spaces revealed sprawling parks and entertainment areas that beckoned to families and children. Everything about the district spoke of a resilient hope, a future where harmony could exist against the backdrop of a harsh world.
Despite the speed at which they traveled, the city was a vast and sprawling entity. Under normal circumstances, it would take nearly two days to traverse its entirety, yet this innovative transportation system made a mockery of time and distance. Just forty minutes later, the vehicle approached the designated area where Theron's expertise was needed—a vast clearing, a wound recently carved from the surrounding forest.
As they drew closer, Theron's heart sank at the sight of the felled trees strewn across the ground like fallen giants, their massive trunks being loaded onto trucks that rumbled in and out of the processing area. The metallic, thick, heavy wall towered alongside the cleared land, a silent god of progress standing sentinel, sheltering the scientists in their desperate quest to bring this poisoned land back to life.
The vehicle stopped at the entrance of the largest building, its sleek exterior reflecting the stark contrast of nature versus technology. Stepping out, Theron took a moment to gather his thoughts, to feel the weight of the silent, dead earth beneath his feet before entering, aware of the immense burden placed upon his shoulders.
Inside, he was greeted by a hive of focused activity: four scientists toiling over their respective projects, each dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of the land now tainted. Two huddled together, their world narrowed to the poisonous creatures that had once populated the forests, analyzing samples and discussing findings in hushed, urgent tones. The other two worked tirelessly, their hands moving with practiced precision over solutions designed to neutralize the toxins that had seeped into the very soul of the earth.
"Theron!" one of the scientists exclaimed, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she looked up. "We were just about to give you an update on our progress."
As he approached, Theron tuned in, his entire being eager for insights on the current state of affairs. "What's the situation? Are we making headway?"
"Progress is slow but promising," said Dr. Nyra, one of the scientists specializing in the poisonous fauna. "We've identified the primary threats from the creatures that once inhabited the area. Most of them are your typical forest dwellers: beasts who've adapted to the environment without toxic properties. However, some evolved into hazardous creatures we've dubbed the Venomwraiths, malevolent beings capable of exuding a poison we've named Baneveil. Their venom seeps into the soil, causing it to turn rancid and unyielding."
Dr. Eldran, the other scientist specializing in chemical solutions, chimed in, "We've synthesized a neutralizing agent, Purity Elixir, by diluting the Baneveil and infusing it with the blood of the Aether Serpent, a creature known for its legendary resistance to toxins. Unfortunately, that removes the poison's potency from the soil, but it doesn't resolve the issue of density and acidity."
Theron frowned, understanding the complex, layered problems involved. "That's a start, but there's still the matter of farming machinery. We need a solution that allows us to cultivate this land effectively. The acidity can be neutralized, but machinery can't handle the hardness of the upper soil layer."
Dr. Nyra nodded, her expression darkening. "That's precisely the issue. We have ten to fifteen machines out there that have failed miserably, breaking down after just a few attempts to work the soil, their hearts broken by the ground."
Feeling a knot of determination tighten within him, Theron motioned for the scientists to follow him outside. He needed to see the breakdowns firsthand. As they stepped into the sunlight, Theron was greeted by a graveyard of machinery, decrepit vehicles tossed aside, their broken forms bearing witness to their struggles against the harsh soil.
Surveying the shattered remains, Theron began devising a plan. "We need to modify these machines. The soil may be hard on the surface, but below the first layer, it's still workable. What if we introduce an irrigation system directly into the machinery?"
As the scientists listened intently, he continued, "We could add tanks for water storage to each machine. This way, when they operate, they'll simultaneously irrigate the soil, softening it enough to facilitate actual farming. We can use Purity Elixir to help, but our immediate need is to create a system that can handle hard soil and facilitate moisture."
"What if we modified the plows to sub-soil aerators?" Dr. Eldran suggested, a spark of inspiration igniting in his eyes. "If we can penetrate the upper layer while watering, we might be able to break through to the softer soil beneath."
Theron nodded vigorously. "Exactly! Let's get to work on creating that design and integrating the solution to water the ground as they run."
With the scientists' enthusiasm renewed, they returned to the lab to start collaborating on the enhancements needed. As they brainstormed potential designs and engineering solutions, Theron felt a surge of hope. Reclaiming this land for agriculture was no longer just a distant dream; with innovation, determination, and science, they would make it a reality.
The urgency of their mission stood tall in his mind, mingled with the weight of responsibility he carried as a father. The plight of their people fueled his resolve, for their survival depended on this endeavor.
"We're going to take this land back," he reaffirmed. "And we're going to do it in a way that ensures a lasting future for Drayholme and its people."
As they worked late into the night, the sound of machinery whirring in the background was drowned out by their steadfast commitment to transform this adversity into strength and cultivate a future filled with possibility.