[🚨 Milestone Reached: Chapter 100 COMPLETE! 🚨
Yes, you read that right. Chapter 100 is done—and Arc 5 comes to a close. But don't worry: this isn't the end.
Nero Angelo has said goodbye to everything he knew and stepped into a new world. A world of magic, swords, and chaos. A world that has no idea what's coming.
Arc 5 ends, but Nero's journey? It's just beginning. And I'm still building the path forward, so there's plenty more story coming for everyone who's following along.
💀 Protector at his side.💀 Oblivion on his back.💀 And one man walking into a world that can't even imagine him.
Chapter 100 is here. Arc 6 starts soon. Stay ready.]
As Nomad rumbled steadily northward, the base behind it was a flurry of controlled chaos. Soldiers barked orders across the compound, organizing the evacuation with practiced urgency. Supplies were being loaded into transports, civilians were grouped into units and briefed on basic survival procedures. Fear lingered in the air, but so did determination. They were moving—because they had to. Because staying behind meant death.
Inside the command wing, Dr. Elias Grant moved quickly through the corridors, clutching a secured case of notes and delicate instruments. He'd gathered everything he could from his lab: samples, logs, even a few experimental tools he had once intended to show Angelo. Now, there would be no time for that.
His steps soon brought him to the civilian quarters. The guards outside Angelo's family's room stiffened when they saw him approach.
"Dr. Grant," one said, saluting. "Need anything?"
Grant returned a quick nod. "No, I'm here to speak with the family." He paused, noticing the extra uniforms. "Weren't there only two of you before?"
"Yes, sir. Colonel Pierce doubled the detail around them. Just in case."
"Smart move," Grant muttered. "We'll need every precaution."
One of the guards stepped inside and returned shortly. Angelo's family emerged slowly—James, Olivia, Alex, Emma, and Sophia. Olivia clutched a go-bag, her eyes red. Little Emma stood close, clutching the strap of her backpack tightly, while Sophia placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, calm but alert.
"We don't have much time," Grant began, eyes scanning their faces. "So I'll keep it short. I'm Dr. Elias Grant. I worked closely with Angelo."
James stepped forward slightly. "Is he okay?"
"He's okay. He left the base less than an hour ago. Headed north."
Olivia gasped. "Why? Why would he go alone?"
"He's not alone, we sent two soldiers with him. He's trying to change the direction of the monsters that came through the tear. He's using himself as bait. The idea is to buy us enough time to evacuate."
Alex's expression darkened. "Tch. What took him so long? Honestly, he should've stayed out there. This—" he gestured to the frantic evacuation around them "—all of this is because of him."
James whipped his head around. "Alex, enough."
But Grant's expression had already darkened.
"I've met my share of stubborn fools, but you…" Grant's voice cracked with restrained fury. "Do you have any idea what he's been through? He fought the Watchers. He held off angels. He put his life on the line every damn time we asked him to—without question—just to make sure this world didn't collapse. And this is how you repay him?"
Alex didn't budge. "He's not a person. He's a monster. What does it matter? It's not like he'll die—he heals through everything."
Grant took a step forward, voice rising, eyes blazing.
"He lost his powers."
That silenced the room. The air turned still.
"He can't even stop a paper cut from bleeding. Every step he takes hurts like hell. His body's a wreck, and he still chose to leave. Not for glory. Not to prove a point. But to save you—to save all of us. And before he left, you know what he asked me?"
Grant's hand trembled as he spoke.
"He asked me to keep you safe. All of you. And he told me to tell you he was sorry."
Silence followed. Olivia's lip quivered before the first tear slid down her cheek. Emma bit her lip hard, trying not to cry, but Sophia broke the silence.
"… How did it get like this?" she asked, her voice low and trembling.
James stepped closer to his family, placing a comforting arm around Olivia and Emma. Sophia stood slightly apart, watchful and tense—not family, but fiercely protective of them. She had helped Angelo once, and now she was here to make sure his loved ones made it out alive.
But Alex… he didn't speak.
Grant turned toward him slowly.
"You know what he told me about you?" he asked. "He said you were his hero. That you saved him. He looked up to you like a god."
The silence slammed heavier this time.
"You don't deserve that kind of faith," Grant said, barely above a whisper. "But he still gives it to you."
He turned away, furious but composed. Approaching the guards, he stopped just long enough to speak.
"Protect them. With your lives."
"Yes, sir," they answered in unison, standing taller.
Grant didn't wait for more. He disappeared into the flow of people, leaving behind a hollow quiet.
Alex stood there, silent now, hands clenched at his sides. His breath was uneven.
James moved beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.
"The next time you see Angelo," he said, voice low, "you apologize. Got it?"
Alex didn't answer. Not with words.
But he gave a slow, broken nod.