Chapter 17: First Steps of Control
A few hours later, Kaelen returned to the shelter, leaving behind the shimmering crystalline dungeon entrance. The massive shelter gate slowly opened before him, and the two guards standing there looked paler than before, their eyes filled with awe and shock from the earthquake that had shaken the place. They didn't dare utter a word, only opened the way for him.
"The dungeon has been cleared," Kaelen said in a calm voice, ignoring their expressions. "There's no immediate threat from that area now."
Kaelen entered, feeling eyes watching him from every corner. Hushed whispers spread among the survivors, a mix of curiosity, fear, and awe. They had heard about his power, about the earthquake, and about the deal with Harun. His presence now asserted itself; he was no longer just another survivor.
He headed directly to the room designated for him and Emily. He found her sitting on the bed, her face pale, but her eyes anxiously watching the door. When she saw him, she jumped up, a mix of relief and fear etched on her features.
"Kaelen!" she whispered, then ran towards him, but stopped before reaching him, as if unsure how to act.
"I'm fine," Kaelen said, his voice calm and reassuring. "I'm back."
Emily looked at his arm, then at his face, as if searching for any sign of injury. "Everything... everything shook. There was a huge purple light above the subway. I couldn't just sit there. I felt like I had to do something, so I went to prepare the medical supplies. Are... are you really okay?"
"I'm perfectly fine," Kaelen confirmed. "It was a battle, but it's over. You showed great courage by moving. That's important."
Emily felt a rush of warmth at his words, as if she had received recognition for her new strength. "That's good," Kaelen said. "Now, eat your food and rest. We'll need your energy."
After Kaelen made sure Emily was settled and eating, and perhaps after taking a brief rest himself, it wasn't long before Harun requested a meeting. The meeting was in a small room, devoid of any furniture except a metal table and two chairs. Harun entered, his stern face revealing no emotions, but his eyes sharply observing Kaelen.
"I heard you 'cleared' the dungeon," Harun said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "And the earthquake that shook the shelter was caused by you."
"Yes," Kaelen replied calmly. "I eliminated the 'Leader' and all the creatures. The area is safe now."
Harun sighed slowly. "We didn't expect you to be this powerful. You've proven you deserve the title of 'Guardian.' But your actions were reckless. An explosion like that so close to the shelter could have endangered everyone."
"It was the only option to eliminate the threat," Kaelen countered, his voice steady. "There was no time to consider secondary consequences when the shelter was under direct threat."
Harun stared at Kaelen for a long moment. "You're not afraid, are you?"
"Fear is a luxury I cannot afford in this world," Kaelen said. "Focusing on the objective is what keeps me alive."
"Alright," Harun said, as if weighing every word. "The deal has been set. You are the shelter's Guardian. You will receive your double rations, and your room will be secure. But in return, I want you to start exploring the areas near the university. We need resources, and a better understanding of what we're facing outside."
"And my condition?" Kaelen asked, his eyes never leaving Harun's.
"No one will interfere in your personal affairs when you're not on a mission," Harun replied. "And how you use your power is your decision alone. But remember, the shelter's safety is our top priority."
Kaelen offered a faint smile. "Deal."
After the meeting, Kaelen returned to his room. He sat on the bed, his mind analyzing every word Harun had said. He had gotten what he wanted: freedom of movement and recognition of his power, in exchange for protecting the shelter. But this was only a small part of his plan.
"The university..." Kaelen murmured. This was his new playground. It wasn't just buildings; it was filled with secrets and dangers. He had heard stories of the horrors that occurred at the beginning of the catastrophe, the massacres committed by the monsters, and the despair that swept over humanity. But he had also heard whispers of other "Awakened" individuals, people who had begun to acquire strange powers like Emily and himself, news brought by a few new survivors who had reached the shelter. This expanded his vision of the world.
He had to begin his systematic exploration. Identifying resource locations, understanding monster paths, and perhaps, finding other survivors who could be allies or obstacles. The university itself was an open dungeon, full of opportunities and challenges.
"Time to move," Kaelen thought. "This is just the beginning."