King Elvis burst into the capital's command center, his sharp green eyes burning with determination under a wrinkled forehead, his neat beard framing a tight jaw.
Maps lay scattered on the table, the dome marked big over the north, and he shouted at a fast messenger knight, his voice loud and firm.
"To the Knights' Union: The Clover Kingdom is under attack by a strange, otherworldly danger—north lands stuck in a solid dome! Send soldiers now and find out how to break it. Tell the other kingdoms—we need everyone!" He turned quick, adding,
"To B.O.R.E.M. Headquarters: Half my land's gone, because of this dome! We're up against a smart enemy. Please send your best helpers, all your stuff, any aid you can give. This is a huge problem, not just ours!"
The messenger dashed out as Elvis faced his advisors, his face tight with worry. "Get ready for the worst—no help might come soon. Strengthen the south. May the roots keep those inside safe!"
Far north, in rocky, empty foothills, Eren approached the dome's shiny edge, his thin face calm, dark eyes bright with focus under messy brown hair.
The landscape around him was a harsh, wild landscape, jagged rocks poked out of the dry, cracked ground, scattered with patches of dead grass and twisted, leafless shrubs, while broken tree stumps stood crookedly in the distance, their bark peeled away by wind.
The dome towered ahead, a massive, smooth wall stretching kilometers wide and high, its purple-tinged surface gleaming like glass, casting long, eerie shadows over the barren land.
It loomed so large it blocked part of the sky, making Eren look tiny.
Wearing dark pants, a jacket, and a cross-body bag, he stopped, staring up at the giant structure.
He hadn't heard rumors—this dome was new, and he'd been tracking a shadowy figure, a dark presence he'd hunted for months, which had led him here.
That shadow had slipped inside, and Eren, driven by a need to confront it, planned to follow. His power, a rare ability to bend energy, might let him break in, but he knew it wouldn't be easy.
He stepped closer, reaching out with his hand.
The surface felt cold and hard, shaking with power, and dark energy sparked at his fingers, pushing him back with a sharp jolt.
"Not just a wall," he muttered, rubbing his hand, "something alive." He closed his eyes, focusing his mind, and raised both hands, willing his energy to flow.
A faint blue glow sparked from his palms, and he pushed it toward the dome.
The glow hit the surface, spreading like water, but the dome resisted, the purple light flaring to block him.
He gritted his teeth, pouring more power, but the energy bounced back, knocking him off his feet. He hit the ground, rolling to stand, shaking his head. "Too strong," he said, brushing dirt from his jacket.
He tried again, this time aiming a narrow beam, his face tight with effort.
The beam pierced the surface for a moment, then fizzled out, the dome sealing itself with a mocking pulse. "Stubborn," he growled, wiping sweat from his brow.
Undeterred, he paced along the base, the dome's edge stretching endlessly, its size overwhelming.
He pulled a small device from his bag—a metal ball with glowing marks—and activated it, sending a thin light at the wall.
The light faded, absorbed with a flash, and he tossed the useless tool aside. "Useless," he muttered.
He sat on a rock, thinking hard, then stood, deciding to use his power differently.
He stretched his arms wide, channeling energy into a wide wave, hoping to weaken the dome's hold.
The blue glow spread, crackling against the purple, but the dome pushed back, sending a shockwave that threw him into a pile of stones.
He groaned, pulling himself up, a cut on his arm bleeding slightly. "This dome is different" he said with a wry smile, wiping the blood.
He noticed the dome's pulse slowed after each clash, a rhythm he could use.
Waiting for the next dip, he gathered his strength, his dark eyes narrowing.
He thrust his hands forward, unleashing a concentrated burst of energy, his body trembling with the effort.
The blue light clashed with the purple, sparks flying, and for a moment, the dome wavered.
He pushed harder, veins popping on his neck, and a small crack formed—a hole just big enough to squeeze through.
"Got you," he panted, stepping close. The opening shimmered, unstable, but he didn't hesitate.
He adjusted his bag, took a deep breath, and slipped inside, the dome sealing behind him with a low hum.
His hunt for the shadow was on, his power proving its worth.
In Fallow's Ferry, the Void Reavers' sudden retreat left a creepy quiet, but the survivors knew the danger wasn't gone.
Ash, Blackthorn, Lyra, a cowed Magister Sol, and the villagers crowded into the stone-built grain mill, slamming barricades on doors and windows.
Tension hung thick as they patched up cuts and bruises in silence, sensing the Reavers were hiding nearby, waiting.
Blackthorn, his rough face grim, gray-streaked beard tight, wiped his katana and spoke low. "They're not done. Those beasts could jump out any time—we need to be ready." He paused, his mind flashing back to the fight—those Reavers had been thickest around Sol's camp, guarding it like it held something important.
Lyra, her sharp face tense, short black hair wet, peeked through a wall gap, her voice sharp. "We need to make a move while we can, anything anyone."
Ash sat alone, his scarred face pale, wild dark hair over sad brown eyes, feeling the weight of their lives pressing down.
Magister Sol, his pointy face white, pride shaken, stammered, "The Ignition Device's broken, but its core part might work. My camp's half a mile east—if we sneak in, we could fix it, calm the energy, make a safe spot!"
Blackthorn's worn face darkened. "Sneak in? Your mess brought this on us!"
Sol's thin lips trembled. "We don't have a choice, Captain. I don't want to die here—it's our only shot."
Blackthorn rubbed his chin, glancing at Ash and Lyra.
The camp was risky, but they had to try. "We'll break in then, but what happens if they pop up on us" he questioned.
"But those Reavers—." Ash nodded, his mind spinning.
A plan hit him. It felt right, but would it work? He kept that worry to himself.
The plan to break into the camp was set, a desperate gamble.
Outside, the dome pulsed quietly. Along its edge, Eren had vanished inside, a new player now within the trap.