Deeply moved, tears welled up in Alcyoneus's eyes."Sir, we’ve all been waiting for you. We know that you will bring us hope and that we’ll overcome whatever challenges that come our way, no matter how difficult it is," he said excitedly. Adrian replied, "I've been able to go down this path because of your fearlessness, Alcyoneus. You and the others have done exceptionally well. Drogoton is fortunate to have you all protecting it.”"Sir, the people of Drogoton heard that you're here and have come to welcome you. They've been restless, but they trust you and believe that you can bring hope to them."Adrian nodded and walked toward the waiting crowd. Countless eyes fixed on him, eagerly waiting to hear comforting words. He raised his right hand and shouted, "Everyone, I'm happy to see you all here after the disaster. I know that in your hearts, you feel fear, despair, and hopelessness. I understand because I'm facing the same problems too."The crowd took a collective deep breath
"It's good to see you again, kid." Adrian and Remy were excited to reunite, despite the circumstances. Remy then said, "Let's talk more inside.""Sure."Adrian then noticed Gracia and approached her. "Gloria's currently in Novemton, and she's safe. You don't have to worry about her. I'm sure you two will be able to meet when this is all over."This was the best news Gracia had heard in a long time.Adrian entered Drogoton's headquarters with Remy and the others. Once inside, he introduced Rozi to Remy and recounted their journey, including Marissa and the significance of her eyes. Alcyoneus and the others were amazed when they heard the story."Sir, are you saying that the people of the past have experienced what we're currently going through? Also, this Wonder left behind clues for us to resolve all of this mess, but we need to solve whatever puzzle he left behind before we can unravel what the method is?""Yes, that's correct. Wonder made these clues extremely challenging
They bedded down to rest after their long discussion. Adrian, finally thinking he could get a good night's sleep, was woken up by a commotion within the city."Hurry!”"Move, move, move!”"It’s a new monster! It's completely different from the ones that have been besieging the city!"Adrian jumped out of bed and saw Rozi getting up too.Rozi asked, "What's happening?"Adrian shook his head.A soldier then rushed in and reported, "Sir, the city is under attack by a new kind of monster that resembles a minotaur. Sir Remy is currently leading the defense assault."Adrian said, "Rozi, let's go find out what's happening."The two of them quickly made their way to the city walls. Soldiers were stationed along the top. Gunfire echoed and explosions rang out. Adrian and Rozi got to the top to get a better view. The approaching horde of monsters was vast and seemed to encircle Drogoton like a tidal wave. In the midst of these invading monsters stood a kind that they had never seen befo
Adrian's mind raced, desperately searching for a way to deal with these minotaur monsters.Rozi launched her sword at one of the minotaurs. It landed on the creature’s head but was quickly deflected thanks to its incredibly tough body. Her attack was ineffective."Quick, think of something," she urged."I'm thinking," Adrian replied with his eyes closed, rapidly assessing the situation of these monsters in his mind, trying to find a way to counter them. Dealing with monsters that had such extreme body heat was an insurmountable challenge."Oh no! The city walls are heating up!" "The monsters are getting closer! We need a plan!" "The walls won't hold for long!" The advancing minotaurs had elevated the temperature in their vicinity so that even the city walls began to scorch. The searing heat was unbearable, and the soldiers stationed atop the walls were feeling the pressure, including Adrian.Rozi, in a desperate attempt, leaped from the city walls and struck at one of the mi
As the temperature continued to drop, the snowfall intensified. People within the city were shivering with cold, and even objects froze in place. The soldiers were trembling from the cold too.Rozi, who had rejoined Adrian, could not hide her astonishment as she observed the spectacle in the distance."What's happening?" she asked."It's Marissa,""What?"Adrian never expected Marissa's eyes to possess such an ability. He had experienced how cold the gems were back at the War Legate Shrine, but he had not expected them to still work this way after fusing with Marissa. Marissa, on the other hand, looked calm as she continued to radiate with piercing cold. The surrounding temperature had fallen to negative twenty degrees Celsius. Snowflakes were forming everywhere, and slowly, the cold spread until it reached the outskirts of Drogoton. The minotaurs were confronted with this expanding cold. Their fiery bodies cooled as they came into contact with the cold air. The reach of this
The eye gems were part of the artifact Wonder had recreated. When the gems fused with the eagle artifact, they would become a weapon capable of defeating the Creator. Marissa's eyes were only part of the whole artifact. Yet, the light she unleashed was capable of such powers, leaving Adrian astonished. Drogoton would undoubtedly have fallen if not for her help. Adrian took Marissa back to her room after the chilling encounter. She had been through quite an ordeal and was exhausted. He gently placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket."Get some rest. We'll be setting out early tomorrow," he said softly.Marissa reached out and grabbed his hand. Adrian asked, "Is something wrong?" Marissa bit her lip, trying to hide her unease and fear. "Am I going to die?"Adrian was taken aback. "Why would you ask that?" He could see the fear in her eyes. "Will you sacrifice me for the sake of winning this battle?" Perhaps because she was young, Marissa felt insecure although
Marissa extended her pinky and hooked it around Adrian's. "Thank you." Adrian smiled and gently stroked her hair. "Get some sleep. We'll leave tomorrow morning. Rozi and I will protect you along the way. You're our hope, and you’re also my family, remember that. Good night." Adrian bent down and kissed Marissa lightly on her forehead. The kiss seemed to fill Marissa with boundless courage. She obediently closed her eyes, letting go of her worries.Meanwhile, Remy and the others were holding an emergency meeting inside Headquarters to come up with a strategy against the minotaurs. There was a huge chance those monsters would appear again, so they needed to come up with a countermeasure so that Drogoton would remain strong.Remy had also contacted Sage, Sylvia, and the other cities, including Novemton, to share this information. This allowed the surviving cities to come up with a countermeasure together.After Adrian left Marissa's room, he found Rozi waiting for him."How is she
Rozi took a deep breath. She thought that scenario would be the best for Marissa. Otherwise, something worse would happen to her. "Let's hope so. I don't wish to see her hurt. She's an innocent girl who has no reason or obligation to become the gems' host.""Still, we need her," Adrian said.Rozi said nothing more and left the room.Marissa, back inside the room, had overheard their conversation. She was now aware of her situation but chose not to say anything. She was slightly afraid of what was to come. ***That evening, Remy gathered everyone in Drogoton and asked them to share their ideas on how to deal with the minotaurs. The city leaders gathered for a meeting to discuss various strategies.The sudden appearance of these monsters had caught everyone off guard. Now that they had a better understanding of the monsters' abilities, they needed to devise a plan to counter them. The minds of humans would always be capable of exceeding the Creator's expectations. Everyone came