"Strider, if there is a next life, I hope we can go out on a date,"

Those were Sage's last words before the shockwave consumed her.

Nothing could withstand the blast. Everything inside Geras was turned to ashes as the city was razed to the ground. The millions of monsters that were swarming outside the city were also destroyed in the explosion, leaving not even a trace of their remains.

The blast wiped out everything within a hundred kilometers. It would take ten years before any life could hope to thrive here again.

***

The explosion at Geras resonated far and wide. Javier and his fellow pilots were navigating their jets toward Mount Regent. The sight of the mushroom cloud that rose behind them made the young warriors weep.

"Javier, Geras is gone. They've initiated Plan Three. Everyone’s…Everyone’s gone. Our city has been destroyed," they cried, faces wet with tears and hearts heavy with sorrow.

Javier inhaled deeply. "Pull yourselves together, everyone. Madam Sage assigned