Despair settled like a heavy fog over the city of Earl Harbor. The loss of their strongest assurance, S-rank degu users, had dealt a devastating blow to the people, leaving them reeling and vulnerable. As the dust settled from the brutal battle, the monsters, now floating ominously in the sky, cast their dark gaze upon the shattered civilians below.
The people looked up, their faces etched with a mix of fear, anger, and grief. It was a scene of pure helplessness. The monsters, with their sinister presence, held the power now. They spoke with cold certainty, their voices echoing through the air, reaching the ears of every person present.
"If, in three months, the top powers of the world do not make their appearance," one of the monsters declared, its voice dripping with a chilling tone, "we shall commence with the slaughter of all those residing in the East."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence, a cruel reminder of the hostages they had become. The people felt a knot tighten in their chests, the weight of their lives and the lives of their loved ones resting on the decisions of distant powers. It was a cruel game of power and politics, and they were nothing more than pawns in this twisted scenario.
Fear gripped the hearts of the civilians, intertwining with a sense of desperation. They had placed their hopes in the hands of the S-rank degu users, and now, those hopes had been shattered. It was as if the darkness had swallowed the light, leaving them stranded in a world of uncertainty and impending doom.
Looking up at the floating monsters, their monstrous forms casting long shadows over the city, the people couldn't help but feel the weight of their powerlessness. The monsters, indifferent to their suffering, regarded them with a chilling detachment. It was a cruel reminder of the vast power imbalance that existed between them.
Tears welled up in the eyes of some, while others clenched their fists, their faces contorted with anger and defiance. They were not going to go down without a fight. The threat of annihilation had ignited a spark within them, a resolve to resist, to protect their loved ones, and to reclaim their freedom.
Whispers began to circulate through the crowd, voices filled with nervousness and panic. "We won't let them destroy us," someone muttered, their voice trembling with a mix of fear and defiance. "We'll find a way. We'll fight back. The people from the other three regions will surely send their most powerful degu users. If not, after these monsters take over our country, they will surely go for them next."
The atmosphere became charged with gloomy pressure, as if swords were hanging on top of the people of the East. The people knew that they could only rely solely on the top powers of the world. They needed to unite, to come together as a community, and to find a way to escape or they'll die!
Though fear still lingered, a flicker of hope began to emerge. It was fragile, delicate even, but it was there.
And so, the city of Earl Harbor stood on the precipice of an uncertain future, their hearts heavy with grief and their spirits ignited with a newfound resolve. The countdown began, the seconds ticking away, driving them to almost insanity, their life would depend on the others now.
As evening settled over the desolate streets of the East, the air was thick with despair and a lingering sense of confinement. The people who had attempted to flee from the oppressive grasp of the monsters now found themselves trapped within an impenetrable barrier. They were like birds in a cage, yearning for freedom but unable to break free.
Outside the barrier, a few stragglers who had managed to escape before its formation stared back at their loved ones, their faces etched with anguish and helplessness. They could see the desperation and fear etched on the faces of those trapped within, their eyes pleading for salvation.
"I can't believe this is happening," one woman muttered, her voice filled with disbelief. "We thought we could escape, find safety elsewhere. But now, we're stuck out here, and they're trapped in there."
A man standing beside her nodded solemnly, his brow furrowed with worry. "I don't know what to do. We can't destroy the barrier, and they can't come out. It's like we're living in two different worlds now."
The barrier shimmered with an ethereal energy, a translucent wall that seemed impenetrable. No matter how much they tried to break through it, their efforts were in vain. It stood as a constant reminder of their entrapment, taunting them with its insurmountable presence.
Inside the barrier, the people gazed longingly at their loved ones outside. They pressed their hands against the invisible wall, their expressions a mix of desperation and longing. They yearned to be reunited, to feel the warmth of an embrace, but the barrier remained steadfast, separating them.
Hope flickered like a fragile flame within their hearts. They clung to the belief that in three months, help would arrive from the other regions, that reinforcements would come to their aid. It was a lifeline they desperately clung to, a beacon of light in their darkest hour.
But as each day passed, the weight of uncertainty pressed upon them. Time seemed to move slowly, each passing moment a painful reminder of their confinement. They gathered in small groups, discussing strategies and praying for the arrival of the top powers from the other regions.
"We have to hold on," a man said, his voice tinged with determination. "We can't lose hope. If we stay strong, if we support each other, help will come. We just have to believe."
The faces of the trapped civilians reflected a mix of determination, fear, and a glimmer of hope. They knew that their fate rested in the hands of those beyond the barrier. They could only wait, their hearts heavy with anticipation, their faith hanging by a thread.
Meanwhile, on the outside, the people who had escaped the barrier rallied together. They organized meetings, sent messages to the neighboring regions, and did everything within their power to garner support for their trapped loved ones. They refused to let them be forgotten, fighting tirelessly to bring attention to the plight of the East.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. The countdown continued, the weight of each passing day etching lines of worry on their faces. The people of the East clung to the hope that in three months, their salvation would arrive, that the top powers from the other regions would come to their aid.
Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading experience