As the wind howled atop the skyscraper, Julian’s expression turned grave. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by an unsettling seriousness that made Hutton, Boma, and Bob instinctively brace themselves.
"It’s worse than we thought," Julian began, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "It’s no longer just the Harbinger hunting the God Crystals. The World-Class Families have caught wind of them… and they’re already making moves to acquire every last piece."
The moment those words left his lips, an eerie silence fell over the rooftop.
Hutton felt his blood run cold. Bob’s face darkened. Boma clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white.
The World-Class Families.
A handful of the most powerful, untouchable entities in the world—each one controlling resources, military forces, and influence on a scale that made them near-unstoppable. They were beyond national governments, beyond wealth.
To cross paths with them was to invite destruction.
"Damn it…" Boma exhaled shakily, pressing a hand against his forehead as reality set in. "This isn’t just some underground struggle anymore. If the World-Class Families are involved, then—"
"Then we’re up against monsters," Hutton finished grimly. "And we’re standing right in their path."
Bob’s mind raced, already calculating potential escape routes, hiding places, countermeasures—but no matter which scenario he ran through, the conclusion was the same.
They were in deep trouble.
Before they could even begin discussing a plan—
A suffocating pressure suddenly descended upon them.
The air grew thick, the temperature plummeted, and the space around them distorted unnaturally.
A blur of darkness flickered in the distance—
Then, before any of them could react, the Harbinger appeared.
His presence was overwhelming, a vortex of malice and killing intent. His twisted grin was barely visible beneath his hood as he lunged forward with inhuman speed, his hand already outstretched to strike—
"Not today."
Julian’s reflexes were faster.
In a single, fluid motion, he ripped out a talisman from his coat—
The moment the ancient paper touched the air, a brilliant light erupted.
A surge of spatial energy twisted around them—
And just like that—
Hutton, Boma, Bob, and Julian vanished.
The rooftop was empty once more.
The Harbinger’s hand slammed into nothing but air.
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He froze for a moment, processing what had just happened—then let out a furious, distorted snarl. His fingers clenched so tightly that the very air around them trembled.
"Tch… damn rats."
His voice was filled with venom as he glared at the now-empty rooftop, his rage barely contained.
Then, slowly, a wicked grin spread across his face.
"Run all you want. You can’t hide forever."
––––
The dim glow of the moon barely illuminated the worn-out cabin as Hutton, Boma, and Bob caught their breath. The air inside was stale, thick with dust and neglect, making it evident that no one had lived here for years. The wooden walls creaked with the softest of movements, and the single window at the side was cracked, allowing a faint draft to slip through.
Before they could even question their whereabouts, Julian, still standing near the doorway, spoke up.
"We’re at an abandoned barnyard on the outskirts of D.C.," he said, his tone clipped and focused. "No one should be able to track us here… for now."
Still catching their breath, the three of them exchanged glances before heading outside.
The night was eerily quiet, save for the occasional chirp of crickets. As their eyes adjusted to the dim surroundings, they saw the remains of an old barn a short distance away, its roof partially collapsed, overtaken by vines and decay. Beyond that was a vast field of corn, swaying gently in the midnight breeze.
"It fits the description," Bob muttered, scanning their surroundings warily. "But I don’t like how exposed we are out here."
Julian, however, seemed more concerned about something else entirely. His sharp eyes darted around as if expecting something unseen. Then, without another word, he motioned for them to follow him.
"Come with me."
Despite their exhaustion, none of them hesitated.
They moved carefully through the field, the dry stalks rustling with each step. The further they went, the more secluded the air felt, as if they were walking deeper into a forgotten pocket of the world.
Then, suddenly—
Julian stopped.
Without explanation, he knelt down and placed his hand on the ground. His fingers pressed firmly into the dirt, tracing faint patterns as if he was feeling for something unseen.
Hutton, Bob, and Boma exchanged confused looks.
"What exactly are you—" Hutton began, but before he could finish—
A soft click echoed beneath them.
Then, the ground shifted.
A hidden passageway suddenly opened beneath Julian’s touch. The earth rumbled faintly as a rectangular portion of the field slowly gave way, revealing a dark, descending staircase that led underground.
Hutton’s eyes widened slightly, while Bob let out a low whistle.
"Now that’s a trick," Boma murmured, impressed despite the situation.
Julian, however, remained unfazed. He stood up, dusting off his hands, then turned to them with an expectant look.
"We’ll lay low here for the time being," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It’s safer underground."
Without hesitation, Julian stepped forward, leading the way down into the darkness.
Hutton, Bob, and Boma shared a final glance before following after him, disappearing one by one into the hidden depths below.
As Hutton, Boma, and Bob descended into the hidden passageway, they were expecting something crude—perhaps damp stone walls, flickering torches, or even a dark tunnel barely holding together. But the reality was far from it.
The passage was surprisingly modern. Bright white LED lights lined the walls, illuminating a smooth metal corridor that looked more like something out of a secret military facility rather than an underground hideout. The walls were reinforced, the air was crisp and clean, and there were even vents circulating fresh air.
"Damn," Bob muttered, looking around in disbelief. "This is way too advanced for some forgotten underground hideout."
Hutton shared the sentiment. He ran his fingers along the wall, feeling the cool metallic surface beneath his touch. "Julian, just what kind of place is this?"
Julian, who was leading the way, glanced back with a small smirk. "You’ll see soon enough."
After walking for a few minutes, they finally arrived at a large, well-organized central chamber.
The room was spacious, easily accommodating the four of them. It was well-furnished yet practical, with a long table in the center, several chairs, and a large terminal screen embedded into one of the walls. The floor was made of durable metal plating, and at each side of the room, there were four separate doors, likely leading to individual rooms.
Julian turned to face them, crossing his arms.
"Welcome to my emergency bunker," he said simply. "I built this place quite a long time ago—way before World War 3. It was originally meant as a contingency plan, but… well, let’s just say I’ve had my fair share of reasons to keep it maintained."
Boma raised an eyebrow. "You built this before the war? That’s some serious foresight."
Julian chuckled. "Let’s just say I was never one to put all my faith in the world’s stability."
Hutton, still scanning the room, noted the lack of any visible power sources. "Where’s the electricity coming from?"
"Wind turbines," Julian answered, motioning vaguely toward the surface. "Not too far from here. They’re discreet, off the grid, and provide enough power to keep this place running indefinitely."
Bob let out a low whistle. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
Julian gestured toward the four doors in the chamber. "Each of these rooms is set up for one person, so pick one and make yourself comfortable. We’ll be staying here for a while."
Hutton, Boma, and Bob exchanged looks. They weren’t sure how long they’d be here or what would come next, but for now, this place was a safe haven.
With that in mind, they each moved toward a door, finally getting a moment to breathe after the chaos they had just endured.