Crystal Evolution

Chapter 95 - Collapse

The day was just beginning to dawn over the beleaguered city of Ozryn, painting the sky in a warm, soothing palette of colors.

Yet the cries and screams echoed through the halls of Ozryn's command center, mingled with the thuds of the crystal beasts' destructive attacks to remind anyone that the beasts' invasion was not over. Officers and soldiers fought bravely, defending their position with determination. But the opposing forces were too numerous, too implacable.

"Order the evacuation," Commander Hudson said firmly to the officer next to him.

The officer looked at his commander, a hint of hesitation in his eyes, but he quickly obeyed the order and used his ability to spread the sound of his voice throughout the command center.

"By order of Commander Hudson, immediate evacuation is required of anyone still in the command center. I repeat. Immediate evacuation is required of anyone still in the command center."

"Good. Now you too, get out of here and prepare to bring this building down on itself."

"Commander..."

"Obeys orders."

"Yes, sir!"

The officer bowed, deep respect could be seen in his eyes. As he quickly left the room, the commander's body began to emit a bloody red aura from his entire body.

A sinister and powerful aura emanated from him, spreading throughout the command center. This aura seemed to have a hypnotic effect on the surrounding crystal beasts, as they began to be attracted toward it irresistibly.

The world around them seemed to fade away as they became obsessed with this glowing presence. Their instincts left them, their usual preoccupations disappearing from their minds, leaving only a fierce desire to get closer to this mysterious aura.

Commander Hudson soon found himself at the center of a tide of crystal beasts, their mouths wide open dripping saliva. Their eyes seemed filled with madness as they reflected the red aura around his body. Then without any sign, the first beast threw itself on him, sinking its fangs into his flesh. It was like a signal as all the beasts threw themselves at him.

Suddenly, the building began to shake, but none of the crystal beasts seemed to pay attention. Stones fell from the ceiling crushing some of them.

It was then that under the gaze of the hundreds of surviving soldiers, Ozryn's command center collapsed on itself, burying all the crystal beasts with it.

***

Kieran made his way through the devastated streets, continuing his advance through the city. As he moved away from the center, the number of survivors became increasingly rare, leaving behind him a landscape of desolation and silence.

Finally, after several hours he reached the unrecognizable southwest quarter of Ozryn. The destroyed buildings formed a chaotic heap of rubble and debris. Columns of smoke still rose here and there, testifying to the flames that had devoured the fragile structures. The silence weighed heavily, only broken by the occasional cracking of crumbling rubble.

He quickened his pace, knowing that every second counted. His eyes scanned the surroundings carefully, looking for signs of life, but only the crystal beasts seemed to be creeping around. Their shapes and glowing eyes seemed to blend into the devastated landscape, making their presence all the more sinister.

A furtive shadow slipped behind a mound of rubble, rushing towards Kieran. Quickly jumping to the side to dodge the attack, he spotted what looked like a bone blade.