Tales from the Former Universe

50. Panic!

Both Arlaion and Royyega stopped seeing colors that very while, as screams, panic, chaos, rush, and even callings and swearings of total destruction surrounded Tilden Vale. Arlaion and Royyega then rushed immediately into their homes

Lobertari, overwhelmed by the alarming news that had shattered her composure and derailed her future, immediately locked herself in the office. Her hands trembled as she turned the key, her body shaking with a fear that coursed through her like a cold wave. Panic gripped her tightly, and any semblance of motivation or charisma she once possessed evaporated in an instant. The emergency's urgent and chaotic noise reverberated in her mind, paralyzing her with dread and leaving her unable to offer any assistance to her colleagues. Her thoughts spiraled, consumed by the realization that this crisis had irreversibly altered her path.

All of Bantargara's staff wreaked chaos and swarmed the office floors, begging for Lobertari or anyone better to respond.

"Lobertari, para karyawan Lan... (In Bahasa Indonesia: Lobertari, your people are...)" Budiman reported.

"Perintahkan semua robot-robot itu untuk tenangkan reka dari pintu ini (In Bahasa Indonesia: Tell the robots to calm them away from the door)" Lobertari pointed an order.

"Baiklah— (In Bahasa Indonesia: I shall—)" Budiman complied.

"PERINTAHKAN SEKARANG!!!! (In Bahasa Indonesia: DO IT NOW!!!!)" Lobertari demanded.

Budiman and his number of supervised robots did everything to calm the masses, while Lobertari remained, away from faces as always, keeping the problems to herself.

In France, Hwillfyrd witnessed all the chaos right in his backyard.

"C'est... quoi? (In French: Can that... be?)" his grandmother reacted.

"Je ne sais pas, Maman... (In French: I... don't know, mother)" Lepille responded.

Hwillfyrd chose to be there for them.

"Mother, keep grandmother safe; lock this house, you must," Hwillfyrd ordered.

"W-what do you mean?" Lepille confused.

"My employees are still there..." Hwillfyrd said.

"I'll come..." Lepille willed.

"No," Hwillfyrd urged.

"But mon fils..." Lepille worried.

"They are my employees, and she is your mother," Hwillfyrd said. "I am not leaving them behind, so will you for your mother."

"Be careful," Lepille kissed his cheeks.

Amid a global emergency, with riots and chaos engulfing the yellow French countryside, Hwillfyrd raced against time to reach his yeast farm and rescue his employees. The world was unraveling, but Hwillfyrd's focus was razor-sharp; his farm was more than just a livelihood, it was a sanctuary for his people. As he navigated through the turmoil, the sight of his farm standing amidst the madness was a beacon of hope, albeit a fragile one.

So far, Hwillfyrd had managed to save most of his employees, pulling them from the brink of despair despite the pervasive sense of helplessness and panic that accompanied the global catastrophe. Each life saved was a small victory against the encroaching doom. However, just as relief seemed within reach, a vehicle came hurtling out of control, crashing into the farm. The violent collision sent splintered wood and debris flying, trapping one of his female employees beneath a heavy beam.

Amidst the chaos, the employees worked together to free the driver from the wreckage, while Hwillfyrd struggled to lift the wood pinning down the woman. Just as his strength began to wane, a few compassionate locals and a robot arrived to lend a hand. With their combined efforts, they managed to lift the beam and pull her to safety. Exhausted and overwhelmed, Hwillfyrd gazed at the destruction around him, unable to comprehend how swiftly the world had plunged into such chaos. The suddenness of the global emergency left him reeling cold at how such a global emergency could suddenly happen out of nowhere right in his eyes.