"Carrie had an ability, but she was a person, not a monster. She had hopes and fears, and we pushed her. You can only push a person so far before they break."
A dark veil fell over Chamberlain, Maine, after tragedy struck the quiet town at the hands...
The campaign to stop Gargos continued as missions poured through daily. Mimics wreaked havoc across the globe, with factions pledging allegiance to the Shadow Lord. At the Night Guard base, Jago pursued his training regime with Carrie, with Eagle and Glacius arriving at the rooftop to watch.
"You're concerned about her, are you?" Eagle said.
"I have questions for Carrie," Glacius said. "Her abilities are similar to mine but more advanced, which makes her dangerous."
"Orchid mentioned what happened when Ultratech launched an attack. You think something that horrific is enough to send ARIA a message. So, will Carrie's gift pose a problem on the decrees you uphold?"
"Hard to say."
Eagle patted the lump at the back of his head softly. He didn't mean to call Carrie a witch when she stopped him from attacking Pemba; it was out of reaction. Though fortunate not to receive a concussion, he reminded himself to tread gently with his words. Wincing from the lump, Eagle moved his hand away from it; another ice patch from Glacius should lessen the pain and reduce the swelling.
Jago and Carrie stopped for a break when they spotted the spectators. "How long had two been standing there?"
"A while, but worth watching. At least I'll know what to do in case I meet someone with abilities as hers," Eagle said.
"That's only half the battle."
"Hey!" Pemba arrived at the training site after a long climb on the stairs. "Orchid sent me to fetch you. ARIA has a mission for us."
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At the dungeon, everyone gathered. A drone floated, projecting a holographic picture of ARIA. "Greetings. An urgent mission for the Alliance, should you accept it. The satellite had detected an unknown power source in Chamberlain, Maine."
Carrie's eyes bulged upon the location. No...why that town?
"Several reports are coming in, but evidence shows strong Mimic activity," ARIA continued. "The mission: investigate the energy source and destroy it. This mission requires a team of three. Good luck."
Once the holographic ARIA vanished, the drone flew out of the dungeon, cueing Carrie's departure.
"Where are you going, Care?" Kim inquired.
"To my quarters to meditate," she replied and resumed her trek.
"Chamberlain, Maine? Orchid, isn't that the town you told me about when we arrived here, the one where..." Maya paused after a glance towards Jago, "that terrible event happened?"
"Forgive me if I live under a rock, but what terrible event?" Eagle said.
Kim fidgeted her fingers. "I could tell you."
"Don't," Orchid warned.
"Wait, I need to hear this," Jago said.
Kim cleared her throat. "Well, a gas tank leaked under a school and exploded, killing 440 people, and it happened during Prom Night. However, what made things scary was the fire spreading throughout the town. It was as though someone or something unleashed Hell on Earth."
