The debris from the alley walls comes crashing down onto the ground, creating holes. Pieces of stone keep falling onto each other, creating more debris and dust.
I have to cough several times for the dust to clear from my airways. Moments before, my long-lost sister was standing in front of me and now she is gone again.
The entire past ten minutes truly feel like an illusion to me. Just as I am about to feel like I know more about the world, the more I realize I barely know anything.
The most significant thing that gives me more relief is the fact I know I have a family member still alive.
I am not the only Lotus left in the world.
Despite the Eradicators trying to take everything from me, they can't take away my sister.
The other thing that gives me relief is the fact my sister is leading a powerful organization that comprises humanity's last survivors in Tarondar, who are not inflicted with the Eradicator's illusion magic.
The heat of the battle is still boiling. Swords clash, shields smash, and people dash. Wands go flying into the air on both sides and spells are being launched on all sides.
It is complete madness on the Keeper Academy campus.
If you don't pay attention, the crossfire might catch you. A huge ray of dark energy creates a shockwave throughout the campus, causing over a hundred Keepers to be knocked back by that single shockwave.
I wish I could do that as well, as I notice the person who did it is from the HLH Shadow Squadron.
The Keepers are being brutally pushed back toward the main building of the Academy. Some Keepers are becoming overwhelmed, as well as some knights. The HLH members appear to be going full throttle this time into battle. All around me, I see the blood of Keepers, HLH members, and even some students, to my horror.
This is not what was supposed to happen, I tell myself as I look sorrowfully at one of the dead students. They did nothing wrong; I say to myself as I kneel and close their eyes.
Slowly, the tide of the battle changes. Somewhere hidden, the Keepers bring out their light magic sphere. The elemental sphere's effect on everyone's light magic boosts it by at least tenfold. The Keepers push the HLH back off the campus. Using the shadows, the HLH tries to retreat again.
"After them!" the Keeper Principal says through his magical intercom. Several Keepers and knights attempt to pursue the HLH members. "Everyone else, form groups with the people nearest to you. At max, have three people in a task force, not including the three Keepers, who will accompany you as a total group of six."
"Now quickly go from your groups and explore Stonelight, Mistfall, Thornspire, and Rivenhold. You have at max two days until you must return!" the Keeper Principal says in a commanding voice.
The Keepers, knights, and students all spring into action, finding groups and Keepers to make them an official one. The people closest to me I know and see within my eyesight are Leena and Zephyr. That makes three of us. We quickly find three random Keepers, and they agree to us being a group. I tell them we will search Stonelight first and then Mistfall, as those are closest.
I also point out that most of the groups will probably head to Thornspire and Rivenhold because they are much bigger cities and easier to hide in.
However, I do not mention the fact I am from Mistfall. Something lying in my past might help me uncover more of the mysteries surrounding me and the mysteries of the world.
"Good to see you guys alive," I say in a grateful voice to Zephyr and Leena.
"Same here," Leena replies, and Zephyr nods in agreement.
It doesn't take long for us to take off from the academy and head to Stonelight. The Keeper Principal does not want to let the HLH get away again. The city of Stonelight is a lot gloomier now than I last remember it. Perhaps it is due to it being cloudy out with barely anyone outside. It could be because the reason I am here is not for pleasure, but strictly business.
It feels wrong to be trying to hunt down other humans for the Eradicators.
I know I have to do this to survive and prove my worth to the Eradicators long-term, so I can take them down from the inside if they let me. We find nothing within Stonelight which makes sense.
The HLH would have to be kind of dumb to hide in the most obvious place. Even though that could be a strategy tactic.
We proceed to Mistfall, where I know the terrain very well. The deeper we go into the forest, the foggier it gets. I hear the Keepers cursing under their breath as they try to see past the mist. We finally arrive at the waterfall where Ivy and I swam. It is still running smoothly with the waterfall, making its usual beautiful noises of peace.
"Let's get moving on! Hurry it up!" one of the Keepers says to me as I crouch down and admire the water. So much for trying to enjoy the moment a little longer, I think to myself. Leena, Zephyr, and I walk in silence as we go deeper and deeper into Mistfall. I am from Mistfall, but I don't go too deeply into the woods. Even the Keepers are getting slightly nervous.
"AH!" one of the Keepers screams as his voice suddenly goes silent as he disappears into thin air. The mist makes it hard to see anything, so the Keeper going missing is even more terrifying. Several more brief screams can be heard as all the Keepers who were with us disappear. The only people left are Leena, Zephyr, and me.
Suddenly, Leena and Zephyr are both gone as well. Several figures emerge from the mist wearing cloaks with the letter H on them. The one in front takes off her hood, revealing her to be Maura.
"I told you I would be back," she says to me as she winks. "I am sorry about your friends, but I didn't want them attacking me or anyone else until we explained," she says in a sad tone.
"It's okay. I would have done the same thing," I reply to her. The HLH members gesture to me to follow them through the mist, and I walk with them. I have a good feeling we are going to some important place.