Chapter 10 — The Decision
The forest was alive with tension. Every leaf, every shifting shadow, seemed to pulse with anticipation. Zero crouched low, eyes scanning the clearing ahead. The faint whispers of the Dark Fragment coiled around him like serpents, ready to strike.
Somewhere in the distance, the faint rumble of footsteps announced the approach of Division 3. Captain Tharion led the elite soldiers, his presence commanding, the aura of a predator carefully hunting its prey.
Kyren remained hidden behind a thicket, unseen by Division 3, watching Zero. Her mysterious presence offered an advantage — though invisible to their enemies, she stayed close enough to intervene if necessary.
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Division 3 Detects Movement
The soldiers fanned out, scanning every tree and shadow for unusual energy. Zero's movements were subtle, calculated — a mere flicker of shadow, a bend of the forest floor — enough to test the alertness of Division 3.
He dodged silently as Tharion's men advanced, each step measured, each shadow manipulated to mislead. Shadow tendrils flicked out, grazing the soldiers' equipment without leaving a trace. It was not an outright attack, but a warning: Zero was not to be underestimated.
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Stealth Battle
Zero struck from the shadows with precision, using his newly honed skills:
Shadow Step: disappearing into the darkness to appear behind an approaching soldier.
Phantom Step: rapid movement to create multiple faint afterimages.
Dark Fragment Surge: subtle pulses to destabilize the enemy without overtly harming them.
Shadow Slash: swift katana strikes entwined with living shadows.
The soldiers faltered, confused and cautious. Tharion observed from the center of his formation, recognizing skill and precision, yet remained calm and composed, issuing tactical corrections to his team.
⸻
Captain Division 3 — Tharion
Zero felt the full pressure of Tharion's presence. Not as overwhelming as Voltraz's aura, but deliberate and calculated — every move observed, every weakness noted.
From the base, Commander Voltraz was aware of Zero's movements, silently monitoring, ready to intervene if necessary. Voltraz's aura made Zero cautious — he knew that even the slightest mistake could turn a controllable situation into atrap.
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Hint About Kyren
Throughout the encounter, Kyren remained hidden. Only Zero was aware of her. Her aura did not detected by Division 3, providing him a strategic advantage. Yet his presence also reminded him of the importance of caution - he could not afford to fail.
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Zero Strategizes
Zero analyzed his options. Direct conflict with Tharion could succeed — he had the skill and speed to overwhelm the Captain. But every time he imagined attacking, he felt Voltraz's presence gripping him, even from a distance.
If Voltraz arrived mid-match, Zero could be trapped or killed instantly. His instincts screamed caution.
He knew he had to think strategically — his choices weren't just about survival but about maintaining control over the Dark Fragment and its inner energy.
⸻
Zero Remembers Lysandor's Warning & Chooses Seraphel
Zero's mind went back to Captain Lysandor's words:
"You have two choices: run, or seek Commander 2 — Seraphel. He is calm and strategic; perhaps you can reason with him."
Zero weighed the options carefully:
Run: Safe, but no opportunity to influence the unfolding events.
Confront Tharion: He could defeat him, but Voltraz's arrival was too unpredictable.
Seek Seraphel: Risky, but potential for negotiation and a way to avoid immediate disaster.
Decision made, Zero whispered to himself:
"Seraphel. It's the only logical choice."
Kyren noticed his resolve. She nodded subtly, understanding his choice without words. Together, they moved quietly through the forest, leaving misleading traces behind to confuse Division 3.
⸻
The forest grew darker as a thin mist crept along the ground. Zero and Kyren moved quickly, their footsteps barely touching the ground. But behind them… pressure.
A sharp, predatory aura closing in.
Zero glanced over his shoulder.
Captain Tharion.
He could hear the distant crack of branches, the low murmurs of soldiers, and the marching rhythm of Division 3 getting nearer.
Kyren whispered, breath shaky,
"Zero… they're getting close."
Zero didn't respond. His eyes scanned ahead—calculating paths, measuring danger. He only gripped Kyren's wrist and speed up.
Behind them, Captain Tharion arrived at the small clearing where Zero was resting.
He bent down, his fingers rubbing the disturbed ground.
"…the footprints end here," Tharion muttered.
One of his soldiers approached.
"Captain, the trail suddenly stops. It's like they—"
Tharion cut him off, voice low and certain.
"No. He left false tracks. Keep searching.
He's still close."
His aura expanded, crawling across the ground like a living shadow, searching, smelling, hunting.
Far above, in the Division 3 main camp, Commander Voltraz stood on a stone tower. The wind swirled around him, sparks of lightning struck his arm.
His three-element eyes were open—fire, water, and lightning swirling like a storm inside his pupils.
"…he's moving," Voltraz murmured.
Zero's aura—no matter how much he suppressed it—had a unique pull. One that a triple-element commander like Voltraz could sense instantly.
"Tharion… move faster," he whispered before his presence vanished into the wind.
Zero and Kyren finally stopped when they reached a wide clearing. Hidden between ancient trees, they spotted a small basecamp—wooden structures reinforced with metal, blue torches glowing at the entrance.
Kyren's eyes widened.
"Zero… that's not Division 2. That's…"
Zero narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?"
Kyren nodded.
"To reach Division 2… we have to pass through Division 4 territory first.
If we're unlucky, we might run into one of the Vyrinth Clan patrols."
Zero exhaled slowly.
"We just need to avoid Tharion and Voltraz.
The rest… I can handle."
Kyren bit her lip. She knew Zero wasn't bragging—but the risks were stacking fast.
Rising Tension
Zero closed his eyes for a brief moment.
The shadow beneath his feet trembled faintly.
"Voltraz… he's already tracking me," he whispered.
Kyren stiffened.
"How can you tell?"
Zero opened his eyes, darker than before.
"I can feel his aura… far behind us.
And it's getting closer."
Kyren held her cloak tighter.
"Then we can't stop here."
Zero nodded.
"Division 4 first… then we find Seraphel."
Together, they moved again—quietly, swiftly. They crept around the edge of the 4th Division camp, careful not to attract the attention of any soldiers…
Behind them, Captain Tharion and his soldiers searching the area, senses sharpened, unaware that their target had already started slipping away.
And somewhere far above, in the Division 3 base, Voltraz's eyes burned with focus — the anomaly was on the move.