The plane’s wheels screeched against the cracked runway as it landed in Nooria, a stark reminder of how fragile Barrion had become. Calvin stirred, his fatigue momentarily dissipating as he looked out the window. The sky was a haunting shade of red, the setting sun blending with the smoke that billowed from the horizon. Somewhere out there was Bacca, a place that had once been his home, now reduced to ashes by the relentless brutality of Han Xin.As the passengers disembarked, the air was thick with tension and the faint stench of burning. Calvin stepped onto the tarmac, his boots crunching against the gravel. His gaze immediately swept over Nooria—a city that once bustled with life, now turned into a fortress of survival. Armed soldiers patrolled the perimeter, their faces grim. Makeshift tents sprawled across the area, serving as shelters for refugees and field hospitals for the wounded.Calvin clenched his fists as he caught sight of the distant plumes of smoke rising from Bacca. W
Calvin turned back to the old man, intending to ask, "Who are you, really?" But the words caught in his throat when he realized the wheelchair was empty.His eyes widened, and he quickly scanned the area. “Where did he go?” Calvin muttered under his breath. The space around him was quiet, filled only with the murmurs of volunteers and the soft groans of patients in the makeshift medical camp.He stepped forward, his gaze darting between the rows of cots and supply tents. “Excuse me,” he called out to a nurse passing by, her arms full of medical supplies.The young woman turned, tilting her head in curiosity. “Yes, Doctor? How can I help?”Calvin pointed to where the old man had been sitting. “Did you see the man in the wheelchair? The older man—he was sitting right there with me a moment ago.”The nurse frowned, her brow knitting in confusion. She glanced at the spot Calvin indicated, then back at him. “I’m sorry, Doctor, but… I didn’t see anyone. You’ve been sitting alone since I pas
The sun had yet to rise when Calvin Hudson stepped onto the cracked pavement of Bacca. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and charred remnants of what was once a bustling, prosperous city. His footsteps echoed in the desolate streets, the sound amplified by the eerie silence of the ruins. Bacca, a city once celebrated for its strength and innovation, now lay in ruins—a mere shadow of its former self. Skyscrapers stood like jagged tombstones, their glass facades shattered, and the streets were littered with debris, a haunting testament to the destruction wrought by time and war.Calvin's gaze swept over the devastation, his heart heavy. The memories of the city's past vibrancy were fresh in his mind, a stark contrast to its current state. He hadn't come to mourn, though. He was here for answers—answers that only Bacca might hold about the Fountain of Health and the mysterious blue gemstones tied to its power.As he moved deeper into the city, Calvin remained oblivious to the sil
The air in Bacca seemed to hold its breath as the operatives formed a semicircle around Calvin, their weapons gleaming under the pale morning light. Dust swirled in lazy spirals around their boots, stirred by the slowing rotors of the helicopter that had just landed. Every soldier’s gaze was fixed on Calvin, but there was an edge of hesitation—none of them had ever faced an enemy like him.From the helicopter emerged a man dressed in a dark, impeccably tailored uniform. His steps were measured, calculated, exuding an air of authority that made the surrounding soldiers snap to attention. The man—Commander Yuan—wore a faint smirk as if he believed the battle was already won.“Guardian Calvin Hudson,” Yuan announced, his voice echoing through the desolate streets. “It’s an honor to finally meet you. Though I must admit, I didn’t expect you to come here willingly.”Calvin said nothing, his dark eyes scanning the operatives with measured precision. He noticed how their fingers twitched on
The moment San Wang’s mocking words faded into the air, Calvin’s fury exploded into action. With a burst of telekinetic energy, he propelled himself into the sky, soaring toward the massive helicopter where the self-proclaimed king of Han Xin stood. The wind howled around him as he ascended, his figure a blur of raw power and determination.“Stop him!” San Wang barked, his voice sharp as steel.Elite soldiers poured out of the helicopter, their movements precise and disciplined. Each was clad in advanced combat armor, bristling with cutting-edge weaponry designed to neutralize powerful foes. But Calvin was no ordinary foe.The first wave of soldiers descended on Calvin mid-air, unleashing energy blasts from their gauntlets. Calvin raised his hand, the air around him thickening into a shield that absorbed the attacks. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the shield outward, a concussive wave that knocked the soldiers off their trajectory, their bodies spiraling toward the ground.Another
Calvin’s chest heaved as he faced San Wang once more, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight. The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of San Wang’s blade and the rasp of Calvin’s labored breathing. The earlier clash had pushed both warriors to their limits, and the tension between them crackled like a storm on the brink of eruption.San Wang’s smirk returned as he lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Calvin parried, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling back. San Wang pressed his advantage, raining down a series of blows that Calvin barely managed to block. Each strike forced Calvin closer to the edge of the helicopter platform, where the abyss below waited hungrily.“You’ve fought valiantly, Guardian,” San Wang sneered, his blade locking against Calvin’s air-forged sword. “But your strength wanes. This ends now!”With a sudden twist, San Wang disarmed Calvin, sending his shimmering blade shattering into the ether.
Calvin’s journey back to Nooria was uneventful, but his mind was anything but calm. The weight of his actions in Bacca lingered heavily in his chest. Despite his victory, he felt no triumph—only exhaustion and the nagging thought that the peace he had brokered might be temporary.When the plane touched down in Nooria, the first thing Calvin noticed was the unusual bustle of activity at the airport. As he descended from the aircraft, he was met with silence—a heavy, anticipatory silence that made him pause.A crowd had gathered, and Calvin froze as he realized their eyes were fixed on him. Faces reflected a range of emotions: awe, gratitude, and disbelief. Some whispered to one another, others simply stared. Then, slowly, one person began clapping.The solitary applause rippled through the crowd like a spark igniting dry kindling. Within moments, the entire gathering erupted into cheers and applause, the sound filling the air with a roar of gratitude and admiration.“Calvin Hudson!” so
When Calvin arrived home, the weight of the past days pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t bother turning on the lights as he entered, letting the darkness wrap around him like a familiar cloak. The house was silent, almost eerily so, but it offered the solitude he craved.His feet carried him automatically to the backyard. The moon cast a soft glow over the small garden, illuminating the simple headstone that marked Lizzie’s resting place.Calvin approached the grave and knelt down, his fingers brushing against the cool stone. For a moment, he simply sat there, the night air still and heavy around him.“I did it, Liz,” he said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “It’s over. San Wang is defeated, and the war is finished. Barrion can finally rebuild.”He paused, staring at the ground as memories of Lizzie flooded his mind. Her laughter, her courage, the way she always seemed to know the right thing to say.“I hope you’re proud of me,” Calvin whispered, h
Calvin stepped out of Miranda’s house, relieved that one heavy task was finally done. The cool evening air brushed against his face as he walked toward his car. Today had been exhausting, and his mind began to shift toward his clinic—a place that had always been his refuge from life’s chaos. However, his steps halted when he heard a woman’s voice calling his name.“Calvin!”He turned around, his eyes widening at the sight of the person standing there. Alana. His ex-wife, a figure from the past he had worked so hard to leave behind. Reality struck him like a blow—he had completely forgotten about the agreement he had signed to marry her again. That agreement had been in exchange for the immense help Alana provided during a tough time, but now it felt like a weight lurking in the back of his mind.Before Calvin could say anything, Alana ran toward him. In a flash, she threw her arms around him, holding him tightly, leaving Calvin frozen in place.“Calvin,” she said with relief, her voic
As Calvin navigated the quiet streets, the stillness of the city seemed to echo his own sense of exhaustion. His hands gripped the steering wheel loosely, his mind drifting between thoughts of Lizzie and the uncertain path ahead. Suddenly, the silence was interrupted by a soft chime.[Ding!]The familiar sound of the system’s notification brought him back to the present. A faint blue light flickered on the small device attached to his wrist.[New Notification,] the system intoned, its voice calm and measured, a stark contrast to Calvin’s restlessness.“What is it this time?” Calvin muttered under his breath, keeping one hand on the wheel while activating the holographic interface with a quick swipe.The system’s screen illuminated his face as it began its explanation.[Dr. Hudson,] it started, [your recent accomplishments have brought you closer to unlocking the final legacy of your family. Only a few more points are required to access it fully.]Calvin’s brows furrowed. “Inheritance?
When Calvin arrived home, the weight of the past days pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn’t bother turning on the lights as he entered, letting the darkness wrap around him like a familiar cloak. The house was silent, almost eerily so, but it offered the solitude he craved.His feet carried him automatically to the backyard. The moon cast a soft glow over the small garden, illuminating the simple headstone that marked Lizzie’s resting place.Calvin approached the grave and knelt down, his fingers brushing against the cool stone. For a moment, he simply sat there, the night air still and heavy around him.“I did it, Liz,” he said softly, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “It’s over. San Wang is defeated, and the war is finished. Barrion can finally rebuild.”He paused, staring at the ground as memories of Lizzie flooded his mind. Her laughter, her courage, the way she always seemed to know the right thing to say.“I hope you’re proud of me,” Calvin whispered, h
Calvin’s journey back to Nooria was uneventful, but his mind was anything but calm. The weight of his actions in Bacca lingered heavily in his chest. Despite his victory, he felt no triumph—only exhaustion and the nagging thought that the peace he had brokered might be temporary.When the plane touched down in Nooria, the first thing Calvin noticed was the unusual bustle of activity at the airport. As he descended from the aircraft, he was met with silence—a heavy, anticipatory silence that made him pause.A crowd had gathered, and Calvin froze as he realized their eyes were fixed on him. Faces reflected a range of emotions: awe, gratitude, and disbelief. Some whispered to one another, others simply stared. Then, slowly, one person began clapping.The solitary applause rippled through the crowd like a spark igniting dry kindling. Within moments, the entire gathering erupted into cheers and applause, the sound filling the air with a roar of gratitude and admiration.“Calvin Hudson!” so
Calvin’s chest heaved as he faced San Wang once more, their weapons gleaming in the fading sunlight. The battlefield was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of San Wang’s blade and the rasp of Calvin’s labored breathing. The earlier clash had pushed both warriors to their limits, and the tension between them crackled like a storm on the brink of eruption.San Wang’s smirk returned as he lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Calvin parried, but the force of the attack sent him stumbling back. San Wang pressed his advantage, raining down a series of blows that Calvin barely managed to block. Each strike forced Calvin closer to the edge of the helicopter platform, where the abyss below waited hungrily.“You’ve fought valiantly, Guardian,” San Wang sneered, his blade locking against Calvin’s air-forged sword. “But your strength wanes. This ends now!”With a sudden twist, San Wang disarmed Calvin, sending his shimmering blade shattering into the ether.
The moment San Wang’s mocking words faded into the air, Calvin’s fury exploded into action. With a burst of telekinetic energy, he propelled himself into the sky, soaring toward the massive helicopter where the self-proclaimed king of Han Xin stood. The wind howled around him as he ascended, his figure a blur of raw power and determination.“Stop him!” San Wang barked, his voice sharp as steel.Elite soldiers poured out of the helicopter, their movements precise and disciplined. Each was clad in advanced combat armor, bristling with cutting-edge weaponry designed to neutralize powerful foes. But Calvin was no ordinary foe.The first wave of soldiers descended on Calvin mid-air, unleashing energy blasts from their gauntlets. Calvin raised his hand, the air around him thickening into a shield that absorbed the attacks. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the shield outward, a concussive wave that knocked the soldiers off their trajectory, their bodies spiraling toward the ground.Another
The air in Bacca seemed to hold its breath as the operatives formed a semicircle around Calvin, their weapons gleaming under the pale morning light. Dust swirled in lazy spirals around their boots, stirred by the slowing rotors of the helicopter that had just landed. Every soldier’s gaze was fixed on Calvin, but there was an edge of hesitation—none of them had ever faced an enemy like him.From the helicopter emerged a man dressed in a dark, impeccably tailored uniform. His steps were measured, calculated, exuding an air of authority that made the surrounding soldiers snap to attention. The man—Commander Yuan—wore a faint smirk as if he believed the battle was already won.“Guardian Calvin Hudson,” Yuan announced, his voice echoing through the desolate streets. “It’s an honor to finally meet you. Though I must admit, I didn’t expect you to come here willingly.”Calvin said nothing, his dark eyes scanning the operatives with measured precision. He noticed how their fingers twitched on
The sun had yet to rise when Calvin Hudson stepped onto the cracked pavement of Bacca. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and charred remnants of what was once a bustling, prosperous city. His footsteps echoed in the desolate streets, the sound amplified by the eerie silence of the ruins. Bacca, a city once celebrated for its strength and innovation, now lay in ruins—a mere shadow of its former self. Skyscrapers stood like jagged tombstones, their glass facades shattered, and the streets were littered with debris, a haunting testament to the destruction wrought by time and war.Calvin's gaze swept over the devastation, his heart heavy. The memories of the city's past vibrancy were fresh in his mind, a stark contrast to its current state. He hadn't come to mourn, though. He was here for answers—answers that only Bacca might hold about the Fountain of Health and the mysterious blue gemstones tied to its power.As he moved deeper into the city, Calvin remained oblivious to the sil
Calvin turned back to the old man, intending to ask, "Who are you, really?" But the words caught in his throat when he realized the wheelchair was empty.His eyes widened, and he quickly scanned the area. “Where did he go?” Calvin muttered under his breath. The space around him was quiet, filled only with the murmurs of volunteers and the soft groans of patients in the makeshift medical camp.He stepped forward, his gaze darting between the rows of cots and supply tents. “Excuse me,” he called out to a nurse passing by, her arms full of medical supplies.The young woman turned, tilting her head in curiosity. “Yes, Doctor? How can I help?”Calvin pointed to where the old man had been sitting. “Did you see the man in the wheelchair? The older man—he was sitting right there with me a moment ago.”The nurse frowned, her brow knitting in confusion. She glanced at the spot Calvin indicated, then back at him. “I’m sorry, Doctor, but… I didn’t see anyone. You’ve been sitting alone since I pas