Chapter 5: A Long Way Home

The day grows shorter. The night, with the relentless snowstorm, descends on Mt. Eternal.

By the time the team reaches the valley, they are down to less than half their original number. Outside, the blizzard rages on. Yet inside, it’s strangely calm.

The dense forest is filled with dead trees, standing tall like tombstones. A faint blue light flickers on the black, broken branches. The continuous ringing of the detection alarm and the sight in front of them all point to one thing: the Protofield’s center.

Looking at the scarred but determimed faces of his teammates, Captain Xander says in a deep voice, “Let’s begin.”

“Yes, sir!”

Everyone quickly and quietly gets ready to destroy the Protofield center.

“Orientator calibration.”

“Done.”

“Electrical current ready.”

“Metaflux barrier test initiated. One—“

“Bunker is ready.”

“Anti-Protofield system set up complete.”

“Limit of Protofield strength reached. Transmission progress at 75%.”

“Magnetic field coordinates confirmed: 57, 31, 64...”

“Transmission progress has reached 100%.”

Everything is ready.

**********

In an instant, a deafening roar fills the air.

Sand and rock fragments fly through the valley along with millions of energy particles. The blizzard rushes in.

The violent energy fluctuation causes dozens of Wanderers to gather.

Captain Xander, shocked, yells into the howling wind. “Stay alert! Don’t fall asleep! There are Wanderers!”

At the sight of one of the creatures swinging a weapon at ạ unconscious teammate, he lunges at it.

Clang!

A wall of ice several meters high erupts from the ground and pierces the Wanderers’ Protocores. Zayne grips his right arm with his left. He uses his Evol to freeze his weak legs, forcing himself to stand.

“Get them to safety first. I’ll handle this.”

Several icicles pierce the Wanderers. He grits his teeth. His mouth tastes like rust.

**********

“A large energy fluctuation has been detected on the north of Mt. Eternal!”

“Metaflux levels have surpassed the third threshold!”

“Target area is shifting!”

“Signal reestablished!”

After disappearing for so long, HQ finally gets a signal from the operations team.

Within the garrison, everyone gets to work.

The commander picks up intercom and says, “The Protofield in Mt. Eternal has been destroyed. I repeat, the Protofield in Mt. Eternal has been destroyed!”

“All units! Head to Mt. Eternal and bring back Special Operations!”

**********

The sun is rising.

Peace returns to the valley.

Crackle...

“Operations...”

“Crackle... Operation... Do you read...”

A hand reaches out from the snow and presses down on the walkie-talkie’s button.

“Operations, copy...”

“294. We’ll be there soon. What’s the situation? Are there any causalties?”

“Casualties...” Zayne struggles to stand up and sees his teammates scattered across the snow, unconscious. Using all of his strength, he drags them out and checks their breathing, pulses, and injuries.

“Two broken arms and one possible concussion...”

 Hearing a familiar voice, Zayne moves to the other side of the destroyed wall and finds William talking. Noticing Zayne, William happily waves at him but winces when it opens his wounds.

The remaining smoke from the explosion finally disappears, revealing a gaping hole at the bottom of the valley. Although shocking, it’s proof of the Protofield’s destruction. After checking the vital signs of their remaining teammates, William sighs in relief.

“Zayne,” he says with a smile, “we can go back.”

“...Indeed.”

Sunlight filters through the clouds and fog.

Zayne’s heart, always so wound up and tight, finally relaxes.

The frozen apocalypse of his dreams did not become reality.

**********

“There should be some heating equipment left in the bunker. I’ll go look.” William pats snow off hum and starts walking.

Zayne returns to his senses and is about to help when he stops in his tracks.

“Will...”

“What is it?” William turns around.

Unable to speak, Zayne points.

Confused, William looks down.

An eerie blue glow appears on his chest.

Crystal, beautiful and sinister, slowly begin to spread.