＂A few... critically important researchers," Zephyr's voice cut through the suffocating silence in the vehicle, his tone still as unruffled as ever, as if he were merely stating an impersonal fact. But his emphasis on "critically important," and his specific mention of the "National Bio-Genetic Research Institute," undeniably signaled the gravity and sensitivity of the matter.
The mention of a "research institute," particularly a national-level bio-genetic facility, almost reflexively conjured a flood of conspiracy theories in Elara's mind—viral outbreaks, man-made monsters, forbidden experiments… These well-worn tropes from apocalyptic fiction couldn't help but put her on high alert.
But then, her thoughts turned to the apocalypse's origin—that sudden, globe-spanning meteor shower. A cataclysm of cosmic proportions, seemingly unconnected to human technological endeavors. Surely, humanity's science hadn't advanced to the point of manipulating celestial events or triggering disasters on such a scale? A flicker of self-deprecating humor touched her lips as she mentally dismissed the more outlandish conspiracy theories. Perhaps these researchers were simply unfortunate souls trapped by circumstance, whose expertise and knowledge were merely of immense value to the military, or other powerful factions.
Seraph, seated beside Elara, lacked her friend's complex history of rebirth and the grim knowledge that came with it, yet she keenly sensed the oppressive atmosphere and the inherent danger in the situation from the brief exchange. She'd felt the unshakeable resolve in Elara's voice when she'd declared, "I have to go with you," and had noted the subtle reactions from Zephyr and Cassian that followed.
She didn't know precisely what Elara "knew," or what heavy, painful past lay behind that knowledge. But her intuition, coupled with her understanding of her friend, allowed her to imagine the immense suffering Elara must have endured during those ten apocalyptic years before her rebirth—the betrayals, the despair—to now face such a treacherous situation with such composure and… a courage that bordered on reckless abandon.
An indescribable pang of heartache and worry welled up in Seraph. She reached out, her fingers gently closing around Elara's cool arm, hoping to transmit some of her own strength and support.
Elara felt the warmth and gentle pressure on her arm. Slightly startled, she turned to meet Seraph's blue eyes, brimming with concern and understanding. Though she couldn't pinpoint the source of Seraph's complex emotions, she clearly felt her friend's goodwill and worry. She gave Seraph's hand a reassuring squeeze in return, a gentle warmth blooming in her own honey-brown eyes as she lightly patted the back of Seraph's hand, a silent comfort.
"I'm okay," she mouthed to Seraph.
Seraph gazed at Elara, her vision momentarily blurring. The Elara before her, her fair, clear face, had shed the persistent gloom and guardedness of her initial days post-rebirth. In its place was a quiet clarity, born from weathering countless storms, and a resilience rooted deep within her soul. The change brought Seraph a sense of relief, yet it also tugged at her heart with a familiar ache. She knew that this strength was forged in the crucible of unimaginable suffering, paid for with blood and tears.
With "outsiders" present in the vehicle, Seraph didn't want them to witness her losing her composure. She whipped her head around to stare at the blurred streetscape rushing past the window, blinking hard to force back the tears that pricked at her eyes.
Just then, Vespera, who had been nestled quietly in Amily's embrace, stirred. Her small head tilted, and she gently leaned against Elara's other arm. The soft touch, the distinctive warmth of a child seeping through the thin fabric of Elara's sleeve, made something in Elara's chest soften unexpectedly.
Ever since her rebirth, she'd been a coiled spring, perpetually on guard, calculating every move, every potential gain or loss, terrified of repeating the catastrophic mistakes of her past life. Her soul had felt adrift, suspended in a state of constant, anxious vigilance, with nowhere to truly anchor.
But now, feeling Seraph's unspoken support beside her and Vespera's innocent, trusting weight against her arm, Elara's perpetually taut nerves miraculously began to unwind. An unprecedented sense of being grounded, like a warm tide, washed over her, enveloping her.
It was as if a traveler, adrift for far too long on a storm-tossed sea, had finally found a safe harbor—a patch of solid earth where she could finally anchor herself, a place where she could, perhaps, even begin to put down roots.
This newfound sensation even managed to temporarily soothe the sharp spike of suspicion and wariness that Zephyr's mention of "researchers" had reawakened in her.
As their SUV pulled into the courtyard of Elara's slightly secluded suburban villa, dusk had begun to settle. The villa's exterior walls glowed softly in the fading sunlight, and the surroundings were a significant improvement over the makeshift shelter they'd found earlier—at least it lacked that oppressive sense of decay.
However, just as they disembarked and were about to carry the unconscious young landlord inside, things took an unexpected turn!
"Whoosh—"
An invisible psychic wave rippled outwards, and in the next instant, the scene before Zephyr and Cassian abruptly warped! The familiar courtyard vanished, replaced by a terrifying hellscape of raging infernos and countless grotesque, snarling undead. The acrid stench of sulfur and rot assaulted their nostrils, while piercing shrieks and desperate screams echoed in their ears, threatening to drag their very souls into an endless abyss.
"An illusion attack!" Cassian snarled, his eyes instantly sharpening like daggers.
Zephyr's reaction was even more direct. The airflow around him abruptly stagnated, and an icy, bone-chilling killing intent erupted from him, so potent it felt almost tangible. Under the force of his formidable willpower, the horrifying illusion shimmered violently like a reflection on water, emitting a strained "crackling" sound as if on the verge of shattering.
Elara, Seraph, and Amily, protected by the faint space-time barrier Elara had preemptively erected, were not directly affected by the illusion. They merely sensed an unsettling psychic disturbance permeating the air.
"Bubbles! Stop it!" Elara immediately recognized the culprit's handiwork. She snapped sharply towards the villa.
At Elara's command, the terrifying illusion receded as quickly as a tide, and the courtyard returned to normal. However, by the villa's entrance, an orchid that should have been resting quietly in its pot—"Bubbles"—was now using its translucent, wax-like leaves to clutch the twitching corpse of a giant mutant centipede it had dragged from somewhere. It was "shaking" furiously in Cassian and Zephyr's direction, its posture reminiscent of a small guard dog barking furiously at intruders.
Evidently, while Elara and the others were away, Bubbles had been diligently "hunting" around the villa and had mistaken these uninvited "trespassers" for new prey, attempting to drive them off with its illusionary abilities.
Interestingly, despite Bubbles' intense aggression towards Cassian and Zephyr, it hadn't launched any attacks against Elara, Seraph, or Amily. It had even deliberately steered its psychic fluctuations away from them, clearly recognizing its owner. It merely nuzzled Elara's calf with its beautiful orchid bloom, looking aggrieved, as if complaining about the "rudeness" of these strangers.
Though Zephyr and Cassian had easily weathered Bubbles' illusion attack with their strong wills, their expressions were slightly grim. This type of attack, capable of directly affecting the mind and possessing considerable power, was indeed quite troublesome.
"Looks like your 'little friend' here is pretty vigilant," Cassian remarked, a hint of amusement in his tone as he eyed the orchid still "brandishing its fangs" at them.
Just then, from the back of the SUV, Zephyr retrieved their newest acquisition—the mutant vine, still encased in Elara's water sphere, looking thoroughly wilted. Perhaps the prolonged lack of oxygen had restored some of its senses, or maybe it sensed a kindred spirit. When released from the water sphere and exposed to air and soil again, it miraculously regained some of its vitality.
The vine, initially disoriented after being tossed onto the ground, soon had its remaining roots burrowing into the courtyard soil like a bloodhound catching a scent. Subsequently, its once-limp tendrils began to regain their toughness.
And what had captured its attention was the very same "Bubbles" strutting its stuff.
Perhaps it was a case of "this town ain't big enough for the both of us," or maybe the vine was inherently combative. The moment it regained mobility, it began to actively provoke and harass the orchid, taking advantage of its far more agile limbs (tendrils). It extended several slender vines, like a cat teaser, first prodding Bubbles' leaves, then attempting to entwine its flowers.
Bubbles, already simmering with indignation from Elara's rebuke, was now thoroughly incensed by this newcomer's brazen provocation! Its translucent, beautiful leaves trembled with rage, and the orchid's pistil puffed out like angry cheeks.
Perhaps due to the unique evolutionary path of its abilities, Bubbles displayed an unusually high level of intelligence. After being harassed by the vine a few times, it seemed to realize it was no match for this slippery opponent in close combat and opted for a different strategy.
Suddenly, Bubbles' flower emitted a strange, buzzing hum, and a unique psychic wave spread outwards. In the next moment, several harmless sparrows and pigeons circling overhead, as if under a command, abruptly turned vicious. Their eyes glinted fiercely as they shrieked and dive-bombed, frantically pecking and clawing at the vine that was still triumphantly showing off.
For a moment, chaos erupted in the courtyard, with feathers and severed vine fragments flying everywhere.
"Enough! Both of you, settle down!" Elara felt a massive headache coming on as she surveyed the pandemonium. How had she not noticed before that these mutant plants had such… lively personalities?
Her head throbbing, Elara cast aside any thoughts of concealing her powers. On a sudden inspiration, she mobilized the spatial energy within her. With a mere thought, two invisible spatial barriers materialized out of thin air, like giant disciplinary rods, and "smacked" down—not too hard, not too soft—on both Bubbles and the vine, still locked in their tussle.
The force was perfectly controlled, enough to inflict a sting of pain and a clear warning without causing any real harm.
Instantly "disciplined" by the unexpected blow, the two plants, which had been thoroughly enjoying their brawl, went limp. The vine quickly retracted its provocative tendrils, rooting itself obediently in place, daring not to move.Bubbles also ceased its control over the birds, its orchid bloom drooping dejectedly, like a chastened child.
Elara finally let out a breath of relief. It seemed the villa was going to be quite a bit more… eventful from now on.