Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Adrian's gaze remained fixed on the screen, but from the corner of his eye, he caught the subtle shifts in Veda's expression—each one flickering like a shadow across her face.

It was the first time he'd seen her so unsettled.

Her lips pressed tightly together, her brows furrowing, then relaxing, only to crease again in deep concentration. Her eyes darted between the screens as if struggling to maintain her composure, but every fleeting change revealed the emotions she was trying to hide—regret, fear, and something darker… guilt, perhaps?

He swallowed hard, pushing down the knot forming in his throat.

There wasn't time to dwell on Veda's inner turmoil. Aria and the others were still out there, and the city was unraveling at an alarming rate. His eyes moved quickly, swiping across the floating screens in front of him, switching from one feed to another in frantic succession.

The first screen displayed the city gates. Adrian's heart dropped into his stomach as the scene unfolded before his eyes.

The once formidable gates, now little more than twisted metal and shattered metal, lay crumpled under the weight of destruction. Bodies littered the ground in a grotesque tapestry of battle—elves, humans, barbarians—people from all walks of life who had fought valiantly, now lying motionless in the dirt.

Among them were the monstrous abominations similar to the ones they fought before, their deformed bodies scattered like broken toys. Smoke billowed from the debris, the air thick with the smell of blood and death.

Adrian's stomach churned violently.

He had wanted to prevent this.

This chaos, this senseless loss of life—it was the very thing he had feared. His breath caught in his throat, but he forced himself to look away, his hands trembling as he switched to the next screen. He still needed to find the others.

On the second feed, guards were locked in desperate combat with a pack of terrifying, monkey-like werebeasts. Their fur bristled with savage energy, fangs bared as they tore through the defenses with unnerving speed.

The guards fought valiantly, but it was clear they were being overwhelmed. Behind them, civilians—non-Awakeners, families, the elderly—were running for their lives, their faces pale with terror as they trampled over each other in a frantic attempt to escape. Screams echoed through the streets, blending into the chaotic sound of battle.

Adrian's pulse quickened, his heart hammering against his chest. His eyes shook as he switched to yet another screen, then another. Each one showed the same nightmare unfolding—Awakeners fighting a losing battle, civilians and children fleeing in sheer panic.

There was no escape.

It was everywhere.

His heart began to pound louder, faster, the rhythm reverberating in his ears like a war drum. The weight of everything crushed down on him—he had been so focused on the threat posed by monster waves, on stopping them before this could happen. Yet, he forgot, no, he ignored her...

But now it was too late.

The city was already drowning in chaos.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he fought the rising tide of panic.

Aria… where was she?

Where was Aurelia?

Where were the others? They had to be out there, somewhere in the madness, and he had to find them—before it was too late.

'!'

And then, finally, amidst the chaos, a familiar figure appeared.

Aurelius.

Adrian's breath hitched in his throat as he focused on the screen. Aurelius was running, his movements frantic yet calculated, bolts of fiery magic crackling from his hands as he hurled attack after attack at the monstrous abominations chasing him. Each strike landed with precision, but there were too many, far too many of the twisted creatures to fend off.

Beside him was Rhea, her long, blonder hair flowing as she moved with a lethal grace. But it wasn't the usual fierceness Adrian had come to expect from her that made his heart stop—it was the look on her face.

Cold. Empty.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Her eyes reflected no fear, no emotion, just regret, as if she had resigned herself to some grim fate.

Adrian's expression twisted into a snarl, his blood boiling with rage.

"Damn it!" He cursed loudly, the word tearing from his throat, filled with frustration and an overwhelming desire to lash out.

How had it come to this? How could everything have spiraled so far out of control?

His mind clouded with killing intent as a hundred thoughts raced through his head—vengeance, survival, the sheer necessity to protect them all.

As the anger surged within him, something stirred in his hand.

A faint, warm sensation.

Adrian froze for a moment, his attention snapping to his fingers. The silver ring he wore, the one paired with Aria's golden ring, was glowing faintly, its warmth spreading through his skin like a reassuring whisper. His eyes widened, and for a moment, amidst the chaos, there was a flicker of relief.

Aria.

She was alive.

The glowing ring was the sign, he could feel it.

She had to be safe.

And where Aria was, his sister Aurelia would surely be too. He clenched his fist around the warmth, taking a shaky breath. There was still hope, at least for now. But the window of time was closing, and fast.

He turned on his heel, ready to leave, ready to tear through whatever barriers stood between him and them.

Just as he was about to move, a hand clamped down on his arm, gripping him firmly. Continue your journey on empire

"Hide. Quickly," Veda whispered in a harsh, urgent tone.

Adrian barely had a moment to react before Veda's eyes gleamed with a spellcasting glow. His body froze instantly, a weightless sensation overtaking him as a magical barrier enveloped him in shimmering light. He couldn't move. His muscles refused to respond. Veda's spell had immobilized him, and without his consent, she dragged him to the far corner of the room.

Her magic shrouded him in concealment, making him invisible and soundless as if he had been erased from the room altogether. He strained against the spell, his body tense with resistance, but her power held fast.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

_____ ___ _

(A/N: We are approaching the climax. Share your opinions and thoughts. Is pacing and plot going well?)