Cheers erupted.
"We got it!"
"It's dead!"
"We won!"
People embraced one another.
Guards laughed in relief.
Children cried into their parents' arms.
Kai remained quiet.
His hand still rested against his chest.
It still hurt.
Deep inside.
Like something had awakened...
Only to reject him.
Then—
Another scream.
Everyone turned.
A second hybrid emerged from another street.
Then—
A third.
Then—
A fourth.
Panic spread once again.
The celebration died immediately.
Soldiers rushed toward the new threats.
Another messenger came sprinting toward Taai.
This one looked even more terrified.
"Leader!"
Taai turned sharply.
"What now?!"
The soldier struggled to breathe.
"The outer wall!"
He pointed toward the horizon.
"A massive horde!"
"Demons..."
"...and monsters..."
"They're marching together!"
The entire street fell silent.
Demons...
Working together with monsters?
That had never happened before.
Unless...
Then—
BOOOOOOM!!
An explosion thundered through the city.
The ground shook violently.
Far in the distance—
Smoke rose above the walls.
The invasion...
Had begun.