Lucien stepped forward.
"If the flying monster enters during the failure, our priority must be clear: eliminate the Locus first. The barrier will work again and we need to ensure the general population's safety, no matter what. Only then can we face the creature together."
The soldiers exchanged tense glances.
They had all heard about the monster's power, and some had witnessed it firsthand.
"If we can't stop it," Lucien continued, "the next action is clear: everyone will enter their books. You'll overcome the next level, and we'll try again. As many times as necessary until we eliminate it."
"What about the civilians if we enter the book?" someone asked from the crowd.
"They'll remain in their homes during that time," Selene responded. "Teams have already notified them... If the monster enters their homes, they must enter their book as well."
Diana, from her position, observed everything with an intensity that reminded Lucien too much of her brother. Her ascension to level 5 in the last few hours had been as impressive as it was reckless.
Ignoring Lucien's warnings about the need to perfect the corrosive attack, she had thrown herself into the challenge with a determination that reminded him too much of Elio.
That ability to adapt and overcome impossible situations seemed to manifest in her as well.
The determination in her eyes suggested she wouldn't retreat to shelter with other civilians, no matter what he ordered.
"Every minute counts," Lucien concluded. "Those still in the process of ascending, continue. The rest, to your positions."
The barrier failure approached, and with it, the true test of their preparation.
♢♢♢♢
Lucien, Selene, and Diana stood on the parapet surrounded by soldiers.
When the time of failure approached, the three positioned themselves where the network of informants suggested the monster would appear on its next round.
Diana followed closely, ignoring her uncle's worried glances.
The soldiers, strategically distributed around the wall, maintained a tense vigil.
When it finally appeared, Lucien both thanked and cursed that the watchful soldiers had been correct.
The unusual concentration of warriors seemed to spark the monster's curiosity. It descended with unnatural grace until it reached the parapet's height, its black eyes studying the scene with scientific interest. Upon recognizing Lucien and Selene, it positioned itself in front of them, separated only by some meters and the barrier that still shone strongly.
Lucien noticed the monster wasn't carrying the weapons it had used previously. In theory, it couldn't harm them without them... But no one dared lower their guard.
Elio's book.
Almost 24 hours had passed since they'd last seen him. Doubt settled in his mind like poison:
Had Elio...?
'No,' he denied again, this time with more force. 'He must be inside a challenge, as we planned to do. Getting stronger.'
Diana, who hadn't taken her eyes off the monster, seemed to perceive her uncle's concern. "He wouldn't die so easily," she whispered, her voice carrying a conviction that surprised Lucien.
Selene nodded imperceptibly. "If the barrier isn't failing, it must mean something. Maybe Elio and the others..."
The monster tilted its head, as if it could hear their whispers, its black eyes reflecting a disturbing intelligence. Its presence remained a constant reminder that, stable barrier or not, the danger was far from over.
The soldiers maintained their positions, the fatigue of constant tension beginning to manifest in small tremors, in drops of cold sweat.
The creature seemed to enjoy their discomfort, studying each reaction, every sign of weakness.
"How much longer?" someone asked quietly.
Nobody answered.
The question hung in the air as the sun began its descent, marking almost a full day since it had all begun. One day since the monster had appeared, since the city had begun its desperate race to grow stronger.
And the barrier, against all expectations, continued to shine without signs of weakness.
♢♢♢♢
The monster remained before them, immutable and calm, corrupting the minds of the weakest.
Even Lucien couldn't help but doubt after so much time. He saw Elio's book in the monster's hands again.
No, he couldn't let pessimism flood him.
"Elio has overcome worse things," Lucien murmured, more to himself than to others.
"He hasn't faced anything worse than me."
The monster's voice, that unnatural buzz of multiple overlapping voices, froze the blood of everyone present.
Selene stepped forward, furious and ready to defend Elio, but Lucien stopped her with a gesture of his hand.