Aethelos Pain and Blood

The meteor was falling. · Zakrom raised his eyes to the mass of stone and aura that filled the sky. For the first time, the smile left his face. · “That… is not human.” · Nayb, still with light vibrating in his fists, did not look away. · “We are the elite of Solaris. · You don’t want to see what we’re capable of.” · Eliana felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She turned. · Lysander was there, a black portal already open behind him. · “Get in.” · At the same moment, another circle of shadow burst open next to Zakrom. The Noxian’s injured body was pulled inside. Eliana hesitated for only a fraction of a second — then she jumped. · Nayb shot toward the portal. · It closed in front of him. · Only smoke, scorched earth, and the broken silence of the destroyed park remained. · Brock spat on the ground, frustrated. · “Again… · We have to deal with the one who opens the portals.” · Nayb was still looking at the spot where they had disappeared. · “Let’s go back to Solaris. · Try to handle the situation. · And hope they don’t call attention to us… after all, we destroyed a park.” · The next day, the problems began. · Jonas Dorp appeared in the middle of the street, surrounded by people. No mask. No apparent fear. His voice cut through the air: · “The government’s abuse caused a place of peace to be destroyed. · And it wasn’t the rebels. · It was representatives of Solaris.” · The news spread within hours. · At the academy, Brock threw the newspaper onto the table. · “If he had the courage to come out onto the street like that… why didn’t anyone catch him?” · Joseph remained serious. · “Because he runs. · They have the one who opens the portals.” · Violeta turned to the two of them, irritation clear on her face. · “Why did you do that? · Meteor Blast? Seriously, Brock?” · “I only went to help my colleague,” he answered. “He was fighting two of them.” · Joseph raised his hand, cutting off the argument. His eyes locked onto Nayb. · “Nayb. · How did you know they were there?” · Nayb felt his throat go dry. · “I didn’t know. · I went to the park… and they showed up. I started fighting.” · The silence that followed was short and heavy. · The door opened. A representative of the nobility entered without asking permission, his uniform impeccable and his expression cold. · “You will not attack their base today. · Jonas Dorp’s appearance and his speech have damaged your image too much. · We have to wait. · We only act when they commit an atrocity the people cannot ignore.” · Joseph did not argue. · Brock clenched his fists. · Violeta looked away. · Nayb stayed silent. · The base in Aldiana was still out there. · And they had orders not to touch it.