Heroes of Veridia: Evelyn's Journey

Hours later, after the incident with Selene, Donovan Wolfe, the red-haired hero who had rescued Evelyn, brought her home, earning praise from her father. Evelyn lay on a bed, with Donovan and her dad standing over her. A nurse was summoned to tend to her injuries. The room was dimly lit, with a single candle flickering on the bedside table, casting long shadows across the walls. The scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. Donovan's expression was a mix of concern and pride, while Victor Blackwood, Evelyn's father, wore a stern, worried look.

Outside, Evelyn's soldiers stood like statues, their presence masked but their eyes unwavering. Each soldier was taut with focus, their expressions hard as stone, ready to spring into action at the slightest provocation. Their loyalty and concern for Evelyn were evident in the way they braced themselves, hands hovering near their weapons, eyes scanning the surroundings with laser-like intensity.

"They will regret doing this to my daughter," Victor Blackwood barked, his voice rough and gravelly with age, causing the nurse to jump slightly.

"I'm done. Her wounds are healed, but she needs to rest to regain her energy," the nurse informed them, his hands glowing softly as he finished applying his healing ability. The soft blue light from his hands faded as he exited the room.

"Don't worry, Mr. Blackwood. Just give me the word and I'll hunt them down before dinner," Donovan said, his smirk widening as he casually leaned against the wall. "I've taken down worse than this lot without breaking a sweat."

Victor shook his head. "You can't. I can't lose a powerful soldier like you. I won't let you go alone. You will go with Evelyn's sister. With her air manipulation, your flames will become exceptionally strong."

Donovan's smile broadened at being called powerful. "I appreciate your concern, but she's only going to slow me down. Please trust me. I will hunt them down successfully without fail, and we can celebrate her birthday party when I return." Flames flickered to life in his hand, illuminating the room with a warm, orange glow, casting an aura of confidence and pride around him.

Victor nodded in acceptance, his gaze turning serious. "Regarding Evelyn's party, I want you to make sure no one messes it up. I will present the serum during the event. Leave the hunting for another day."

The room fell silent, the weight of Victor's words settling heavily. Donovan understood the gravity of the situation; the serum was a closely guarded secret, and Victor's seriousness was palpable. The flickering flames in Donovan's hand dimmed slightly as he nodded, the magnitude of his responsibility sinking in.

"I overheard what that filthy commander tried to do to Evelyn. Bring him here. I'm going to teach him some manners," Victor ordered.

"As you wish boss," Donovan responded. He exited the room with a smile on his face. Upon reaching the compound, he called one of the modified heroes and ordered him to relay the information to the said commander.

~~~

A few minutes later, the commander lay sprawled on the floor of Victor's office, blood smeared across his uniform and pooling beneath him. His breath was ragged and shallow, each exhales a testament to the severe beating he had endured. Weakness sapped his strength, leaving him barely able to move.

"This is your punishment. No one dares to hurt my daughter," Victor growled, his voice dripping with cold fury. He turned to his guards, who stood rigidly at attention. "Get him out of here," he ordered. As the guards dragged the commander away, Victor's eyes gleamed with a dangerous hunger for power. He whispered to himself, "She's going to be my most powerful asset."

Victor exhaled deeply, leaning back against his desk, a smug satisfaction settling over him. But his triumph was short-lived. Suddenly, he felt a strange weakness creeping through his body. His energy seemed to drain away, replaced by an icy coldness that spread from his arm. Realizing what was happening, Victor quickly pulled his arm back from the glowing gem on his desk.

With a grimace, he took out his handkerchief and wrapped it around his hand before gingerly picking up the gem. "The Diminara Crystal," he murmured, his voice a mix of awe and dread.

The Diminara Crystal was an ethereal gem with a mesmerizing, shifting hue that ranged from deep amethyst to vibrant teal. Its irregular, multifaceted surface refracted light in a captivating dance of colors. The core of the crystal emitted a faint, pulsating glow, reminiscent of a heartbeat, which intensified when near individuals with abilities.

When the Diminara Crystal came into contact with people who possessed abilities, it immediately began to drain their strength. Prolonged exposure weakened the person further, as if the crystal siphoned away their energy and transferred it into its own glowing core. Those affected described a sensation of coldness and lethargy spreading through their bodies, sapping their vitality and diminishing their abilities.

The crystal was believed to have originated from a meteorite that fell to Earth centuries ago. Legend had it that the crystal was forged in the heart of a dying star, giving it its unique energy-draining properties. Ancient texts referred to it as "The Star's Last Breath," a relic of immense power and mystery.

Victor, aware of its properties, had kept the Diminara Crystal both as a weapon and a safeguard. However, its power was a double-edged sword, even for him. As he wrapped the gem securely in the handkerchief, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of respect for its dangerous beauty.

He carefully placed the crystal in his desk's drawer. "You will be useful to me later," He said.

~~~~~

Back at the scene of the incident, journalists swarmed, their cameras capturing the wreckage of the train and the frantic activity around it. They interviewed witnesses, their questions probing and urgent. The heroes, who had arrived too late to prevent the disaster, faced harsh criticism and intense pressure from the media and the public.

Police officers worked tirelessly to manage the chaos and begin the cleanup. Ruby, upon hearing the news, found sleep impossible. She was desperate to see Lucas again and ask if he was okay, her mind racing with worry.

During the attack, Evelyn's soldiers had rushed Lucas to the nearest hospital. Thanks to the exceptional abilities of the nurses, Lucas was back on his feet in no time. However, like Evelyn, he needed to rest and recover fully.

A distance away from Verida lay a land believed to be uninhabited, or so the people of Veridia thought.

The small territory was dense with trees, creating a haven for a variety of animals and beasts. The surrounding waters teemed with sea creatures that deterred intruders. The people of Veridia had long been forbidden from approaching the area for their own safety.

Selene and her allies had established their base in this forbidden land.

"You were supposed to bring him here, not expose yourselves or get killed!" an angry man barked. He pointed to the television screen showing Selene's face, her hood down, clearly identifiable.

"It wasn't my fault he underestimated that girl," Selene retorted, her tone defensive.

"A girl?" the man scoffed. "He was taken down by a girl? You failed to bring the boy to me because of a girl?"

Glaring at him, Selene snapped, "The bullet came from a sniper outside the moving train. That sniper was incredibly skilled, and you of all people should know how much energy healing requires."

"That fool got himself killed. I knew I shouldn't have sent him on this mission. Leave!" he commanded. Selene stomped out, seething with anger.

Her friend, Ethan, waited anxiously outside the man's house. Upon seeing Selene approach, he asked, "What's with the long face?"

"He's furious that I botched the mission," Selene replied, her voice tinged with frustration. Together, they walked toward the shore, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path.

"After today, I doubt he'll send you out again," Ethan remarked, his tone carrying a mix of concern and resignation. Selene nodded, her acceptance evident.

"He'll probably say something like, 'It's for your own safety,'" Selene said, mimicking the man's stern voice. Ethan chuckled, the tension easing slightly.

They chatted for hours, the conversation flowing as the night turned to dawn. They watched the sunrise, its golden rays casting a warm glow over the tumultuous sea.

"I wonder what would happen if the heroes discovered our base," Ethan mused, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

Selene stood up, her expression resolute. "They won't get close." As if on cue, enormous sea creatures erupted from the water, their massive forms splashing back into the depths.

Ethan was drenched by the spray, his frustration palpable. Selene couldn't help but smile at his exasperated expression. "Let's head back," she said, sprinting toward their base which was hidden in the trees.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar shattered the tranquility. Ethan was hurled into a tree beside her, the impact echoing through the forest. Selene's eyes widened in shock. She spun around to face a towering creature emerging from the shadows, its menacing form blocking their path.