Kyle stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest as the deafening explosion erupted through the air. The shockwave rattled the building's structure, and he felt the floor beneath him tremble as if the very foundation of his carefully laid plans was cracking.
This wasn't supposed to happen, Kyle thought, his mind racing. I knew working with the rogues was risky. I knew they were unpredictable, but I didn't expect them to be this reckless. A bomb so close to the building—this is beyond anything I anticipated.
He glanced around, his eyes darting through the chaos unfolding around him—people screaming, rushing for cover, and frantic security personnel trying to maintain some semblance of order. The lobby was a blend of panic and disbelief; the previously controlled atmosphere of the opposition party had now turned into a battlefield.
I could control this, Kyle continued to berate himself. I could use them, play both sides—lure Edward into a trap, have him right where I want him. Then the rogues would strike, and I'd have leverage. But now... now I'm just as much a pawn as they are.
His grip tightened on his phone as he searched for answers, but there was nothing—no message from Coco, no explanation, just the deafening silence that followed the explosion.
What was that? He couldn't shake the feeling that he had just witnessed something far bigger than he had ever imagined. This wasn't just an attack on the ruling party but an assault on everything—his plans, power, and future.
Did the rogues go rogue on me?
Fear chewed at him, but it wasn't just the blast that terrified him. It was the realization that his involvement with the rogues had put him dangerously close to losing control of the situation. I can't die here, he thought. I've come too far. I've sacrificed too much to fall at the hands of some criminals. No. This was never part of the deal.
A flash of clarity pierced through his panic. Edward is here. If I can reach him... I still have a chance if I can make it out of this mess. I'll clean it up. I'll fix it. But first, I need to survive this.
Kyle's eyes darted around the room, panic bubbling in his chest as he searched for an escape route. His mind raced, calculating his next move. Stay with Edward, then figure out who to blame. If anyone's going down for this, it won't be me.
A sharp and commanding voice cut through the chaos. "Kyle, go to the safety area!"
He turned his head sharply toward Edward, who stood firm amidst the chaos, concentrated on the destruction unfolding before him. "I'll take care of things down below. Go!"
Kyle didn't hesitate; his feet moved toward the exit, yet the authority lingered in his mind. Edward... He's always been this way, stepping in to fix what they've broken.
Kyle muttered under his breath, a bitter smile curling his lips. Let him handle it, then. I'll take care of the aftermath.
He pushed his way through the panicked crowd, but his thoughts kept racing—there was no time for sentiment now. He needed to reach safety and then regroup. Edward was a Ranger in his own right, but this wasn't part of the plan. The blast had changed everything.
Meanwhile, Edward was at the center of the chaos. His instincts kicked in. Despite the dust and smoke swirling around the entrance, he moved quickly, kneeling beside the injured, his hands steady as he checked their vitals.
"Stay with me," Edward murmured to a woman whose leg was trapped beneath a heavy beam. His mind raced as he assessed the situation, but he tried to remain calm. A glance revealed several people had minor injuries, but some required immediate attention.
He shouted to a few of the security officers, ordering them to help the able-bodied and directing them to the exits.
He redirected his focus to the woman, carefully lifting the beam off her leg. "We're getting you out of here," he reassured her, his voice steady despite the chaos. His hands moved swiftly, assisting her to sit up and pulling her to a safe area with the others.
----
On the other side of the city, anticipation electrified the atmosphere in the grand conference hall. The President of Elria stood at the podium, his voice firm and assured as he addressed the crowd. The distinguished guests hung on every word, their attention riveted on the man who had steered the country through turbulent times. This was a moment that felt like history in the making.
"Thank you for the love you have shown me over the years," the President said, his gaze sweeping across the audience. "I hope you will extend that same unwavering support to my daughter, as she will carry our legacy forward."
Standing beside her mother, Seraphina felt the weight of the moment. The nerves washed over her like a wave—she would soon have to step up to that podium, with the entire city watching. Although her mother's reassuring touch on her shoulder grounded her, the anxiety was difficult to shake off.
Alex, standing nearby, remained unfazed by the reporters' occasional glances, their cameras focused on the family. The live broadcast reached every part of the city. Tyson and Shaun, attempting to stay inconspicuous, stood behind the others.
Tyson's gaze drifted to the corner of the room, where the staff were stationed, listening intently to the President's speech. Before them stood the Rangers, their guard uniforms sharp and commanding, ensuring everything remained in order.
"You're nervous too?" Shaun asked softly.
Tyson, his gaze still fixed on the staff, smirked. "No. I don't like cameras. My girlfriend gets jealous whenever I show off in front of the world." He paused, his attention narrowing on something that felt familiar. "Just be quiet. I'm trying to concentrate on something."
At that moment, he noticed a blue-haired man standing among the staff. Although he couldn't clearly distinguish the man's face, something about his movements resonated with Tyson. Tyson's instincts were screaming at him. Just as he began to process it, the President's voice pierced the silence.
"Seraphina, come join me on stage."
Seraphina froze for a moment, her heart pounding. But before she could step forward, the ground beneath them shook violently, and a deafening explosion tore through the building. The walls trembled as if the very foundation of the headquarters was being ripped apart. The force of the blast was so strong that it rattled the fifth floor, sending a wave of panic through the crowd.
The glass walls broke apart, sending shards scattering everywhere.
Guests screamed and scrambled for cover as chaos filled the air. The explosion had originated from the street below, but it felt as if it had shaken the very heart of the city.
Amid the panic, something even more dangerous emerged. A few staff members—who had seamlessly blended into the background—pushed through the line of defense, their bodies transforming instantly. Metal armor encased their forms, sleek and lethal.
Once hidden in plain sight, the rogues revealed themselves, their metallic suits gleaming ominously in the hall's dimming lights.
Tyson's instincts kicked in as his eyes locked onto the source of the threat. Blue and his companions were now among the rogues revealed. A flash of recognition sent a chill down his spine. He didn't have time to think; he had to act.
"Stay back!" Alex shouted urgently, pulling Seraphina into his embrace as a shard of glass flew by. Her wide, terrified eyes were fixed on her father as the rogues advanced towards him.
The captain glanced at them, signaling to move away, as he started securing the president while chaos filled the room.
"We must secure them; the captain will ensure the President's safety."
Tyson nodded sharply, already calculating their best move. Without hesitation, he and Alex positioned themselves between the advancing rogues and the women.
Their movements were swift and practiced, their instincts sharpened from countless drills, setting them apart from other trainees. Every muscle in their bodies was taut, bracing for what quickly unfolded into a battle they could not afford to lose.
Tyson's armor activated with a sharp metallic click, the cool surface fitting seamlessly against his body. His sword materialized in his hand.
Alex's armor ignited beside him, energy crackling around his fists, his stance steady.
"Shaun, secure the rear!" Alex commanded, his voice steady despite the urgency. Shaun moved swiftly, his armor assembling with a low hum, prepared to shield the group from any flanking attack.
"Move now!" Tyson urged, taking charge. With Alex guarding one flank and Shaun covering the rear, Tyson guided Seraphina and her mother toward a side exit. The back door of the conference hall led to a safer route, far from the escalating danger.
"Where are you taking us?" Seraphina's mother asked, her voice shaking yet determined as she held her daughter tightly.
"To safety," Tyson replied firmly, his eyes fixed on the rogues advancing through the chaos. "We'll circle back for the President, but you're the priority right now."
The group moved quickly through the same luxurious lobby where they had just stood chatting, laughing, and exchanging playful banter moments before.
As they reached the lobby's center, a voice sliced through the tension like a knife. "Hey! Where are you headed?"
Tyson's heart sank as the familiar voice echoed from behind. He turned to see Blue standing casually in the center, as if the explosion and chaos were of no concern to him. Three armored rogues flanked him, their stances poised for battle.
"I'm right here, Tyson," Blue said.
Tyson tightened his grip on the sword. His eyes burned with anger and frustration as he stepped forward slightly, further protecting Seraphina and her mother.
"Blue," Tyson growled in a deep, menacing tone.
Blue's smirk grew wider as he stepped forward. "I warned you, Tyson," he said, his tone almost playful. "But here you are, still oblivious."
Alex stepped beside Tyson, his armor crackling with energy, his fists clenched around the katana. "We don't have time for this," he muttered, glancing back at the lift that would take them to the lower floor.
"I'll keep him at bay," Tyson said without hesitation.
"No," Alex retorted, "I'll hold them off; you get them to safety."
Blue tilted his head, observing them with amused curiosity. "Oh, don't let me stop you," he said mockingly. "Run along. But you know what happens if you turn your back on me, Tyson. I want you, not that guy—no offense."
"You get them to safety; I'll handle him."
"He has reached twenty-seven power points in a short time; you can't defeat him," Alex said.
"Neither you...but I can stall him until you get back here," Tyson smiled. "You will come looking for me, right, brother?"
"I am not your brother." Alex flinched and then finally gave in. "Shaun, let's go."