The sky over Colorado blazed in hues of orange and gold, casting long shadows over the Celestial Order's private mountain fortress.
After weeks of brutal fighting, the elite guild had returned from conquering Floor 87 of the American Tower—a near-impossible feat.
The monsters? Wiped out.
The core? Secured.
Their names? Once again, echoing across the world.
But for now… they could breathe.
---
Roger Wilson leaned back in a reinforced patio chair, fire swirling lazily around his fingers as he grilled thick slabs of meat.
Roger (grinning):
"Look at us… battle-scarred, half-dead, and somehow still beautiful. Especially me."
Martin Saunders, already halfway through a plate of ribs, spoke with his mouth full.
Martin:
"Less talking, more grilling. I didn't tank ten flame hounds to starve now."
Hestia Roseberg, sitting under the shade of a tree, calmly sharpened her twin blades. Her motions were rhythmic, focused.
Hestia (without looking up):
"You're already tanking the whole grill, Martin. Maybe give the meat a chance."
Christoff Erickson, the ever-calculated leader, sat with a rare glass of red wine in hand. His coat was folded beside him, psychic energy dimmed for once.
Christoff (smirking):
"If I'd known clearing Floor 87 came with a barbecue, I would've telekinetically speedrun it."
Naiomi Sasaki sat nearby, cross-legged on a bench, hair fluttering gently in the breeze. The air around her was calm now—no gravity distortions, no temporal waves. Just peace.
Naiomi (smiling softly):
"Even titans need sunsets. Let us enjoy this… even if it's just for a day."
Laughter followed. For a moment, they were just people—not gods of war, not saviors of nations. Just family.
---
Nearby, some of the lower-ranking members relaxed on the grass.
Bran Arlo (S-rank kinetic) played cards with Layna Cress (A-rank healer), both teasing each other over losing bets.
Bran:
"You call that a healing circle? My grandma could cast better barriers in her sleep!"
Layna:
"At least I don't launch teammates off cliffs with 'misfired' kinetic bursts."
Drek Morello (B-rank beastmaster) wrestled playfully with his hawk-dragon, while Omar Velez (C-rank barrier mage) nervously watched from a distance.
Omar:
"Guys, maybe don't agitate the flying lizard that can set trees on fire."
Drek (laughing):
"Relax! Clutch only toasts people he doesn't like. You're fine."
The peaceful atmosphere was rare. Earned. Cherished.
---
Inside the main hall, the global crystal projector pulsed with an incoming alert.
System Broadcast:
"Emergency distress signal received. Korean Tower of Annihilation, Floor 36. High-level dungeon anomaly. Shadow Eclipse strike team presumed incapacitated. Immediate assistance required. S-rank Rift classifying as Unknown. Requesting elite guild deployment."
The Global Hunter Association scrambled to contact the world's top guilds.
---
Titan Eclipse – Russia
Dmitri Volkov (via holo-call, arms crossed):
"Unfortunate timing. We are coordinating with the government on civilian evacuations after a tower surge. No deployments possible. The Order must answer."
Tempest Fang – Japan
Ayame Kazehana (voice sharp, urgent):
"We're consolidating a containment breach in Tokyo. Pulling back risks catastrophic spread. We entrust this to the Order."
Iron Circles – Germany
Marcus Brandt (gruff, composed):
"We're stretched along the Rhine Towers after a triple anomaly. My squads are locked down. I wish you strength, Christoff."
Ashvamedha – India
Ravi Kapoor (steady, formal):
"Our Awakened are committed to a full-core seal in Bangalore. If we retreat, it unravels. You are our only chance."
Emerald Veil – China
Zhao Lianhua — No response.
Multiple crystal beacons flicker—no transmission.
Status: Unreachable.
Silver Halo – Philippines
Maria del Rosario — No contact.
Repeated pings. No replies. The last transmission cuts mid-sentence.
Status: Unreachable.
---
Back in Colorado, the laughter faded like mist.
Christoff slowly rose, holo-images winking out.
Christoff (softly):
"Some are bound. Some are gone. We're what's left."
Naiomi (voice low):
"Then let's be enough."
Roger (cracking his neck):
"Gear up. Show's not over yet."
Martin (grim):
"If Floor 36 swallowed an elite team whole… it's not a normal Rift."
Hestia (blades gleaming as she stands):
"No excuses. No delay. Let's move."
Christoff's voice rang with finality.
Christoff:
"Prep for deployment. We leave in one hour."
The Celestial Order moved as one. Quiet. Fast. Relentless.
Above Korea, the sky churned.
And in the Tower… something new had awakened.
---
To be continue...