It took only one night for the transport vehicle to cross the other mountainous parts. There were more creatures along the way, but Ethan and White Fang's team handled every cursed creature because it meant that they were much closer to the Green Zone.

By sunrise, Luna spotted it: a small town in the distance where the snow began to recede into patches of brown and green. Hovering high above it was a pulsing green beacon, suspended in the air like a lantern on invisible strings, blinking steadily as if guiding the weary home.

The army vehicle halted just outside the settlement perimeter, joining several other military transports that had arrived from various parts of the region.

Scientists in pristine white lab coats disembarked, many of them radiating faint traces of divinity.

'What's the purpose of all this?' Luna wondered, but she didn't linger on it. Instead, she followed Nali and Ethan, one on each side of her.

Sandwiched between them, Luna couldn't help but feel like a child walking with her towering guardians. Both were tall, commanding presences. She glanced at their long legs and sighed internally.

'… but I've made peace with my height already.'

They reached the boundary's check-in area, where officers began processing arrivals. Nali took the lead, registering Luna as a refugee and a victim of human trafficking—a tragically common fate in the Northern Settlement's outskirts.

More tests followed. Blood samples. Physical assessments. A brief mental probe by an Ascender with the power to scan memories. He pressed his hand to Luna's forehead and closed his eyes.

What he saw was exactly what she wanted him to see: Luna, dazed and frightened, waking alone on a mountain of snow, calling for help through the blizzard.

He pulled away gently and gave a soft nod. "Short-term memory loss. Likely trauma-induced."

Luna's lips curled slightly, unseen beneath her lowered eyes.

The Concept of Imagination, her secret gift—was functioning perfectly.

After completing the necessary paperwork, Luna was issued a green pass card—her identification while within the Green Zone. It granted her temporary status as a refugee and allowed her access to basic services until her departure. According to Nali, a train heading to the Main District of the Northern Settlement was expected to arrive in three or four days, depending on the obstacles along the rail route.

Luna wasn't fond of the idea of traveling by train, especially not in a vulnerable position like this. But for now, she had no other choice.

Nali guided her toward the refugee camp, which wasn't far from where the researchers were stationed. As they walked, Luna took in her surroundings. There were more people than she expected, each wearing the same green pass card around their necks. Many of them were young and freshly awakened, judging by their unfocused gazes and the quiet tension in their movements.

All wore the same blue tracksuit she had been given—clear visual proof of their status. These weren't just refugees; they were survivors, some likely pulled from attacked areas that were nearby.

Everyone moved with quiet purpose. No one complained. With few machines in the area, most of the work was done by hand. Human labor drove the camp. Ascenders helped where they could—hauling heavier loads, stabilizing temporary structures, and quietly assisting the injured.

There was a rhythm to the place, as if survival had become routine.

"The government can't afford machine maintenance in places like this—areas where dungeons emerge frequently," Nali explained as they walked side by side. "That's why most of the labor here is done by hand. Ascenders and mundane work together to keep the Green Zone running. Of course, the government still provides assistance: food, water, and funding for the research projects stationed here."

'I can tell from the magnetic tracks. This entire city is a branch of the government. Then again, all Green Zones are.'

It was a global mandate for every major settlement to maintain at least seven Green Zones, each one directly managed by central authorities.

These zones served a singular purpose: protecting researchers and temporarily sheltering refugees from affected regions.

Luna had never visited a Green Zone before. The Eastern Settlement was so vast and self-contained that she'd never needed to. And back then, before the Crimson Tower, Luna didn't care much about what was happening around her anyway.

She glanced at Nali. "What are they researching here?"

"Gates, mostly," Nali said without hesitation. "I don't know if this is technically classified or not, but… I've taken a liking to you, so I'll tell you anyway." She offered a smile, her tone friendly. "Every Green Zone is located near areas with high Gate activity, strategically positioned so research can continue safely. But things changed two years ago, and now gates might be the things that may save us."

Nali's gaze remained warm as she waved at passing locals, exchanging nods and greetings with ease. Her demeanor didn't fit the typical image of an ascender. If not for the leather armor she wore, Luna might have mistaken her for one of the residents.

"I know it's controversial, but…I think Lord Artemis was right," Nali continued, her voice low but steady. "Our world is indeed dying. He believed that unless humanity could conquer the Divine Realm, there'd be no future for humanity."

Luna remained silent, listening.

"I believe Artemis lost the battle with the Feng clan," Nali said after a moment, "because he underestimated their full strength. He was brilliant… but short-sighted."

Nali continued as they slowly walked on the pavement. "The Crimson Tower would've damaged the Eastern Settlement, their food comes from the Southern Reach, for gods's sake, you get me?"

Luna only nodded lazily. She often liked to bury her memories that day. People like Nali could say anything they wanted because they weren't there to experience the battle.

Meanwhile, Nali continued speaking, unaware of the storm brewing in Luna's mind.

"I'm glad Lord Artemis chose to take a bolder step of exploring the Divine Realm directly. And now that House Val has officially allied with him, the future looks... hopeful."

Luna froze mid-step. Her eyes widened, a wave of disbelief washing over her. "House Val has what?" she whispered under her breath, the words barely audible.

She stared blankly ahead, her mind racing. 'I didn't think House Val would side with humanity's survival through Ascenders…'

For a moment, her carefully constructed facade cracked. Doubt crept into her heart—not just about her current mission, but about everything she thought she knew. Had she been gone that long? Had things already begun shifting under her feet?

This alliance was obviously a secret and very well-kept one because the government knew nothing about this. And if it did, they probably treated it as a rumor because Great Houses had proud leaders.

"An alliance between two powerful houses is indeed great." Nali blurted all of this because to every ascender, it wasn't news. It was only a matter of time before the public got to know. "If they both start exploring the world beyond the gateways, maybe they can find something that can save us all."

House Val was the third strongest house in the world. It was also the largest clan with the largest number of ascenders at their disposal due to the many small clans that served them.

'It looks like Lord Leonard Shrift has given up on the world as well.' Luna bit onto her lower lip as she buried herself in thought.

Lord Artemis's vision meant abandoning those who could not evolve. It meant leaving behind those who didn't have the spark of divinity in them. But after learning about them, there was a possibility that Lord Artemis's Plan was actually the Visionaries' plan for humanity.

In fact, Luna was sure the main sorcerers and clan leaders knew about the Visionaries. And maybe these alliances were being controlled by them. To them, humanity's survival might as well be a game.

After all, they had transcended their mortality while following the True Path. They could watch humanity struggle to survive from the sidelines.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

When they arrived at the refugee center, Luna bowed politely to Nali, thanking her for the guidance. Nali smiled back, giving a brief wave before heading off.

Taking a deep breath, Luna stepped into the large warehouse, its interior buzzing with life despite the hardships outside.

As she crossed the threshold, the green card around her neck blinked, confirming her entry. No one paid her any mind as they went about their routines, preparing for the day ahead. The contrast between the gloomy, tense atmosphere outside and the warmth within was striking.

Inside, the warehouse was brightly lit, with heaters humming softly in the corners. Laughter echoed from a group of children playing a game with a makeshift ball, their smiles bright and genuine. A little girl tugged at her mother's sleeve, pointing at a storybook being read aloud by an elderly man in the corner.

Luna couldn't help but smile softly. For the first time in a while, she felt a faint sense of peace. Despite the tragedies that had brought them here, people seemed to be finding ways to live—if not happily, then at least with some semblance of normalcy.

She took a few steps further when she felt a light tug on her back. Turning around, Luna saw a small girl, no older than thirteen or fourteen.

She had dull green eyes and messy dark blue hair that barely reached her shoulders. Clutched tightly in her arms was a worn teddy bear, its left ear stitched with mismatched fabric.

"How may I help you?" Luna smiled gently at the girl, lowering herself to her level.

The girl hesitated, staring at the floor rather than meeting Luna's gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Are you an Ascender?

Before Luna could answer, the girl bit her lip, her fingers tightening around the bear's paw.

"I... I wanted to know if there are any more survivors from Rosewind. My family, my brother... he's... they're still out there."

Luna froze for a moment as the name Rosewind sank in. 'So these survivors…'

Her heart grew heavy as realization hit. She looked down at the girl, whose green eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

Trying to keep her voice soft, Luna asked:

"Who were you with?"

The girl sniffled, hugging her teddy bear tighter. "My parents and little brother... I don't know what happened exactly. I was just heading to school when…" Her voice broke, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. "I-I don't know about my parents, but my brother... he has the spark. He might not be…"

Suddenly, the girl's face lit up with a fragile hope. "He might not be dead, right? Because he can awaken!"

Luna swallowed the lump in her throat. It was hard to lie when faced with such raw hope.

She knelt to the girl's level, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Unfortunately, I don't have answers for you. I'm also a refugee….just like you. My name is Lara. I'm... sorry about your district."

"Oh." The girl's hopeful expression faded, replaced by embarrassment. She took a small step back, her gaze dropping to the floor.

"I'm sorry, Miss Lara. It's just... your presence... You seemed so strong. I thought you might know something."

'She can sense my presence?' Luna was suddenly intrigued. It appears the girl had a high affinity for life essence hence why she mistook Luna for an ascender. 'I wonder…'

When she bothered to peer into the small girl's soul, hoping that this girl might have a chance of stepping onto the True Path like Mira. But, to her disappointment, her soul was a radiant mixture of gold and a dim blue. Her soul was tainted with zenshi.

Luna's gaze softened as she looked at the girl, still clutching the worn teddy bear as if it were the only thing keeping her grounded.

"What's your name?" Luna asked gently.

The girl straightened up, forcing a hardened expression that didn't quite match her youth. "Sonia. I'm twelve. I apologize for bothering you."

Luna couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration. Despite the grief and fear in her eyes, the girl was trying so hard to be strong. She lowered her head into a polite bow, then turned to leave, shoulders tense as if bracing herself for more pain.

But before Sonia could take another step, Luna called out.

"Would you like to join me for some hot chocolate?"

Sonia froze mid-step, her back still turned. The word Chocolate seemed to hang in the air like a lifeline.

Slowly, she glanced over her shoulder, her face a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

Luna offered a small, genuine smile. "It's warm and sweet. And I think we both could use a little treat, don't you?"

Sonia hesitated, her lips quivering as if she didn't know whether to accept or run away. Luna knew that look well—the fear of hoping for something good, only to have it taken away.

But Luna knew one more thing: no child could resist chocolate, especially in a place like this. It was a luxury, rare and expensive, but to Luna, it was nothing but pocket change—thanks to Mira's private funding.

Finally, the girl nodded, her expression brightening just a bit. "Yes, I would like some hot chocolate, Miss Lara."

With a soft smile, Luna pulled out a small leather pouch from her coat pocket and carefully untied the drawstring. Inside were several packs of powdered chocolate. She handed three of them to Sonia, who looked at the small, crinkled packets with wide eyes, almost as if they were treasure.

"Take these. You can save them for later if you want," Luna said with a gentle tone.

Sonia clutched the packs close to her chest, clearly delighted. "Really? Thank you!"

They made their way to the supply area, weaving through clusters of refugees who were either resting or preparing for the day's tasks. Luna couldn't help but feel a little uneasy, surrounded by so many people. It had been years since she'd spent time in a bustling environment like this. After training for so long in monster-infested regions to perfect her swordsmanship, the sheer normalcy here almost felt alien.

At the supply station, Luna asked for a few cups and hot water. The volunteers gave her curious looks but didn't question her as she mixed the hot water with the chocolate powder, swirling the dark liquid until the rich aroma filled the air. She handed one of the steaming cups to Sonia, who eagerly took a sip, her eyes lighting up with pure joy.

Luna couldn't help but smile as Sonia swung her legs back and forth, perched on a nearby crate like a little bird on a branch. The chocolate seemed to be doing its job—warming both the girl's body and spirit.

"So, where are you from, Miss Lara?" Sonia asked between sips, her voice a little more confident now.

Luna hesitated for just a moment, carefully maintaining her fabricated story. "Sector 12, Vandervick. One moment I was heading to work, and the next... I was here. White Fang explained that I might have been kidnapped and dropped off."

Sonia paused mid-sip, her wide eyes fixed on the beautiful woman sitting across from her at the small, slightly worn table.

The girl couldn't help but marvel at how out of place Lara looked with long dark hair cascading over her shoulders, skin as pale as moonlight, and dark eyes that seemed to hold endless stories. Her face was also delicate, almost doll-like. It was hard to imagine that the woman in front of her was a battle-driven psychopath who could kill anyone without a second thought.

In Sonia's mind, she resembled one of those glamorous models her mother used to admire in the fashion magazines back home.

"That makes sense, Miss Lara," Sonia finally spoke, her cheeks flushing as she voiced her thought. "You're so beautiful."

Luna gave a soft, almost bashful nod, hiding a hint of a smile behind her cup. She wasn't used to receiving such compliments, especially from someone so young and sincere.

Sonia didn't stop there. A spark of excitement lit her eyes. "I still can't believe you met White Fang! She's amazing. When I ascend, I want to become an ascender just like her—or like the Ghost of Winter."

The girl's small hands clenched around her cup, determination flickering in her gaze as if just saying it brought her closer to the dream.

Luna's smile softened, her eyes distant for a moment. "Oh really? That's an admirable goal. But in my opinion, Ghost of Winter is the stronger one. Have you heard about her most recent subjugation? She killed a Thunderbeast! Have you ever seen one?"

"You seem to be a huge fan of Ghost of Winter, Miss Lara," Sonia said with a smile, catching the smug look on Luna's face.

"Well, I happen to be one of the people she's saved before."

"Really?"

Luna nodded, her smile faint. "Yes."

"How?"

"This isn't an interrogation, young lady. Now focus on your chocolate."

Sonia pouted but didn't argue. She picked up her cup and took another sip. Moments like this—quiet, normal—were rare, and she needed them. Without them, she might've lost her mind.

Rosewind had always been a safe place. So why did a high-category gateway have to appear? She was supposed to join an academy since she was prone to an early awakening. Everything would've gone smoothly if it hadn't been for the gate.

After a subtle silence, Luna noticed something on the little girl's face and said:

"You don't have to pretend. I didn't share my chocolate for you to fake your feelings."

As soon as she pointed that out, Sonia started trembling with the mug in her hand. It was normal for a child to feel frightened by the situation. Being so unsure about the future was something very normal for mortals. Children like her could be forced to become adults after losing their parents to a beast attack or an infection. Sonia's parents could be dead right now.

"I know the future is currently uncertain. But know that as long as you live, there is still hope for a better future."

Sonia didn't say anything. She glued her face on her mug till the chocolate itself was complete. When she lifted her head, Luna's cup was empty, but she hadn't left yet.

"Miss Lara…you're different, aren't you?"

Luna nodded. "Yes, I am. I'm quite special, to be exact. The same goes for you."

Before their conversation went on any further, the lights inside the shelter changed to weak red to alert the refugees.

'A Cursed Creature? Or infected?'

Sonia dropped her mug and jumped from her seat, and the chair she was on tumbled to the floor. Her shaky eyes were now fixed on the red light.

"Alert! Alert! Alert! Threat level risen to Level 5, all occupants of the green zone seek for underground shelter."

Everyone's green card turned red and all the refugees started to gather. They all moved in an orderly manner without any panic as they followed a procedure they had been told to follow when something like this happened.

"I guess I need to collect some Qi." Luna heaved out a sigh and started walking towards the exit.

But then, a small hand reached for hers and stopped her.

It was Sonia.

"Miss Lara, the underground shelter is this way."

Luna looked at where she was pointing and said: "I can see that, Sonia. However, I need to do something about this situation. I'm going to find your family, so please don't tell anyone, okay?"

Sonia nodded obediently. Yes, she knew that Miss Lara was very different. And for some odd reason, she was the only one who could tell.

After patting her on the head, Luna dashed out of the warehouse and summoned her dark cloak that shrouded her in shadows to hide her identity.

While inside, she hadn't noticed that time had moved so quickly. The gentle morning sun was gone and was now replaced by the harsh afternoon light of the sun.

Outside, soldiers and ascenders were rushing out of the green zone to go assist with what was happening in Rosewind.

"What the hell! Two gates at the same time. What the fuck is going on!!"

"White Fang and Ascender Ethan are already there. Shit if they're not enough then we're doomed!"

Two mundane soldiers were discussing as they loaded themselves into one of the Transport vehicles. Luna followed suite. But instead on jumping on, she dived into the the Vehicle's shadow.

Stepping into shadows was one of the awesome enchantments Storm Rider had woven into the cloak.

However, navigating the broken shadow realm was like navigating the sea at night without any assistance. She had gotten lost in it a few times, but she always found a way out whenever she ran out of essence to feed the piece of magic fabric.

Currently, she had control of the essence she fed the fabric so could get out of the shadow realm whenever she wanted. However, there was nothing good about the broken realms. Treading too far meant certain death because broken realms were crawling with all types of creatures.

According to what she discovered about the shadow realm, the creatures here were very ancient and far older than most creatures in the divine realm.

To avoid being attacked, one needed to remain still and refrain from using their essence.

The entire time she was in the vehicle's shadow, Luna could hear the growls and movements of creatures so dark that she couldn't see them. They had no life essence to detect, so that terrified her more.

The ATV's tires hissed when it stopped in the middle of a destroyed, empty street. It had only taken less than twenty minutes for the ATVs to reach Rosewind.

Luna leaped out of the vehicle's shadow and ran to an empty alley and concealed her presence.

In the middle of another street, creatures were crawling out of a large tear in the air. Most of them were moving in hordes—wearing bloodthirsty looks as soon as they noticed the ascenders waiting for them.

The cursed general leading them was a human-shaped creature with gray skin and iron spikes growing out of its back.

Howl!

It roared and charged at the first ascender it saw.

The man leading the team looked serious. He opened his second gate, and a powerful telekinetic blast pushed back the creature.

His teammate ran past him as his body transformed into stone. He jumped and landed his rock fist into the Cursed General.

Boom!

The ascender's blow blasted the creature back, its body tearing through more cursed creatures.

The rock man continued tearing through the creatures with just his raw strength. He didn't hold back as his fists tore through the flesh of these cursed soldiers.

His teammates joined the action, and the horde's numbers quickly fell.

But then, just when their numbers were almost finished, an underwhelming and powerful presence descended.

The tear suddenly widened when something big forced its way through.

The temperature rose as its bluish scaly arms appeared, crushing the ground with the first step. Its claws scratched the tarmac street as it pulled out the rest of its body.

The unlucky soldiers who stared into its yellow eyes were instantly reduced to ash when it noticed their bloodlust and unleashed its authority over fire.

'Of course it's a blue dragon.' Luna, who had been watching from an alley, gritted her teeth when she saw the creature that looked like a cross between a crocodile and a dragon.

"It's a Blue Dragon, all mundane soldiers retreat!"

The ascenders activated their weapons and charged at the tyrant who had stepped into the mortal realm. It opened its mouth, and the street was bathed in powerful blue white flames.

Blue dragons had no wings but that didn't make them weak at all. They had very hot blue flames and a very tough skin in their arsenal.

Luna had fought a few while in Divine, and each fight had left her heavily injured.

'A blue dragon is a huge problem.' Luna thought as she observed the ongoing battle.

She snickered when a risky thought crossed her mind. "I think it's time for my debut."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.