The Dawn of the New World

The image continued to magnify until the source of the light pillar was the only thing visible within the basin.

"Stop!" Princess Helena waved her hand as soon as she was able to clearly see where the pillar was originating from, which was far too familiar a place.

At the root of the pillar was an encirclement of more than a dozen cracks in space that reflected various scenes. Each of the cracks was connected to a bluish-purple whirlpool constantly rotating above them.

The source of the pillar of light was also this whirlpool that had expanded to over a kilometer in size.

Princess Helena didn't even risk breathing out loud as her gaze locked onto the pyramid's entrance that was located smack dab in the middle of the whirlpool. Because unlike how she had left it, it wasn't vacant anymore.

Scores of twisted fleshy creatures were casually crawling out of the entrance that had expanded by several times. Their bodies were almost glowing red in the darkness while the flesh writhed and twisted with every movement.

They didn't have any skin but the rippling movements of the muscles made it pretty obvious that each strand of fiber was packing a lot of raw power.

Most of the crimson creatures were divided into two types based on their physical forms. One of them which also held the majority were down on four limbs. The front limbs were three to four times the size of the back limbs with several disjointed sections.

The main body was relatively thin with no extra appendages or protrusions but the head of each creature was a little different. Some had extremely long tentacles hanging from the sides while others had serrated teeth or multiple eyes.

The second type were the humanoids. They were walking on two feet and had upper limbs that ended in different blunt or sharp weapons like blades and hammers. But both of them dripped some sort of a viscous crimson liquid that sizzled upon coming into contact with the air and caught fire before quickly dissipating into the atmosphere.

Various other creatures were spilling out of some of the spatial cracks surrounding the pyramid but they didn't stand a chance against the crimson beasts that were waiting for them on this side. They attacked, maimed, or killed the newcomers before dragging the corpses back into the pyramid.

Mouth agape, Princess Helena couldn't tear herself from the basin.

"What...happened? Why...how...WHAT are they?" she mumbled incredulously.

Henrik, Ceni, and all the others watching from the sides had much the same reactions.

Elder Iya's forehead was covered in sweat as he spoke in their native language, "My lady, do you know where this place is?"

Princess Helena nodded vacantly, "It is the ruins near the grasslands. We were just there but..."

But it looked completely different now. This looked like a scene from a post-apocalyptic monster movie, one which was completely foreign to them.

Henrik was the first one to step out of his daze. He walked over to Hazel and whispered something in her ear. She took out the identity token hidden within her shirt and channeled some Qi into it to activate before speaking in a shed voice.

Just a second later she got a response which she relayed back to Henrik. His already somber expression converted to an even graver one.

Princess Ceni saw the change of expression and walked up to him, whispering, "What happened?"

He shook his head wearily, "The same thing is happening on the surface. That pillar of light has pierced through the dome of this world and come out on the other side. Everyone can already see it and are gathering around it. And...those crimson beasts, there are reports of their appearances throughout the surface world."

"The first protectors from the Academy, the Temple, and the Hall have called for a meeting of all the guardians to discuss some important matters. I think they have also figured out we have lost contact with the othe-"

He hadn't even finished talking when Ceni's identity token started to hum. She took it out and inserted some Qi to receive the message. Her brow locked in a tight furrow as soon as she heard it.

"What does it say?" Henrik impatiently inquired.

Ceni was still processing it but still told him, "They have...asked for me to join the meeting as well. It's in 24 hours on the surface."

"You? Why would they ask you to join?"

"I...don't know. But apparently, all three first protectors have "requested" my presence. I don't think I can say no."

Henrik's expression worsened once again. All of the first protectors making the same request? For what reason? But there was no point thinking about it for much longer because the answers wouldn't just come to them.

"We need to find Hao Xuan quickly," he said in a low voice.