Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 218: A shadow of its former self

Chapter 218: A shadow of its former self

The city of Popolis unfurled before Alex’s and in extension, Thomas’s and Gerald’s eyes, its grandeur displayed in entirety, leaving everyone watching breathless for a moment.

The sky was lit by the Lightbringer, golden rays reflecting on well-paved streets with eye-catching buildings.

Despite its grandeur, however, Alex was quick to note the somewhat militaristic vibe it held.

Enforcers patrolled the streets in tandem with mercenaries and Royal Blues.

In a few locations, one could even make out engravings of the Church of Angelica etched out on the buildings.

Regardless of the circumstances, based on how the people were acting, it seemed to be a normal affair and not one born out of a crisis.

Currently, Alex, Gerald, and Thomas stood at the center of a busy street, pedestrians moving about with carriages riding down the paved roads.

A carriage approached the trio, causing Alex to consider moving but soon decided against it, allowing the carriage to pass through him.

It was a reminder that this wasn’t real and was instead a replication of what had happened in the past... one that served as a prelude to a nightmare.

"So this is Popolis." Alex couldn’t help but mutter in vague admiration.

Gerald’s gaze turned melancholic as he stared at the nostalgic sight. "A beautiful city, indeed."

Thomas remained silent, still coming to terms with the reality of his existence.

None could blame him for this though and so, he was left alone, Alex and Gerald taking charge of the situation.

"Do you remember what happened today?" Alex inquired.

Gerald nodded. "It was like every other day. It had been roughly a week after the death of the one who had witnessed the intruder. On this day..."

Gerald trailed off, his expression distorting as he recalled an unpleasant memory.

As though in response to his recollection, the sound of rumbling thunder could be heard in the distance.

The suddenness drew the attention of a few but generally, most didn’t think much of it as they went about their daily routine.

Of course, this didn’t last as not too long after, a rather uncanny sight appeared outside the city, from the direction of the Labyrinth.

It was a pillar of darkness that shot into the sky, creating dark clouds that slowly but surely advanced toward Popolis.

At this point, quite a few others had begun to notice the strange anomaly and naturally grew tense.

Alex watched as the dark clouds soon arrived at Popolis, hovering just a bit above its skyline, obscuring the city from the rays of the Lightbringer.

It didn’t take long before the citizens began to panic as the entire area was plunged into an eerie darkness.

The city lights were turned on but this did nothing to help with the situation as it only allowed people to discern the situation.

At first it sounded like an earthquake, what with the low rumbling of the earth but once Alex turned towards where he thought to be the origin, he couldn’t help but freeze at the sight.

A sea of darkness threatening to swallow everything in its path advanced toward Popolis, causing the already tense populace to completely lose their wits.

Varying screams were heard as everyone scampered about, seeking means to escape the tide of darkness approaching but despite their best efforts, there was no escaping it.

As it collided with the walls that surrounded Popolis, the entirety of the city shook with a fervor that left several unbalanced with a few buildings trembling from the impact.

For a moment, the tide of darkness entered a lull, prompting a few to believe that the city walls were keeping it at bay.

As though trying to bolster those thoughts, flashing lights, some born out of flames and others out of pure light, flashed, striking the dark tides in an attempt to protect the city.

Unfortunately, their attempts were without success and the hopes of the people were dashed a moment later as the tide of darkness encroached on the city.

Instead of destroying the walls, however, in a brutal display of force, it followed a different route, corrupting it with an uncanny fog that slowly caressed the surface, turning it an eerie black.

Once again, panic ensued this time with a few lives lost in the chaos.

But before anyone could escape, they found that the entire city was surrounded by the darkness and those that dared to brave the tides found themselves quickly devoured and turned into... mere shadows.

Terrified screams rang out as these Shadows turned on others and quickly, the chaos turned quite bloody with several dying at the hands of what were once their fellow citizens.

The guardians of the city tried to do something but nothing they did helped matters and soon, helplessness could be made out from the demeanor of a few.

It would seem they had resigned themselves to their fates.

The sight was disturbing enough to leave Gerald in tears and Thomas in shock.

Alex remained silent, watching the scene with a keen eye.

If one saw his expression, it looked as though he were trying to discern something important but for the time being, whatever it was eluded him.

Soon, the tide of darkness had corroded the walls after which it moved to the buildings and roads.

Taking on the form of a dark fog, the tide swallowed everything in sight, corroding and devouring all that it touched.

Crying, screaming, and several more sounds were heard as people tried to escape despite knowing it was pointless.

A few had already accepted their fates, quickly searching out their loved ones to spend their last moments together.

At a corner, a couple stood together, holding hands while watching the encroaching fog while at another side, a mother held her children in a tight embrace, shielding their eyes from what was to come.

By the time the screams died down and Popolis was bathed in silence, the once grand city... had become a shadow of its former self.