Vortex Origins
Chapter 73: The second creature wave - 2

Chapter 73: The second creature wave - 2

Chaos echoed from somewhere beyond the war hall, the sound of impact rolled in—a low, dragging boom that made the floor feel thinner.

Eir looked toward the sealed entrance. His voice dropped.

"You all know what’s out there. And now... if we don’t stop these waves before the next, we all know how hard it would become."

Max stepped forward, his voice cutting clean through the air.

"So... you already have a plan, then?"

Eir gave a slow nod. His jaw locked tight.

"I do. Or something that passes for one."

He let the silence sit—heavy, uncomfortable—before continuing.

"But let me be clear. It’s not a plan built to keep you safe. It’s a plan to keep Ironhold standing. So please—I hope you understand."

Hunter —a member of team Galeforce— folded his arm, head tilted back, didn’t bother to open his eyes.

"Well, except for a few in Team Vortex, most of us are Stage 4 or 5. And we even have a Stage 6 among us."

A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"We can pull this off."

Ash felt the words land like a weight.

’He means me,’

Ash thought, the air catching in his chest.

’And he’s right. On paper, I’m the weakest link.’

Eir’s eyes found him.

"Are you sure you’re ready for this? This isn’t Sandworm Valley. There’s no luck in this fight. Out there, it’s survival or death. I don’t want to send you to die just because of legacy."

Ash didn’t answer. His hands curled into fists. That familiar look—doubt wrapped in concern—burned hotter than flame.

’There it is again... that look. Like I’m just a tag-along. A shadow of my father and brothers.’

Before Ash could speak, Max stepped in. His voice didn’t waver.

"Don’t worry about Ash, Elder Eir. He’s stronger than you think. He’ll hold his ground."

Eir paused. Then gave a short nod.

"If you vouch for him... I’ll trust that."

From the back, Lane’s voice sliced through.

"Enough talk. They need to move. We’re burning time."

Ash turned his head, just enough to see him. Cold stare. Controlled tone.

That voice... the same one whispered about in hushed stories. About the decisions that cost ironhold settlers so much.

’So you’re the one pulling strings in the dark...’ Ash thought.

Lane didn’t stop.

"We have multiple Tier 4s in the field. And don’t forget the Obsidian Wretch."

At the name, a flicker passed across the elders. A shift. Even Eir’s face drew tighter.

He cleared his throat.

"Right. The plan. Since we’ve identified weaknesses in the creatures, I’ll assign each team based on elemental advantage and strategic fit."

The war map lit up behind him. Ironhold’s grid pulsed with glowing red zones. North and south—both flashing under siege.

"The north and south are both compromised, We’ve split the response based on coverage and capability. Team Rise—you’ll take the south wall. With a Stage 6 among you, you’re the only ones that stand a real chance at taking down the Obsidian Wretch."

He turned to Max.

"Team Vortex—you’re assigned to the north wall."

Kaius let out a sharp breath.

"You’re sending the weakest team there?"

Eir didn’t blink.

"Because Kael is with them. He already took down a Tier 6. I trust he can handle a few Tier 4s. Besides, I’m splitting Galeforce into two strike units—you’ve got the numbers but you all lack the use of other veinflow elements other than wind but with the help of the rest it would work. You’ll cover both fronts."

Kaius jaw clenched.

"Fine. But don’t expect us to babysit the dead weight."

His eyes locked on Ash.

"If he wants to die out there, it’s not on us."

Ash didn’t look away.

’You’ll see. I don’t need saving. I never did.’

Kael’s knuckles cracked as he leaned in, eyes fixed on Kai.

"Better worry about yourself, featherboy. The battlefield doesn’t care how fast you are if your spine breaks."

Eir raised a hand.

"Enough. You’ve got your orders. The walls won’t hold forever. Oh, and don’t worry too much—the military’s already on their way. Move out."

No one argued. They didn’t need to.

The teams turned, boots striking the floor in steady rhythm. The sound rolled like thunder through the command hall.

Ash walked with them. Not behind. Not dragging his feet.

’I’ll show them all what I’m really capable of.’

They moved through Ironhold’s war corridors in a tight formation. The floor shook faintly beneath their boots. Overhead, red lights pulsed like a heartbeat, slow and steady—each blink a countdown. Sirens cried out above them, not loud, but sharp. Like the city itself was warning them.

"Ash,"

Max called, keeping pace beside him.

"Mm?"

Ash didn’t look back.

Max’s eyes stayed forward, but his tone shifted—serious, pulled tight beneath the surface.

"Promise me you won’t overuse that new ability today."

Ash didn’t stop. But something in his steps changed—just for a second. Max caught it.

"I know that look, You’ve already made up your mind to go all out. But don’t. Not like that. Not today."

Ash turned his head slightly. His jaw was set, eyes shadowed.

Max’s voice lowered.

"They don’t know the real you, Ash. But I do. You’re already strong. Even without the speed. Honestly..."

His mouth twisted into a faint grin.

"You’re stronger than me if I’m not wearing tech. I shouldn’t have let you use that ability back in Sandworm Valley. That was on me."

Ash shook his head.

"Don’t blame yourself. I’d do it again—even if you asked me to do it a hundred times."

Max smiled and gave a quiet, short breath.

"I figured you’d say that."

Ahead, the war doors groaned as they began to open. Dust blew in through the widening gap. Screams carried in from the outside—short, sharp, broken by the sound of gunfire. Something screeched out there, something not human.

Max slowed, just enough to look over at his brother.

"The creatures in this wave... they’re Tier 3. We can handle them—especially with your lightning abilities. I’m not saying don’t use your speed ability. Just... don’t push it too far."

Ash didn’t answer right away.

’Yeah... aging quickly isn’t exactly a great tradeoff,’

he thought.

’I finally get a power that makes me matter... but I can’t use it without tearing myself apart.’

"[Activating skill: static surge]"

He flexed his fingers. Electricity danced between them—small arcs, faint, but alive.

"I’ll be careful, But if it comes down to protecting any of you... I won’t hold back."

Max looked over, his face unreadable, but his eyes said more than his words.

"I figured you’d say that too."

The doors finished opening. Outside, the streets burned. Smoke twisted into the sky. And in the distance, just beyond the barricades, the creatures waited—claws, fangs, eyes glowing with hunger.

Ash stepped through the threshold, static in his blood, the sound of war pulling him forward.