A day before the stampede at Zone 4
Inside the large central hall of the Aether Camp in Zone 5, Lord Victor sat on a broad chair made of steel and reinforced wood.
Around him were his generals, six in total, each dressed in different uniforms but bearing the same Aether crest on their chests. The hall was simple yet solid, with stone walls and large windows overlooking the camp outside.
There was a quiet buzz in the air as reports came in and strategies were being discussed.
Victor leaned back, arms crossed. He was tall, a little over six feet, with white hair that fell casually over his forehead. His eyes were sharp, dark, and observant.
At first glance, he looked like someone much older, but Victor was only in his mid-twenties. Despite his age, he was already known as a man with a mind for control, not through brute force alone, but through influence, calculation, and timing.
He never raised his voice unnecessarily. When he spoke, people listened. Not because they feared him, but because they knew he usually had a purpose behind every word.
Alex, one of his most trusted commanders, stepped forward with a tablet in hand. "The scouts from Zone 4 returned an hour ago. They confirmed a large movement of monsters around the perimeter. Stampede-level. They believe the attack will begin within the next twenty-four hours."
Victor didn't react immediately. He tapped the side of his chair lightly with his finger. "Zone 4, huh?"
"Yes, Lord," Alex said. "Baelor is still holding the camp. But the monster count is rising fast. We estimate there could be mid to peak mutants in the wave."
Another general, Cassian, spoke up. He was in his early thirties, built like a tank, and rarely smiled. "If peak mutants show up, Baelor won't hold. He's good, but not that good. His best fighters are probably Ascended Tier 6 or 7."
Victor gave a small smile. "Baelor is a decent man. Fair. Honest. The kind people want to follow."
"He turned down your offers three times," Alex added.
"I know," Victor replied. "That's why he's still not part of Aether. He believes in his ideals. But ideals don't protect people from monsters."
He stood up and walked to the wide window behind him. Outside, the Aether Camp was alive with movement—guards, engineers, scouts moving about in groups, trucks unloading supplies.
The camp had grown significantly in the past few months. Zones 6 and 7 had been brought under Aether's control, mostly without bloodshed. The strategy had always been the same—step in when chaos broke out, offer help, and then bring order.
Victor turned to his generals. "The stampede is our chance. We wait until Zone 4 is pushed to the edge, then we send support. Enough to make a difference, not enough to save them completely. Let them see the edge of collapse. Then pull them back."
There was silence for a few moments. The generals looked at each other. None of them questioned the strategy. They had seen it work before. But that didn't mean they liked it.
"You're sure Baelor will accept?" Cassian asked quietly.
"He won't have a choice," Victor said. "He's not the kind of man who'll let his people die just because of pride."
He pointed at the large map on the wall beside the window. "Alex, you'll lead the team. Take a hundred men. Hold position near the edge of Zone 4. Don't interfere right away. Monitor the situation. If it gets too bad, step in. Use drones, stay hidden if needed. Help only when it matters."
Alex nodded. "Understood. I'll leave before dusk."
Victor gave a small nod and returned to his chair.
"And if Baelor asks why we didn't arrive earlier?"
"Tell him we were late because of a sudden mutant outbreak at the border of Zone 5. Tell him we rushed the moment we could. Simple."
Cassian exhaled. "You think too far ahead, Lord."
Victor didn't smile this time. "That's the only way to survive."
---
The next day passed slowly. Victor spent most of it going through supply reports and training schedules. He didn't like sitting idle. Each hour that passed without an update from Alex made him more alert.
Finally, just past nightfall, Alex returned. His coat was torn in places, and there was dried blood on his left shoulder. He didn't go into detail at first. He walked straight into the meeting hall, eyes downcast.
Victor noticed the expression right away. "You look like you've seen something strange."
Alex took a breath. "Lord, we reached the area as planned. The stampede had already started. There were monsters everywhere. Mid-tier and even peak-tier mutants. Baelor's forces were holding on, barely. I was about to intervene, but... something happened."
He paused, unsure how to continue.
Victor frowned. "Speak clearly, Alex."
"A man appeared, cloaked, hooded. We couldn't get a good look at his face. He was standing near the edge of the battlefield, where most of the blood had pooled."
Victor leaned forward slightly.
"He lifted one hand. Just one. Then... the blood started moving."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean moving?"
"I mean it floated up like smoke, then rushed across the field. In less than a minute, every monster on the field—every single one—was dead. Mutants, peak mutants, all of them. No fighting, no struggle. Just... dead."
Silence filled the room.
"We were too far to interfere. I kept the drones high to avoid detection. I don't think he noticed us."
Victor rubbed his chin. "Blood manipulation... Never heard of such an ability before."
Alex nodded. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Could he be Transcendent Tier?" Cassian asked.
Victor looked thoughtful. "If he killed peak mutants so easily, he's not Ascended. That's certain. He's beyond that."
Victor stood and began pacing. "We don't attack him. Not unless we want to lose this entire camp. If he's that strong, we welcome him. Offer him a place here. Whatever he needs."
Alex looked surprised. "Just like that?"
Victor glanced at him. "You think I'm doing this out of kindness? No. But if someone that powerful is walking around, I'd rather have him as a guest than an enemy."
Cassian crossed his arms. "Do you think he'll come here?"
Victor gave a half-smile. "My gut tells me he will. Power like that doesn't stay hidden forever. Be ready. All of you. No mistakes."
He turned back to the window, looking out over the camp.
"Sometimes, the most dangerous people are the quiet ones."