(Re)introduction

As the team gathered back at the base, they stood in front of Julius and Tina, the latter being the one who had alarmed them about the Hyperwraith attack earlier. Julius cleared his throat, his demeanor more relaxed now that the immediate threat had passed.

"Alright, before we get into the details of what happened earlier, let's properly introduce ourselves—this time without any interruptions," Julius began. "I'm Julius, head of security here in Usha Town, and this is Tina, our communications specialist and one of the most reliable members of our team. She's the one who keeps us all informed and connected during these kinds of situations."

Kryzius chuckled softly. "Well, nice to re-meet you both, then," he said, his tone lightening the mood.

Alex, still curious, chimed in. "Where are those three people who helped us during the fight?"

Julius looked over at Alex, his expression shifting slightly. "They left as soon as the Hyperwraiths retreated. They're not ones for socializing—let's just say they're a bit...cold," he explained, glancing at Kryzius, who was clearly still thinking about the white-haired woman from earlier.

Kryzius nodded, his mind still replaying the intense encounter with the mysterious Valkyrie. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than met the eye.

Rina then brought up the pressing question on everyone's mind. "About those...Hyperwraiths...what exactly were they?"

Tina took a deep breath before answering. "In the simplest terms, Hyperwraiths are an evolved form of Oxtywraiths. They're faster, stronger, and more resilient. Normal Oxtywraiths are dangerous enough, but Hyperwraiths are on an entirely different level. They've adapted to our defenses, and they seem to have developed new abilities that make them even more of a threat."

She continued, "From what we've gathered, Hyperwraiths aren't just random evolutions—they seem to be evolving with purpose. They're more organized, more strategic. And the worst part is, we don't know what's causing this evolution or how to stop it."

The room fell silent as everyone processed Tina's explanation. The Hyperwraiths weren't just another enemy—they were a new kind of threat, one that Usha Town might not be fully prepared for.

Kryzius, still deep in thought, finally spoke up. "So, they're not just stronger—they're smarter too. That means we need to be even more careful. We can't afford to underestimate them."

Julius nodded in agreement. "Exactly. That's why we need your help."

Aeti's voice cut through the heavy atmosphere. "However...you mentioned earlier that someone called us for help," she said, her tone careful but insistent.

Julius hesitated, clearly weighing his words before responding. "Yes, that's right. But as I was saying before we were interrupted, it wasn't me who sent the call."

The team exchanged puzzled glances.

"Then who was it?" Kryzius asked, narrowing his eyes, his suspicion growing.

Julius glanced around the room, his expression tense, as if what he was about to say carried a weight of its own. "It was...our king."

There was a brief, stunned silence as the team absorbed this revelation.

"Our king?" Aeti echoed, her tone a mixture of surprise and confusion. "But why would the king personally send a distress call?"

Julius sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to find the right words. "The truth is, our king has been... deeply concerned about the recent events. The Hyperwraiths, the strange occurrences in the city—it's all been escalating far beyond what we can handle alone. He's been watching closely, and when the situation became critical, he decided to reach out directly to those who might be able to help."

Kryzius, still puzzled by the situation ask : "But I don't understand... You seem to have enough resources, plenty of soldiers, and those three from earlier. Why do you need our help?"

Julius fell silent for a moment, his expression troubled. He finally sighed, as if the weight of the situation was too much to fully explain. "The only thing I can say is...you should ask the king."

The room grew quiet, the uncertainty in Julius's voice making it clear that whatever the king had to say would likely reveal much more than any of them were prepared for. Kryzius glanced at his team, reading the same concern in their faces that he felt himself.

Kryzius nodded slowly, his decision made. "Then we will. Lead us to him."

Julius gave a curt nod, his demeanor more somber than before. "Follow me. I'll take you to the palace. But be prepared—the king doesn't take kindly to those who question his decisions."