Chapter 197: Finding The Alchemist

Inside the building, Amena gazed out at the morning sky, her hands dripping with the blood of the Strigoi she had just slain. The once-pristine skyscraper was now a labyrinth of chaos, teeming with these hideous creatures. Their guttural growls echoed in the cold, lifeless halls, blending with the distant hum of helicopters circling overhead, their cameras capturing every second of the pandemonium. 

Her eyes were drawn to the swirling vortex of magical energy in the distance. A gate stood ominously, its presence radiating raw, chaotic power. Before it loomed a familiar silhouette cloaked in the menacing Reaper's Vestments.

Amena couldn't suppress a smile. Alicarde had returned.

And yet, even from this distance, she could see he was facing his own struggles. The Nexus was spewing forth a torrent of monsters from the demiplanes, and the worst was yet to come—the guardian had not even appeared.

"Welcome back home, Ali," she whispered to herself.