The once bustling station, once alive with the hum of trade and chatter, now wanes into a ghost of its former self, its vibrancy fading like the last embers of a dying fire. Merchants, the lifeblood of this place, move with quiet urgency, their hands deftly securing goods and possessions, as if clinging to the remnants of prosperity before the inevitable change sweeps it all away.

Meanwhile, the officials, figures of authority and foresight, gather in solemn anticipation, their expressions etched with the weight of impending decisions. A plan, carefully woven with threads of ambition and caution, takes shape among them, poised to ripple through the fabric of the unknown future, its consequences as uncertain as the shifting tides.

It had been a week since Karl, Lunara, Theodric, and Kola had succumbed to a deep slumber, their bodies locked in a state of transformation. During this time, Nyxander diligently tended to them, wiping away the pungent stench that had seeped into the floor before their descent into unconsciousness. Each day, he cleaned the dark, tar-like discharge that trickled from their noses, mouths, and ears—evidence of the changes taking root within them.

Ensuring the room remained pristine, he finally released his authority over the Void Law, dispelling the Void Lock that had sealed the building from external interference. A thick, opaque cloth now divided the chamber, large enough to obscure visibility between both sides. On one end, three wooden bath tubs stood in quiet anticipation, while on the other, a single tub awaited. A sizable wooden chest, delivered by Bako and Bili exactly a week prior, rested against the wall—its contents, freshly prepared uniforms for the soon-to-awaken warriors.

Late into the silent embrace of the night, the first stirrings of life emerged. Karl's eyes fluttered open, heavy with lingering drowsiness. His vision adjusted to the dim glow of the chamber, his mind registering the foreign sensation coursing through him. He slowly rose to his feet, stretching, feeling the lightness in his limbs—a stark contrast to the weight he had once known. Every joint crackled, his muscles humming with unfamiliar vitality.

It was then that Nyxander emerged from the shadows, his keen gaze locking onto Karl like a hawk sizing up its prey. "You're awake," Nyxander stated, observing him for a brief moment before striding forward with a sense of urgency, his expression unreadable. Without hesitation, he scrutinized Karl's form, his fingers twitching slightly as if searching for something unseen.

"How do you feel?" he asked, his voice calm yet edged with curiosity.

Karl rolled his shoulders, flexing his fingers as a subtle warmth coursed through his bloodstream. "Not entirely sure… but my body feels lighter, almost weightless. And… there's something flowing inside me, something new."

Nyxander's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Alright," he said, motioning Karl toward a sturdy wooden chair. "Sit. Let me examine your body."

Karl complied, lowering himself onto the seat as Nyxander stepped behind him. His right hand shimmered with an otherworldly glow, the Nullpoint fabric wrapped around it taking the form of shadowy, pulsating gloves. As he placed his palm against Karl's back, five slender tendrils slithered out like living threads, burrowing into Karl's skin, weaving seamlessly into his veins and organs.

The air grew heavy with tension, the silent hum of energy reverberating between them as Nyxander delved deeper into the mysteries of Karl's transformation.

After a moment of deep observation, aided by Nullpoint, Nyxander meticulously extracted crucial data. Unlike other consumed capsules that merely enhanced the body or altered the bloodline, Karl's absorption of Nyxander's essentia blood had triggered an entirely unique transformation.

Rather than merely fortifying his existing biology, just like the white blood cells which works as antibodies, the essentia blood had forged a new type of blood cell, akin to an arc reactor fueling his entire body. Just as a power plant supplies energy to a city, these newly formed essentia blood cells coursed through Karl, empowering his every fiber.

If there was a drawback, it lay in two aspects: stamina and mental fortitude, the toll of wielding such power was not a small one.

The five threads that had pierced Karl's body slithered out, leaving behind rapidly closing wounds. His flesh knitted itself back together instantly, as if the injuries had never existed.

Karl flexed his fingers, testing his body, before turning to Nyxander with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Is there anything strange happening to me?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with curiosity.

Nyxander nodded slightly. "Yes, but it's nothing to worry about." His expression remained unreadable, though his words carried an air of reassurance.

Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he gestured toward one side of the demarcated room, where three wooden bathing tubs sat, steam rising lazily from their warm depths. "Go and bathe. You reek." His voice was sharp but not unkind.

Karl chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, sir."

Striding toward one of the tubs, he dipped a toe into the water before stepping in fully. The moment his body sank into the comforting warmth, a deep sigh escaped his lips. "Ahhh..." His muscles, once tense from exhaustion, melted into relaxation. He let his arms drape lazily over the tub's edge, the warmth seeping into his bones, washing away the remnants of dark fluid with pungent smell on his body.

As he stared at the ceiling, lost in thought, something struck him. The room, which had been a chaotic mess, was now spotlessly clean. His brows furrowed. "Boss must've been busy cleaning while we were unconscious..." he mused aloud.

Then another realization struck him. "Wait...for all this arrangements and tidiness to be, how long were we unconscious?" His voice rose slightly.

Nyxander, who had been placing a folded grey fabric on a nearby table, turned slightly. "It's been a week." His words were simple yet carried weight.

Karl's eyes widened. "A week?!"

Nyxander ignored the shock in his voice and instead handed him the fresh clothing. "Change into this after your bath. It's the new uniform made for our team." His tone was businesslike, as if the matter was already settled.

Before Karl could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

Nyxander turned and strode toward the door, swinging it open to reveal Bako and Bili standing at the threshold. Both were already clad in the same grey uniform, their expressions unreadable as they stepped inside. The air between them hummed with an unspoken anticipation.

"Boss." Bako's voice cut through the stillness like a blade. "It's about the plan for the upcoming war. Every team is already assembled, we're the only ones delaying the discussion." His tone carried a sense of urgency, his stance rigid with expectation.

Nyxander exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. "Hah. I see. We'll be on our way soon. Just make sure the rest of our members are there." His voice was steady, composed, yet carrying the weight of command.

"Yes, sir." With a respectful nod, Bako disappeared beyond the threshold, the door closing with a soft click.

Nyxander turned, his strides unhurried, he gave a sign as he made his way back to his seat. Just as he was about to lower himself, Felix's voice reached his ears, low yet firm. "Is something wrong, Boss?"

Nyxander shifted his gaze to where Felix stood, fresh out of the bath, droplets still clinging to his skin, his toned physique partially concealed by the armless top he was slipping over his shoulders.

"Nothing much," Nyxander replied, though his tone carried a weight beyond the words. "It's about the discussion on the strategy against the Primordial Beasts. It has been two days since I was notified, but because of the conditions you four are in, I chose to wait behind for three days at most to note if their be any emergency changes, but thankfully you regaining your consciousness has assure me." His eyes flickered toward the other three still lying motionless, their bodies heavy with exhaustion.

Karl followed Nyxander's gaze before speaking. "What about them?" His lace coated with worries.

"They'll join us when they wake from their long sleep," Nyxander said, his words laced with finality. The room held it breath as Nyxander watched them for few moments.

Minutes later, the night stretched before them like an endless abyss, the air crisp and laced with the whisper of the cold breeze. Nyxander led the way, his steps measured, while Karl followed closely behind, his axe resting across his back like a silent guardian.

"Wouldn't it be better to leave a note for them?" Karl suggested, his voice carrying a hint of concern.

Nyxander's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Don't worry. The room itself will be enough of a message."

As they disappeared into the night, the room behind them remained eerily still. But within the silence, something stirred, Kola's right index finger twitched. Lunara's eyelids fluttered ever so slightly, the battle between consciousness and slumber waging beneath her skin. Theodric's right leg gave a faint, almost imperceptible movement.

The storm within them was not over yet.

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