Chapter 17: The Spatial Rift

The world seemed like it was ending, the sky itself was screaming.

A low, grinding screech tore through the air, vibrating in Arthur’s teeth and shaking his bones. It sounded like metal being shredded by a grinder.

Arthur went to his room; he lifted the mattress. The Book was underneath it.

Do I take it?

He hesitated for split second. The book was heavy and large. If he fell, or if he was forced to run, it would weigh him down. Worse, if he dropped it in the chaos, it could be lost forever or found by the wrong person.

No, Arthur decided, gripping his cane. The book is safer here than with me.

Crash!

The window in his room exploded. It didn’t break outward, the pressure wave punched it inward. Shards of glass flew across the room with the speed of a bullet, embedding themselves in the far wall.

Arthur ducked, shielding his face with his arm. A piece of glass sliced his cheek, but he didn’t feel it. The adrenaline had already paralyzed his senses.

“Move”, he told himself. “Move or die here”

Arthur immediately turned around and bolted to the hallway.

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The corridor was a nightmare.

Servants were running, screaming, clutching their heads. The mana density was rising so fast that people with low tolerance were getting mana sickness-vomiting and fainting.

The only thing that was keeping Arthur alive, was his unique blood since he had the lowest tolerance of Mana.

The stone walls of the Estate were groaning as the mana tried to force its way through the small cracks.

Arthur kept his head down, moving as fast as he could.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He reached the heavy oak doors hidden at the end of the Hall-the entrance to the Safe Room.

Arthur slipped inside quickly as the two guards struggled to keep the doors open for him.

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The Safe Room was supposed to ensure their survival. Built deep into the mountain, It was the heart of the Ashborn defence.

But to Arthur it didn’t feel safe. It felt like a tomb.

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Over a hundred people were huddled inside. The air was hot and thick.

Roderick Ashborn stood on the raised platform in the centre, shouting orders that were barely audible over the roaring of the wind outside.

“Guards lock the doors!”

Viscountess Sylvia, Elara and Cecilia were deeper into the mountain, in another room that was linked to the Safe Room.

As Arthur joined them, he spotted Elara standing near a pillar, staring up at the high mana reinforced windows. Viscountess Sylvia was sitting on a couch nearby, clutching Cecilia’s hand and kept consoling her.

Arthur walked over to Elara.

“Elara!” he shouted over the noise.