CHAPTER 11

Juni suddenly raised both hands, his barrier expanding in a massive blinding wave.

“Wave of destruction,” he yelled as he released a shockwave that sent dozens of Deviants flying backwards crashing to the ground like ragdolls. For a brief moment, the battlefield was clear as the instructors regrouped at our position finishing off the remaining Deviants.

Rebel slowed down her face rolling down with sweat and blood on her blades as she sat down with a huge thud.

“This isn’t over,” Constantine muttered, the flames around him dissipating.

Ava paced restlessly, her blades retracting into her forearms. “What’s the plan now, Rebel?” she demanded. “Those damn things just keep coming. I’m running on fumes here, my blades won’t grow forever.”

Rebel’s expression mirrored our collective thoughts: exhaustion with a hint of frustration. She wiped sweat from her face, her hand smearing blood across her cheek. For a moment, she said nothing, her silence weighing on us like a huge boulder.

Constantine stepped forward, breaking the tension. “We need eyes and ears. Veronica and Ma, scout the area and give us intel on their numbers and movements"

The two nodded moving ahead of the group.

“Emma,” Constantine continued, his tone softer, “can you help Rebel recover? Even a little.”

Emma stepped forward hesitantly, her hands glowing faintly as she placed them on Rebel’s chest. Her healing energy flowed through Rebel, easing her breathing and slowing the tremors in her hands. “I can’t do much for exhaustion,” Emma admitted. “But I’ll try my best.”

Rebel sat up, rolling her shoulders. “Better,” she said, though her voice was strained. “But I need food to fully recover. Anyone got something?”

Felicity fumbled through her pack, tossing Rebel a small bar, who caught it with surprising speed biting into it immediately.

Ava turned toward Felicity, her frustration bubbling over. “Can’t you predict their movements?” she snapped. “Isn’t that your whole thing? Do something!”

Felicity flinched, her face reddening. “I—I’m trying!” she stammered. “They’re too fast and their movements are…weird. I can’t get a read on them.”

Rebel raised her hand, silencing the argument. “Enough,” she said firmly. “We don’t have time to waste blaming each other.”

Ava looked away, muttering something under her breath, but the reprimand seemed to settle her nerves.

“We need to remain vigilant,” Rebel continued. “Move in formation, those with similar abilities should pair up. Compensating for each other’s weaknesses.”

Ava nodded reluctantly. “Fine. Michael, Adelle, step it up. We need more from you both. Emma, you should hang back and provide support when necessary. Frank and Phoebe, you’re her shield, protect her at all costs.”

Constantine pointed toward the inner gates, where smoke rose in dark plumes. "Our people are holding the line for now, but if what we saw here is any indication, it’s only a matter of time before they’re overwhelmed. We have to stop them here.”

Rebel’s eyes lit up as she rose. “ We stick to the plan. Juni, can you block them for a while?”

Juni, still catching his breath, nodded.” I can create barriers to block off the wider paths, forcing them to come through the tighter areas. But I can’t cover everything.”

“That’s all we’ll need,” Rebel said. “We don’t need to block them entirely—just enough to control the flow, make sure they face us head-on. Ava and Constantine…you’re our anchors. Hold the line, buy some time.”

“What about the rest of us?” I asked.

Rebel looked at me, intensely. “You’ll move in small teams to the adjoining houses. Cover civilians and take down any Deviants that try to pass through. Felicity, Ma and Veronica will act as control, providing intel…use it.”

Juni’s barriers snapped into place with a flick of his wrist, shimmering walls of energy narrowing the battlefield into a series of tight corridors. Like clockwork, the Deviants resumed their attack passing through the narrow way and falling over each other.

Constantine took his position at the center, flames roaring to life around him. Ava stood beside him, her blades gleaming as she prepared to strike. Rebel and Juni held back, coordinating the defense.

“Let’s go!” Rebel said, giving us a quick smile.

We moved quickly, splitting into teams. Michael led the first-class initiates toward the Founders’ House, while my group headed south to protect the Regens. Ma, Veronic, Felicity, and Natasha camouflaged themselves at a higher ground. Ma established a telepathic link with all of us so we could communicate with each group at a wider range.

Back at the gates, the Deviants had adapted, throwing themselves against Juni’s barriers with relentless fury. Ava and Constantine fought like forces of nature, but the strain was beginning to show.

“This won’t hold forever,” Constantine growled, flames flickering erratically.

“It doesn’t have to,” Rebel said, slashing down a Deviant with surgical precision. “We just need to last long enough for the others to secure the houses.”