Traces in the Desert

William still vividly remembered when they left the laboratory, carrying a smaller Black Luminaris crystal—a new experiment meant to counter external threats to the city. Was the storyline moving too fast? He hadn’t even had the chance to process everything. It felt as though events were forcing themselves to unfold without giving him any room to think.

Even though he and the others had left the place, the suffocating tension lingered in the air. They weren’t just facing external threats but internal ones as well, as though being crushed from both sides.

---

After hours of navigating the narrowing corridors of the palace, they finally reached a hidden control room. The space was filled with large screens monitoring every corner of the city. Yet Khadija didn’t seem relaxed. Her face was serious, her eyes fixed on a massive map hanging on the wall.

“From the latest report, they’re already closing in. About fifty kilometers from the city,” Khadija said gravely, her gaze locked on the screen. “This is happening faster than we expected.”

Alya stood beside her, holding a small device that seemed more like a scientific tool than a combat weapon. “They must have realized the power of the Luminaris we have here. If they want to get their hands on the Black Luminaris, we need to act fast.”

Listening to the discussion, William began to realize that the threat they faced wasn’t just a physical battle. There was something deeper, something far more dangerous at play.

Indeed, whether he liked it or not, he had to get involved.

“What do they want with the Luminaris?” William asked, feeling the need to understand more. “Why are they chasing it this far?” His curiosity was impossible to suppress.

Khadija turned to him. “They’re not just after the Luminaris, William. They want control over the energy we manage. That means they’re aiming for absolute power over this entire continent.”

William looked at the map on the screen, contemplating Khadija’s words. “They’re willing to take on a city as powerful as El-Mahra just for that?” he asked, astonished.

Unbelievable!

Khadija nodded slowly. “Yes, they know exactly what the Black Luminaris is capable of. Perhaps even more than we do. They’ve already developed technology to neutralize these crystals, and we’re running out of time.”

---

Meanwhile, Garron stood by the door, seemingly unaffected by the conversation. Yet his sharp eyes scanned everyone who entered the room.

“We need to speed up the energy transfer plan,” Garron said in a low but firm voice. “If we don’t act now, we won’t make it.”

William could feel the tension deepening as he observed Garron’s expression.

They all moved more urgently after that, preparing for action. William followed Khadija and the others, though one thing kept nagging at him: the feeling that he still didn’t fully understand who—or what—they were truly up against.

---

Outside, the vast and scorching desert greeted them. They rode in high-speed vehicles, racing toward what Khadija called a “Safe Place.” A location known only to a few, a hidden underground bunker that served as their last line of defense.

As their vehicle tore through the desert heat, the roar of its engine echoed loudly. Around them stretched an endless expanse of sand, while massive crystals glimmered in the distance—a symbol of the power surrounding the city.

“Will we get there fast enough?” William asked, unable to suppress the anxiety creeping into his heart.

Khadija, seated at the front, turned slightly and offered a faint, enigmatic smile. “We don’t have a choice, William. If we don’t stop them, the Black Luminaris will fall into the wrong hands. And when that happens, there’ll be nothing left for us to do.”

---

The journey to the bunker felt longer than William had anticipated. When they finally arrived at their destination, the atmosphere grew even more somber. The hidden underground bunker was not just a sanctuary but also a research hub managed by a team of scientists and researchers from across the region.

Upon entering, they were met with a massive room filled with monitors and advanced equipment. The scientists appeared tense, clearly stressed by the escalating situation.

“What’s going on with them?” William asked, glancing at the scientists who were busy checking the surrounding instruments.

A young scientist approached with a worried expression. “We just detected strange activity at the city’s outer perimeter. Some of their vehicles have already reached the area near the back gate. We’re concerned they’re bringing in a larger force.”

Khadija nodded, her expression growing graver. “They’re trying to infiltrate quickly. We need to move the Black Luminaris now.”

---

Not long after, the situation spiraled further out of control. Alarms about the enemy’s presence kept flooding in, making every second feel critical. William scanned the bunker, his eyes sweeping over every corner. A decision needed to be made, fast!

“Can we use the energy transfer system to distract them?” William asked, trying to contribute a solution.

Alya nodded, though her face looked uncertain. “We could create a large explosion to divert their attention. But it would only buy us a little time.”

Khadija looked at William with an unreadable expression. “Are you sure about this move? It’s risky!”

William glanced at Alya, then back at Khadija. “We don’t have a choice.”

---

That night, the bunker became a nerve center of battle and technology. Decisions made in mere seconds could alter their fate entirely. William could only hope that, in this fleeting window of time, they would survive—and perhaps, just perhaps, find a way to stop the looming danger.