Soon after Nyx's message, Leo arrived near the ruins of Calais' port. Together, they moved deeper into the area until only the vast, murky waters stretched before them. The sea hadn't changed much since the Outbreak, though the crimson light of the sun gave it a far more ominous appearance. He could only imagine what creatures now lurked beneath the surface.

  "That's our way home?" Nyx asked, sounding unsure. "Just how far away is the coast?"

  Leo frowned and quickly took out the map. His claw traced a line between Calais and Dover, trying to calculate the distance between the two cities. If this was a normal map, it wouldn't have been too hard, but he honestly had no idea where Naz'Tor got this thing from. Some parts of it just didn't make sense.

  "If I had to bet… Hmmm," he muttered. "Fifty kilometers at best, a hundred at worst."

  Nyx tilted her head at him. "And you want us to fly all the way? Can you even handle it?"

  "I should be able to… hopefully," he answered despite his doubts.

  When his wings first matured, he could barely fly for even ten minutes. However, in the last few days, his continuous practice extended that time by quite a bit. Still a hundred-kilometer-long flight? Now, that would really push his limits. If he miscalculated, he would be swimming home with the fish.

  "Maybe we should check the tunnel after all?" Nyx offered.

  Leo shook his head. "No. Even if, by some miracle, it's still intact, I'm not risking it falling on our heads. I would much rather swim."

  "What about the Voidlings?"

  He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Nothing dared to attack us since we returned to Earth. You think this will change now?" He raised a hand when Nyx opened her mouth to cut in. "And even if something does attack me. We can handle it. At least it will be a… unique experience."

  "Fine… Ready to go then?"

  Leo grinned. "After you."

  Nyx snorted. "Oh, no. I don't think so. You're going first. That way, I can catch you if you fall."

  He chuckled, not even bothering to argue. Turning back toward the water, he allowed his Essence to seep into the floaters on his back. Lightning instantly exploded behind him, forming two massive draconic wings. He flexed them once, then twice before leaping into the air.

  Thunderclaps followed every beat of his wings as he tore through the sky. Nyx soon joined him, remaining a fair distance behind him just as she said she would. He shot her a wink and forced his temporary limbs to move even faster.

  The lightning around him grew even louder, and when Leo glanced into the deep waters below, he realized they had an audience—a big one. Dozens, maybe even hundreds of water-type Voidlings swarmed beneath him, trying to keep pace. Of course, they couldn't, but as soon as he lost one monster, two more appeared to take its place.

  Curious, he dipped lower and almost laughed as the Voidlings scattered, leaving the water directly beneath him empty. Nonetheless, they continued their pursuit, allowing him to study them in more detail.

  There were all kinds of mutated ocean lifeforms following him. Most were simple fishes that had grown at least three times larger thanks to the Void's influence. However, for a brief moment, he saw something even larger lurking in the depths, trying to hide underneath other monsters.

  The creature couldn't keep up with his current speed for long, but Leo still managed to activate Identify before its blurry form faded into the depths.

  Inferior Water Leviathan (Voidling) | Rank: E+ | LVL: 38 | Type: Water, Grace, Regenerator, Elder

  Elder type? Now that's new, he mused, flying higher again. Nyx shot him a look, but he ignored it, preferring to focus on his new discovery. I wonder what it does. I haven't seen that type mentioned in any mutation yet. Got to check again later.

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  It made him wonder if someone in the Void had created an encyclopedia for stuff like that. It would certainly make his life a lot easier—and less stressful. Yet another thing to ask Naz'Tor about when they met again in the UK.

  Yep, add that to the list.

  Leo's calculations had been on point. It was close, but the moment he arrived at the shores of the UK, somewhere close to the city of Dover, his wings still had enough fuel in them for at least another ten or so kilometers. Deepening his connection to the lightning inside his soulscape really paid off.

  From there, the path was clear. They traveled through the last few hours of the day and well into the night, finally arriving at the outskirts of London. His calls with Lily did nothing to prepare them for what they saw there.

  Even from far away, the huge, golden pillar was impossible to miss. Just like his sister had described, it soared high into the sky, dwarfing any remaining buildings in the city.

  Of course, the Beacon of Peace wasn't the only new addition to the UK's capital.

  Like a cascading waterfall, a barrier brighter than any he had ever seen flowed over a part of the city from the top of the pillar. It stretched far and wide, and unlike any other safe zone, it didn't form a perfect dome. Instead, it looked like a massive wall that emerged around the Supercluster and its surrounding areas.

  Beautiful, Leo commented internally.

  'Have you called Lily yet?' Nyx asked as she landed next to him.

  "You know I haven't," he replied, rolling his eyes. "You've been with me the whole time, or did your focus slip?"

  She huffed. "I'm just asking."

  "Fine, fine… I have to message her now anyway. Give me a moment."

  With that, the transmitter landed in his hands, and he quickly let Lily know what was happening. Her response came within seconds, instructing him to approach from the east—quietly. She didn't want to make a scene with his arrival, especially when they had so much to discuss.

  "No big entrance, huh? Pity," he muttered, glancing at Nyx. "Follow me. We've got to sneak in."

  The feline scowled, letting him know just how she felt about that plan. He was of similar thought. After so much time away, he just wanted to lay down in a quiet spot somewhere inside the safe zone and rest. Instead, he would most likely have to retell the story of his journey for what felt like the thousandth time.

  Duty calls. Sleep can wait…

  Honestly, Leo didn't expect Lily and Malcolm to wait for him at the border of the safe zone, yet there they were. He scanned the area for any other survivors but found none—they must have ordered everyone to leave before he arrived.

  Aether Nephilim | LVL: 42

  Apex Abyss Walker | LVL: 34

  He smiled and dropped Stealth Shroud, Nyx following suit. The moment Lily saw him, her face lit up, and she rushed forward. Her four feathered wings—two white and two black—unfurled, propelling her even faster.

  Even with their size difference, Leo caught her and carefully hugged her. "Missed ya too, sis." He chuckled.

  "Prat." She punched his chest once they separated.

  "Glad to have you back, Leo," Malcolm said, offering him a nod. "So... level eighty, huh? Bloody hell, I can't even imagine what you had to fight to get there."

  "I'm surprised Lily hasn't told you already." Leo shot his sister a questioning look. "I told her everything about my trip through the rift."

  Lily shrugged. "It's not my place to tell the story of your life. Do it yourself."

  "Thanks…" he muttered, unsure if he should be grateful or not. Besides, knowing his sister, she probably did that just to make him suffer through yet another retelling of his journey. Exactly what he dreaded.

  Pushing those thoughts aside, Leo changed the subject. "Anyway, where are the others? Thought at least Frank would be here."

  "He and Tony are back in Wolford for now. We're still trying to figure out what to do with the safe zone there. It's becoming kinda useless now that we have this," Malcolm answered, gesturing to the golden pillar.

  "What have you come up with for now?"

  Before the Abyss Walker could open his mouth, Lily cut in. "Hey! Don't start now. The others are waiting, and this is one of the things we have to talk about anyway. Don't waste time."

  Leo frowned. "What? You just said they are back in Wolford. How can they be waiting?"

  Lily rolled her eyes. "It's been almost two weeks, Leo. Did you really think we wouldn't figure out how to communicate by now? We've got radios working again!"

  Oh… Wait a second!

  He narrowed his eyes at her. "And you didn't bother to tell me? I was about to buy more transmitters from Naz'Tor."

  His sister flashed an innocent smile—one he didn't trust for a second. "It must have slipped my mind. Sorry?"

  Leo looked up at the sky and let out a deep sigh. "Whatever," he mumbled.

  Lily dared to grin at him. "See? Nothing happened. Now, come you two!"

  It hadn't been even ten minutes since he had returned, and Leo already wanted to push his sister off a cliff.

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