The heavy metal gates of Apex City groaned loudly as they opened. Everett walked out into the dry, red desert. He was not alone. Behind him, a massive crowd of people followed. They were not highly trained Paladins. They were not shiny, golden nobles with magic powers. They were factory workers, poor farmers, and tired refugees. They carried rusty swords, old iron pipes, and broken laser rifles. But as they walked behind Everett, they did not look afraid. They held their heads high. Everett wore his dark brown cloak. The plain steel sword was strapped to his back. His pale, artificial right hand hung by his side. His chest was covered in white bandages, hiding his broken ribs. He walked with a slight limp, but his steps were heavy and full of purpose. Lyra walked closely on his left side. She did not have any healing magic left, but she carried a bag of clean white bandages and normal medicine. Silas walked on his right. The sniper held his heavy rifle. His eyes scanned the dark

The sky above them glitched violently. A chunk of the beautiful blue sky shattered, replaced by the dark purple storm. A bolt of black lightning crashed into the golden grass, blowing a massive crater in the dirt. Ten free citizens were thrown backward, screaming. "Hold the line!" Everett roared, running to the crater. He stood in front of the fallen citizens, raising his sword to block the advancing Zealots. Everett closed his green eyes for a microsecond. He pulled more power from his soul. He forced the golden light to shine brighter. The grass grew back over the crater. The blue sky pushed the purple storm away. But the effort dropped Everett to one knee. He coughed violently, spitting dark blood onto the golden flowers. "Everett, your vitals are crashing!" Rae screamed through the radio. "You are exhausting yourself! Your life force is draining too fast! You cannot hold a safe zone for ten thousand people all by yourself!""I have to," Everett grunted. He pushed himself ba