Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos-Chapter 43 - Forgotten, Awakening

After the darkness was swallowed by the sea, its surface became eerily calm, as if nothing had ever happened. A soft golden hue kissed the sky, washing away the lingering darkness and eeriness.

Eritrea was stunned by how Olivia single-handedly controlled the Myrkr—something she herself had failed to do. A faint smile tugged her lips, she should have trusted her more.

"Olivia...." Eritrea's words cut off, her expression shifting to one of worry. She dragged her tired body towards Olivia.

Olivia fell to her knees, her body exhausted from all the battle. A sharp, high-pitched ringing filled her ears. Eritrea's voice faded into muffled noise as Olivia slipped into oblivion.

...

The scent of fresh, damp earth filled her nostrils, her hand unconsciously clenched at the damp soft earth. The smell of green and dried leaves relieved all her tense nerves, her body warmed by the filtered sunlight from the sky. Olivia's eyes fluttered open.

"Where am I?" she muttered.

Her eyes squinted from the sunlight. She lifted the jacket draped over her, brows furrowing. 'Whose jacket is this?'

She looked around her, but she couldn't find a single soul. A groan escaped her lips as she tried to remember how she got here. She remembered how she fell from the cliff, and how she made it to the land of ruins and all the incidents. But she felt hollowed, as if she was forgetting about something important, but no matter how she tried to remember she could not.

" It must be when Eritrea took control." she muttered.

Her eyes darted to the trees behind her, she felt like she was being watched by someone, but she could not find anybody.

" I have to find Diana and the rest of the group." she forced herself to her feet. Strangely she was not feeling any pain, ' Eritrea must have healed me when she took over." Although she had no more injuries, her body cried of exhaustion, but she knew too well that resting for more time will only lead her to become breakfast for the monsters.

As she took a step forward, her leg bumped into a backpack. Her head buzzed, causing her to wince. "This must be mine." she said, but she could not remember exactly how she got it. She squatted to her knees, she hesitantly opened the bag.

Her eyes dilated for a second. Her hand twitched with hesitation and anticipation. " I can consume you now" a smile curved on her lips.

Without further thought Olivia swallowed the core. A violent surge of energy coursed through her veins. Strength surged through her limbs, her muscles tightening, her breath hitching at the raw force now coursing through her veins.

[Congratulation: You just consumed the core of a level 12 monster]

[ Level: 5]

[Rank: Ascension]

[Tier: Ember]

[core: 1 x 10]

[Ability: Scarlet predator_ ability to manipulate blood, shaping it into blade, whip or spikes.]

[ pros: heightened sense awakens; can sense nearby enemies, track their movements and predict attacks]

[cons: too much use of this ability can weaken and make you more vulnerable until you replenish. The heightened awareness only limits to close radius]

Her senses sharpened, movement and scent became vivid, each shift in the air clear as day.

Olivia's eyes glistened with happiness, she was able to ascend again. She rested for a few minutes. Her chest heaving softly.

Her eyes fell on the bag again, she can't remember exactly where she got it from. An unsettling feeling pooled underneath her stomach, but she quickly shoved it down.

She stood up. It was time for her to leave and locate the others. Although she had no inkling of where she was, she could tell that the place was closer to the fortress. There was no sign of a high ranking beast.

She headed east, hoping to meet them soon. Her steps came to a halt when she heard the rustling sound of the bushes.

She had no weapon to defend herself, and she didn't yet know how to summon or control her powers. She took a hesitant step backwards as she carefully scanned her environment.

A loud growl echoed through the air, sending shivers skittering down her spine. She clenched her backpack tightly.

Her heart drummed in her ears. A huge silhouette of a Craghoul came into view, her breath hitched. Her thoughts ran wildly, searching for a way out of the situation in one piece. From her earlier encounter with these monsters, she knew one thing, they never walk alone.

As she was preparing for her grand escape. The Craghoul monster suddenly fell to the ground, dead. Something flashed within her mind, this scene looked familiar, but she couldn't tell exactly where or when.

Shot.

A gunshot echoed through the air, snapping her out from her stupor. Right behind her, another Craghoul collapsed, lifeless. Olivia's eyes widened, as she instinctively took a few steps back, how was she not about to detect its movements? Her senses flared, she could detect movement, scents sharp and distinct. Confusion flickered across her face.

" Are you planning to die to escape from being my girlfriend?" A familiar voice echoed through the air.

Soon the sounds of footsteps crunching the dried leaves, subtly echoed through the forest.

Olivia turned to the direction of the voice, her breath hitched as her gaze landed on the tall handsome man.

"Klaus... Klaus Reyes?" She called out in utter shock, it was like a bucket of cold water was poured on her, her body tensed. For a second she forgot to breathe.

After regaining her composure, her eyes darkened slightly, She had never felt at ease around him." Why are you here?"

" To bring you back, since you refused to come back on your own. Don't tell me you are trying to avoid fulfilling the end of your deal." His cold blue eyes pierced through, his presence slightly overwhelming, as he was only a few steps away. His body towered over her.

As Klaus stepped closer, Olivia's new senses flared—his heartbeat was steady, unnervingly calm. She could smell the faint trace of metal and gunpowder on his clothes, the lingering scent of blood beneath his cologne. He wasn't just confident; he was in complete control.

Olivia shot him a death glare " I'm not trying to run away from any deal, I'm just surviving." She answered curtly, before walking past him, her shoulders slightly brushed against his.

She swallowed when the elite squad came to view, he had brought them along with him.

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" So, did you guys also come to hunt?" She asked.

A smirk tugged at Klaus' lips."'No," he said smoothly, " we came for you."

Olivia felt goosebumps all over her body, his words made her feel unsettled, her heart racing in her chest, it was like... she was in deep trouble.