Chapter 41: Siege (1)
Woo—Woo—
As soon as Kaya spoke, Eisenburg’s alarms blared through the sky.
Soldiers in the distance snapped into combat readiness, rushing in organized formations.
Piercing sirens echoed from all directions, with Evelyn’s voice repeating over the broadcast:
“—Attention! Eisenburg is now under Level Two Alert!”
“All non-combatants, proceed to the nearest civil defense shelters immediately! Repeat! Non-combatants to shelters!”
“Area leaders, organize evacuations and maintain order!”
“—Repeat! Eisenburg is under Level Two Alert!”
Panic rippled through the crowd.
“What’s happening?”
“Monster attack on the city?”
“Run!”
Volunteers, moments ago casually packing up, froze, dropping their tasks.
The gathered slum-dwellers descended into chaos—some fled with children, others shoved toward exits, and some stood paralyzed…
“Everyone, stay calm!” The shy young soldier from earlier tossed his bag, saluted Mili and Kaya, then donned his helmet, joining his squad.
“Don’t panic! Follow your drill routes!”
“Women and children first!” Soldiers shouted, maintaining order, guiding people to safe zones.
Mili was overwhelmed by the sudden chaos.
“What’s… happening?”
“Enemy attack!” Kaya pulled her along, yanking out her communicator.
“A beast tide wouldn’t trigger Level Two! This is at least a major armed conflict!”
“Hey—! Your Majesty? Your Majesty!”
The communicator crackled with static, no response.
“Damn it!” Kaya cursed:
“Signal’s jammed! They picked now, of all times…”
“Don’t be scared!” She pocketed the device, gripping Mili’s hand tightly.
“Stick with me!”
They wove through chaotic streets, heading in one direction.
Mili’s Saintess robe was cumbersome, nearly tripping her on her hem.
“Where are we going?” she panted, stumbling.
“Safehouse,” Kaya replied. “Seraphina’s special setup—absolutely secure.”
Soldiers rushed about, maintaining evacuation order.
Panicked civilians, clutching children, fled toward shelters.
“Move! Move!”
“Don’t push! Line up!”
“Kids, don’t wander!”
Shouts, cries, and footsteps merged into a cacophony.
A boy fell in the chaos, wailing. His mother turned to grab him but was knocked down by the surging crowd…
Mili glanced back, slowing, but Kaya yanked her forward.
“No dawdling!” Kaya shouted. “You’re their target! If you go down, Eisenburg’s done for!”
“…”
Boom—Boom—Boom—!
Three more explosions, fiercer than before, shook the south, vibrating the cobblestones.
Buildings loomed ominously in the dusk.
Windows shattered, glass raining down.
“Damn it!” Kaya pulled Mili aside, dodging falling debris.
Bang!
Rubble crashed where they’d stood, kicking up dust.
In the distance, engines roared, and tank treads rumbled as armored vehicles sped toward the city walls…
They crossed several streets, reaching an unremarkable building.
Its faded billboard and worn exterior blended with nearby homes.
Kaya swiped her ID card on a hidden scanner.
Beep—
A soft chime.
But the door didn’t open.
Kaya froze, then slapped the card harder.
Nothing.
“What the hell?” She frowned, swiping repeatedly.
Same result—door locked.
“Identity verification failed…”
“Identity verification failed…”
The scanner droned.
Kaya’s face darkened.
She pushed the door, then kicked it twice.
No use.
The iron door stood firm.
“Something’s wrong… this shouldn’t happen! Special clearance…!”
She yanked out her communicator, trying Seraphina again.
Still static…
The enemy’s attack was far fiercer than the queen’s plans…
Her clearance had been revoked!
They’d cracked internal comms protocols…
A traitor?!
—Someone high up!
“Kaya…?”
“It’s fine.” Kaya took a deep breath, calming herself.
“Plans changed. We can’t stay here. Gotta find somewhere to hide…”
She scanned around, spotting a medical station nearby.
“There!”
She dragged Mili toward it.
Passing a rubble pile, she smeared dirt on Mili’s face.
“Listen!” Kaya stopped at the station’s entrance, holding Mili’s cheeks, deadly serious:
“No matter what, don’t reveal who you are!”
“Not even if the sky falls! Got it?”
Mili nodded firmly.
The medical station’s doors were open, medics bustling, receiving evacuees.
They slipped into the crowd, finding a quiet corner to hunker down.
“Now we wait…” Kaya sat by a bed. “Until comms are back or the queen sends help…”
Mili sat on a bed, the outside clamor fueling her lingering unease.
This felt too familiar…
Just like Oasis during its attack…
“Little Saintess, you look pale. Thinking of something?”
“Oasis…” Mili’s voice was small. “It was attacked like this too…”
Kaya frowned.
She’d heard about Oasis.
“Not the same,” she said, trying to sound light. “Eisenburg’s defenses are way stronger.”
“Is this… because of the event?”
“No, no. They’d know whenever we held it. Seraphina wasn’t planning to hide you forever.”
“…”
“She went all-in, announcing you publicly to avoid dragging it out, making you an official figure fast.”
“By the way… what’s Level Two Alert?”
“City-wide lockdown, all defenses up, mandatory evacuations,” Kaya explained.
“Level One’s worse—only for city-destroying threats.”
She glanced out the window.
Faint beams streaked the sky—Eisenburg’s anti-air systems at work.
The rumbling hadn’t stopped, louder than endless thunderstorms…
“It’ll be okay, right?” Mili whispered.
Kaya saw her pale face, unsure herself, but nodded:
“Of course. The queen’s a bit intense and quirky, but she’s a beast in battle.”
“Stay here, do nothing. I’ll try to contact her.”
“But…” Mili panicked, not wanting to be alone.
“No buts!” Kaya’s tone turned sharp.
Her first time speaking so harshly to Mili.
“If anyone comes, don’t answer!”
She stood, checking her gear.
Dagger, crossbow, small explosives…
All there.
“You’re leaving…?” Mili reached for her.
“I have to check the situation,” Kaya dodged her hand.
“Trust me—staying here’s way safer than coming with me.”
“Kaya!” Mili called.
“You… you’ll come back… right?”
Kaya glanced back, eyes complex.
She opened her mouth, then shook her head slightly.
“Of course. I took the queen’s money…”
“How do I explain if I don’t get you back safe? I haven’t got my final payment yet.”
With that, she vanished into the crowd, leaving Mili alone in the corner, watching shadows pass the door, heart hollow.
Why does war always come without warning…
When will she be back…