The aftermath of the Nyxaroth battle still hung heavy over the Philippine Hunter University. The once bustling campus had turned eerily quiet. The students who had been part of the battle—Grim, Elyse, Marcus, Liya—were among those recovering from the physical and emotional toll it had taken. Even the faculty, many of whom were elite hunters themselves, needed time to regroup after the cataclysmic clash.
---
Grim Arclight sat on the edge of his bed, his body still sore from the battle. The Bakunawa's essence inside him was more awakened than ever, its presence both comforting and overwhelming. He could feel it stirring within his tattoos, like a sleeping giant that wanted to break free. His body had healed faster than any normal person's, but the mental and emotional scars from the fight still lingered. He couldn't shake the images of the tainted celestial beast Nyxaroth, the way it had towered over them, its eyes burning with hatred.
Elyse had been by his side through it all, offering comfort and support. Her gravity manipulation had been instrumental in protecting them, but even she had been affected by the sheer magnitude of the fight. She had been quieter than usual, her gaze often distant, as if she were lost in thought. Marcus, the fiery and energetic student, had been practically silent, retreating into his own shell. And Liya, the healer, had been the one to patch everyone up physically, though it was clear even she was struggling to cope with the mental toll.
The university had been placed on lockdown after the battle. The Crimson Crescent's presence was still felt in the air, but they had disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. No one knew where they had gone or what their next move would be. But the sense of unease was palpable. Grim couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.
---
Dean Rizalde had called for a meeting with all the top students and faculty, explaining that their primary objective for the moment was recovery. There would be no immediate raids or missions. The university's focus was to heal and prepare for whatever came next. The enemy, though elusive, was still a real threat, and they needed time to regroup and strategize.
---
The meeting was held in one of the main halls, where the atmosphere was somber. Grim, along with Elyse, Marcus, and Liya, sat in a corner, listening to the discussion unfold. Mr. Andres, the head of the Philippine Hunter Association, stood beside *
Dean Rizalde*
, his face a mixture of concern and resolve.
"We may have won the battle against Nyxaroth," Dean Rizalde said, his voice steady, "but the war is far from over. The Crimson Crescent will not stop. They have their own agenda, and we are but pawns in their larger game."
Grim's stomach twisted at the thought of the Crimson Crescent. They had been elusive, always staying one step ahead. Xavier, their leader, was a summoner unlike any other, and the more Grim thought about him, the more he realized how dangerous their enemies were.
"We cannot rush into another confrontation just yet,"Mr. Andres added, his tone firm. "We need to focus on healing—not just physically, but mentally. The forces we're up against are not ones we can simply defeat with raw power alone."
There was a brief pause as the students processed this information. Liya, sitting next to Grim, finally spoke up, her voice soft but carrying the weight of concern.
"But what if they strike again? What if we're not ready?"
Elyse placed a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her. "We can't just blindly rush into danger. We need a plan—something we can rely on."
---
Later that evening, Grim found himself alone, standing at the edge of the university's courtyard. The night sky was clear, the stars shining brightly overhead. He could feel the Bakunawa's presence in him more clearly than ever. It was like a deep, rhythmic pulse—its energy was both overwhelming and comforting. But Grim couldn't help but feel the weight of his responsibility pressing down on him. The Bakunawa was no ordinary summon—it was an ancient power, one that could shape the fate of the world. And yet, Grim didn't fully understand it.
"Thyce," he whispered, hoping the goddess would answer.
The air around him shimmered, and Thyce's voice echoed in his mind.
"You are healing, Grim. But there is more to healing than resting. You must reflect on what has happened and prepare your heart. The Crimson Crescent is relentless, and they are not your only concern. The balance is shifting. The celestial war you have glimpsed is far from over."
Grim closed his eyes, feeling the weight of her words.
"What should I do?"
"Rest, for now. But be prepared to face what comes next. The rift between realms is deepening. The true nature of your bond with the Bakunawa is yet to be fully revealed. When the time comes, you will know what to do."
---
The next day, the students returned to their routine at the university. The Crimson Crescent's attack on the university had forced a pause, but that pause wouldn't last forever. As Grim walked through the halls with Elyse and the others, he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. The world was changing rapidly, and they were all caught in the middle of something far larger than they could understand.
---
A soft breeze stirred the leaves of the courtyard, carrying with it the faintest whisper of a warning.
The tension in the air was almost palpable, like the quiet before a thunderstorm. Grim's thoughts were interrupted by a sudden presence—Elyse, her steps light but purposeful, approaching him with a quiet intensity. She didn't speak immediately, just stood beside him, staring at the vast, empty sky.
Finally, she broke the silence. "You know we can't stay like this forever, right?"
Grim turned to look at her, surprised. "What do you mean?"
"Healing is necessary," she said, her voice tinged with sadness, "but it doesn't change the fact that something is coming. And I think we both know it's something bigger than we've faced so far. The Crimson Crescent, the tainted beast, they're just the beginning. There's something much more dangerous lurking, Grim."
Grim met her gaze, his heart pounding. She was right. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together, but they weren't there yet. "And we need to be ready for it," he whispered.
For the first time in days, Grim felt a surge of purpose rise within him. They had been given a brief respite, but the worst was yet to come. Their enemies were relentless, their plans insidious. But Grim knew one thing with certainty: they would not stand idly by.
---
As the evening drew on and the stars above seemed to burn brighter, Grim felt the weight of what was to come pressing against him more than ever. The Bakunawa stirred within him, and for the first time, he felt like he was ready to embrace the challenge that lay ahead. Whatever the future held, they would face it together. And they would be ready.
---
The quiet before the storm had ended.