Chapter 30: When the Fog Clears

The stage was cloaked in thick fog, the battlefield veiled in the aftermath of Aria and David’s thunderous clash. A tense stillness gripped the arena, every eye locked on the haze, waiting for it to part.

Across the city—and even beyond—spectators watched on TV screens, phones, and projectors, barely breathing. Would someone rise victorious? Or had both fallen?

The facility’s ventilation kicked in with a low hum, slowly thinning the mist that swallowed the battleground.

Seconds crawled into minutes.

When the fog finally cleared, gasps echoed across the stadium like a crashing wave.

The arena was devastated. Rubble lay scattered across the stage, broken tiles and cracked walls a testament to the fight’s intensity. And at the heart of the destruction—Aria and David, unconscious, sprawled across the fractured ground.

Stunned silence.

It lasted until the referee, recovering from his shock, stepped forward and raised his mic.

“The match… is declared a draw. Both contestants are unable to continue.”

The announcement rippled through the crowd like lightning. Online chats exploded, phones buzzed with live reactions, and disbelief painted every face in the stadium.

Among Aria’s legion of male fans, emotions clashed—relief that she wouldn’t have to date David, disappointment at her collapse.

Medical teams sprinted to the stage. Elara, her face pale with concern, followed close behind. When she reached her sister, female nurses were already tending to her, a blanket modestly covering Aria’s torn suit.

But just as they began checking her vitals, Aria’s eyes shot open.

The nurses flinched in surprise—by all calculations, she shouldn't have regained consciousness for hours. Despite their insistence on moving her by stretcher, Aria simply shook her head.

With Elara's support, she stood and calmly descended the stage.

Meanwhile, David lay unconscious, his body lifted onto a stretcher by four medics. Though physically stable, his energy reserves were completely drained.

As Aria reached the edge of the stage, she turned briefly—her eyes drifting to the team carrying David away.

And then, a small smile touched her lips.

The moment didn’t escape the media’s sharp lens.

A reporter rushed forward, mic outstretched.

“Miss Aria! Why did you smile when David was taken offstage?”

Aria didn’t pause. “Because I promised my fans I’d carry David off on a stretcher—and I always keep my promises.”

With that, she disappeared through the exit leading to the changing rooms, leaving the press buzzing. Elara caught up, shooing away the reporters as the medical team trailed behind.

In the hallway, Aria slumped against a wall, fatigue crashing in at last.

Elara approached, ready to check on her—but her sister had already dozed off.

“You’re really something else…” Elara murmured with a fond smile. She signaled the medics to take Aria to the infirmary.

Unsurprisingly, Aria’s popularity skyrocketed after the match—not just among her fans, but even among David’s. That last remark had turned public opinion in her favor with almost poetic flair.

Elsewhere, Emmy could hardly sit still, eyes sparkling with admiration.

“Big sis Aria is sooo cool, isn’t she, brother?! One day I’ll be just like her—defeating bad guys and saving the innocent!” She threw a few playful punches and waved an invisible sword.

Rey chuckled at her antics. “Yeah… Aria’s always been cool. But here’s something only we three know—me, Aria, and Elara. She wasn’t always like this. Back then, she was shy. Timid, even. The Aria you see now… that’s a shell she built to protect herself from the boys constantly chasing after her. It wasn’t easy for her.”

He sighed and held out his hand. “Now hand me the remote. Go finish your homework, little warrior.”

“Hmph! I hate you!” Emmy pouted, sticking out her tongue before skipping off upstairs.

Jasmine, quietly observing, sighed gently.

‘So he was lost in a memory again…’

Rey turned to the TV and changed the channel. “Let’s see what’s happening in the world.”

The screen lit up with a grim report.

“A brutal murder case has surfaced—this time in Lumina City,” the anchor announced. “Approximately 20 to 25 bodies were discovered in an abandoned factory.”

Rey raised an eyebrow. “Huh. That’s my city… but I didn’t kill anyone at the factory. This must be someone else.”

The news shifted to live footage. The camera panned over crime scene tape, blood-smeared floors, and body outlines marked with chalk.

“It appears the culprit was a highly skilled assassin,” the anchor explained. “Each body was hidden out of line of sight—clearly premeditated.”

Just as the report continued, a scream cut through the broadcast.

The feed jolted. Reporters, police, and the camera crew rushed toward the sound. The screen shook wildly before settling on a horrifying scene—an officer on the ground, pointing toward something offscreen.

The camera followed.

And then—cut to black.

--> To be Continued...

What did they see that left even the police trembling? What new mystery is unfolding in Lumina? Stay tuned to find out.