Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Chapter 12: The Edge of Preparedness_2

Asher leaned back in his chair and smoothed out his messy hair with his hand. “What are they saying? It’s true. Every word of it.”

His voice was low, steady, but there was an edge of frustration. “We had our firearms, but they didn’t do much. Regular bullets just pissed them off. We had to concentrate fire on the same spot, over and over, to even make a dent in their hide.”

“What about close combat?” he asked.

He let out a dry chuckle and shook his head. “Tactical knives? Might as well be toothpicks. If you don’t have a more advanced tool, you’re merely grazing the surface.

“What happens if you can’t handle the rebound after landing a hit?” He leaned back, crossing his arms. “You’re dead meat.”

“We require better gear and smarter training. Now, it’s like showing up to a tank fight with a slingshot.” As he became more serious.

The room was heavy with silence, the weight of other’s words settling over everyone like a thick fog. The team’s faces were now filled with worry instead of the confidence they had shown earlier.

With a steadying breath and eyes that met theirs, Amira said, “What they’re describing is merely the beginning.” Her voice was calm and sure of itself.

She leaned forward slightly, drawing them in. “The alpha I fought with Captain Aiden wasn’t just another awakened beast. It had fire-element abilities.”

She let that hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “Also I’ve already told you, humans are starting to awaken with elemental powers too. And for instance, Aiden’s abilities are based on fire, but some of us may not possess any elemental affinity at all, and the same is true for these beasts.”

Amira took a moment to look around the room and make sure everyone was paying attention. “Here’s the thing: Aiden and I had to work hard to defeat that alpha, even at full strength.”

“It wasn’t just faster or stronger; it was smarter,” she said after a pause, her brow furrowing as if she were remembering the event. “It did more than just fight; it planned ahead, waited for the appropriate opportunities, exploited the terrain against us and then attacked with precision. It acted as though it possessed intelligence, not just instinct.”

“And the worst part?” After letting the question linger for a bit, she spoke. “Aiden’s fire attacks? Completely useless. Do you know how rare that is?”

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice slightly. “That beast not only withstood the flames; it absorbed them. It appeared as though it was consuming the fire. Additionally, it amplified and reflected it back to us, making it more harmful.”

Low murmurs spread among the group as the room shook with uneasiness.

While she raised her hand to calm everyone down, “This isn’t just about brute force anymore. These creatures are adapting, evolving in ways we can barely keep up with. That alpha wasn’t fighting us alone, either. It was leading its pack while actively engaging us. It took everything we had just to isolate it and break its command over the others. That’s the only reason we were able to survive without casualties.”

While she let the words settle, her gaze piercing as it moved from one face to another. “This is the reality we’re walking into. These beasts are evolving faster than we are, faster than we can prepare for. And as more of this spiritual energy consolidates in the environment, creatures like the alpha will be just the beginning.”

The team’s silence said it all. They understood the gravity of what she was saying.

A few chairs creaked as people shifted uneasily. Although Asher was leaned back with his arms crossed and his expression unreadable, Sophie’s eyes darted to the monitors.

“It’s bad, isn’t it?” Sophie eventually broke the silence, her voice was tense. “We’ll see more of them—stronger, smarter ones.”

“Yes,” Amira continued, her voice stronger now, cutting through the unease, “That doesn’t mean we lose hope—sure, they’re stronger, but with our numbers, technology, and teamwork, we’ll figure out a way to beat them like we always do.”

The room eased slightly at her words, though the weight of the situation still lingered.

Amira nodded in approval before turning to Bella and said, “Bella, let’s hear the status update on yesterday’s tasks.”

Bella straightened herself as she spoke, “The reinforced tactical suits are almost ready for testing; they’re specifically designed to endure elemental attacks and boost resistance to physical impacts.”

“Unfortunately,” she said with a slight frown, “I couldn’t secure all 10,000 suits you requested—only 1,000 are fully assembled, even so have manage to get enough materials for the other 9,000, so we’ll just need to put them together ourselves.”

Amira nodded thoughtfully. “Great job—coordinate with the engineering team, prioritize the essentials and let’s get those suits completed”

“On it,” Bella nodded firmly.

Amira turned her attention to Sam and asked, “Sam, were you able to get the tactical knives and swords I requested?”

Sam leaned back in his chair, his usual easygoing smirk in place. “It’s already secured,” he said in a casual tone. “I reviewed products from three different sources and personally verified the quality. The product is solid, sharp, durable, and light; no complaints about it.”

“Good,” Amira replied, but Sam quickly interjected, raising a hand.

“There maybe a problem, boss. I think someone’s caught wind of what we’re doing. We’ve been keeping it quiet, but if one of those suppliers starts talking, it won’t take long for others to piece it together. Although it’s not a significant issue yet, it could compromise our ability to remain unseen for an extended period.”

Amira’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Noted. For now, let’s focus on keeping things as discreet as possible. We’ll deal with leaks when they come.”

Sam shrugged. “At least we will be the most well-armed and well-dressed group if they attempt to capture us.”

The tension broke slightly as a few chuckles rippled around the table. Amira allowed herself a small smirk before moving on. “Okay, what’s the update on the herbs, technical machines, and other materials?”

The team provided updates, stating that supplies were gradually arriving, although some items remained delayed; they were testing improvised weapons and upgrading gear.

Amira listened intently, nodding here and there while jotting down notes on her tablet.

At last, she turned her attention to Elias, who was casually sitting near the monitors. “Elias,” she called, “how’s the broadcast video coming along?”

Elias glanced up, his demeanor professional but relaxed. “It’s ready for review. Once you approve, we can arrange for staggered broadcasts to achieve the maximum audience reach.”

“Alright,” Amira said, leaning back slightly. “Let’s watch it now.”

The room went quiet as Elias hit play on the video. The dark screen flickered to life, revealing stark, jarring footage of an awakened beast. It moved with terrifying speed and purpose, its glowing eyes searing through the gloom like twin flames. Every muscle rippled as it tore across the rugged terrain, a predator unleashed.

“This is not the world we once knew,” As a voice sounded in Amira’s tone began. “It has changed. Something has awakened—something powerful. A new energy has entered our environment, altering it in ways we could never predict. It has given rise to creatures like this, beings we now call ‘awakened beasts.'”

The screen changed to battle clips of soldiers fighting these monstrous creatures with all their might. Some of them had guns, and their shots bounced off thick hides without hurting it. Others used elemental skills, sending fire and ice through the air as people and animals fought in a primal battle.

“This energy has not just affected them,” the voiceover said steadily, “We’ve been changed too. Some of us have been… awakened. We’ve gained abilities we don’t fully understand—powers tied directly to this energy. But those gifts come with their own set of challenges.”

The video changed again and showed regular people in chaotic situations learning about their powers and trying to control them. The ground was burned by flames coming from a man’s hands. Someone else accidentally touched a drop of water that was frozen solid.

“To those who have awakened,” the voice carried a note of reassurance, “you are not alone. These abilities, while daunting, are also the key to survival. Learn to control them. Embrace the change. And prepare, because the dangers we face are unlike anything we have seen before.”

The video then showed scenes of damage, including villages that had been destroyed, buildings that had been knocked down, and families running away as beasts attacked. The message grew heavier as the focus moved to authorities responses.

“Despite the gravity of these events, authorities have kept them hidden from the public to avoid panic, but with recent attacks claiming lives and destroying homes worldwide, the truth can no longer be ignored. We can no longer wait for someone to come to our rescue.”

There was a somber pause as the screen displayed a map with red marks spreading across it, marking the locations of reported attacks and the densely populated area where these awakened and mutant beasts were present.

Amira’s voice softened but didn’t lose its urgency. “We need to take matters into our own hands. Protect your loved ones. Secure your homes. Begin training, if you’ve awakened. Learn how to awaken and survive if you haven’t already.”

The screen dimmed, demonstrating a method for ordinary people to practice and channel their energy to awaken, and for those who had already awakened, it demonstrated how to control and enhance their abilities. The tone of the video shifted slightly, offering a sense of hope amid the chaos.

“Today,” Amara’s voice softened, then firmed with resolve, “we have confirmed that there will be a mass surge of this energy by evening. When this occurs, the already awakened and dangerous beasts will intensify their aggression. Many will abandon their forests, mountains, and other natural habitats.”

“I urge everyone,” Amara’s voice pleaded, “Prepare yourself; secure your homes, arm yourselves, protect your families, and above all stay vigilant.”

Her voice, now addressing the powers of the world, grew sterner. “You must act now, as this energy surge will not only amplify these creatures but also disrupt long-range communication networks. If you fail to address it promptly, it will also impact short-range communication, leaving your defenses crippled and your people exposed.”

The screen dimmed, showing a black backdrop with one final message in bold, white text: “Prepare for the surge. Protect your loved ones. Stand together.”

The room remained silent as the screen went dark. The weight of the message sank into the air, pressing on everyone present.

“Well,” Sophie finally said, breaking the silence, “that’s going to scare the hell out of a lot of people.”

“Good,” Asher muttered. “Maybe they’ll take it seriously.”

Amira crossed her arms, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the room. The team watched her, waiting for her next move.

Amira’s voice was calm but carried an edge of urgency. “That brings us to the next question: Do we warn them now? Or do we hold back?”

The room erupted into murmurs as the team weighed the options.

Practical as always, Lilah spoke first. “If we release it now, we risk creating mass panic. People might flood the roads, and chaos will make it harder for us to operate later.”

While agreeing, Mira said, “But if we wait too long, they won’t have enough time to prepare. We must provide them with a fair opportunity to prepare.”

Kelly, still chewing on something while leaning back, responded, “You’re both right. However, consider this: how many people will genuinely pay attention? Most people are going to ignore it until the beasts are clawing at their doors.”

Amira listened, her gaze steady as the team debated. Finally, she raised a hand, silencing the room.

“Both points are valid. But this isn’t about making everyone listen. It’s about reaching the ones who are ready to act. Those are the ones who will make a difference,” she said as the team fell quiet, digesting her words.

She leaned against the table, her posture relaxed but her tone commanding. “We’ll finalize the broadcast schedule within the hour.”

In the face of growing chaos, every move mattered. For now, she could only hope that they were making the right decisions.