The group traversed the vast grassy plains for what felt like an eternity. Although it seemed like they had just awakened an hour ago, the sun had already climbed high in the sky, casting its expected scorching heat upon them. Oliver and his friends pressed on, parting the grass with each hurried step.

     Oliver and his friends push through the grass. The lingering white fog trails behind them, gradually dissipating into faint opacity. In the distance, the city emerges—as cubes of grey, taupe, and beige appear against the greenery. The enormous buildings stood mighty even from afar.

     After what feels like an arduous hour, Oliver and his companions approach the city's massive walls. Exhaustion causes sweat to trickle down their brows. The relentless heat has them heavily gasping for air. As they advance nearer, the grand gateway splits into two, opening before Oliver and his team.

"Oh, goodness! I couldn't breathe! I couldn't breathe!" Edgar panted as he sprinted with the others.

As Oliver, Sophia, Gregory, Edgar, Sarrah, and Bethany approached the gap between the towering gate, they witnessed sweaty guards, the ones they had encountered earlier, desperately attempting to pull citizens away from the direction of the grasslands. Even the bravest among the soldiers shivered as they argued and pleaded with every man and woman in the streets.

A distressed mother rushed towards the Remaining Podeshire and his companions as they passed through the gate. "Oh, our Defender! Please intervene! Stop these guards and soldiers from pulling my son and me away!"

Suddenly, a fellow guard stepped forward in a flurry. "Sir Podeshire! Please, you must instruct them to evacuate the city immediately!"

Another soldier quickly joined the conversation. "Sir! My team and I were sailing along the foggy shore, but as we reached the part of the lake where the mist had cleared, we witnessed it! We saw the Pyrovoidians advancing!" he yelled with a strained voice.

"Are these creatures real?" a concerned woman approached and queried.

A swarm of men and women gathered around Oliver and his team, bombarding them with questions and pleas for guidance.

"I pray that these things are just rumours or hoaxes!" a mother clutched her child tightly.

A group of soldiers marched forward, their expressions filled with urgency. "Sir! We implore you to evacuate the city!"

"Sir! Only you possess the authority to command these people to flee!"

"Don't we need the mayor's approval before taking action??"

"We have no time! Didn't you witness those monsters earlier!?"

"Sir? Aren't you the one who discovered the existence of the Pyro Void Monsters? You must address them!"

Gregory quickly placed his palm on Oliver's shoulder. "What should we do...?" Gregory murmured.

     Oliver turned his face towards Gregory. He then glanced at his other terrified friends wearing furrowed brows and quivering jaws as their faces reflected their deep fright. Oliver could see each of them with their furrowed, angled eyebrows and shivering jaws.

     Suddenly, a sharp sensation touches Oliver's arms. It feels like an icy blade has sliced through his skin. He gradually directed his attention to his forearms, covered by his elbow-length gloves. Slowly, he removes his right glove, revealing his skin covered in hair-raising goosebumps.

      Oliver stared at his hair standing. As he started to hyperventilate, he slid his glove back on. Knitting his brows, he looked back at the crowds surrounding him and his companions.

     Swarmed with people, Oliver turns around. He gazes through the still-opened gateway. Oliver's eyes scan the vibrant green grassland, seeing a hint of mist on the horizon. He squints around with his eyebrows pulled down.

"...If I reveal the truth, it may ignite mass hysteria and regional panic," Oliver told Gregory. "But if I stay silent, I'll endanger everyone's lives..."

Gregory's eyes contracted, and no words flew out of his mouth.

Sophia leaned towards Oliver. "I believe you should tell them," she whispered.

"I will," Oliver nodded.

     Oliver faced the crowds. He then took a quick but deep breath through his nose. With both hands cupped around his mouth, he projected his words as his voice rang from the top to the bottom of his lungs.

"Everyone, lend me your ears! The Pyrovoidians are approaching our city. Our brave soldiers and guards speak the truth! I urge you to evacuate immediately. Time is of the essence! Gather your valuables, secure your properties, inform your loved ones, and depart swiftly. But maintain your composure and avoid scattering in panic! Head south, away from Asbranne Lake!" Oliver yelled.

     As Oliver's words reverberate through the air, the people around him have their eyes wide open with their jaws dropping in disbelief. Mortified by fear and dread, an instant wave of panic sweeps through the crowd. Fear urged the crowds to run as they desperately sought safety in their frantic escape. Oliver watched with a heavy heart as the once-gathered masses fragmented into a flurry of individuals. Men and women scattered around the streets, yelling at each other.

"Head to the docks!"

"Quick!"

     Oliver looks up to his right side and fixes his gaze on the watchtower equipped with large golden bells hanging from its ceilings. As citizens run away from the grassland's direction, Oliver's eyes immediately land on two sentries watching the panicking crowd. Oliver quickly waves his arms high, calling out to them.

"Hey! It's Oliver Podeshire!" Oliver shouted and commanded the sentries. "Ring the bells for the evacuation!"

"...Ring?" the sentry hesitated as he moved back.

"Ring the bell, he said!" the other sentry on duty hastily replied.

     The sentries in the watchtower swiftly obey the Remaining Podeshire. One sentry heads to the left side of the tower and pulls on a hanging swing, while the other does the same on the right side. Together, they rhythmically swing the ropes up and down.

     As the swings move, the wooden wheels rotate, setting the four sets of golden-coloured bells hanging from the ceilings into motion. The ringing bells reverberate through the air, causing people rushing through the streets to halt. They tilt their heads up and look at the watchtower with its chiming bells. A moment of stunned silence passes before the mobs resume running at a quicker pace. Some are so startled that they let out yelps and wails of panic.

     Meanwhile, the sentries stationed in the neighbouring watchtowers also pull on their bells' swings. The ringing spreads from one tower to the next, passing the signals like a contagious wave. The towers infect one another, each joining in the chorus of ringing bells. The sound travels along the wall and throughout the city.

     Soon, the ear-piercing chimes engulf the entire city. Tower signals echo across Asbranne, reaching every corner of the region. No matter where a person is within Asbranne, they can hear the deafening tolling of the bells. The wind even blows and carries the ringing sound to the grassland, where the approaching Pyrovoidians feel it, causing them to snarl.