A battle broke out in the Scale Shield organization, and what ensued was a bloody, one-sided massacre. Bernard's team charged at the armed Scale Shield securities with everything that they got, reaping their enemies in halves and setting up a crimson path for Bernard to walk through.

Bethany engaged herself in a frenzied bloodbath, dashing around with phantom speed and reaping visible enemies apart with a crazed smile on her face. Shadow on the other hand, utilized his 'Hidden Shadow Flame' techniques. He lurked in the shadows, tactically surprising unsuspecting preys in their hiding corners and incinerating them with invisible fire strikes.

Donald and Boid, however, took a less brutal approach, choosing to incapacitate their adversaries with calculated fist strikes, leaving them in a comatose state.

Amidst the pandemonium, Bernard was the only one idle. He strode with an unruffled calm, his somber gaze fixed unwaveringly on the distant end of the door. The maelstrom of brutality unfolding around him only seemed to exist on the periphery of his consciousness as he navigated through the chaos with an expression of indifference.

After a long while of fighting, the horde of Scale Shield securities dwindled with the passing moments. However, one lone guard managed to find a hiding spot amidst the rubble, frantically attempting to reload his firearm in a trembling state of terror.

But his efforts were in vain.

He didn't get the chance to completely reload his gun as Shadow, with a stealth that defied the shadows themselves, quickly sought him out. With a menacing breach through the wall barrier, Shadow seized his prey from behind, swiftly reducing him to ash in an instant.

Triumphantly emerging from the first phase of the battle, Bernard and his comrades regrouped under his leadership, advancing through the designated door with purpose. However, upon entering, their eyes beheld a chilling sight – a myriad of prison cells housing sobbing humans that had been subjected to grotesque experiments.

Surveying the grim tableau before him, Bernard discerned that these tested humans shared the same tragic fate as the captured Crestivenians—thrust into an unwanted existence against their will. But despite this empathy, Bernard, assuming that the existence of these human prisoners would eventually pose a future threat to the TRIBE, made a difficult decision.

With steely resolve, he decided to eradicate the lives of the prisoners confined in their cells.

BERNARD: "Forgive what I must do to you all, but know that I do this for the greater good!" Bernard spoke to all prisoners as he slowly illuminated his sky flames.

A wave of panic swept through the human prisoners as Bernard made his intentions clear. He expressionlessly amassed a huge surge of flame energy, poised to erase them from existence. But in a crucial moment, Donald swiftly intervened, halting Bernard's fiery onslaught. With a measured tone, Donald urged Bernard to pause and reconsider, cautioning against the potential ramifications of a decision that could mark a grave and irreversible mistake in their collective lifetimes.

DONALD: "Stop it, Bernard! These people are innocent victims. You can't just kill them. Take a better look at them before you make a terrible mistake that would haunt us all."

SHADOW: "[Chimes into the conversation.] The humans locked up here are the Scale Shield's failed experiments. Fortunately, the DNA alteration program wasn't successful on them. We should help them, not offer them cold steel, Bernard!" Shadow supported Donald's argument.

BERNARD: "[Contemplates for a while before giving a resignation sigh.] Fine! You guys do whatever you want. It's not like I even give a fuck, anyways. Got bigger priorities on my table right now," replied Bernard as he reluctantly extinguished his flame.

United in purpose, Donald and Shadow took it upon themselves to liberate the imprisoned souls from their confinements, showcasing a selfless resolve. Meanwhile, Bernard and the remaining members of their group pressed forward, advancing toward a looming second door with anticipation.

The second door loomed larger and tougher than its predecessor, an imposing barrier fortified with biometric security, rendering passage seemingly insurmountable. Bernard, with his eyes fixed on the formidable obstacle, issued a firm directive to Boid and Bethany, advising them to step back.

BERNARD: "I suggest you both take some steps backward. This is going to be rough."

Responding dutifully to Bernard's instruction, Bethany and Boid gracefully retreated a few steps. In a moment of poised determination, Bernard drew a brief breath, fortifying his fists and muscles. A nimbus of steam-like energy enveloped his body as he unleashed a mighty punch, shattering the massive, resilient door with the augmented strength pulsating through his fists.

<<The extraordinary power at Bernard's disposal stemmed from a rare and exclusive buff-based technique known as 'Monstrous Strength,' a privilege reserved for only a select few within the esteemed Deity family.
Legend had it that an ancestor of the Deity lineage, hailing from the Earth tribe, had forged a union with a formidable superhuman of the Fire tribe. Renowned for their colossal strength, Earth tribe individuals easily dominated their adversaries. However, the continuous mingling with fire-wielding superhumans over time had gradually eroded the once-potent earth abilities of the Deity family.
Despite this dilution, a resilient echo of their earth ancestor's might endured, bestowing the gift of Monstrous Strength upon fortunate members of the Deity lineage. Though not as potent as the original earth tribe abilities, this unique bloodline power still distinguished the Deity family as the preeminent purveyors of formidable brute strength in Crestivenia.>>

As the huge door crumbled apart, Bernard, accompanied by Bethany and Boid rushed in through it before glancing at a scene that left them bewildered and enraged.

The laboratory unfolded before their eyes, revealing illicit experiments perpetrated upon their fellow Crestivenians. Amidst the clandestine operations, the scientists, caught off guard, abruptly ceased their activities, frozen in terror at the unexpected intrusion by Bernard and his resolute companions.

The Scale Shield test laboratory had been breached, a development the scientists hadn't anticipated or prepared for.

Bernard's piercing gaze swept across the lab's chaotic tableau, scanning the multitude of experimented humans and superhumans with desperation. After a relentless search, his eyes finally alighted on the one he sought – his younger sister, Aurora Deity. She stood as the prioritized hostage, the linchpin that had propelled Bernard into the human world in the first place.

Aurora lay unconscious on a clinical mattress, connected to drips and needles, bearing the marks of agonizing experimentation. A furrow etched across Bernard's brow as he beheld the distressing sight of his sister's suffering. Fueled by anger, his gaze shifted to the assembly of frightened scientists in the lab, a murderous intent searing in his eyes.

Nevertheless, one of the scientists sneakily activated a distress alert device, signaling for more reinforcements from the higher-ups. But Bernard was undeterred by the scientist's covert distress signal. His swift retaliation was an unrestrained inferno of berserk flames which reduced the unsuspecting culprits to smoldering ashes, their agonized wails echoing through the laboratory.

Yet, despite the wild and untamed nature of the flames, Bernard, with uncanny control, managed to shield the lab hostages, particularly his unconscious sister, from harm.

Bethany and Boid, with a sense of duty, dedicated themselves to assisting the lab Crestivenian hostages. Meanwhile, Bernard, a surge of urgency propelling him, hurried to Aurora's side. With meticulous care, he skillfully removed the intrusive drips, needles, and peculiar devices from her radiant and unblemished skin.

As he completed this delicate task, he gently roused Aurora to consciousness, aiding her unsteady rise to her weakened feet. Though awakening, Aurora still required a bit more time to fully recover from the prolonged slumber imposed upon her.

AURORA: "[Feels slightly dizzy and gazes at Bernard with her drowsy, blurred sight.] Brother, is that you?" She voiced out in a weak and tired tone.

BERNARD: "[Unveils a guilty expression.] Forgive me Sunshine, for not coming to your rescue on time. The bastards responsible for your cruel suffering have all been pulverized. It's time to bring you home."

Aurora, too feeble to respond further, clung to Bernard's shoulders as he guided her away from the lab basement. In the background, Boid and Bethany efficiently organized the freed hostages, creating a united front as they all moved toward the exit. However, upon emerging from the basement, a collective gasp escaped their lips as they bore witness to yet another disconcerting scene unfolding before them.

Donald and Shadow, flanked by the liberated humans from the prison cells, found themselves in a tense standoff with an elite squad of Scale Shield guards. Responding swiftly to the distress signal, these elite guards had swiftly converged on the Scale Shield building, strategically positioning themselves to seal off all exits. A formidable barricade encircled the entire structure, leaving no avenue for escape as they prepared to confront the intruders.

Upon sighting Bernard and the rest, Shadow and Donald quickly rejoined them. With a sense of urgency, the two of them provided a concise update on the unfolding predicament, ensuring the collective awareness of the challenging situation they faced.

DONALD: "The situation isn't good guys. Shadow and I have been finding it hard in getting past this group of guards." Donald complained with a heavy breath. It was evident that he had encountered intense resistance to subduing them.

SHADOW: "Just like the ones that attacked Crestivenia, these annoying bastards also have a high tolerance for our flames. Their suits contain high power-resisting capabilities. Now Bernard, tell us how we're gonna get past here?" Shadow asked with a frustrated scowl.

BERNARD: "[Snorts angrily at Shadow and Donald.] Humph! You both are eyesores to the pride of Crestivenia. Your lack of insight irritates me. Are your flames the only thing you both can rely on? If the so-called Scale Shield elites prove resistant to your powers, then why not crush their worthless souls with your brute strengths?"

Positioning himself as the protective forefront, Bernard issued a directive for the rescued humans and superhumans to gather behind him, entrusting the care of his sister, Aurora, to their collective watch. In a cohesive display of unity, Bethany and the rest of the team stood shoulder to shoulder with Bernard, poised for action as they awaited his signal to engage the formidable elite Scale Shield guards standing resolute before them.

With precision, the elite guards readied their enhanced weaponry, trained on Bernard and his companions. They dared the teenagers to make even the slightest move. This audacious display of fearlessness incited a surge of fury within the group, particularly in Bernard, whose innate superiority over normal humans fueled his irritation at the guards' lack of despair.

Driven by this provocation, Bernard resolved to impart a lesson that would leave an indelible mark on them and everyone else who dared to confront him or the TRIBE.

A/N:  Hello dear readers, please don't forget to drop a star 🌟 or honest opinion in the comment box 🗃 if you found this chapter intriguing. Thank you.