Heroes of Veridia: Evelyn's Journey

The two friends staggered down the dimly lit street, their footsteps uneven, bouncing off one another as they laughed too loud for the late hour. The streets of Veridia were mostly quiet, save for the distant hum of patrol vehicles and the occasional shadow of a hero on watch.

One of the friends, swaying dangerously, pointed ahead. "Man, I can barely see straight," he slurred. "But home's... somewhere that way, right?"

"Who cares," the other chuckled, "we'll get there eventually."

As they stumbled onward, they didn't notice the tall man approaching from the opposite direction until they collided with him. His face was hidden beneath a hood, and his hands remained tucked in the pockets of his jacket.

"Watch it!" one of the drunks barked, pushing the man back roughly. "You blind or somethin'? Can't you see us comin'?"

The hooded man didn't react, standing there as if unaffected by the shove. His silence seemed to only fuel their drunken arrogance.

The second friend pointed at him. "Yeah, what's the matter with you, huh? Do you think you're better than us? Say you're sorry!"

The man, still calm, started to walk away, ignoring the insults. His quiet disregard was the last straw. The first drunk, filled with liquid courage, grabbed the back of the man's jacket.

"Oh no, you don't! You ain't goin' nowhere until you apologize. Made my friend real mad here."

The tall man halted, his shoulders tense. Slowly, he removed his hands from his jacket pockets and spoke in a low, measured voice.

"Let go."

The drunk laughed. "Or what? You gonna—"

In a blur, the hooded figure moved, so fast that the drunk didn't even have time to react. With a swift motion, he slammed the man holding his jacket into the brick wall. The friend's body hit with a sickening thud, his face smashing into the rough surface before crumpling to the ground, unconscious.

The remaining drunk's eyes widened in terror. "W-What the hell? We were just messin' around, man! It's cool, alright? We're cool!"

The hooded figure now turned to face him, remained silent for a moment before speaking in a voice barely above a whisper. "Next time, be careful who you try to mess with."

Without a second glance, the tall man walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the city, leaving the remaining drunk to crouch beside his fallen friend, shaking and speechless.

As the remaining drunk crouched beside his unconscious friend, trembling, a shadow loomed over them. One of the patrolling heroes approached, his figure outlined by the faint streetlights.

"What's going on here?" the hero asked, his voice calm but firm.

The drunk, still shaken, stumbled over his words. "S-Some guy... he just... we were just messing around! Didn't think he'd take it so seriously! He slammed my friend into the wall! He's out cold!"

The hero knelt beside the unconscious man, quickly checking his pulse. Though the story seemed slurred and disjointed, the damage was clear. With a sigh, he stood and hoisted the unconscious man onto his shoulder.

"You guys had too much to drink," the hero muttered, "but I'll get you some help."

The remaining drunk, still shaky, nodded frantically as the hero helped him to his feet. Together, they headed toward a nearby hospital, the unconscious man's groans the only sound in the stillness of the night.

Meanwhile, the mysterious man who had walked away earlier strode with purpose through the streets. His hood was still low, he kept his face obscured from any wandering eyes. He soon arrived at a small, discreet hotel tucked away in a quieter corner of the city. The lights were dim, and only a few guests were still awake at this late hour.

He slipped inside unnoticed and made his way to a room on the top floor. The door creaked open, and inside, a man sat casually on a worn-out chair, waiting.

"Donovan," the hooded man greeted, pulling down his mask.

Donovan looked up from his drink, smirking. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you ran into some trouble."

The hooded man shook his head. "Nothing I couldn't handle."

Donovan raised an eyebrow. "Good. Then let's get to business."

Evelyn stepped into her dorm, her mind heavy with the events at her father's office. The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the weight of it all seemed to dissolve, replaced by the sight of the cramped, cold room she was expected to call home for the next two months. She exhaled a frustrated huff and dropped onto the stiff-looking bed. But as soon as her body made contact with the surface, a soft, unexpected sensation met her.

Startled, she looked down to find the bed covered in Velumbra Petals, a rare, delicate flower known for its cloud-like texture, often used in ancient Veridian healing practices. The soft petals cushioned her, supporting her weight like a natural mattress, their gentle fragrance filling the small room.

Vines, thick and verdant, began to creep along the corners of the room as if responding to her presence. They spiraled upwards, weaving intricate patterns across the walls and ceiling. From the vines bloomed Luminalis Blossoms, radiant flowers known for emitting a soft, soothing light. Each blossom glowed with a faint, warm luminescence, casting the room in a golden glow, and transforming the once sterile, cold dorm into a natural sanctuary.

Evelyn blinked in disbelief, marveling at how her gift had transformed the space. The harshness of her surroundings softened under the influence of her newfound power, and the glowing blossoms brought with them a sense of calm she hadn't expected to find in Phantom Edge.

Evelyn lay back on the soft Velumbra petals, their silken texture molding perfectly to her shape. She gazed up at the dimly lit ceiling, where vines threaded their way across the corners of her small room, glowing faintly with the light of the Luminleaf buds. The room had transformed, from a cramped, unwelcoming space into a peaceful haven, draped in the gentle touch of nature.

For a moment, Evelyn allowed herself to admire the tranquil beauty surrounding her. But even here, in this sanctuary of her own making, the image of Victor's transformation crept back into her mind. She frowned, the memory of his rejuvenation unsettling her, despite the peaceful atmosphere.

Shaking her head, Evelyn forced herself to focus on the present. "No," she whispered, almost as if commanding herself, "I'll enjoy the moment... for now."

Her gaze softened as she stroked one of the glowing vines with her fingers, letting the softness calm her. Victor and his empire could wait. For tonight, she had her battle—one against the thoughts she refused to entertain.

The future, filled with danger and betrayal, would have to wait until tomorrow.