The Others' Reaction to the New Power
[Henrique's Perspective]
The world around Henrique was changing — but not in the way he had expected.
It wasn't the monsters that worried him most at that moment.
Not even the weight of the golden crystal embedded in his chest.
It was the silence among humans.
Ever since he dismantled Tobias' group with a single word, the eyes of the survivors sheltering in the old supermarket had changed.
It was no longer respect.
It was reverence… mixed with fear.
— They think you're a demon — said a soft voice at his side.
Kiala. Always by his side, but invisible to everyone else. A divine shadow that only he could see.
— To hell with them — Henrique muttered. — I never asked them to follow me.
— But now they do. And some… want more.
Henrique looked toward a group in the distance.
Three men were whispering among themselves. One of them stared at Henrique like he was assessing a target, not a man.
"They want to test me again…"
On Henrique's shoulder, the crystal pulsed as if it understood his rage.
[Alert: Hostility detected within a 40-meter radius]
[Do you wish to activate passive skill: Spiritual Intimidation?]
— Not yet — Henrique murmured. — Let the hypocrisy rot first.
[Sónia and Leandro's Perspective]
Sónia watched their father from afar. He spoke little. Ate less. Slept even less.
— He's different… — she said, sitting next to Leandro. — Like he's no longer our father.
Leandro held a small piece of metal in his hands. He had found it in a pile of rubble. And strangely, it glowed faintly at his touch.
— I think he still is. It's just… the world that's changed — he answered.
Sónia looked toward the other side of the room.
— And Miro?
Miro was lying down, face serene. But a shadow swirled slowly beneath him. Like a dark dust spiral, barely noticeable.
— Ever since that monster died, he's been sleeping deeper — Sónia said.
— He's dreaming — Leandro said with certainty. — But they're not normal dreams.
[Henrique's Perspective]
By late afternoon, the sky had turned copper.
A new group of survivors arrived at the makeshift supermarket gates.
There were nine of them, led by a tall man in a torn suit and graying beard — Silas, a former university professor, now called "the Orator."
— We came to talk — he said calmly. — That's all.
Henrique nodded.
— Talk.
Silas stepped forward, but something about him was off. The gaze. The tone. The way he kept his hands behind his back like a politician.
— You're strong. No one can deny that. But your power… inspires fear. People follow you today. But tomorrow… they may turn on you.
Henrique didn't reply. He simply watched.
— I propose shared leadership. A kind of council.
Kiala laughed — only for Henrique to hear.
— He wants to split power. But he'll try to kill you at the first chance.
Henrique kept his eyes on Silas.
— Shared leadership?
— For everyone's safety.
Henrique stepped forward.
— And who protects me… from everyone?
The crystal on his chest glowed. Silas' eyes flickered.
Henrique turned his back.
— If you want to stay, help. If not, move on.
— But don't offer threats disguised as advice.
Silas stepped back.
But his seed had been planted.
[Lívia's Perspective – The Crimson Empress]
In the old National Assembly, now her fortress, Lívia received the report from the messenger who had returned alive.
— He refused?
— Burned the message… and said he only kneels to crush thrones.
Lívia laughed. But it wasn't a joyful laugh.
— Always so arrogant.
— Shall we send hunters?
— Not yet.
She looked out the window. The sky trembled with distant crystals falling like stars.
— Let the people see him as a king. The higher he rises… the louder the crash will be when he falls.
[Zarak's Perspective – The Red Watcher]
Zarak observed Henrique's camp from a distance.
— They don't see it yet… but they're witnessing the birth of a tyrant.
He ran his tongue across sharp teeth.
— Or a god.
Behind him, one of his hooded subordinates whispered:
— Do we strike now?
Zarak answered with a grin:
— Not yet. Let's see how he handles doubt.
— The faith of the weak… is a blade sharper than any sword.
[Miro's Perspective]
In the darkness, Miro dreamed.
But the dreams had voices.
Voices that did not belong to this world.
— "Wake up."
— "The chaos has recognized your soul."
— "You are a child of the abyss."
— "Awaken… awaken…"
A single tear rolled from his eye — black as ink.
[Henrique's Perspective]
That night, Henrique sat alone on the supermarket roof.
Kiala materialized beside him in a misty form — like a mirage only he could see.
— They'll turn on you — she said.
— I know.
— And when they do?
Henrique looked at the crystal.
— Then I'll remind them why I'm still standing.
Kiala smiled.
— They don't see me. They don't see the chaos in you.
— But when your children awaken…
— The world won't be able to pretend anymore.
Henrique remained silent.
But deep down… he too was beginning to change.
Not by choice.
But because the world was no longer giving him one.