Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

"What's going on!?" Tehron, the Chiron war commander, yelled.

It was the third earthquake they felt in minutes. It couldn't be a natural phenomenon. Someone or something was intentionally causing this mess. But the Chirons had no clue who it could be.

"We're surrounded," a Chiron with closed eyes mumbled. "I can sense hundreds of hostiles all around us!"

"I don't care about those maggots!" Tehron gritted his teeth. "Find out what's causing the earthquakes!"

"Sir, we need to get rid of the wolves first—"

Smack!

Tehron hit the person before pulling them in.

"Take my squad and man the gates! Do I need to hold your fingers to make you do your job!?" Tehron yelled, pushing the man away.

He continued. "Tell all squads to man the borders! The rest should escape through the underground tunnels for the time being."

For people who had spent centuries perfecting their defense, it was quite unsightly to see them in such panic.

A strange would have thought the Chirons would have faced the threat calmly and bravely. But all of them had lost their minds. Surprisingly, Tehron didn't care about the werewolves, but the earthquake.

He couldn't recall any instance of an earthquake within the world tree ever since he was born. That's why he knew it wasn't a natural occurrence. Someone was headed their way, big enough to cause an earthquake with each step.

A disaster...

That was the first thought Tehron had.

The disasters usually stayed near the roots of the world tree. They never went inside it. But what if something forced them into their safe place?

But that raised another question. What could be powerful enough to cause a disaster inside the world tree?

What if the disaster entered the tree of its free will?

Tehron shook his head. He couldn't assume it was a disaster, all because of a few earthquakes. After all, more mysterious beings lived within the world tree. It could be one such creature.

"Let's get rid of those mutts first."

***

Meanwhile, near the temple...

"Those bastards! To think they'd hit us from the back!" A Chiron roared. "I'm going to rip these dogs apart!"

Most Chirons had rushed towards the gates, as it was the only way to enter the city. None of them imagined the werewolves would scale the mountain and strike the temple first.

Now the werewolves had surrounded the temple. The few Chirons left were trying their best to protect it.

The only solace they had been they had sealed the temple, so even if they died fighting, the werewolves would have a difficult time entering the temple. But once they break the seals, there'll be no stopping them.

"Elder Alecton, what should we do?" a Chiron asked in a panic.

"Ease your heart," Alecton replied, looking at YuWon, who remained suspended in River Styx's water. "They targeted the temple because of the treasure. We mustn't allow those rabid animals to touch the water."

The werewolves were already a pain to deal with because of their regenerative abilities. If they got their hands on Styx, then there'll be no stopping them.

"Once they break in... you must keep them occupied," Alecton sighed. "I will destroy the reservoirs."

The Chirons were shocked. Destroying the reservoirs meant destroying their existence. After all, the water from Styx was why they could live so comfortably under such harsh conditions.

Without the water, they were as good as the cursed race they detested. However, they understood it was a necessity. If the werewolves got their hands on the reservoir, it would lead to a much darker future.

While contemplating their next actions, a wave of black smoke hit them.

Damnit!

The Chirons had thought they'd be safe after sealing themselves inside. But they couldn't be more wrong.

The werewolves never intended to waste their energy on breaking the seals. Instead, they lit a fire around the temple to smoke them out.

If the Chirons rushed outside for safety, they'd meet with hundreds of werewolves. And if they didn't, they'd die from suffocation while the fire burned the temple down. Their survival had been turned into a game to see how quickly the Chirons would give up.

"...follow me," Alecton mumbled, foreseeing his death. "We will destroy the reservoirs. That water will put out the fire outside."

"...as you wish."

***

"Damn it! We can't keep this up for long!" Graul yelled.

Their plan depended on the element of surprise. But the longer they stayed there, the quicker that opportunity faded.

Once the Chiron notice the force at the entrance was a mere diversion, they'll turn towards the temple. Graul wanted to get his hands on Styx before that. But the stubborn horses had locked themselves inside.

Not to mention the fire. It'll surely attract their attention.

The plan to smoke the Chiron out of the temple was failing with each passing moment. If they don't do something soon, the werewolves will get sandwiched on two fronts.

Just as Graul began to think it was a bad idea, one of the temple doors swung open from the inside. At first, it was a trickle of water. But within seconds, it turned into a roaring flood, pouring out of the temple like a broken dam.

The water struck like a battering ram, knocking them off their feet and extinguishing every trace of fire surrounding the temple. While they struggled to maintain their footing, Graul's eyes widened in horror.

He knew immediately what this water was. It was the treasure he sought. But the Chiron had wasted it, using it to put out pitiful flames just to keep the werewolves from gaining its power.

Besides, since one had to be submerged in the water for it to take effect, the werewolves didn't benefit after being splashed with it.

"Those filthy cowards," Graul mumbled, clenching his fists.

His eyes turned red with rage as the soil absorbed the precious water. Just like that, the reward, the reason for their risky assault, got snatched away from them.

"Kill them all..." Graul growled. "BRING ME THEIR HEADS!"