New World

Chapter 53 - The Quiet Chaos

—Focus returns to Anthony—

"Anthony!" Mia grabbed my attention, "Aiko just ordered you back to the Temple. I can handle the rest here—you go and see why she's calling you."

I stopped directing the civilians, letting Mia take my place, and began to run back towards the Temple—hoping everything was okay. I jumped up onto the rooftops and used them to go back since many of the roads had barricades up in preparation for the attack that waited outside the walls.

I quickly got back to the Temple and could feel the same quiet chaos everyone had within the city. Everyone was restless as they raced around me, frantically yet calmly trying to ensure that everything was ready and in order.

I scanned the area and quickly found Aiko talking to a group of people while wearing a set of pearl white plated armor I had never seen her wear before. I could tell right away from the design and what was protected that the armor was more focused on her agility than heavy protection—and it was easily at least a couple of tiers above what I had seen most of the other warriors wearing.

Aiko clapped, and everyone listening nodded their heads in agreement with whatever Aiko had finished saying. They all proceeded to race past me out of the door. And while they left, Aiko turned to go in another direction but stopped when she caught a glimpse of me.

"Ah, good! It looks like Mia got my message. Come with me," Aiko abruptly commanded.

I followed Aiko off the main hallways and into a very secluded room that would've been nearly empty if it weren't for two conveniently placed chairs and a small table sitting between them.

"Why am I here?" I questioned.

"Sorry, I would explain—but I don't have any more time. Jay will be here to talk with you shortly. Just be patient and wait for now," Aiko said, before rushing out.

I sat down—and after a few moments in silence, alone, and in a nearly blacked-out room, I had to set my left hand over my right hand to keep it quiet as it had begun to shake again.

I had—to that point—buried the images of what I had seen in the deepest parts of my mind. But once Aiko left, and I was left alone, the horrifying memories of the creatures outside the walls came seeping into my mind—and it only made me more fearful of what would happen once they started their attack.

For the first time—I was genuinely terrified of what was to come.

"Anthony?" Jay said, already standing in the room.

"Huh?" I glanced up but hastily darted my eyes down. "You startled me... Sorry—I must have lost myself in thought. I didn't even hear you come in. Anyway, what's wrong, Jay? Aiko told me you needed to talk to me?"

I watched Jay flop down onto the chair opposite of me in the corner of my eye. He let out a heavy sigh and quickly deflated—nearly becoming one with the chair.

"Jay?" I shifted my eyes over him. "Are you okay? If you relax anymore into that chair, I don't know if I'll be able to tell the two of you apart."

"Funny," he mocked, "...but—don't mind me. I'm just thoroughly exhausted after having to hold back my tongue for so long."

"What?" I said, tilting my head.

"No... that doesn't matter right now. That's just a personal problem I've been ignoring—one I'll have to deal with once and for all if I want to keep my sanity," Jay mumbled as he sat up to face me. "Anthony—Aiko called you here for me because I need to warn you."