Date: Unspecified Time: Unspecified Location: Myriad Realms, Lil. Red Storm realm
"Wyatt, the Freedom Fighters would rather die than surrender adding legitimacy to the crimes the central government has accused us of," Henricks said firmly, his tone resolute but tinged with quiet frustration. He wasn't outright rejecting Wyatt, but he made it clear they couldn't join his criminal reform and rehabilitation program. Doing so would dishonor the countless sacrifices their members had made for their cause. They'd rather take their chances with the Southern Princess or even the World Leaders than shame their fallen comrades.
Wyatt's expression didn't shift, but his eyes hardened slightly as he heard Henricks out. Then, with a calm yet commanding tone, he said, "Dalie, show him."
At his words, Dalie tilted her head, seemingly puzzled. Moments later, her eyes widened in astonishment as she mentally conversed with the Hive Spirit. It had shared with her the schematics of something Wyatt referred to as a "megapolis"—a massive and intricate city he wanted her to construct in her realm. Dalie didn't fully understand its purpose, but since her little brother wanted it, she didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, she resolved to build it for him.
Henricks, on the other hand, watched nervously. He knew how petty Wyatt could be; he'd seen it firsthand. But he also understood that the Freedom Fighters were an organization driven by principles and unwavering dedication to their cause, even if it meant risking Wyatt's wrath. Though his heart pounded in his chest, he held his ground, knowing he had to stand his ground here—even if it meant Wyatt might withdraw his offer entirely.
His eyes flicked toward Dalie. As a dimensional traveler, Henricks had encountered many terrifying beings and entities across realms, but the one Wyatt called Dalie was on a completely different level. Her mere presence radiated power beyond comprehension. How Wyatt had managed to tame her, he couldn't fathom. One thing was clear: with Dalie by his side, Wyatt was untouchable in the Myriad Realms would dare cross him.
Suddenly, Henricks noticed the space before them shift, the air growing dense and opaque. His eyes widened as an enormous array formation, spanning hundreds of miles in diameter, emerged from the ground beneath their feet. Henricks froze, utterly dumbfounded. How could an array of this magnitude appear out of nowhere? And what stunned him even more was the realization—it wasn't artificial. It was a natural array formation.
Henricks turned toward Dalie, his face a mixture of confusion and awe. Could this massive array have always been here, hidden beneath the surface, and the latter was just revealing it? Given Wyatt's cryptic words and the fact that only the Realm's nature i.e.the Realm's Will could produce a natural array formation, it seemed like the only logical explanation. But as the scene unfolded further, Henricks realized how wrong he was.
The opaque space before him morphed, revealing a breathtaking cityscape. Towering buildings, each stretching thousands of feet into the sky, appeared as though conjured from thin air. Henricks's jaw dropped as he tried to comprehend the sheer scale of what he was seeing.
Wyatt's voice pulled him out of his shock. "That's the city I created just for my organization—the first citizens of the Lil. Red Strom realm," Wyatt said, his tone casual yet laced with pride. Gesturing toward the megapolis, he added, "Go ahead, explore it. It's designed to house millions of members and their families."
Still, in disbelief, Henricks shot into the air, ascending above the sprawling city. From his vantage point, he scrutinized every corner, every detail, using his intent sense to probe for answers. How could a natural array formation construct an entire megapolis spanning hundreds of miles in diameter? The deeper he searched, the more baffled he became. Nothing about it made sense.
The city below him was a masterpiece, yet its creation defied every natural law he knew. As confusion clouded his thoughts, one truth became clear—Dalie was not an ordinary being. "Henricks, what I'm offering is a new home," Wyatt said, his gaze steady and voice firm. "Here, your people won't have to worry about being invaded by their enemies. Here, they can live in peace—just like any regular family back in the five regions. They'll be provided with everything a company would give its employees: a decent salary, benefits like hospitals, schools, and infrastructure for daily needs and entertainment. This will be my organization's community, where they'll feel safe and see a hopeful future for their families and children."
Wyatt leaned slightly forward, his tone softening as he added, "I don't just want my people to survive, Henricks. I want them to live—to have something more than the cause you've been using to numb them to their circumstances. I want them to have something to look forward to at the end of a hard day."
Henricks blinked, taking a moment to process Wyatt's words. The conviction in Wyatt's voice was clear, but the implications of his offer were staggering. "Then… what about all that talk earlier about surrendering to you?" Henricks asked cautiously, narrowing his eyes. He needed to confirm that accepting this didn't mean his people would be branded as criminals. The benefits Wyatt was describing sounded too good to be true, and he couldn't help but feel wary, especially after being burned by the Southern Princess. His skepticism was justified—trust wasn't something he could afford to give lightly anymore. Even Wyatt could respect that.
Wyatt straightened, his expression firm but honest. "The situation has changed. Back then, I didn't have a land that was truly mine. But now, I have an entire realm that's solely mine in every sense. That means I can offer better conditions to my people." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "But don't misunderstand me—this doesn't mean I'll be any less firm with my demands."
As Wyatt spoke, Dalie's eyes sparkled with delight. Hearing him claim her as his own sent a surge of pride through her. It was this possessive side of Wyatt that she loved the most—because it showed he had accepted their kinship wholeheartedly.