Meanwhile, Atticus had just reached the mountain area and had already begun climbing the imposing mountain.
The others were still in the water, but were not far behind.
During the past few months, each trainee had grown considerably and had become adept at avoiding traps. They swam quickly towards the shore, easily spotting the water bursts and avoiding them.
After a few minutes, Aurora was the first to come out of the water. She looked up and saw Atticus climbing, she quickly approached the mountain and began ascending.
The next to reach the shore was Erik, with Nate very closely behind him, determined not to lose. Erik had a calm face, and it was obvious he didn't care about Nate's apparent rivalry with him.
Nate continued trailing just behind him, thinking, 'I won't lose,' as he ran towards the imposing mountain and began climbing. After a few minutes, Aria reached the shore with Lucas not too far away.
Over time, each of the trainees got to the shore and started climbing the mountain. By this time, Atticus was already almost at the top of the mountain.
With the number of times he had climbed this mountain, each climb had done wonders for his perception. He was now able to spot the fake handholds with ease.
Atticus noticed that each morning, Elias made sure to change the position of the handholds so the trainees couldn't just memorize one path and always follow it, but it did little to affect him.
Aurora looked up and saw Atticus further ahead of her, she started climbing with more fervor, not wanting to fall too far behind.
After a few minutes, Atticus finally got to the top of the mountain. He stood and caught his breath in a few moments.
Since he wasn't in a hurry he decided to hang here for a bit. He turned to face the direction of the cliff he had just climbed and was greeted by a breathtaking sight below.
The view stretched out before him, a canvas of natural beauty that seemed almost surreal.
The early morning sun had yet to ascend fully in the sky, casting a soft, golden hue over the landscape and enhancing its ethereal quality. From this elevated position, the camp sprawled beneath Atticus, aglow like a precious gem illuminated by the first light of day.
The camp's various buildings, typically functional and unadorned, took on an unexpected charm when viewed from this unique vantage point.
The architectural details of each structure were highlighted by the gentle morning radiance, giving them an almost magical quality.
Atticus stood there, absorbing the tranquil scene and indulging in the crisp, clean air of the early morning. The scent of the surrounding forest mingled with the earthy aroma of the camp, creating a symphony of natural fragrances that caressed his senses.
"This is nice," Atticus whispered to himself, his lips curling into a genuine smile. He was captivated by the serene beauty that surrounded him and took a moment to cherish it.
'I should start taking breaks,' he thoght. Since he had awakened when he was a child, if he wasn't sleeping or playing with Anastasia and the others, he was always training.
He was absolutely determined to increase his strength and had never thought about taking a break for just himself.
As he stood there, he allowed himself to immerse in the tranquility of the scene. He didn't realize how fufulling such moments could be.
The morning's fresh air gently caressed his face, momentarily whisking away his troubles, 'I should definitely take a break soon,' he decided.
However, as he was about to turn and begin his descent down the slope, that unsettling feeling he had experienced earlier in the morning returned, gnawing at his senses.
'Why am I feeling like this? Did something happen?' Atticus pondered, his gaze lingering on the camp below, as if searching for answers.
It was then it happened.
Years from now the human domain would remember this as the day the Ravensteins took a huge blow.
It was the day they learned that the Ravenstein family too could be vulnerable.
A seismic shockwave reverberated through the very heart of the mountain, as an expanding force encompassed the entire area, including the camp.
Everything quaked.
The ground itself seemed to shudder, the air grew heavy, and the gravitational force bore down on them as if the very laws of physics had been altered.
The entire camp's protective runes, designed to shield from external threats, promptly lit up, determined to fulfill their purpose.
But it was a hopeless battle.
The force ensnared the runes, causing their glow to fade, eventually breaking them down into shimmering motes that scattered into the air.
The all-encompassing energy continued its expansion, embracing each and every trainee, sweeping over them like an invisible tide.
Then, their devices stopped working.
The lights in the entire camp went off and the camp was cast into an eerie semi-darkness, with only the soft morning sun's glow offering any illumination.
The camp fell into silence.
But before they could make sense of the upheaval, the heavens themselves unleashed another shock.
High above the camp, an imposing ship suddenly materialized in the skies, its colossal frame overshadowing the very landscape.
A massive cannon-like weapon protruded from its front, immediately gleaming with an ominous crimson hue.
Without hesitation, the weapon fired, sending a palpable laser-like beam slicing through the atmosphere with blinding speed, a burning streak of destruction aimed directly at the mountain.
BOOM!
The beam struck the center of the mountain with cataclysmic force, unleashing shockwaves that rippled outwards in all directions.
And at that moment, the air itself seemed to shatter as a colossal mountain plummeted from the skies, its massive form descending upon the camp.
