Honor of Kings-Chapter 11: Clouds of Tension

"Sure then. Donald, lead the esteemed Guardians with the students. I'm certain this is the best course of action." He added, casting a pointed look at Ms. Airi, while the other teachers began to tremble, nearly stepping back but holding their ground out of pride.

Donald nodded and led them toward a larger tent, more fortified than the main one. The students followed reluctantly; Ms. Airi gripped Carson's hands tighter as she trailed behind with the other teachers and the four selected students.

Corporal Levitt kept his gaze fixed on their backs until they entered the larger tent. He then sharply turned to face the remaining students, whose eyes were instantly filled with terror.

"Training will continue. Dunn may have made it seem easy, but as you can see, the world is crumbling faster than expected, so I will be taking this to the next level."

'...Oh no,' Finnian thought, his gaze trembling as his pupils dilated, the whites of his eyes expanding in fear.

He had just declared a new hell upon the old, blazing one.

***

Inside the larger tent, five medical beds were lined up neatly, each one draped with crisp, white sheets. The students had changed into simple medical clothing: loose-fitting white gowns that hung just past their knees, fastened with ties at the back.

The tent was dimly lit, with a few overhead lights giving a sterile glow. The faint smell of antiseptic lingered, mingling with the muted sounds of hushed whispers. A white, transparent curtain separated the students from Ms. Airi and the other teachers, who stood just behind it, their brows furrowed and lips pressed tightly together, betraying their unease. The students lay down on the beds, their pulses quickening with a blend of fear and uncertainty.

On one side of the room, behind the divider with the teachers, five doctors in matching scrubs were preparing for the procedure. Each wore a nose mask and a hairnet, though one doctor, completely hairless, sported a hairnet that seemed to serve little or no purpose. It looked almost like a party hat on his shiny scalp, making it hard not to stifle a laugh. He was serious about the procedure, but the sight of him made the atmosphere feel a bit lighter. The doctors were drawing a vivid blue liquid from small bottles, the liquid glistening under the harsh lights.

Once prepared, they proceeded to meet the students behind the curtain. Donald and Dunn stood beside the teachers, their eyes fixed on the unfolding scene.

Ms. Airi broke the tense silence, asking, "Is that the serum?"

"Yes," Donald replied, still watching the doctors intently.

"...And are you certain it's safe to administer this to them now?"

Donald grimaced, casting her a sidelong glance.

"Why do you think we have it in our possession to begin with? It was originally scheduled for injection tomorrow, but after the alarming news, the authorities called and mandated that it be administered immediately. Those dangerous individuals are proliferating rapidly, and there's no time to waste. Do you understand? I've already shared more than you needed to know."

She redirected her attention to the students, who were preparing to receive the serum. They closed their eyes tightly, bracing themselves.

Moments later, monitoring devices were affixed to their wrists, displaying their heart rates and other vital signs on a screen.

...

Carson:

•Heart Rate: 78 bpm

•Blood Pressure: 120/80 mmHg

•Oxygen Saturation: 98%

Kylie:

•Heart Rate: 85 bpm

•Blood Pressure: 115/75 mmHg

•Oxygen Saturation: 97%

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Phlip:

•Heart Rate: 90 bpm

•Blood Pressure: 118/76 mmHg

•Oxygen Saturation: 96%

Terry:

•Heart Rate: 82 bpm

•Blood Pressure: 122/78 mmHg

•Oxygen Saturation: 99%

Lynn:

•Heart Rate: 80 bpm

•Blood Pressure: 121/79 mmHg

•Oxygen Saturation: 97%

...

All students were in perfect condition, with their vital signs well within normal ranges.

A few minutes later, the doctors exchanged nods, their visages displayed a complex interplay of resolve and fear. They took a deep breath, slightly lowering their nose masks before replacing them, steeling themselves for what was to come.

With meticulous care, they began injecting the serum into each of the five students. The process was slow and deliberate, their hands steady as they administered the altering substance. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each doctor focused intently, their brows furrowed in concentration.

Once the injections were complete, they stood back, waiting for a reaction. However, the moment quickly went south. The monitors began to beep erratically, displaying alarming drops in heart rates and blood pressure.

Carson's heart rate plummeted to 60 bpm, while Kylie's blood pressure fell to 90/60 mmHg. Phlip's oxygen saturation dipped dangerously low, and Terry's body began to tremble violently. Lynn lost consciousness, her body going limp, her face pale and devoid of color.

The tension among the teachers escalated, their expressions morphing from concern to panic. Dunn felt a surge of anxiety as he watched the students' vital signs deteriorate. Confusion and fear gripped him tightly—what had gone wrong?

"Sir, W... what's happening?" he stammered, his voice laced with urgency.

Just then, Donald rushed through the white curtain, his face a mask of urgency.

"What's going on!?" he shouted, his eyes darting between the doctors and the monitors.

The doctors exchanged frantic glances, their faces pale. "We... we don't know..." one of them stammered, panic creeping into his voice.

In retaliation, Donald's frustration boiled over. "You don't know!? You're supposed to be the experts!" he yelled again, his voice echoing in the tense air.

Meanwhile, Ms. Airi sprinted towards the unconscious students, her heart pounding in her chest. She knelt beside them, her hands trembling as she assessed their condition. The students were foaming at the mouth, their bodies wracked with spasms, teetering on the brink of crisis.

"Stay with me! Stay with me!" she urged, her voice a blend of desperation and determination. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she fought to maintain her composure, knowing the gravity of the situation. The room was charged with fear and uncertainty, each heartbeat echoing the dire need for answers as the students' lives hung in the balance.

A couple of anxiety-laden minutes later, they were declared... dead.

***

"Sir...?"