Free Web NovelChapter 319: Aftermath
By morning, the earthquake had become the only thing anyone in California could talk about.
The fight had ended hours ago, yet its consequences still spread through the state like a lingering wound. At exactly 2:07 a.m., the ground had begun shaking without warning. It was not limited to one city or one county. From Los Angeles to San Francisco, from San Diego to Sacramento, millions of people had been dragged awake by trembling walls, screaming alarms, collapsing shelves, and the deep, unnatural roar rising from beneath the earth.
Now, every major news station had abandoned its regular programming.
A female anchor sat behind the desk of a national morning broadcast, her expression tense as a map of California filled the massive screen behind her. Nearly the entire state had been highlighted in red.
"Good morning. It is now 8:16 a.m., and California is still assessing the aftermath of what experts are calling one of the most unusual seismic events in modern state history," she said, her voice steady despite the concern in her eyes.
"At approximately 2:07 this morning, a powerful earthquake was felt across nearly every major region of California. Residents from San
Diego, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Francisco, Sacramento, and several surrounding areas reported violent shaking."
The screen changed to footage recorded by civilians during the night.
A chandelier swung wildly inside a luxury apartment. A family stood outside their home in pajamas as car alarms screamed across an entire street. In another clip, a highway camera showed vehicles slowing to a halt while the road itself visibly trembled. Several people could be heard shouting in the background as power lines flickered overhead.
"Initial reports suggest the event may have reached a magnitude above seven," the anchor continued. "However, the United States Geological Survey has not yet released an official assessment. The reason is simple. The seismic activity did not behave like a normal earthquake."
The broadcast shifted to a live reporter standing near a damaged roadway outside Los Angeles. Behind him, emergency crews inspected a long crack that had split through the asphalt. Several police vehicles blocked the road while workers in reflective jackets moved through the area.
"That is correct," the reporter said. "Experts are struggling to determine the epicenter because the tremors were felt almost simultaneously across multiple regions. Normally, an earthquake radiates outward from a central point. This one appears to have struck across the state at once."
He turned slightly, gesturing toward the damaged road behind him.
"Residents here describe the shaking as violent but strangely brief. The strongest tremors lasted less than two minutes, yet those two minutes were enough to crack roads, damage older buildings, disrupt power across several districts, and send thousands of people into the streets."
The footage changed again.
This time, the screen showed distant mountains beneath the darkness of the early morning sky. A helicopter camera had captured a large forested region near the northern outskirts of Los Angeles. Several sections of the ground appeared scorched, while a thin layer of fog covered the trees.
"Authorities have also sealed off several areas near a private forest estate outside Los Angeles," the reporter continued. "Emergency services have not released a statement regarding why the area has been restricted. However, local residents claim they saw unusual lights in the sky shortly before the earthquake began."
The anchor returned to the screen with a more serious expression.
"Social media has been flooded with videos showing flashes of red, violet, and blue light above the mountains shortly before 2:00 a.m. Officials have dismissed those claims as panic and confusion caused by the earthquake."
For a brief moment, the footage showed a shaky recording taken from a distant neighborhood. The camera pointed toward the horizon, where a faint crimson glow had briefly illuminated the clouds before vanishing.
The anchor watched the clip in silence before speaking again.
"At this time, there are no confirmed fatalities directly linked to the earthquake. However, hospitals across the state have reported treating several people for injuries caused by falling objects, damaged structures, and panic-related incidents. Authorities are urging residents to remain cautious as aftershocks may still occur."
The map behind her remained red. California had survived the night but no one understood what had truly shaken it.
Hazel turned off the television and faced the bed where Damian lay unconscious. A bloodied strip of white cloth covered his eyes, while sweat soaked his pale face and neck. His breathing was steady, but his body had not recovered from the pressure Gluttony had directed at him.
Racheal placed a folded towel over his forehead and checked the unstable demonic energy beneath his skin. Ruby sat beside him, silently wiping blood from his hands and face. Neither spoke. They had all felt Gluttony’s presence during the battle, but Damian had received the full force of it. What they suffered had only been the excess of that pressure.
Rin stood at the foot of the bed with a deep frown. "God damn it, Damian.
Hazel looked toward the glass wall, her expression cold. The estate was still standing, but it no longer felt safe. The battle had exposed Damian’s location to the underworld. Six demigods had attacked him on Earth, two had died, two had submitted, and two Gods had intervened. Anyone with influence would know where he was now.
"We need to leave this planet as soon as possible," Hazel said. "We cannot stay here any longer."
Ruby paused and looked up. "This is Damian’s home."
"It was," Hazel replied. "Now it is a target. Anyone can come here whenever they want. The next group will not send six demigods and hope for the best. They will come prepared."
Racheal glanced down at Damian. "He will not want to leave."
"He does not have to want it," Hazel said. "He needs to survive."
Racheal nodded slowly. "Earth cannot protect him anymore. If he stays here, the next battle may not end with an earthquake. It may end with his death.’
The room fell silent as they looked at Damian.
