A cloud of blood mist spread in the air, forming a dense and suffocating presence that lingered over the entire colosseum.
The sight of a Primarch being injured was far more terrifying when witnessed directly. What had seemed shocking through a broadcast became deeply horrifying when seen with one’s own eyes.
For the ordinary humans present in the colosseum, this moment became a turning point. The excitement and curiosity that had brought them into the colosseum were replaced completely by fear.
In that instant, the desire to survive overcame every other thought. The need to escape became stronger than the curiosity and desire to understand what was happening.
Chaos broke out among the crowd.
The stands, which had been filled with thousands of people, suddenly turned into a moving mass of panic.
People began pushing forward toward the narrow main entrance without coordination or awareness of others. Their movements were desperate and uncontrolled, as if death was awaiting them inside.
The pressure of so many bodies moving at once quickly created a dangerous situation.
The narrow exit of the colosseum could not handle such a large number of people rushing at the same time.
The panic began to turn into a stampede. People stumbled and fell, and those behind them continued pushing forward without stopping. The risk of suffocation and crushing increased with every passing second.
If the situation continued without intervention, many would die before even reaching the exit.
The danger grew even more serious because not everyone in the crowd was an ordinary human.
If any cultivator within the crowd lost control due to panic, their strength could easily cause even more destruction. The number of casualties would increase rapidly, far beyond what the situation already threatened.
The guards stationed within the colosseum tried to stop the crowd and maintain order. However, their efforts failed almost immediately. They were overwhelmed by the sheer force of the rushing people.
One by one, they were pushed down and trampled under countless feet. Their bodies were crushed and torn apart as the crowd moved over them without stopping.
The entire scene turned brutal within moments.
William observed everything from where he stood. His eyes moved across the crowd, taking in the scale of the chaos. He understood the danger immediately. If nothing was done, the number of deaths would rise quickly.
He considered how to control the situation, but before he could act, someone else moved. Anastasia rose into the sky.
She appeared above the crowd and drew attention with her aura. Her calm presence alone created a sharp contrast to the chaos below. Without hesitation, she cast a spell.
’Voice of the Moon.’
Silver particles began to fall gently from the sky as it turned a bit dark above her; the particles spread across the entire area like soft rain. Each particle shimmered faintly as it descended, carrying a calming energy within it.
At the same time, Anastasia murmured in a strange language.
Her voice was soft and overpowered all the noise without resistance. The sound was not loud, but it reached every ear clearly. Her words were gentle and steady, filled with a soothing presence that directly affected the minds of those who heard them.
The effect was immediately apparent.
The chaotic movement of the crowd began to slow. The panic that had taken control of their actions started to fade.
Their breathing steadied, and their thoughts became clearer. The overwhelming fear that had driven them began to weaken under the influence of her voice.
William, along with others who understood what had just occurred, watched in silence.
Anastasia’s presence in that moment resembled that of a divine being. She stood above the mortals as a guiding force, like a messiah.
Under the continued influence of her spell, the entire crowd gradually came to a complete stop.
People began to regain awareness of their surroundings. They looked down and noticed the blood beneath their feet. The realization of what they had done in their panic struck them heavily. Many of them felt immediate guilt and shock.
Without being told, they began to create space around themselves. Those who had fallen were lifted carefully. Injured individuals were recognised and helped.
Some had already lost their lives during the stampede. Their bodies lay still, beyond help. However, many others were still alive.
The silver particles that had spread across the area began to show another effect. They carried healing properties. Wounds of the injured began to close slowly, and pain was reduced significantly.
At the same time, the lingering fear within the people’s minds was suppressed completely.
As the effects of the spell continued, the crowd changed.
They looked up toward the sky; their attention was focused entirely on Anastasia. In that moment, they saw her as a saviour. The respect for Annesthasia in the minds of people rose rapidly.
The years of indoctrination and brainwashing that had shaped their beliefs began to weaken.
The experience they had just gone through created a stronger and more immediate impression than anything they had been taught before; after all, almost everyone had believed they would die.
William realised that Rah’s presence carried something that terrified everyone on a fundamental level. He had observed his subordinates as well as adversaries’ expressions and knew that this was something to pay mind to when he was free.
Above the crowd, Anastasia addressed them.
"Please remain calm. I, Anastasia Luneia Solaris, will ensure that no harm comes to my subjects. We will guide you to a safe exit."
Her words were clear, and under the spell, those words sounded like divine intervention from a god that had blessed them during hard times.
For the people present, a trust formed quickly in their minds, and William’s rebellion started looking more reasonable.
Under Anne’s direction, the evacuation began again. This time, it was controlled and orderly. People moved carefully toward the exits without pushing or panicking. The situation stabilized as they followed her guidance.
While the common citizens focused on leaving, the individuals within the pulvinar faced a different reality. They had just witnessed a Primarch being injured by an abomination from upclose, horror was etched in their souls.
Winston stood still, unable to react immediately. The anger that had previously controlled him disappeared completely. In its place, a deep sense of fear and uncertainty emerged. His eyes were fixed on the massive creature that had appeared.
Aliastar also remained motionless.
In front of him floated a massive and terrifying being. Its form was powerful, and its may looked abyssal. Its teeth and claws appeared capable of tearing through anything, and its tail looked at him with a petrifying gaze.