Chapter 316: Glimpse of the future
While Elena and the others were busy celebrating and discussing the situation at Camel Tower in City A with optimism, the situation in City D, however, stood in stark contrast and was becoming increasingly grim.
Because of the extreme heat, supplies were spoiling rapidly, and food reserves were shrinking with each passing day.
The military in City D, now under the control of the Heather family, was facing a difficult dilemma regarding where to obtain more supplies.
The resources they had stockpiled were being depleted far faster than they could replenish them, causing growing tension between the military officers and the refugee civilians who had been promised food and protection when they joined the base.
However, the most pressing issue was the awakening of abilities.
More and more people were gaining powers, creating another source of instability within the base and expanding their influence.
If the situation was not handled properly, the current balance of power within the base could easily be overturned.
Because of this, the military had to find ways to keep both the civilians and the awakened individuals satisfied.
For now, their remaining supplies were enough to maintain order. But the question remained—how much longer could that last?
Inside the Heather family’s meeting room, everyone was once again brainstorming their next course of action while discussing ways to recruit more ability users to their side.
However, seated at one corner of the room, a woman with a cold and dangerous demeanor silently watched them, evaluating each person’s worth.
After listening to their nonsense for a few more seconds, she finally snapped, interrupting the meeting.
"Are you still thinking about recruitment?" Trexie asked with a faint smile.
"Let’s be practical. Our supplies are running out. Sooner or later, we’ll be the ones begging outside for food."
Her smile remained gentle, but the pressure in her voice told a different story.
"So I suggest you stop right now and be realistic about what we can actually handle."
The Heather elders frowned, especially her grandfather, Jack.
Ever since Trexie awakened her ability, she had changed drastically, almost as if she had become a completely different person.
The foolish and impulsive woman they once knew had disappeared. In her place stood someone far colder and far more calculating.
For reasons she still could not fully understand, Trexie had gained glimpses of the future after awakening.
The visions were incomplete, but what she saw was enough to make her act before it was too late.
According to the future she remembered, the world should still have been trapped in a bizarre ice age at this stage.
Yet now, extreme heat had already arrived.
Something had changed.
And because of that change, everything she knew was becoming unreliable.
The worst part was that the space bracelet she was supposed to obtain from Willow Village was nowhere to be found.
That single discrepancy had already caused countless problems for her plans.
Trexie silently pondered what had changed and who might have caused it.
Then she remembered something.
In this timeline, while she was still in City A, there had been a mysterious group that constantly sold supplies despite the worsening apocalypse.
At the time, she had not paid much attention to them.
But now, she couldn’t help but wonder.
Perhaps someone had already obtained the space bracelet before she did.
Or perhaps, just like the bracelet, someone else had acquired an opportunity that should not have existed in this timeline.
The more she thought about it, the more suspicious it became.
Now, she was contemplating a plan for her clan, as she still needed the Heather family to remain as united as before.
According to her memories, once this period of extreme heat ended, a massive tsunami would soon strike City D and sink most of the city.
When that happened, they would be forced to evacuate.
The question was where.
Should they head to City G—a base renowned for its advanced technology and talented Technomancers?
Or should they go to City A, where she held a greater advantage because she knew some details about the military base from the future she had glimpsed?
Moreover, the mysterious group with seemingly unlimited supplies was also located there, making City A even more appealing.
Still, City G had its own advantages.
If she could gain the support of the Technomancers there, it would greatly benefit her future plans.
And there was another reason.
That madman Daniel might also be there. Trexie wanted him dead as soon as possible.
In her past timeline, Daniel had been the one who killed her.
Worse, if left alone, his ability would continue to grow until it reached a terrifying level. He was simply too dangerous to ignore.
Unbeknownst to her, Daniel had already reunited with Elena and Ethan in this timeline.
But City A also had its own problem.
Elena. That bitch was there. Trexie wanted her eliminated as well.
In the future, Elena had become someone extremely difficult to deal with.
Right now, abilities are still in their infancy. If she acted early enough, killing Elena should be far easier.
The problem was that too many strange things were happening around her.
From their unexpected encounter in Willow Village to the events surrounding Camel Tower, nothing seemed to match the future Trexie remembered.
Most importantly, the Caldwell family should have been in City D according to her timeline.
Yet they were nowhere to be found. The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt.
Something had changed.
And before making her next move, she needed to investigate exactly what that change was.
Back in the meeting room, everyone looked at Trexie with disdain.
Although she had changed and become more sensible after awakening her ability, her arrogant and condescending attitude was still far too overbearing, as if she were the true master of the Heather Clan.
"The more people we have, the more strength we can gather. The last time the mutated pests attacked our base, we lost many people. That’s exactly why we need to recruit more survivors," Grandpa Jack explained, trying to reason with his granddaughter.
However, Trexie showed no appreciation for his words.
Instead, she dismissed them with a shrug, as if everyone present were fools without a proper plan.
"That would be reasonable if we still had plenty of supplies left," she replied calmly.
"I wouldn’t mind recruiting millions of cannon fodder in that case. But we’re already in a dire situation, Grandpa. So think carefully before making more promises."
She paused briefly before adding,
"Besides, we might not even be able to stay in this city much longer."
Hearing her final sentence, everyone immediately frowned.
"What do you mean?" Grandpa Jack asked.
"I’ve seen a glimpse of the future," Trexie answered.
"A great disaster will strike this city. A tsunami."
The room instantly fell silent.
"Impossible!" one of the elders retorted.
"Our Grand Elders have already performed a divination. After this period of extreme heat, nothing major will happen. There may be some mutated creatures, but we can deal with them easily."
Trexie merely smiled.
"Oh? Then suit yourselves. As much as I want to save this clan, if you refuse to listen to me, it’s only a matter of time before the Heather Clan is wiped out."
She looked at them with a faint but unsettling smile. For nearly a month, she had tolerated their ignorance.
If they continued to disregard her warnings, she would simply form her own team and move forward without them.
Remembering the Grand Elder’s words about Trexie’s extraordinary luck—and the prophecy that she would lead the clan into a new era—Jack Heather gradually became convinced.
Perhaps her destiny had finally begun.
"That’s enough for today," he finally said. "Everyone, please leave. We’ll continue this discussion later after lunch."
The elders reluctantly nodded. Several of them snorted at Trexie before leaving the meeting room one after another.
Soon, only the grandfather and granddaughter remained.
"Trexie, stay. Let’s talk," Grandpa Jack said. This time, he was determined to uncover the truth.
"Humph... What is it, Grandpa?" Trexie asked. "I already warned you about the next disaster."
"Let’s assume this disaster really happens," Grandpa Jack said seriously. "When exactly will it occur?"
"Immediately after this extreme heat ends," Trexie answered without hesitation.
"That’s why I propose we leave this city as soon as possible. No more delays."
Jack narrowed his eyes. "And where should we go?"
Trexie fell silent for a moment. After carefully weighing her options, she finally spoke.
"To the main military base in City A."
*******
Back on Elena’s side, it was already late afternoon when the celebration finally came to an end, prompting everyone to return to their duties.
Meanwhile, Elena and Ethan were relaxing in their bedroom as they watched the triplets.
After a long nap, the triplets seemed full of energy and eager to play.
Encouraged by Elena to spend more time talking and interacting with the babies, Ethan was doing his best to keep up with their endless enthusiasm.
"I think Leo just peed," Ethan said while checking the diaper.
"He’s smiling at me and giving me this smug look. Do you think he knows I’m the one who always cleans up his messes, so he does it on purpose just to feel proud?"
"What are you talking about?" Elena replied while tidying the trinkets, toys, and blankets scattered around the room.
"Leo is just happy today because you’re taking good care of him."
Ethan snorted but said nothing more.
Deep down, however, he was pleased that his sons were finally giving their mother a chance to rest.
Soon, he carried the eldest toward the washroom to clean him up properly.
Left behind, Elena continued organizing the room with a small smile on her face.
Meanwhile, Baby Finn and Baby Max followed her every movement with their eyes, watching her wherever she went as if silently asking when she would come over and play with them again.
The peaceful atmosphere filled Elena’s heart with warmth. For a brief moment, everything felt simple and perfect.
Little did she know that, beyond this peaceful scene, her enemies were slowly beginning to gather in the same place.