"We have to stay. This is the nation and civilization we must protect."
"If we leave this island, we won't be Yingqi People anymore!"
In the former capital of the Yingqi Nation, those who had chosen to stay gathered together, standing guard before the ancient buildings that symbolized their country.
They encouraged one another.
"Don't be afraid. It's no big deal. Our country has gone through so many major earthquakes throughout its history, and we survived every single one. This time will be no different!"
"Exactly. As long as everyone stands united, we'll definitely pull through."
"Those people who moved to the tropics will regret it sooner or later. When they want to come back, we won't recognize them!"
"That's right. Those who abandoned their homeland stopped being our compatriots long ago!"
Thousands, even tens of thousands, gathered together. It was as though having enough people would give them sufficient courage and strength, making everyone believe they could safely survive the Level 10 Earthquake due to erupt today.
By noon, the people took out the food they had brought and began sharing a meal, never expecting uninvited guests to come snatch it away.
The people first heard explosive cracks of "bang, bang" in the air, and then the ground beneath their feet began to shake.
"Earthquake! The earthquake is here!"
After only a fleeting instant, the tremors abruptly became extraordinarily violent.
A powerful shockwave surged in from one direction. The air was compressed, and the lungs of countless people collapsed the moment they were hit. Their organs were damaged, and they coughed up blood before dying.
Yet that was still a relatively painless way to go.
Amid the roaring tremors, the earth split apart, swiftly forming an enormous rift valley.
All underground pipelines exploded. Superheated magma capable of melting steel