Chapter 28: Towering the Titan
As the group steps in, they’re greeted by a main office covered in shiny, white metal. Tubes of water stand in each corner, constantly flowing for maximum appeal.
Secretary: “Hello! How may I help you all today?”
Jace: “Uh, yeah. We’re here to speak to the president of this company.”
Suddenly, the desk phone rings. The secretary picks it up and nods. Then, they put the phone back down.
Secretary: “It’s going to be the last elevator on your left. Ride it all the way up.”
Mythril: “Thank you!”
The other five remain silent as their determination grows the closer they get to the elevator. They all step inside and press the only button available. As the elevator rises up, the six take a second to reflect.
Luke: “So, this is it, huh?”
Jace: “Whaddya mean?”
Luke: “After we defeat this guy, we’ll be done with our mission. We’ll all have our respective revenge against him.”
Jace: “Shit, I guess you’re right. What are we going to do after this?”
Henry: “I want to help rebuild Rozay. I don’t think we can make it a cave-town, but I just want it back.”
Ren: “Same here. They need our help.”
Ana: “I’m gonna see if I can’t find a side-job within my specialty.”
Henry: “Be a bouncer.”
Ana: “You’re so smart. I love any excuse to punch someone.”
Jace: “You could also go a step further and just be a security-guard.”
Ana: “That is also true. Thanks for the input!”
Henry: “Don’t mention it. Anyways, what about you Mythril?”
Mythril: “Oh, I was just going to stay with you all. I like it here.”
Jace: “You’re always welcome to stay, we have a big-ass suite for a reason.”
The six share a quick laugh before they go silent.
Jace: “I love you all.”
Luke: “That’s sudden.”
Jace: “You all have helped me experience more in life in one week than I have in my 22 years of living.”
Henry: “Although you had to convince me, this is probably the best choice I could’ve ever made.”
Ren: “I’m still getting used to you all, but I can see you all truly trust and respect each other. I guess I should do the same.”
Ana: “I’m just glad I finally have a group of people to call my friends.”
Mythril: “You all are my first friends.”
Jace: “Then in that case…”
Jace sticks his left arm out in front of everyone.
Jace: “Should we do a hand stack?”
Ana: “What’re we gonna shout?”
Henry: “How about, ‘let’s kick his ass?”
Jace: “Bingo! Love it! Ready everyone?”
The other members nod as they all place their left hand on top of each other’s.
Jace: “3…2…1…”
Everyone: “LET’S KICK HIS ASS!”
Suddenly, the elevator stops a few floors below their destination.
Mythril: “Did we do something wrong?”
Jace: “Yeah, showing up here in the first place. Get ready, everyone.”
The middle of the elevator doors begin to slowly slide open as thin, silver lines push them away. The lines become thicker, now resembling a hand. With a yell, the doors are wide open.
Vayne: “Like a bunch of sardines in a can.”
Dredd: “This’ll be easy.”
Jace: “Run straight through them and don’t stop until we’re at the top!”
Jace swaps to Burst and aims his arm at the two androids and fires off a blast that knocks them back, creating some space for the group to escape. The five make their way to the nearest staircase while Jace continues to hold the androids off.
Vayne: “That was rude.”
Jace: “Yeah? Then what do you think of this!?”
He swaps to Freeze and shoots a thick enough coat of ice to freeze the two in place. While they’re frozen, Jace swaps back to Burst to propel himself towards the group. However, the excess heat quickly begins to melt the thick layer coating them.
Jace: “That’s not going to hold them for long. We gotta move!”
The sound of shattering ice gets louder as the group desperately tries to gain as much distance as possible. Finally, a voice is heard.
Vayne: “I’LL KILL YOU ALL!”
Henry: “Don’t stop now, the staircase is just ahead!”
Vayne: “Dredd! Throw me!”
Dredd: “As you wish.”
Dredd picks up Vayne and swings him around a few times before sending him hurtling towards the group like a gold-medal hammer throw. As he glides closer, he begins to rotate his body and connect his hands together to form a drill.
Ana: “Oh, we gotta MOVE!”
The group finds the staircase and scurry inside right as Vayne is about to reach them. They slam the door shut, interrupting Vayne’s attack.
Vayne: “Dammit!”
Dredd: “We’ll get them next time.”
The group storm up the steps until they reach the final floor. They throw the door open so wide the hinges almost snap off. They all exit the staircase and stand in front of two large double doors. This is it.