Chapter 45: Catastrophe
The dark ball of aura continues to descend closer and closer to the rooftop. All the while, Jace continues to think of a plan.
Jace: “I have no idea how stable that thing is. I’m worried that if I shoot a mixed blast at it, it’ll explode.”
After a few moments, he sighs. He shifts his body and tilts his left arm behind him. He clenches his left fist as he closes his eyes.
Jace: “If it does explode, it shouldn’t be able to affect the rest of Warrior’s Rest. In order to do that though…”
He feels the energy of every element swirl into his fist. His arm swaps from the color red to the similar rainbow seen previously.
Jace: “I’m gonna have to sacrifice myself for it.”
As he continues to charge his arm, he begins to reminisce about the entire adventure.
Jace: “I’ll miss everyone, but this is what I have to do. I was lucky to have the best week of my life and I’ll never change that for anything. Even through the hardships, I still continued to fight for everyone and that’s not changing today.”
He opens his eyes. The ball is only yards away. It’s now or never.
Jace: “Luke, Henry, Ren, Ana, Mythril…thank you. It’s time to go out with a bang. I finally have a name for this attack too.”
Finally, his arm completes its charge as he aims it directly towards the ball.
Jace: “CATASTOPHIC CANNON!”
Suddenly, a bright flash pierces the skies around the rooftop. Once it fades, a platinum-colored beam explodes out from Jace’s hand and crashes into Jack’s shadow ball. It tries to resist the cannon, but begins to be pushed back by the beam. Jace screams as loud as he can as he puts everything he has into this attack. After what feels like minutes, the beam pierces through the ball. As Jace predicted, the ball explodes as the energy shakes Titan. The building begins to crack under the immense force. Jace smiles before collapsing onto the roof. He spreads his arms out before raising his arm in the air to give himself a thumbs up. With that, he closes his eyes, knowing his fate. The building begins to collapse as Jace's unconscious body slips off the side and begins to plummet to the ground.
Back on the ground, the three feel their surroundings start to rumble before seeing the bright flash and the platinum beam. They glance up, only to notice the skyscraper slowly falling apart.
Henry: “We need to move!”
Ana: “Right!”
The three back away from the destruction and continue to stare into the sky. Ana adjusts her glasses and squints. Her eyes then open wide as she looks to the other two.
Ana: “That’s Jace!”
Mythril: “Are you sure? I can hardly see him.”
Henry: “You wear glasses, buddy. You’re not gonna see him immediately.”
Ana: “Shut up, you two! Someone needs to catch that asshole!”
Henry: “Mythril! Rock Paper Scissors!”
Mythril: “Huh!?”
Henry: “Shoot!”
Henry extends out his two foremost fingers and moves them back and forth, imitating scissors. Mythril, with his hands wide open, accidentally plays paper.
Henry: “Booyah, baby!”
Ana: “Stop screwing around and catch him!”
Mythril: “On it.”
Mythril runs back towards the tower and sprouts his Aura arms. He leaps forward and extends his arms in front of him. As if it was the game-winning catch, Mythril is able to perfectly slide to Jace’s position as he crashes into Mythril’s arms. He gently sets Jace down on the ground now that all of the debris has cleared. The other two catch up to Mythril.
Henry: “That was awesome!”
Ana: “Good job, Myth!”
Mythril: “Heheh, thanks…”
They stare at Jace for a few moments. Thankfully, his body begins to softly twitch as he slowly opens his eyes.
Jace: “Huh? What happened?”
Ana: “You just went skydiving fagain. Thankfully, we caught your dumbass this time.”
Jace: “You guys are okay…”
Henry: “Of course we're okay! Also, check this out.”
Henry digs through his coat and grabs Ren’s memory chip before showing it to Jace.
Jace: “No way…you found it…”
Mythril: “Yup! Let me help you up.”
Mythril uses one of his Aura arms to scoop Jace up and position him upright. The arm pats him on the back.
Jace: “So, we really did it, huh?”
Henry: “I mean, you just blasted a hole through the sky and brought down a skyscraper. I think we won.”
Ana: “What about Jack?”
Jace: “I punched a hole through his shoulder, hand, and chest.”
Henry: “Oh, he’s dead dead.”
Mythril: “Should we go home now?”
Jace: “Yeahhh, that’s probably for the best. I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be wanted again for uhm…that.”
Henry: “Do you guys wanna stop by the diner first?”
Jace: “Isn’t that over in Morning Glory?”
Henry: “So?”
Jace: “So, I don’t wanna walk that far!”
Henry: “You have infinite stamina.”
Jace: “Can a grown man not wish to lay on his favorite couch after committing several crimes!?”
The four laugh, but it is soon interrupted by the sound of footsteps. They all dart their eyes towards the noise. Henry, Ana, and Mythil prepare to fight, but Jace is simply too worn out to even think about another fight.
???: “What’s with the Aura? You all know me.”
Henry: “Is that really you though?”
Luke: “Y-Yeah? What does that even mean?”
Mythril: “He’s okay!”
Ana: “As okay as he can look, I guess.”
Jace: “Luke…you’re here too…”
Luke: “Why is Titan gone?”
Henry: “It’s a long story. One we can tell you at the diner?”
Henry shifts his head over to Jace, giving him a dumb grin.
Jace: “Okay, fine! My couch can wait.”
The other four cheer as they begin to walk away from Titan and furthermore, Above.
Days go by as the residents of Above slowly go back to their normal way of life. Although Titan is destroyed, not many folks mind. The remains stand as a testament to resistance. It symbolizes what one will do for their desired outcome, no matter the odds. Even in the face of death, they’ll continue to fight for what they believe is right. Titan is now a reminder that one should never underestimate those who have been disrespected, forgotten, or pitied.
THE END