Chapter 307: The Savior In The Dark (Bonus)
Bolts of lightning fell, slamming straight into the incoming missiles before they could descend any further.
The first was struck mid-air, torn apart in a blinding flash and a flaming explosion.
The second and third followed in quick succession, bursting apart in violent detonations that left only fractured chassis and scattered metal fragments raining down through the sky.
Thankfully, the explosions acted as an early warning, forcing many people who would have otherwise been in harm’s way to take shelter under nearby buildings and covered structures.
Nothing could be done about the loss and destruction of property in those areas, but it was still better than the loss of lives.
These three were the only ones Ethan could take care of in the little time he had to charge the storm clouds, especially since the train station, the market square, and Leon Square were all within Grayforte Metropolis.
The fourth one had gone past the edge of his charged storm, heading further toward the territory of the Ainzbern family.
He could still feel it within the range of his awareness. But there was no need to panic. In fact, a smile crossed his lips.
Because right then, a streaking flash of light crossed its path in a single instant.
And the missile was gone in an explosion that followed a split second later, blooming outward into the sky before fading just as quickly.
For the briefest moment within that fading light, a figure resembling an angel with four wings seemed to pass through it.
Back above Grayforte, Ethan exhaled.
———
Percival lay on his bed, one arm crossed over Aliyah’s bare shoulders as she leaned on his shirtless chest.
A low rumble shook the sky, making Percival turn toward the window.
He quickly realized the clouds outside were unnatural, but more than that, he had seen this before.
He tilted his head slightly, squinting harder.
There was another flash, followed by a deeper rumble.
"Call me crazy," he muttered. "but why the hell is Ethan charging a thunderstorm up there?"
Aliyah followed his gaze and looked out the window as well. "that’s weird..."
Percival then reached for his phone, unlocked it, and opened the group chat.
[THE TEAM]
Me: @Mr.Eduardo @MissValerieFatass @Princess👸 Why is @Homeboy charging lightning up there?
A reply came almost immediately.
Princess👸: I sensed that was him too. I don’t know why, but I’m going to check.
VampireCuck: Yeah, I thought that was Ethan too.
Percival snorted, already typing.
Me: No shit, Wilson. Stop trying to be relevant.
VampireCuck: 🖕
The Devil After My Life👹: 😂
The Devil After My Life👹: Percival, come downstairs. It’s your turn to watch Phoebe.
Percival rolled his eyes hard and typed
Me: Leave me the fuck alone.
The Devil After My Life👹: Do you want me to tell this chat what you’re doing upstairs?
Percival yelled then, "HAYLEYYYYY!"
He shot upright so fast the bed creaked.
Aaliyah burst into laughter as she had followed the texts so far.
He leaned in quickly and kissed her. "I’m coming back."
She smiled, watching him still grumbling as he shoved his phone into his pocket and headed for the door.
——-
About an hour later, Lady Audrey returned to her private suite within the rented hotel in the capital city of Vanburgh.
Esmeray shut the door behind her as Audrey crossed the room, reaching for a glass and pouring wine into it.
She had a pleased expression as she swirled the glass, before bringing it to her lips. Then she set it down again and reached for her phone, immediately placing a call to Alistair.
She wanted confirmation on the situation in the city after the missiles had landed. Alistair answered, but there was a noticeable tension in his voice as he spoke the words; "But... they didn’t carry the effect as planned."
She stopped moving the wine glass, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.
"What?"
"They landed," Alistair repeated, his voice tighter now, "but whatever was supposed to follow through didn’t. They were intercepted. All of them."
"What do you mean they all failed?" Audrey’s voice rose, disbelief sharpening into anger. "All four?"
"Yes." The answer came back flat.
For a moment, silence stretched through the call.
Then something in her snapped.
Audrey flung the wine glass from her hand. It hit the wall and shattered on impact, wine splattering across the floor in a spreading stain.
"Are you trying to tell me," she began again, her tone suddenly dangerously calm, "that your summon... sabotaged this?"
—-
From the other side, in the hidden room...
Alistair had the phone pressed to his ear. "No," he said. "Why would he?"
Audrey’s voice cut back through the line immediately. "He was the one who cast the spell on them for trajectory. Who else could have suddenly destroyed them?"
"He is my summon," Alistair replied firmly. "He followed my orders to the letter and did exactly as planned."
There was brief silence before Audrey followed with another accusation. "Then are you telling me you were the one who ordered them to be destroyed?"
"What? No!" Alistair looked surprised. "Why would i want that?"
There was a brief surge of raised voices between them as both sides spoke over each other. Then, just as quickly, it settled.
After a pause, Alistair exhaled and continued. "There was... something else."
Audrey didn’t interrupt.
"A sudden thunderstorm covered the city at the exact time the missiles were meant to land," he continued. "It didn’t feel natural."
"I can’t say for sure what happened," Alistair said, more carefully now, "but... this wasn’t my summon either."
There was another back and forth before Audrey spoke again, "someone interfered."
The call eventually ended.
Alistair lowered the phone slowly, rubbing his forehead as a troubled expression settled over his face.
Behind him, just beyond the slightly open door, Merlin stood in the dim corridor, watching.
After a moment, he turned and walked away with a smile on his face.
——
A/N: Hi guys! Thank you for making it this far!
Remember if you haven’t, kindly drop a book review.
PS and Tickets much appreciated. I’ll keep dropping these bonus chps
