Free Web NovelChapter 59: _You’re Not Leaving My Side
Back in Aurelia City
In Ambrose’s suite, Orion sat on a sofa with the best angle of the big screen TV, a glass of yoghurt in front of him. His daddy didn’t give that to him before leaving.
But he’ll understand... Hopefully.
"We interrupt our usual programs with breaking news," the channel he was on suddenly flashed with big red letters that confused him.
He recognised the word ’news’ and sat up, his eyes wide with curiosity. Maybe it’s about the dangerous mission his dad and Papa went on.
A female news reporter sat behind a desk, her expression grim as she spoke. "The latest reports and footage from Norfolk Virginia, show the SS-Rank Leviathan finally rising from the surrounding waters."
"The beast has been mostly inactive all morning, lurking around the Echo Rift like it’s... waiting." When that last word landed, the camera cut to live aerial footage.
Orion’s mouth parted in awe.
The Leviathan was so large that it almost seemed to touch the clouds. And that wasn’t even its entire length. The footage cut to the sea and the ships closing in on the wrecked harbour.
"... While we’re not sure what it’s waiting for," the reporter continued, "the reinforcements from Mexico and Canada have reportedly gotten close to the harbour. Among them is the world’s sixth awakened SS-Rank and one of only five in the entire continent, Gabriel Silverstone."
An image of the man was placed at the corner of the screen but the name already caught the little boy’s attention.
His memories from his original timeline were scrambled, probably because of the strain of slipping through timelines. But he could recall integral details, especially when they were linked to things in this reality.
"Wait," he gawked. "Uncle Gabriel?"
★★★★★
Norfolk Virginia
"Devon," Magnus called his grandson through a comm device. "Listen to me—the Leviathan could react any second... the other Guild masters are trying to mobilise their teams as we speak."
On land, Devon was still trying to reason things out with Ambrose. The Guide had insisted on accompanying him on his mission to find Leo even though he had said countless times how dangerous it would be.
Frustrated, he placed a hand on his right ear. "Sir, what do you suggest we do?"
"If the Leviathan reacts or makes a move, that city won’t be a place for an A-Rank Hunter," Magnus warned. "Get them to evacuate. The Federation got Gabriel Silverstone to come here."
Upon hearing that name, Devon understood instantly what was happening.
His grandfather and Irina were already SS-Rank legends in their own right. The arrival of a third SS-Rank meant the Federation planned to engage the Leviathan.
Bring it down instead of just containing it.
"I hear you, sir," Devon nodded, eyes sweeping through the battlefield.
Hunters from different Guilds backed up, staring anxiously at the Leviathan. Since its last roar, it did nothing other than stare down at the little humans killing its minions.
If it was agitated, no one had a way to know. And Devon sure didn’t want to find out.
"You can contact the others to evacuate the city if necessary," Devon said plainly. "Leo. I got a—"
"God damnit, son." The old man snapped from the other end. "What did I tell ya about placing your hopes too much on—"
"He called me, sir." Devon didn’t back down. "He’s still somewhere out there in the city. And I’m going to find him."
On the Phoenix Flight ship, Magnus’ fingers tightened around the railing. "Do you have a death wish? If a Cataclysm Level battle breaks out between the SS-Ranks and the Leviathan, the city would be flattened in minutes. You—"
"Which is why I have to act fast." Devon already plucked out the comm device. "I’m sorry, grandfather."
"Dev—"
He crushed the device with a curl of his fist, head angling to Ambrose. "I don’t know how you got hurt before you found me." He began. "But I’m not going to let it happen again. Stick close to me at all times if you’re following me. Understood?"
Ambrose blinked a couple of times before his brain signalled him to nod. Devon didn’t waste another second, yelling out to Alisha nearby:
"Tell the A-Ranks to clear out the city if they don’t want to get eviscerated! The Guild masters will start calling them back soon."
He grabbed Ambrose’s hand before she could say anything back, bolting into the city. At a point, he realised they won’t be able to cover enough ground and glanced at Ambrose.
"Sling your arms around my neck," he was already lifting him off the ground as he said that, eyes blazing with a yellow light.
Ambrose quickly held onto him for dear life, contacting Aura. ’Do you think you could scan the city for any A-Rank Esper signatures? To make the search easier.’
[It’s a lot of land to cover but I’m on it, hon.]
[Scanning in progress. Please stand by...]
With a single leap, flames ignited from the soles of Devon’s feet, hurtling them through the air. He moved like a rocket, avoiding collapsing buildings and evaporating the water on flooded streets by just flying over.
★★★★★
On one of the ships sailing from Canada, a man donned in a golden blazer sat calmly away from the foredeck. He had light brown skin and short black hair, seemingly in his early thirties.
His fingers were clasped in front of his face, eyes closed. Anyone who looked at him would think he couldn’t see anything with his eyes shut.
They’d be sorely mistaken.
The air around him grew heavy. The waves beneath the ship dipped. As if something invisible pressed down on the sea itself.
His spatial awareness stretched out like a cloak, giving him a view of the Echo Rift hundreds of meters ahead. And the beast is circling it like a guard dog.
"Yep," he mumbled. "Definitely not a normal Cataclysm Rift."
The sound of approaching footsteps made his eyes open, revealing peculiar iridescent orbs that shifted into different colours under sunlight.
"Master Gabriel." His assistant bowed. "Guild masters Irina and Magnus await at the harbour."
"And Baba Yaga?"
"Sir, the United States Federation hasn’t been able to get in touch with Mr Valentine since the Phoenix-Talon joint gala last night."
Hmph.
Typical.
Valentine was the kind of man who’d only show up for a Cataclysm Level Rift if it truly proved near impossible for the Federation. Always acting like he was above it all.
"Very well then," he rose to his feet, taking measured steps toward the foredeck’s railing. "Worst comes to worst we still have the Federation President to come assist."
He stopped once he got to the railings, taking in a strong whiff of the fresh sea air.
"If four SS-Ranks aren’t enough... then this city is already lost."
