EX-istential Crisis

Chapter 37: The Dark Defenders

As Mira, Miro, and Mrs. Gina watched the screens showing multiple perspectives, their expressions tightened with worry, tracking the different locations and targets on display. Meanwhile, Nelly, still bolting toward Ember City where Mira was held, continued his relentless run, showing no signs of stopping. Suddenly, Ero's voice chimed in through his earpiece, sounding smug.

"Sir, your balls are fully charged," Ero taunted.

Nelly scoffed, firing back, "Oh, yeah? I can feel it. Let's kick things up a notch. Ero, hit me with a 40% boost."

Ero confirmed, "Aye aye, Captain. Commencing Kinetic Boost, 40%."

With a surge of speed, Nelly felt his pace quicken as he streaked across the terrain. He then asked, "This 40% boost isn't draining too much power, right?"

"Not at all, sir. Your kinetic energy from your pants actually refuels as you move, charging up from the energy stored in your jacket" Ero responded smoothly.

"Alright," Nelly replied, satisfied. "So, what's our best shortcut to Ember City from here?"

"Calculation... teet... teet.. Sir," Ero asked, sounding ominously serious, "do you believe in Jesus Christ?"

Nelly was taken aback. "What? I mean... yeah, sure, my mom's religious, so yeah, I guess?"

"Great," Ero replied with a touch too much enthusiasm. "Then be Peter, sir. Just go with an 80% speed boost. Activating—"

"Wait, wait, where? And how fast are we—"

"80% speed boost engaged," Ero cut him off.

With a sudden, blistering acceleration, Nelly rocketed forward, his feet hitting the surface of the water with blinding speed. He realized too late that he was practically gliding across it, and a surge of panic rose in his chest. "Oh, crap, oh crap! I can't stop running, I can't swim! You never told me this was the shortcut!"

"Just keep going, Peter!" Ero urged, unable to resist the tease.

"Now I'm Peter?" Nelly groaned, focusing intensely as he dashed across the open water, still charging toward Ember City with everything he had.

Raine Residence

The scene around Raine Residence was tense, shadowed by the incoming threat. Outside, Ainslein and Sylvie kept their guard, surveying their surroundings with an intensity that marked their readiness. Then, a light, almost mocking laugh echoed from the darkness, accompanied by a voice laced with amusement.

"Oh, killing his foster father won't be this easy," a girl's voice teased. "I'm so bored."

Ainslein turned, catching sight of the girl standing in the dim light, a wicked smile on her face. "Huh? And who the hell are you?"

The girl laughed, placing a hand on her chest dramatically. "Oh my god, sorry for not introducing myself! I'm Heart Emberly, the second child of Kingra and Queenie."

Ainslein raised a brow, unimpressed. "Oh, okay, girl. And?"

Heart Emberly sighed, clearly put off by the lack of interest. "Sigh. Well, I guess if you're not interested..." She took a step back and smirked. "Boy, attack!" she commanded, motioning her hand forward.

In an instant, several shadowy figures lunged forward from the darkness. Ainslein, however, was unfazed. With a smooth flick of her wrist, she clicked a button on her bat, which emitted an eerie, 8-bit jack-in-the-box tune. With a grin, she swung the bat, connecting with one of the attackers and creating a massive explosion that took out the entire front line of enemies in an instant. A fiery look of satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.