Chapter-44 Attack of The Dark Giant

Lennox and Theo, their eyes fixed on the mysterious dark giant, pondered the enigma of its presence in Vision City, they both grappled with the uncertainty of what actions to take and how to confront the dark giant.

"How is the city under attack?" Theo questioned, his voice revealing a mix of concern and urgency.

"What we really need to know is how it got into the city," Lennox added, the realization setting in that the vision city is a highly secure island. Just like all the islands, especially those close to the academy, were supposed to be under the protection of Nexus Academy, guarded by a formidable defense system.

"No one's dumb enough to attack the closest island next to the academy," Theo remarked, sharing Lennox's bewilderment. "Do you have a plan?" he asked, turning to Lennox for guidance.

Hearing Theo's query, Lennox wasn't entirely confident in formulating a plan, but he recognized the urgency of the situation. He needed to think on his feet and overcome any fear of plans failing.

Taking a deep breath to center himself, Lennox quickly thought of a plan. "We can't really attack that giant, so the best plan I currently have is to try to save the citizens that are under attack while we may try to find a way to attack it," he declared.

"Alright... I'm going west, and you go east. Afterward, we'll meet up by the giant," Theo suggested, splitting their efforts to cover more ground and potentially find a solution to the dark giant.

With a nod of agreement, Lennox and Theo, swiftly split in opposite directions. Lennox dashed east, while Theo went west, each committed to rescuing any citizens they encountered whether fleeing to safety or trapped amidst the chaos.

As Lennox raced through the pandemonium, maneuvering through screaming citizens and evading falling debris, Theo's keen perception picked up on a distressing sight. A couple of people were standing on top of a building, crying for help and waving their hands frantically to signal their dire situation.

'What's wrong why won't they come down' Theo thought.

Theo quickly assessed the building, his sharp gaze caught sight of numerous stones both inside and in front of the building, indicating the severity of the situation. decided to quickly help by scanning for potential ways to assist the trapped citizens.

With his enhanced physical from his bloodline, Theo easily found a way to climb the building. Ascending with agility and speed, he reached the citizens. However, to their surprise, the trapped individuals looked at him with a mix of confusion and disbelief. Wondering why he would willingly join them, they regarded Theo with skeptical expressions, questioning his actions..

"Hey, what are you doing climbing up here?" someone said out.

"Now you're also stuck up here," another person added.

"I'm here to help you... also, no, I'm not stuck up here because I'm a Nexarc," Theo responded with a reassuring smile.

Upon hearing that Theo was a Nexarc and here to help, the citizens gathered around him, expressions shifting from concern to relief. Everyone knew that Nexarcs, with their unique abilities, could provide substantial assistance in times of crisis.

"Really, you're a Nexarc!"

"We are saved!"

"Yeah... but I will only be able to carry one by one down," Theo explained.

They all agreed, understanding the limitations as Theo only had one arm and still needed to utilize his powers. One by one Theo used his air to push himself off the ground into the air levitating before landing and going back to the others.

The urgency filled the air as one citizen shouted, "Quickly, a boulder is coming!" prompting everyone to move away from the building before the boulder landed. 

Theo's quick reflexes saved him and the last trapped citizen as he looked up and spotted a large boulder hurtling toward them. Reacting swiftly, he grabbed the citizen and leaped off the roof. However, instead of immediately using his air manipulation to levitate, he waited until they were closer to the ground.

As they landed, the massive boulder crashed onto the building, sending small stones scattering in all directions. Theo uses his own body as a protective barrier to shield the citizen. The impact of the stones against him was painful, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground. Once the onslaught subsided, Theo carefully rose from the ground, his body battered but intact.

"Are you okay?" Theo asked, checking on a citizen.

"I'm okay, thank you," the citizen replied, noting the torn clothes and a few holes but no serious injuries.

"Good! Now everyone, hurry and go to safety!" Theo urged, rallying the citizens to move away from danger. He then sprinted off to rescue more people. The onlookers regarded him with gratitude and admiration, seeing him as a hero in their time of need.

...

On the other side of the city, Lennox was running forward, scanning the area for anyone in need of help. Not spotting anyone immediately, he decided to slow down and observe more carefully. Suddenly, he heard the desperate cries for help.

"Help!"

"Help anyone, we're trapped here!"

Lennox hearing the screams, thanks to his enhanced hearing from his bloodline, he ran toward a nearby building. As he entered, he noticed a staircase blocked by metal pipes.

"Hello, is everyone okay?" Lennox shouted.

"Dad, it seems someone heard us!"

"Yeah, most of us are okay, but my son's left leg is broken," another trapped citizen explained.

"Okay, don't cause any panic. Just make sure to help your son when I'm ready," Lennox assured.

"What are you going to do?" the concerned father asked.

"I'm going to try and get you out," Lennox answered, his focus on examining the arrangement of pipes to formulate a plan.

Lennox, keenly observing the situation, noticed that some pipes held up the upper stairs, and removing them might cause the structure to collapse further, trapping the family in the basement. Understanding the delicate nature of the stairs, he conjured fire in his palm, creating a controlled flame.

Approaching the pipes cautiously, Lennox began the intricate process of melting the metal obstacles in his path. The fire in his palm, powerful enough to burn through many materials, focused on the first pipe. Grateful that the metal was relatively thin, he worked diligently to melt and remove it without causing any additional instability.

Carefully, he moved to the next pipe, ensuring that his actions wouldn't lead to a collapse. As the heat intensified, beads of sweat formed on Lennox's brow. In the basement, the family felt the rising temperature.

"Whoever you are, what's happening up there?" the worried father asked.

"I'm Lennox, a Nexarc. I'm currently moving the pipes away from the stairs," Lennox replied.

"..." With the father not immediately responding, Lennox directed his attention to the injured son. "The one with the broken leg, how are you feeling right now?" he inquired, a touch of enthusiasm in his voice.

"Well, besides my broken leg, I'm the best I can be right now," the son replied, a mix of fatigue and excitement in his tone.

"Great! Just stay the best. I'm almost there," Lennox assured.

With the last few pipes melted away and no signs of collapsing, Lennox descended the stairs, entering the basement where the trapped family awaited rescue. Spotting the father, daughter, the son with the broken leg, and little girl huddled in a corner, Lennox's emberflare eyes likely sparked a mixture of fear and gratitude. Despite the fear in their eyes, the family couldn't conceal their gratitude for Lennox's arrival, as they recognized him as their rescuer.

Lennox approached them with a reassuring demeanor, his intention clear to get them out of the basement safely. 

"Hi, I've cleared the stairs so we can leave now," Lennox announced.

"Thank you," the father and daughter expressed simultaneously as they assisted the son and the little girl followed slowly.

Suddenly, the building shook as if hit by a boulder. With the father, daughter, and son already on the stairs and the little girl behind, Lennox observed that the building started to shake, and the stairs looked like they might give away.

'They are moving too slow,' Lennox thought, realizing the urgency of the situation.

A shockwave resonated through the house. The staircase was on the verge of collapse, Lennox, acting swiftly clutching the little girl sprinting up the stair as he, made it out just in time, narrowly avoiding the falling pipes that crashed onto the staircase.

Emerging outside, Lennox observed the father, daughter, and son with expressions of shock on their faces as they were looking in the sky. Lennox raised his eyebrow and turned around, his gaze was met with the dark giant drawing closer, causing the ground to tremble with each step. The absence of audible footsteps was replaced by the palpable sensation of the earth shaking beneath them.

Urging the family to head to safety, Lennox handed over the little girl. instead of moving away from the dark giant he ran around the building. Spotting an open construction site where a new building was in progress, he saw an opportunity to gain an advantage and try to slow down the dark giant.

Lennox made his way to the construction site, recognizing it as a potential vantage point to mount an attack. 

As Lennox observed the dark giant closing in and the absence of the expected city guard and even members from the academy. Worried about the delay in help he focused on the imminent danger posed by the giant.

Spotting the dark giant about to stomp on some civilians, Lennox decided to act. Conjuring a fireball, he aimed multiple fiery fireballs straight at the giant. As they landed on the giant body. However, instead of causing damage, the fireballs seemed to absorb into its body, rendering them ineffective. Undeterred, Lennox decided to continue his assault, hoping to distract the giant from its attack on the civilians.

"Hey over here, you damn giant!" Lennox shouted, trying to draw the giant attention. Suddenly, a blur of motion caught his eye and the construction site, where Lennox stood, was destroyed in the process. Lennox was struck by a powerful invisible force, sending him flying into the air.

...

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, Theo continued his rescue efforts, lifting citizens with his air manipulation and ensuring their safety. As he approached a group of people huddled behind a toppled food cart, one of them nervously asked, "Are you here to save us, or are you auditioning for the next superhero blockbuster?"

Theo, still focused on the task at hand, flashed a quick grin and replied, "A bit of both, but let's focus on the saving part for now!"