Chapter 140: Rhemon's Agents' Trap!

Chapter 140: Rhemon's Agents' Trap!

Tessa marched briskly through the underground corridors of Riverdale Academy, following Adrian's directions. He was lagging slightly behind, his typically casual pace a stark contrast to her urgency. She wanted nothing more than to escape the lingering echo of Nyala's relentless teasing; every mocking word still clung to her, weighing her down with irritation.

At last, she reached an open room marked with an old-fashioned plaque reading "The Proprietor." Tessa pushed the door open and entered Principal Hammond's office, finding him seated behind his desk, his face pale and drawn with worry.

"Principal Hammond, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice catching as she settled into the chair across from him. Her limbs trembled slightly, betraying the strain she was under. The influence of carrying over 160 Niöhöggr-like eggs—each one a power-packed entity—was taking its toll. She'd agreed to become a surrogate for Anwari's offspring, in a hasty attempt to honor its legacy, but now she was beginning to wonder if she'd underestimated the cost. The sheer force of selecting the right egg from within her body was tearing through her organs, and although her super-healing was working to repair the damage, it was not fast enough to make the ordeal painless.

As a Level 2 Moon Legacy bearer, her healing factor was strong but still insufficient to keep pace with the sheer power of these super-eggs. Full Moon Legacy or not, she was far from comfortable; the bizarre notion of nurturing reptilian eggs in her body made her skin crawl, even as her abilities fought to sustain her under the strain.

When she looked up, her gaze fell upon Principal Hammond's taut expression, confirming that the crisis extended beyond her own discomfort. Two young men stood to the side, their faces marked with unease, sweat beading on their brows despite the office's air-conditioned cool. Their breathing was heavy, as though they'd run the length of the city to deliver their news.

"Tessa, forgive me for summoning the mighty Moon Goddess in such a state," Principal Hammond began, speaking faster than usual. "I would have come to you if I could manage, but... my own legs feel like lead."

His words made Tessa's brow furrow. She leaned forward, her own worries momentarily overshadowed. "Principal Hammond, what's happened? Did someone threaten you?"

Just then, Adrian and Nyala appeared at the doorway, quietly observing the tension in the room. Hammond, noticing them, continued, a flicker of genuine fear in his eyes.

"It's Rhemon's agents," he said, his voice low, as though uttering the name might summon even more danger. He gestured to the two young men, Larry and Mous, who seemed to breathe easier now in the chilled air of the office. "They went outside the academy walls to collect supplies, only to witness something alarming. They saw Rhemon's agents—thousands of them—flooding the entire Riverdale City, forming a blockade around the entire perimeter, preventing entry and exit."

Mr. Hammond took a steadying breath, struggling to put together the brutal part of the information, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the room. "They were slaughtering people out there—mercilessly. Pregnant women, children were cut open like a titus can… it's a bloodbath out there," he whispered, horror evident in his voice. His gaze faltered, as though merely recounting it drained him of strength.

Adrian's expression darkened, his jaw clenched as realization dawned on him after thinking for a while. "They're trying to draw you out, Tessa," he said, his voice filled with a calm certainty that only added to the tension. "For violence on this scale, Rhemon has to be the one giving the orders. The others—his lieutenants and underlings are just pawns—They don't have the authority to command such terror. He's baiting you."

Tessa felt a surge of anger, her fists clenching at the thought of innocent lives being lost for the sake of a twisted game. But before she could respond, Adrian turned, his gaze locking onto hers.

"Tessa, you absolutely cannot go out there," he insisted, his tone firmer than ever. He understood too well a plan of this magnitude would not be without well strategized cornering, and that what this ambush was designed for would be beyond their expectation and scope, and there is no telling, how dangerous it would be if Tessa walked into it considering her present condition.

Yet, a troubled frown creased Nyala's brow as she looked at Tessa. "But you usually sense these things before they even happen, Tessa. And… wouldn't people have called your name—your title—for help?" Nyala paused, watching Tessa's face for any sign of her usual awareness. "But you didn't hear anything, did you? Could it be because of the eggs? Maybe they are hindering your sensitivity and hearing?"

Tessa hesitated, realization dawning. The eggs—Anwari's offspring—were blocking her connection to the outside world, dampening her senses. She felt a pang of helplessness at being unable to reach those who needed her most.

"What eggs?" Principal Hammond interrupted, his confusion cutting through the tension. This was the first he'd heard of this, and judging by his bewildered expression, the revelation only made him feel more helpless. He hadn't been informed about Tessa's decision to house the powerful, volatile Niöhöggr-like eggs. There was an unspoken bond between Tessa, Adrian, and Nyala, a silent understanding he was not privy to, and it unsettled him.

Tessa steadied herself, forcing a tone of confidence and trying to deflect the question that Principal Hammond asked with her statement. "Principal Hammond, Adrian and Nyala will handle this. There are few who could stand against Adrian—maybe Ashley Duve, Ikehara, or Rhemon himself. But I trust that Adrian and Nyala are more than capable of handling whatever comes their way."

Mr. Hammond's face betrayed a flicker of doubt. Tessa had always been his go-to force against threats. She embodied the academy's hope, and sending anyone else felt like a gamble. Yet, something about her presence seemed weakened, something beyond the mere physical strain of carrying Anwari's eggs. He could see the worry masked behind her steady gaze, the silent battle she was enduring, and he was forced to accept that this was a fight she couldn't partake in—not yet.

Adrian gave a quick nod, acknowledging Tessa's plan, and without another word, he bolted out of the room, Nyala close behind. As they disappeared down the hallway, Tessa watched them go, a mix of relief and worry churning inside her. She knew they were both strong, especially Adrian, who practically thrived in the heat of battle. He was free now, unburdened by the restrictive routines of the academy, finally able to unleash his powers.

A part of her couldn't help but feel envious. Adrian was out there, ready to face the threat head-on, while she was bound by her own responsibility, a dormant power she hadn't fully grasped. She shifted in her seat, feeling the weight of her decision to carry Anwari's legacy—an unrelenting reminder of the immense power she had agreed to nurture, even at the cost of her strength.

Adrian's pulse quickened as he moved towards the exit of the underground school. A fierce grin tugged at the corners of his lips. This—this was what he'd been waiting for. The hum of anticipation coursed through him as he prepared for the onslaught. For too long, he'd been confined, held back by protocol and caution especially regarding the surrounding students and staffs in school. His body was itching for a fight, wanting to dish out a beating, but with no recipient in sight, and now he got one. And with Nyala by his side, he was ready to unleash his true might, and nothing would stand in his way.

Back in the principal's office, Tessa's hands tightened around the armrests, her heart echoing Adrian's excitement. Even from afar, she could sense his fierce determination, and though she remained in the academy, she knew that Adrian and Nyala would fight with every ounce of their strength to protect Riverdale City.