Chapter 66: The Moonlight Reckoning!

Chapter 66: Moonlight Reckoning!

In the midst of the chaos, soldiers moved in every direction, securing the perimeter and intimidating anyone who dared even think of resistance. The Deadly 30, however, stood perfectly still, their cybernetic frames motionless, like dark statues against the backdrop of burning buildings. Their lifeless eyes scanned the surroundings, awaiting commands. Only two people could give them orders now: General Rwald Dune and the twisted Dr. Lucius Strake—anyone without the imprint was irrelevant to their cybernetic minds.

Mr. Hammond stood like a ghost of his former self, hollowed out by the devastation surrounding him. His once-prized school was a fiery graveyard. The sight of his students, harassed and traumatized, tore at his soul. He knew even if they survived this nightmare, Riverdale Academy would never be the same. His mind spiraled deeper into despair as the flames reflected in his tear-filled eyes.

And then, out of nowhere, something descended from the sky. It was almost unearthly—a silvery flash that streaked through the night like a tear drop falling from the moon. It landed with a soft, ethereal thud that seemed to jolt everyone awake from the madness around them.

For a brief, stunned moment, silence fell. Then the students, always quick to hope, recognized what had happened. The screams came first, but not in terror—this time, it was in joy, in utter disbelief.

"TESSA!" The name rippled through the crowd of students like wildfire.

Even those who hadn't believed in her, who had doubted her abilities, now stood in awe, their disbelief crumbling in the face of what they were witnessing. The air was electric with hope and anticipation. Faces that had been grim and tear-streaked now lit up with celebration, some students crying out her name like a prayer, others laughing in the giddy thrill of it all.

Mr. Hammond blinked, his mind sluggish to process the sudden shift in mood. He turned toward the sky, where the tear had fallen, and for the first time in what felt like hours, his heart stirred with something other than despair. Could it be? Had she truly come?

The soldiers, for their part, didn't understand the students' sudden excitement. They tightened their grips on their weapons, eyes scanning the area warily. But the Deadly 30, ever motionless, remained unaffected, awaiting new orders, unaware that something far beyond their comprehension was about to unfold.

General Rwald Dune's face twisted in a mix of annoyance and curiosity. He shot a glance at Dr. Lucius Strake, whose expression was more apprehensive, sensing something extraordinary had just entered the battlefield.

And there, standing tall in the midst of it all, was Tessa. The moonlight seemed to cling to her, casting her in a celestial glow. She was a vision, not just of power but of hope, her eyes burning with determination as she locked eyes with General Dune.

The game had changed.

General Rwald Dune narrowed his eyes as he watched Tessa approach with her group of five, glowing like gods descending from the heavens. For the first time in years, the unshakable general felt a twinge of uncertainty. "Ahh, so you came," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with both surprise and curiosity. He had never seen an alien like this before. Her presence was overwhelming, the power radiating from her and her companions like a force of nature. It wasn't just her—it was something beyond his comprehension. 'Is she truly an alien?' he asked himself as he measured her with his hardened gaze.

Dr. Lucius Strake, on the other hand, exuded a different kind of confidence—the kind that comes from a man who thinks he's invincible. The smirk plastered on his face was so smug, you'd think he was the one leading the charge. He stepped forward with a mocking laugh, glancing at Tessa with disdain.

"Hey, little girl," Strake called out, his voice dripping with condescension. "Since you've arrived, why prolong this? Just submit yourself now, and we can all go home in peace. No one needs to get hurt." He said this as if he was extending a benevolent offer, but the malice beneath his words was unmistakable.

Tessa, unfazed by his bravado, simply raised her hand, her expression cold as ice. In an instant, streams of moonlight poured from her fingers, flooding the burning buildings. The inferno that had consumed the school was smothered in seconds, reduced to nothing more than trails of smoke rising into the night. The oppressive heat vanished, replaced by a serene calmness, as though nature itself had bent to Tessa's will.

The soldiers and students alike stared, mouths agape, as the fires died in front of them. The overwhelming destruction they had just witnessed—gone, like it never existed. Even the Deadly 30, unfeeling machines, twitched as if reacting to this display of power.

General Rwald Dune blinked, his grip tightening on his weapon, though a deep part of him knew it was futile. This was beyond what he had prepared for. Dr. Strake, however, seemed entirely unbothered. He sneered at Tessa, looking as if he was merely humoring her.

Tessa's eyes, once serene, now brimmed with unrestrained rage. Her gaze pierced through Dr. Strake and General Dune like twin blades. "Now that you've had your fun," she said, her voice low and dangerous, "none of you will leave here alive."

For a brief moment, a heavy silence hung in the air, and then, as if on cue, Dr. Lucius Strake burst into raucous laughter. He laughed so hard, it was as if he'd just heard the greatest joke of his life. "You've got spirit, girl," he gasped between guffaws. "But do you really think you can win? With the power of the Deadly 30, we're untouchable!" He threw a glance toward General Dune, whose face remained stoic, though a glint of doubt flickered behind his cold eyes.

In the midst of Strake's arrogant laughter, a sudden whizzing sound sliced through the air. Ecdy, without hesitation, had hurled a spear directly at Strake. The spear flew fast, too fast for most to react—but before it could reach its target, it shimmered, infused with a silvery glow as Tessa guided it with the power of the moon itself.

Strake's laughter died in his throat, his eyes widening in shock as the glowing spear lodged itself cleanly in his chest, piercing his heart. Blood bloomed from the wound, a bloodied flower stain blossomed, spreading across his pristine lab coat. He staggered back, gasping for air, his once-mocking face now frozen in disbelief.

"That's what I'm talking about!" Oxlade shouted from the sidelines, his earlier fear now transformed into pure exhilaration. "You and your ghost crew are finished, hehe, now you will know what hell feels like!"

General Rwald Dune stared at Strake's crumpling body, his mind racing. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. The doctor—the one who had given so much to the SSG and their key to renovations and development, the man who had boasted of invincibility—was dead. Just like that.

Dr. Strake's lifeless form hit the ground with a dull thud, and the night seemed to hold its breath. The soldiers around them took a step back, eyes darting between Tessa and the fallen man. Even the Deadly 30, though still under command, seemed momentarily shaken, as though the force that held them in check had faltered.

Tessa stood tall, her gaze now locked on General Dune, whose calm façade was starting to crack. This was no ordinary fight, and it was only just beginning.