CHAPTER 13: BATTLEGROUND 2

Continuation...

SAMUEL

I watch from above, heart pounding as Morinjo channels the storm itself. But there's no time to marvel. Out of the corner of my eye, I see it—the skyline of New York, falling, plummeting like a titan ready to crush the world beneath it.

Golden Prince is still locked in mid-air combat with Cyberman, but I can't wait. I pivot, engines flaring as I dive straight down, slicing through the thick smoke. The wind howls past me, the ground rushing up too fast, but I don't hesitate. I focus, drawing every ounce of power from my armor, feeling it pulse in sync with my heartbeat.

The Doomsday Machine's core flickers wildly beneath me, a heartbeat gone mad. I stretch my arms forward, palms glowing as I direct the energy, trying to stabilize the quake rattling through its structure.

The machine fights back, its core surging with chaotic power, but Morinjo's lightning is relentless. The two forces collide in a blinding flash of light.

For a split second, everything holds.

Then—

The Quiver core detonates with a force that turns night into day. A blast wave of energy radiates outward, obliterating the falling city before it can meet the Earth. The explosion swallows everything in its path. Buildings, streets—gone in an instant.

But I'm already moving, blasting out of the inferno with seconds to spare. I feel the heat lick at my heels, but I don't slow down. Behind me, Golden Prince dives into the chaos, emerging with Morinjo slung over his shoulder like a lifeline pulled from hell itself.

We land hard, my chest heaving as I try to process what just happened. The city is gone, but the people—most of them—are safe.

But it's not over.

New Jersey.

I glance across the scorched ground and spot him. Cyberman. My former teacher, now nothing more than a twisted shadow of the man he once was. He's crawling, dragging his mangled body across the dirt. His metal frame is cracked and broken, wires spilling out like veins, his face smeared with grime and blood.

I approach, each step heavy with exhaustion and fury.

"At last," he rasps, coughing, a sick grin pulling at his ruined mouth. "This is all I ever wanted."

"The citizens of New York are safe," I reply, my voice low but steady as I close the distance between us.

He chuckles, the sound wet and broken. "Some of them... actually."

"No," I correct him, my fists clenching. "Most of them are safe."

Another cough wracks his body, and his head tilts back, eyes half-lidded. "So... I can rest now."

"Rest?"

I stare at him, feeling a cold weight settle in my chest. No. Rest is a mercy he doesn't deserve.

My right arm begins to change. I feel the familiar grind of metal shifting around my skin, the hiss of pistons locking into place. The gears twist and whir, sharp prongs unfurling like the claws of a predator. Blue energy crackles along the surface, pulsing in sync with my anger.

The Spark Extractor.

It gleams under the ruined sky, hungry.

Without hesitation, I drive it straight into his chest. The prongs pierce through his steel armor with a shriek, tearing through layers of reinforced metal like paper. Sparks erupt from the wound, painting his face in flickering light. His eyes widen in shock, the realization dawning too late.

The extractor hums, the blue energy growing brighter, hotter, as it locks onto his core.

A high-pitched whine fills the air, sharp and relentless.

Cyberman's body convulses, his limbs thrashing weakly. But there's no escape. I grit my teeth, twisting the extractor deeper until it clamps onto the very heart of his power. I feel it—his life, his energy—fighting to hold on.

But I don't let it.

With one final pull, I rip the core free.

The world goes still. No sound, no movement.

Then, his body collapses, lifeless and hollow, crumpling into the dirt like a puppet with its strings cut. The core in my hand flickers faintly, a dying heartbeat in the grip of my mechanical fist, before dimming into cold darkness.

I stare down at him, the weight of everything settling in my chest.

"This is for Susan," I whisper, my voice raw, heavy with everything I've lost. "And for torturing my family."

I let the silence finish the sentence for me, standing over the twisted, lifeless remains of the machine-man who thought he could play god.

The distant hum of the Quinjet breaks through the quiet, cutting through the thick smoke that still hangs in the air like a bitter memory. The jet lands behind me with a hiss, the ramp lowering smoothly. One by one, the team descends, their faces etched with exhaustion and unspoken questions.

Zetacode is the first to approach, his steps careful as he takes in the scene. "Welcome to New Jersey," he says, his voice trying for lightness but landing somewhere in between disbelief and relief.

Menace's gaze locks on the body. "You killed him?"

I nod, eyes still on the ruins. "I had to… even if it was wrong."

"It's not," Menace mutters, stepping closer to the wreckage. His voice is low, but it carries more weight than the smoke swirling around us.

Jessica appears at the top of the ramp, her eyes narrowing as they settle on the wreck. "He's finally dead," she breathes, like she's trying to convince herself it's real.

Menace turns to me, wiping sweat and grime from his face. "So, what's next, mate?"

I don't answer immediately. My eyes drift over the rubble—the shattered streets, the mangled metal, the places where people once stood and now only ashes remain. The city feels like a graveyard, and every breath tastes like failure.

"I haven't done this before," I say finally, my voice steady despite the storm in my chest. "But I need to bring it all back."

Zetacode frowns. "Bring what back?"

"Everything." I turn to face them. "The city. The people we lost. I'm going to reverse the damage… bring New York back."

Silence.

"You're talking about reversing time?" Zetacode's voice sharpens, like he needs to be sure he heard me right. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

Menace steps forward, his brow furrowed. "Let bygones be bygones, Sam. You reverse time, you risk starting this whole war over again. You *don't* want that."

"You're wrong." I shake my head, the gears in my mind clicking into place. "I'm not talking about rewinding the *entire* timeline. What if I could isolate the destruction—just the ashes and debris—and reconstruct everything? The buildings, the vehicles, the streets… the people we couldn't save."

Trivium crosses his arms, his usual arrogance giving way to skepticism. "Is that even possible?"

"It has to be." I glance at them, determination hardening in my chest. "People say, *With God, all things are possible.* But I say, *With time, all things are possible on Earth.*"

Their eyes dart between each other, a mix of disbelief and hope flickering in their faces. They think I'm crazy. Maybe I am. But I *know* this can work.

Jessica steps closer, her gaze searching mine. "Are you sure about this, Samuel?"

I meet her eyes. "Do you believe?"

She hesitates, and in that pause, I feel the weight of her doubts pressing against me. But then she exhales slowly, nodding without a word. That's all I need.

Turning back to the ruins, I press my palm to the interface on my chest. The time controller embedded in my tech armor hums to life, its circuits flaring with green light. The gold trim of my suit shifts, glowing like veins pulsing with raw energy. I feel it ripple through me—the flow of time bending to my will.

I hover above the ground, the air crackling around me as the controller syncs with the fabric of reality. My mind sharpens, calculating, aligning every fractured second, every displaced atom.

And then, I pull.

The dust swirls, rising like a reversed explosion. Rubble reassembles piece by piece, metal bending back into beams, glass shards merging into windows. Streets smooth out, cars reappear in their rightful places. The air feels electric, thick with the impossible becoming real.

And then the people—faces I thought were lost forever—begin to materialize, their bodies reconstructing from the ashes. I can hear their first breaths, see the confusion turning to awe in their eyes.

"Oh my God," Zetacode whispers behind me, his voice barely audible over the hum of reality stitching itself back together.

I turn, hovering just enough to see the team and the civilians of New Jersey staring up at me, their phones raised, their mouths hanging open. They look at me like I'm something out of a dream—or a nightmare.

Golden Prince shakes his head, his voice full of disbelief. "You made the impossible… possible."

I descend slowly, my boots touching down with a soft thud. The energy in my suit dims, but the power still hums beneath my skin.

"Told ya," I say, flashing a tired smile at Zetacode. I clap him on the shoulder. "Your city's back."

Before anyone can say anything else, I launch into the sky, the wind rushing past me as I leave New Jersey—and the ghosts of our failure—behind.

ONE YEAR LATER

The church is filled with the hum of quiet chatter, soft music playing in the background as friends and family—my Ventures family—gather for this special day. Morinjo, my best man, stands at the entrance, his arm linked with Chioma's. My heart skips a beat.

As they step inside, the room shifts. Heads turn, smiles bloom across familiar faces, and in unison, everyone rises to their feet, honoring them with silent applause. The sunlight pouring through the stained-glass windows catches Chioma's dress just right, making her look like she's glowing from within.

I can't take my eyes off her. The gown hugs her perfectly, the delicate lace tracing patterns down her arms, and the soft veil drapes over her shoulders like a whisper. Her makeup is subtle, but it highlights her natural beauty in a way that steals my breath. She's not just beautiful—she's ethereal, like she's stepped out of a dream and into my reality. That smile of hers? It feels like sunlight warming my chest.

They reach the front, and Morinjo leans in, giving her a gentle hug.

"Thank you for watching over Samuel… and for saving the world," Chioma whispers with a soft laugh.

Morinjo grins. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

I step forward, offering Morinjo a firm handshake, pulling him into a quick hug.

"Well done, brother."

He claps me on the back. "You're the one getting married. I should be saying that to you."

We both laugh before he returns to his seat, standing tall among our friends.

I turn to Chioma, my heart swelling.

"You look… breathtaking," I murmur, unable to hide the awe in my voice.

Her eyes light up, cheeks flushing. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice soft but steady.

The officiant clears his throat gently, bringing the room to a hush.

"Everyone, please take your seats."

As we sit, the world feels still, peaceful, like everything has aligned just right for this moment. And in that quiet, surrounded by the people who've stood by me through every battle, I realize—I've never felt more at home.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Chioma Nancy Okafor and Samuel Adeyemi Vincent in marriage. This is a sacred commitment, one that should be entered into with love, respect, and understanding.

Marriage is a gift—a promise to support, cherish, and stand by one another through life's joys and challenges. As it says in 1 Corinthians 13: 'Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'

Chioma Nancy Okafor and Samuel Adeyemi Vincent, today you declare your love and commitment before God and these witnesses. If you are ready to take each other as husband and wife, please join hands and share your vows.

Please repeat after me.

For the Groom:

"I, Samuel Adeyemi Vincent, take you, Chioma Nancy Okafor, to be my lawfully wedded wife.

To have and to hold, from this day forward,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

To love and to cherish,

Until death do us part."

For the Bride:

"I, Chioma Nancy Okafor, take you, Samuel Adeyemi Vincent, to be my lawfully wedded husband.

To have and to hold, from this day forward,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

To love and to cherish,

Until death do us part.

You may kiss the bride."

Indeed, we kiss. Happily married.

The church bells have barely stopped ringing before the party kicks off like a storm. The ceremony was beautiful, yeah—but this is where the magic really happens.

The reception hall glows under strings of fairy lights, casting a warm shimmer across white linen tables and golden centerpieces. My Ventures family and friends fill the room, their laughter louder than the soft jazz playing in the background. It's a rare moment of peace—a break from the chaos we've lived through—and tonight, we're all determined to live like nothing else matters.

Morinjo grabs the mic first, and I can already see that mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he starts, pausing just long enough to have everyone's attention. "Let's take a moment to appreciate how Samuel somehow convinced Chioma to marry him. I mean, seriously, bro, what spell did you use?"

The whole room bursts into laughter, and even Chioma hides her face, giggling behind her hands.

I stand up, brushing off my suit like it's no big deal. "It's called being irresistible, Morinjo. You should try it sometime."

The crowd oohs in unison, laughter bouncing off the walls. Leonard hollers from the back, "Get him, Sam!"

As the noise settles, the DJ switches up the track, and the beat pulses through the floor. Leonard and Bonnie are the first to hit the dance floor, showing off moves like they've been rehearsing for weeks. Leonard spins Bonnie under his arm, her dress twirling around her like something straight out of a romance film.

"Show-offs," Desmond mutters beside me, grinning wide.

Not to be left behind, Jessica grabs Joseph's hand, dragging him to the floor, and soon everyone's joining in. Theophilus and Elena try to keep up, laughing at their own clumsy footwork, but somehow they make awkward look adorable.

I can't resist any longer. I take Chioma's hand, pulling her gently into the center of the floor. The room seems to fade away as we sway to the rhythm, her head resting lightly against my chest. I breathe her in, the faint scent of her perfume mixing with the soft hum of music. My hand fits perfectly around her waist, like it was always meant to be there.

"Look at them," I hear Sophia whisper to Ava from somewhere nearby.

Ava smirks. "If this were a movie, someone would've crashed through the wall by now."

We both laugh quietly, but today? Nothing's ruining this. Not a thing.

As the song winds down, Morinjo's back at it, clapping his hands like he's about to start a revolution.

"Alright, alright! It's time for the real challenge—the dance-off!"

Groans and cheers ripple through the room. Chairs scrape back as people scramble to the floor. Even my mum and grandma are out there, and to everyone's shock, they own it. Grandma pulls off a move that has Kevin nearly choking on his drink.

"Yo, Grandma's got moves!" Kevin shouts, laughing so hard he nearly spills his cup.

But nothing—and I mean nothing—prepares us for what happens next.

Belteshazzar and Trivium step onto the dance floor like they're about to deliver a sermon. Trivium cracks his knuckles, looking around the room like we're all peasants.

"You mere mortals are not ready for this," he declares with that godly arrogance.

"Oh, please," John Brown mutters beside me, crossing his arms. "This I've got to see."

And—they're good. Like, really good. Trivium pulls off a spin that has Belteshazzar dropping into a flawless worm across the floor. The room explodes with laughter and cheers. I'm wiping tears from my eyes, holding my sides because I haven't laughed this hard in years.

As the day winds down, the tables are cluttered with half-eaten slices of cake, empty glasses, and stories being shared like old treasures. Leonard stands up, raising his glass, his arm wrapped around Bonnie.

"To love, to friendship," he says, his voice warm and steady, "and to the fact that we finally get a break from saving the world—if only for tonight."

Glasses clink, and laughter fills the room once more. I look around at the faces of the people who've stood beside me in battle, who've laughed with me, fought with me, and never let me fall. They aren't just friends—they're family.

And tonight? Tonight, we dance like the world isn't ending tomorrow.

City of Gold.

EREBUS

The palace stretches before me, vast and gleaming, the kind of beauty that humbles you, that makes you feel small. Sunlight pours through towering windows, spilling across the marble floor, where every step echoes like a whisper against the gold-laced walls. The columns rise like giants, dressed in white and crowned with intricate patterns of gold, their surfaces so polished they almost reflect my thoughts. But it isn't him I care about.

It's them.

Ten weapons, laid out like offerings to some forgotten god. Each hums with a power so raw, it feels like the very air might split open. My eyes trace over them—gleaming, dangerous. I can already feel the pull, like they're calling to me.

Goliath's voice breaks the silence, deep and thunderous. "Behold, Erebus. Hast thou eyes to see the power that lieth before thee?"

"Oh, I see them," I murmur, stepping closer, the corner of my mouth twitching. My fingers ache to grab them, to own them.

Goliath raises his hand over the first. "The War Gauntlet, forged in the heart of a star that was, and is no more. One strike shall render the mightiest of armies as chaff before the wind."

I grin, picturing entire legions crumbling beneath my fist.

Next, he gestures to an unassuming box. "This is the Alabaster Box. Though it be small, within it lieth a force that devoureth cities, yea, nations. Open thou it, and the world shall know oblivion."

I chuckle under my breath. Oblivion has a nice ring to it.

Goliath's hand moves to a dark chain. "The Amulet, which turneth the hearts of men. Whosoever weareth it shall command the loyalty of friend and foe alike."

I snort. "They'd follow me anyway."

His gaze sharpens, but he presses on.

"And lo," he says, resting his hand on a gleaming shield, "the Fortitude Shield, against which no weapon formed shall prosper. Behind it, thou art as unto a god—unbroken, unyielding."

I raise an eyebrow. "Sounds like cheating."

"Nay," Goliath rumbles. "It is victory."

I smirk. Fair enough.

His hand hovers over a glowing shard, swirling with light that bends reality itself. "The Time Stone. With it, thou shalt bind the past, the present, and the days yet to come. None shall stand against thee."

Now that… that makes me pause. Time in my hands? The possibilities are endless.

Goliath's voice rolls on, steady and solemn. "The Quiver, whose arrows find their mark, though the earth itself rise to hide the target. The Fortune Helmet, which revealeth the things yet to pass and granteth dominion over them. The Modern Cube, a vessel of chaos, wherein lieth destruction unmeasured. Diment, though small and uncomely, hath power to unmake the very fabric of creation."

I stare at the little orange rock, unimpressed at first—until I feel it, its energy gnawing at the edges of reality itself. Okay… that's dangerous.

"And lastly," Goliath says, his hand resting on a weapon that seems to hum with life, "the Trident. By it shalt thou command the winds, the waters, and the fires of the earth. The elements themselves shall bow before thee."

He steps back, his gaze hard, heavy with expectation. "These weapons are not given unto thee for vanity's sake, Erebus. I have trained ten mighty men, skilled in battle, yet lacking in power. Thou shalt claim these weapons by force, and with them shall we wage war against the Sentry Giants of Valhalla."

I stand there for a moment, letting his words settle, feeling the weight of the task—and the thrill of it. The idea of hunting these weapons down, tearing apart anyone foolish enough to stand in my way—it's intoxicating.

A slow grin spreads across my face. "You want war? I'll bring you war."

Goliath nods, but I see it—the flicker of something behind his eyes. Caution. Fear, maybe. He knows what I am. He knows that once I have these weapons, no one will control me.

I turn back to the arsenal, feeling the pulse of power calling me. One by one, I'll take them. And when I do… even Goliath won't be safe.

Let the fun begin.

The End.

Season 3 coming soon...