Chapter 26 - As Cold As Ice

With the harpoon in hand, I channeled its icy energy, rerouting the slide to guide the evacuees to the side of the building. The ghostly apparition lunged for them, but a wall of ice erupted just in time, blocking its snout and saving the group.

Before I could catch my breath, the Amaru's claw dug into my shoulders, its razor-sharp talons piercing through flesh. I groaned in pain, but the creature hesitated as frost began to creep across its claws.

Seizing the moment, I summoned jagged sickles of ice from the ground, forcing the monster to release me. With a swift strike of my harpoon, I shattered its legs in a single, decisive blow.

The Amaru howled, a sound so guttural and alien it sent shivers down my spine. It retreated, its ghostly form flickering as it funneled energy into regenerating its mangled limbs. Slowly, its legs and claws reformed, and it rose once more, towering over me with renewed anger.

I caught a glimpse of Michelle and pointed towards the gate where Fae and the others waited. She nodded, leading the group to safety, but the Amaru wasn't done yet. With a guttural roar, it summoned a wave of razor-sharp water, cutting off their escape. The group screamed as one of them fell, injured by the attack.

"Move!" I shouted, watching as they dragged the wounded to safety. The remaining evacuees from the second floor slid down an icy ramp I'd created - unconventional, but effective. My harpoon glowed as I leapt in front of the group, manipulating the water to form icicle shards. I hurled them at the Amaru, but the creature dissolved the projectiles with a flick of its wings.

It's control over water is of high level apparently. I should cast my powers through a different way, or else it might cause more casualties.

For every attack I launched, I advanced, using the rubble and abandoned vehicles as stepping stones to close the distance. The Amaru spread its wings, attempting to flee, but I hurled the harpoon with all my strength. The weapon struck, piercing its side, another injury where its purple blood gushes through.

The creature yelped in agony, thrashing as it tried to dislodge the harpoon. The blue aura from my hands traveled down the weapon's line, freezing the Amaru's movements. It collapsed, its struggles growing sluggish, like a beast trapped in tar. In a final, desperate act, it summoned water to sever the harpoon's line, but the liquid turned to ice upon contact.

The Amaru's twin heads froze mid-snarl, their snouts pointed skyward. Its wings spread wide, as if still trying to take flight, but the creature was no more than a frozen statue. I yanked the harpoon free, and the icy figure shattered into countless icy fragments.

Finally, it was over.

•••••••••••••••••••

A temporary shelter has been set up just a few meters from the hospital. The most vulnerable were moved into nearby commercial buildings, where they could rest and recover. Fae knelt beside the policeman's daughter, her hands glowing as she healed the girl's injuries. The officer, Jorge, was overcome with gratitude and offered his assistance.

Michelle approached, her face pale but relieved. "Didn't you take the flight with Barry?" she asked, her voice trembling as she tended to the wounded.

"We chose the more dangerous route," I explained, watching Raymond clear debris with his chains. "We weren't sure how long it would take, so we sent Barry ahead. That way, at least one of us would reach you."

Raymond looked disappointed he hadn't joined the fight, but he understood. Fae and Zild weren't combatants, and someone had to protect them.

Fae began singing, her voice soft and melodic as she cast an area heal. Zild joined in, harmonizing as their magic washed over the wounded. Broken bones mended, gashes closed, and the pain faded. For those who had lost limbs, the relief was bittersweet, but at least their suffering had eased.

I felt a cold touch on my arm and turned to see a young nurse offering me a can of iced coffee. She was one of the staff I'd saved earlier. With a grateful smile, she showed me a translated message on her phone: "Thank you for saving me. My parents would love to meet you."

I typed a reply, declining politely but warmly. "Go home and rest. You've earned it."

Jorge approached, his daughter clinging to his side. "Is there anything you need?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

I showed him a picture of the nearest tower. "Can you take us here?" The group exchanged glances and murmured among themselves.

One of them held his hand out and said, "I'll take you there, but I need some cash." His colleagues hit the back of his head for such a blatant request. But he complained and said. "We need money in order to bribe a security there. It's not for me!"

His friends apologized but I cut them off and said. "Money is no issue, but I haven't exchanged our money yet for the local currency. But..." I let out a handful of jewelry, the ones I got from the pawnshop from my country. "If this works as well, please take them."

They were all shocked to see such a quantity. I urged them to get some themselves and if it's still lacking, I still have some.

Jorge was teary eyed, saying normally a strong person such as myself could just force them to what I want. He said all of the people here are willing to help because they got to live another day.

I told them not to worry about it and just asked them not to tell anyone what has transpired today. As they have noticed, I didn't exactly arrive in the country with complete documents in hand.

The young nurse said they know, and seeing how the country is in turmoil, extra humans aren't that much of a deal. The government has been in a tight rope as well and not everyone is cooperating.

Fae admitted that our country is experiencing the same and she's happy to be of assistance. Michelle said it's probably time to go home. She's worried about her own family.

We are about to set, not even worried that it's already getting dark. When Michelle got a message, "Barry's plane landed." She read, her eyebrows furrowed. "He said they are not allowed to get out of the plane. They are being sent back."