The Eye of the World

Exterior – Main Lab Roof – Moments Later

The world stood still for a breath.

Then Troy moved.

He flew at the Orphan with a sonic boom, fist cocked back like a missile.

The Orphan barely had time to glance up.

CRACK!

The blow collided with a force that sent shockwaves across the entire lab. The Orphan blocked with one arm but it wasn’t enough. The impact launched him like a meteor through the roof and into the open sky, dropping Gladiator's limp body in the process. Troy caught her mid-fall, cradling her gently before laying her on the cracked floor.

His eyes never left the hole in the ceiling.

He rose, slow, silent, bubbles orbiting him in a death spiral.

Then he vanished.

Exterior – Desert

The Orphan slammed into the desert sand miles away, dragging a burning trench through rock and steel. His body groaned, limbs disoriented.

Then, BOOM.

Troy descended like a god, the sand and sky splitting around him.

News choppers buzzed above.