Chapter 26: "City on Fire"

Nightfall blanketed West Hollow, but the city was anything but quiet. Streets churned with crowds, screens flashing the evidence of Guild corruption again and again. Chaos and rebellion filled every corner.

From their rooftop vantage, Jack watched the turmoil unfold, a mixture of awe and anxiety stirring in his chest. The city's fury burned brighter than any fire he'd seen.

Beside him, Lyra squeezed his hand, eyes reflecting distant flames. "They're finally seeing what we've known all along."

Jack nodded slowly. "But anger alone won't save them. Marrick won't give in without a fight."

Cross stepped forward, expression solemn. "He'll activate Oblivion as retaliation."

Patch fluttered nervously. "Which means we stop it now—or there's nothing left to save."

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Rallying the Chaos Crew

Zara pulled up holographic blueprints from Cross's intel. "Oblivion's housed beneath the Guild's central tower, shielded by multiple layers of sigils and security."

Jack studied the schematics, halo humming faintly. "We use the chaos outside as our cover. They can't secure every entrance while the city's rising against them."

Reina adjusted her pulse-knuckles firmly. "This ends tonight."

Jack met each crew member's eyes. "Remember—our goal isn't destruction. It's freedom."

Lyra smiled grimly. "Let's remind the Guild they're outnumbered."

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Breach

Under cover of riots, they slipped unnoticed through maintenance tunnels toward Guild HQ. Alarms echoed faintly, drowned by protest chants overhead. Cross directed them to a hidden lift, its control pad disguised behind a false wall.

Jack interfaced quickly, halo effortlessly bypassing authentication. "Admin privileges have perks."

The elevator plunged downward rapidly, delivering them into Oblivion's subterranean core.

Doors opened to reveal a cavernous chamber dominated by a pulsing black crystal—a corrupted mirror of their Aetherium Heart.

Cross paled visibly. "Marrick inverted its energy. Once activated, Oblivion will consume all sigil-users."

Jack stepped forward, pulse quickening. "Then we rewrite its purpose."

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Marrick Revealed

A slow clap echoed through the chamber. Marrick emerged from shadows, masked visage gleaming coldly. "Always rewriting rules, Wilson. How predictable."

Jack braced himself, halo flaring defensively. "It's over, Marrick. Your city rejects you."

Marrick laughed bitterly. "They will kneel when Oblivion purges chaos."

Jack faced him defiantly. "They've chosen freedom. Your nightmare ends here."

Reina stepped forward, voice fierce. "Your tyranny won't survive tonight."

Marrick raised a hand—sigil-infused energy crackling menacingly. "Then neither will you."

---

Clash of Ideals

Energy exploded outward, Marrick unleashing raw destructive power. Jack countered swiftly, merging quicksilver fluidity with carbon-laced strength, absorbing blows and redirecting them.

Lyra's lightning interwoven with Zara's EMP strikes weakened Marrick's defenses. Patch dove, distracting Marrick momentarily as Reina delivered calculated, chi-powered strikes.

Jack stretched, weaving around Marrick's attacks, voice steady amidst chaos. "Your fear blinds you—makes you weak."

Marrick staggered, energy faltering. "You think chaos is freedom?"

Jack stood firm, halo blazing brilliantly. "Chaos is potential—potential you wasted."

With a unified surge, the crew pressed forward, forcing Marrick toward the corrupted Heart. Marrick stumbled, snarling defiantly as the dark crystal pulsed dangerously.

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Reclaiming Purpose

Jack approached the corrupted Aetherium, halo interfacing seamlessly. Dark energies fought him, memories threatening to rip away.

He held firm, recalling Lyra's voice: "Be unbeatable you."

Jack reshaped the crystal's purpose, rerouting dark sigils into channels of renewal. Energy cascaded outward, Marrick screaming as his mask shattered, revealing fear-filled eyes.

The chamber filled with radiant turquoise, purging darkness. Jack staggered back, vision blurring—but triumphant.

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Dawn of Freedom

As the light faded, the city above fell into stunned silence. Oblivion had failed, its destructive energy transmuted into a wave of renewal.

Jack stood shakily, the crew gathering protectively around him. "We did it."

Lyra embraced him gently. "You did it—unbeatable you."

Jack smiled faintly, the city's newfound silence feeling like peace. "No—we did it. All of us."

Together, the Chaos Crew climbed upward, emerging into a dawn where freedom finally had a chance to flourish.