"I knew it! The world recognized me! I am the protector of Moskol!", declared Blood Night with radiant satisfaction, as if the destruction caused by Nolan were merely a public validation of his importance.
Kel turned to him with evident exasperation, nervously adjusting his glasses: "Stop delirious, you traveler! This is serious stuff!"
Shine remained absorbed watching the destruction images on the screen. Kel's revelation had completely changed her perspective on Nolan Jackson. For the first time in her life, she was seeing her biological father - not as an anonymous villain, but as the man who had fathered her and then lost her. Her eyes followed his every movement through the cameras, studying his gestures, trying to find resemblances between them.
But even with this devastating emotional discovery, she couldn't ignore the destruction he was causing. Houses crumbled under his red energy attacks. Families ran desperately through the streets, carrying children and essential belongings. It was the same people of Moskol who had given her shelter when she was just a lost girl in the streets.
The loyalty she felt for these simple and welcoming people was stronger than any newly discovered biological connection. She couldn't abandon those who had protected her when she needed it most.
Shine faced Blood Night with renewed determination: "We need to go."
Her words came charged with a resolution that surprised even her. There was something different in her expression - a mixture of personal pain and heroic responsibility that made her seem more mature, more focused.
She began to walk toward the elevator, her steps echoing through the laboratory like drumbeats marking the rhythm of a march to battle.
Blood Night followed her, but his mind was busy processing all the beatings he had taken from Nolan in previous encounters. The memories of physical pain mixed with the humiliation of being completely dominated. His muscles still ached from the impacts, and his confidence was shaken in a way he would never admit aloud.
He perceived with growing discomfort that, perhaps this time, the outcome would be exactly the same - one more crushing defeat.
"We'll stop somewhere first", he said, trying to mask his hesitation with a casual tone.
Shine stopped and looked at him with curiosity, but decided to follow him without questioning. There was urgency in the situation, but she trusted that he had some plan in mind.
From the laboratory, Kel's worried voice echoed through the communicator: "Guys, you need to hurry! A lot of people could end up getting seriously hurt!"
But Blood Night continued walking toward the surface, climbing the stairs until he reached Kel's apparently ordinary house. His steps were measured, as if he were mentally preparing himself for some kind of difficult negotiation.
They walked through the residential streets of Moskol for several blocks, passing identical houses with small gardens and low fences. The contrast between suburban normalcy and the destruction they knew was happening downtown created a surreal atmosphere.
Finally, Blood Night stopped in front of a house that seemed slightly better maintained than the others. It had a dark wooden door and some potted plants as decorative ornaments on the porch.
He approached and rang the doorbell. The sound echoed inside the house, followed by dragging steps and the sound of someone stumbling over furniture.
Shine remained a few steps behind him, watching with growing curiosity what exactly he intended to do.
The door opened revealing A02 in sleeping clothes - an oversized t-shirt and shorts - with messy hair and eyes still blurred by sleep. It was evident she had been abruptly awakened.
"Hey!", said Blood Night with forced enthusiasm. "Remember when I said about lending you my protagonist role? Yeah, I really want to lend it now."
A02 stared at him with a mixture of irritation and disbelief: "Get out of here."
A female voice sounded from inside the house: "Nick, who is that?"
It was Leila, still visibly under the effects of alcohol from the previous night, her voice slurred but concerned.
"Nobody important", A02 replied without taking her eyes off Blood Night.
A00's eyes lit up upon hearing Leila's voice: "That voice must be my yang!"
A02 began closing the door: "Never again."
"Wait!", Blood Night placed his foot on the doorstep, preventing it from closing completely. "This isn't about me, but about Moskol. Remember the guy from yesterday? Yeah, he's coming after me specifically."
His voice acquired a more serious tone: "And if I don't face him, he'll destroy the entire city. I need your help. Moskol needs your help. My story needs you."
He paused, unable to resist adding: "Just like it needs me, of course, because without me there would be no main narrative."
A02 analyzed him from top to bottom, her eyes stopping at the black suit with the red star on the chest. There was something in her posture that suggested she was carefully weighing the implications of the situation.
Shine stepped forward: "Please, help us."
Her words came out in a neutral tone, almost indifferent. The revelation about her parents had created an emotional storm inside her, but externally she maintained a mask of professional calm. She didn't seem like someone about to face her own father in mortal combat.
After long moments of tense silence, during which A02 alternated her gaze between Blood Night and Shine, she finally sighed heavily.
"Wait here", she said, closing the door dramatically in their faces.
Blood Night remained standing on the porch, hearing muffled sounds of movement inside the house. Drawers being opened, clothes being handled, metal objects banging against each other.
After approximately ten minutes that seemed like an eternity, the door opened again.
A02 had transformed completely. She wore a black combat suit that fit perfectly to her body, highlighting her athletic musculature without restricting her movements. The fabric seemed to be the same technical material used in specialized military uniforms.
At her waist, several metallic discs shimmered discretely, organized in a tactical belt that also carried two compact pistols in special holsters. Each piece of equipment was positioned for quick and efficient access during combat.
She looked at the two with an expression that mixed resignation and lethal determination: "After this, I never want to see your faces again. Are we clear?"
Blood Night nodded vigorously, unable to hide his satisfaction at having managed to recruit such a competent ally.
They began to walk through the streets toward downtown Moskol, forming a natural triangular formation. Blood Night assumed the front position, like a captain leading his small troop. Shine and A02 flanked him on both sides, maintaining a tactical distance that allowed for mutual coverage.
As they approached downtown, the signs of destruction became increasingly evident. The air was heavy with dust and smoke. Abandoned cars blocked several streets, forcing them to make detours through alleys and side streets.
The distant sound of explosions echoed between the buildings, occasionally accompanied by screams of panicked people. Sirens from ambulances and fire trucks created an apocalyptic soundtrack that increased the tension of the moment.
When they finally reached the most affected area, the scene was devastating. Dust rose in dense clouds that partially obscured vision. Entire houses had collapsed, creating mountains of debris that blocked previously busy streets.
At the epicenter of all that destruction, Nolan Jackson floated in the air like a vengeful divinity. His red energy radiated perceptible heat even from a distance, making the air ripple like over hot asphalt in summer.
His fists were tightly clenched, muscles tense like piano strings about to snap. When he spotted them approaching, his eyes narrowed with an intensity that promised absolute violence.
Blood Night unsheathed his sword with a fluid motion, spinning the blade in the air to test its weight and balance. The sun was at its highest point in the sky, its warm rays hitting directly on his shoulders - perfect conditions for the use of his darkness powers.
With renewed confidence from the presence of strong sunlight and the company of two competent allies, he pointed his sword in Nolan's direction and declared: "Let's go beat up the bald guy!"
**[M.L.P - Multiverse: Forbidden Legacy]**