The storm wasn't the only thing crashing down.
The entire front of the building tilted toward Kael's direction, stone and metal screaming as they tore apart. Shards of glass rained like falling stars. Kael froze — breath caught in his throat.
No way…
I'm gonna die.
Like this?
The collapsing structure roared closer, its shadow swallowing him whole. Kael inhaled what he thought would be his final breath—
BOOM!
A shockwave blasted through the street.
A woman in a black suit appeared out of nowhere, one hand extended forward. A glowing green shield burst from her palm, slicing the falling building into dust and fragments. Concrete shattered around them like confetti.
Kael stared, breathless.
The woman's voice was sharp, commanding.
"Be careful."
Kael nodded quickly and sprinted away, sweat sliding down his face as adrenaline flooded his body.
What's up with this situation?
I'm done… I'm actually done…
As he and the crowd ran, a heavy announcement thundered across the city:
"Hawks are here. We will take over the situation."
People around him slowed, their panic easing—
But Kael's heart didn't calm.
The half-collapsed building in front of him twitched.
A chill shot down his spine.
What is it I'm feeling…?
A bad feeling?
From behind the ruins, the giant creature from before let out a deep, monstrous roar.
The resulting blast of air hurled debris down the street. Helicopters above tilted in panic.
"We're crashing—!
We're crashing—!!"
One by one, the helicopters spiraled out of control, spinning downward in burning circles.
BOOM!
Flames erupted as they hit the ground, explosions shaking the entire street, heat blasting across Kael's face.
And then—
In front of Kael, the ground trembled.
A swirling burst of molten lava shot upward from beneath the building.
ZZNG!
The entire structure was swallowed in an instant, melting into fiery liquid.
People froze in horror.
Screams tore through the air.
"HELP!"
Kael collapsed to his knees, eyes wide, breath shaking hopelessly.
I will die for sure…
Yeah… for sure…
The heat from the lava glowed across his skin as the world burned around him.