Chapter 140: Hashon’s Destruction

Chapter 140: Hashon’s Destruction

Goma stands before the supercomputer, scrolling through lines of data as the computer’s fans make steady humming noises around him.

“These are the first ten Enigmuses?” he asks.

A list fills the screen.

Subject 1: Grom — Semi-successful

Subject 2: Harry — Failed

Subject 3: Maria — Failed

Subject 4: William — Failed

Subject 5: David — Failed

Subject 6: Ashley — Failed

Subject 7: Charlie — Successful

Subject 8: Lance — Failed (later successful)

Subject 9: Easia — Failed

Subject 10: Lucy — Failed

Goma’s eyes narrow as additional text appears beneath the list.

He reads the text aloud. “Our first ten subjects were largely failures, with the exception of two of them. One of those was only semi-successful. Though Subject 8 failed initially, he remained loyal to the project and assisted in its continuation. We couldn’t figure out how to replicate the success we had with Subject 7 until Udana retrieved information from the books stored in Daykona’s mansion. With that knowledge, Subject 8’s continued loyalty allowed him to become an Enigmus. We now have over 10,000 Enigmuses in our army. That number will rise sharply as all members of the Hawk Clan are converted.”

Goma exhales slowly. “Over ten thousand…”

He continues scrolling.

“What’s this? More information?”

New text appears.

He reads it aloud. “Our highest-priority target for Enigmus conversion is Zeth. His rate of power growth is unusually high. Further investigation confirms he is the son of the Light Goddess, Harmona.”

A familiar image appears on the screen, a front-shot of Zeth.

Goma’s eyes widen slightly.

“…I remember him,” he says quietly. “He’s the one I demonstrated my power to. Could he really be a divine being? I want to see it with my own eyes.”

Suddenly, the room shakes. A deep rumble vibrates through the underground facility, followed by distant explosions. Dust shakes loose from the ceiling.

Goma turns toward the exit. “Sounds like this place is being destroyed,” he mutters. “Time to get out of here.”

***

Meanwhile, with Sasha.

Sasha exits the City Council building just as explosions begin to ripple across the city. The ground shakes beneath her feet, and shockwaves echo through the streets as fires ignite in the distance.

She quickly spots Zeth, Keith, RAG, and Kurt nearby and runs toward them.

“Sasha!” Zeth shouts in relief. “I’m glad you’re safe! But what the hell is happening here!?”

“Kogen no longer needs this city, so he’s going to destroy it!” Sasha shouts. “Let’s get going!”

“Seriously!?” Zeth asks.

“Yes, so hurry!!” Sasha exclaims.

They immediately take off, sprinting through the streets as chaos erupts all around them. The explosions increase in size and frequency.

As they run, Sasha glances toward Kurt. “Kurt, I’m happy to see that you are okay!”

“Yeah, thanks to Zeth!” Kurt replies. “I’ll tell you all about it after we get the hell out of here!”

They charge forward, blasting through groups of Enigmuses that flood the streets ahead.

Explosions erupt in the distance as buildings begin to collapse. Suddenly, an explosion blasts a building near them, causing massive pieces of debris to fall toward them. Without hesitation, all of them fire magic energy–based attacks upward, shattering the falling debris before it can crush them.

With that taken care of, they keep moving.

***

Back with Goma.

Goma exits from the underground lab and finds himself inside a building already coming apart. Explosions tear through the structure as walls collapse around him.

He sprints toward an exit, barely making it outside as the building is completely destroyed behind him.

He runs until he reaches a nearby hill. He turns around and watches as the city below is consumed by fire and explosions.

“Kogen… Why?” he mutters.

***

Back with the heroes.

The heroes finally put enough distance between themselves and the city as the destruction nears its end. They stop and turn around, watching as Hashon is reduced to ruin.

“Unbelievable that someone would do this…” Zeth says. “I don’t like the Hawk Clan, but this is too much.”

***

Meanwhile, from a faraway spot, but still close enough to see the devastation.

Kogen and Udana stand together, watching as the last remnants of the city crash and burn.

Kogen spreads his arms wide, grinning with excitement. “Yes!! Destruction!! Blown to hell!! The Hawk Clan has come to an end!!”

One final, massive explosion erupts, and when it fades, nothing remains of the city but enormous piles of rubble.

“How many of my army was sacrificed doing this?” Kogen asks, turning his head to look at Udana.

“About 30 of them,” Udana replies. “I left that many behind to try to slow down Zeth and his allies. Though if I were to bet, I would bet they got out alive.”

“Very well,” Kogen says. “We shall prepare for them.”

Hashon is no more. The Hawk Clan in Harmone ceases to exist. With Kurt back, the heroes can now launch an assault on Kogen’s base of operations.

Chapter 140 END
To be Continued in Chapter 141: The Dark Goddess’s Commands