Seeing the rain abruptly calm to a halt stopped max in his tracks. Many thoughts crossing his mind like if this acidic rain had really stopped or just ceased for a limited time.
Along with the image of his dying mother and little sister image flashing in his head.
Mhm.. I can't stay here. Hesitant he looked upwards to the sky. The clouds were still dark in colour meaning it was still going to rain.
Gritting his teeth he took the bull by the horn. Speeding out from the house with several thick sheets covering his entire body. Adrenaline coursing through his veins as he pushed his legs forward. Running through the now deserted streets of lutharion.
Even the ground wasn't left. He muttered seeing not only the buildings and trees suffered loss. But also the ground, water, basically everything that came in contact with the strange green rain!
Please! H-help me. A loud shout stopped max in his tracks. Turning he could see a little girl about the same age and size of yuki. She was in bad condition with parts of her skin charred black sitting on the floor besides a dark corpse.
That must be one of her parents. Max thought staring at the body. It was burnt beyond recognition so he couldn't identify if it was male or female.
And judging by from the looks of the girls cloths he could tell they were homeless. Wandering about the streets without a roof over their head. And was unfortunately caught by sudden with the acidic rain.
She must've tried to protect her and sacrifice herself instead. His heart skipped some beats seeing the little girl in this condition.
The image of his mother and sister flashing in before his eyes once again. They were just like this little girl living off crumbs with the advantage of a roof over their heads.
Hey they.. am max, what's your name? Max softly uttered slowly approaching the little girl. He was conscious of his surroundings for any surprises after his encounter with Silas. Standing about 4 meters away from the little girl.
A-am ruby. She stuttered in between her sobs. Balls of tears streaming down her eyes.
Hey.. it's alright you don't need to cry am here. Max said with a warm tone stretching out his hand.
Mom said not to speak to strangers. She's been asleep like this since the rain. I-i tried waking her but she wouldn't get up. Please mister, help me wake her up. She begged going on her knees. More tears streaming down her cheek.
Seeing this different emotions mostly of sadness, anger, regret built up in max. He held the urge not to cry but still it was just sad.
A-am sorry ruby, but mom isn't going to be waking up anytime soon. He tried to let it down to her as easy as he could.
Anytime soon? S-so you're saying she's in a comma and will wake up one day if I wish really hard? Ruby excitedly said with her eyes sparkling with hope.
No, that wasn't what i- sighs.. yes, mom is in a deep comma and will wake up soon. There was nothing he could do but accept defeat. He didn't want to crush the girl's spirit any further.
Yayy.. ruby excitedly exclaimed clapping her hands together.
So innocent. Max thought seeing how jovial and carefree she was. It reminded him of the times yuki was born. The joy and the warmth in the air, like all their struggles and pain faded that instant.
Ruby do you know where your dad or a relative is? He asked making the bright ile on ruby's face die down a bit.
My mom said dad left when I was born and there isn't any relatives. Shaking his head she confirmed max suspicions.
Don't worry, I'll be your big brother. I also have a sister just your age and a mom. You can stay with us for the meantime. That is, if you don't mind a stranger.
Not responding immediately the little girl placed her had to her chin thinking of something.
You seem like good person mom would approve. I approve big brother. She smiled to which max also smiled back.
Removing a sheet he placed it over the burnt corpse. Picking ruby up in his arms and continuing on in his run.
**************
Lutharion's military HQ
Inside lutharion's military headquarters deep under ground in a highly steel reinforced bunker with armed military personnels. A bulky man with dark hair wearing a blue suit sat on the exquisite desk. His gaze staring out one of the huge glass windows in front.
It stopped? His face contorted into a frown than a smile.
Ha.. I thought that would be all but seems I was wrong again. That's what you get for having hope. He deeply sighed tapping his fingers lightly to his desk. Touching the deep scar on the left side of his cheek.
That idiot, he'll never truly be a leader until he grows up. Beru chuckled slightly shaking his head referring to Jin.
His expression then turned more serious staring at a transmitter on the desk. Just who or what, sent that distress signal?
***************
Lutharion's broadcast channel HQ
It stopped? Celine stormed out from the dressing room. In a more loose black dress with lesser makeup.
Being the lead reporter in lutharion she always had an IEM strapped to her ear. So she was immediately alerted the moment the rain stopped.
How is this possible? The system says it shouldn't have stopped raining until three days more.
Yes.. but this is also good news honey. It's the right time to give those nimwits some shroud of hope to suck on. Bob wearily smiled with a dubious expression.
Here the script has already been prepared for you. Go through it, make some changes I don't really care. You go live in 5. He tossed it over to her which Kate caught.
Just what's going on with the world? She question a shroud of worry showing on her face. Lutharion had it's ups and downs but never for once had it spiralled out of control like this.
Could it be- she paused shaking her head dismissing the bad thoughts.
It's just another phase. Stretching her hand the paper was handed to her. As she gracefully headed to an empty chair.
**************
And you're certain this will work. Jin asked handing a wrench to Jane.
Of course, have I ever failed you before?
Ehhm-
Look there's an 80% chance our plan is going to succeed. We went over this like the hundredth time so you don't have to worry. Jane boldly spoke with a weird chuckle. Gently tapping the tall rocket reaching about 27 feet high.
Equipped with four thrusters and three huge fan. Each with six sharp blades positioned at the sides of the rocket.
Alright if you say so. Jin awkwardly chuckled adjusting his glasses. He didn't understand science and space exploration. But he had faith in Jane and her weird contraptions.
Heading away from the launching room they made their way back to the command center.
Stats on alpha 2k45.
All systems are fully operational and it's a green for takeoff. The chubby male barely uttered with his mouthful of jam donuts.
Nodding she crossed her fingers hoping for the best.
Launch it. Nodding Erick the chubby scientist typed in some few commands pressing a big red button.
[Launch sequence initiated!]
[Countdown until launch 10 seconds..]
[9..]
What if the rain starts again or worse the plan goes wrong and fails. She thought plausible many scenarios of her plan failing.
It's okay. We'll scale through this. Jin softly uttered to which she nodded. Her gaze on the big screens timer counting down.
[5..]
[4..]
[3..]
[2..]
[1..]
The safe like hatch slowly slid open with the ignition of the rocket thrusters. The three fan blades spinning furiously in reverse. Sucking in air to the rocket.
Now we watch and see. She clenched her fist watching the rocket blast off. Reaching some feats in the air in the air.
Everything looks normal and is going according to plan. Eric said with a light smile making Jane let out a sigh of relief.
Extraction process is at 25 percent. It this continues we'll successfully eradicate the sulphuric air. Turning she let a nod of acknowledgement to Jin.
Seems like everything's going according to plan. She thought watching the rocket now at lutharion's ozone layer. Almost leaving the world.
Blam! Blam! Blam!
Several alarm sounds went off with multiple flashing red lights. Along with multiple red dots blinking rapidly on the huge screens.
What's happening!?
T-the air it's causing a chain reaction by surging hydrogen and oxygen in the rocket. Erick stuttered making Jane's face go pale.
Before anyone could react a huge explosion occured. The rocket blowing into bits raining down like meteors. Followed by the clouds turning dark painting the sky a mixture of crimson red and black.
*************
No~ max weakly uttered seeing the huge explosion. The atmosphere immediately changed turning scorching hot.
Gritting his teeth he pushed forward, blocking ruby's gaze. Just some few meters away from his house.
Run for your lives! It's the end of the world. Civilians screamed running about in a distorted manner.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several explosions occured as parts of the rocket crashed into buildings and people alike. Cries and screams filled the air as people burned in flames.
Mom! Yuki! Max yelled his built up tears streaming down his cheeks seeing his mother and yuki at the door of their house.
Rumble!!
The ground suddenly started shaking violently creating cracks which then split parts of the ground.
N-no! Max screamed seeing the floor Susan and yuki stood caving in. Adding energy into his legs he tried to reach but was blown back by a flaming rocket part.
H-have to save mom, y-uki. He barely uttered. Parts of his bones shattered into fragments along with his vision fading. His entire life flashing before his eyes, with the image of his mother and sister.
Let the day of reckoning begin. A deep voice spoke. The last thing he saw was the image of an abominable entity.