Chapter 171: Second Battery

The narrow drainage tunnel angled sharply upward leading away from the collapsing subterranean cavern. Leon and Nyx sprinted through the rushing ankle-deep water the deafening roar of the boiling geyser echoing violently behind them.

The air grew steadily cooler the toxic sulfuric steam fading into the familiar damp chill of the capital sewers.

They breached a heavy iron grate pushing out into a secluded alleyway just a few blocks away from the Gilded Lily. Leon hauled himself up onto the cobblestones reaching down to pull the corsair captain out of the dark hole.

Nyx collapsed against the damp brick wall panting heavily. Her crimson bathing gown was soaked and covered in gray soot but her dark eyes burned with fierce adrenaline.

"That was far too close," Nyx breathed resting her hands on her knees. She looked up at his towering frame offering a genuine exhausted smirk. "You really do enjoy breaking things tall man."

"It keeps the blood flowing," Leon replied casually rolling his broad shoulders.

The dull ache in his ribs served as a quiet reminder of his prolonged use of Kinetic Overload but the mission was an undeniable success. Two of Lady Morgana’s anchors were completely obliterated. The immense power supplying Silas’s gravity domain was currently bleeding out into the dirt.

A shadow shifted at the end of the alleyway.

Seraphina stepped into the dim light her gray traveling cloak swirling around her armored legs. She carried a familiar heavy steel blade resting casually on her shoulder. Beatrice and Elara followed closely behind her keeping a watchful eye on the main street.

"We felt the tremors," Seraphina announced tossing Leon his massive blunt weapon. He caught it smoothly strapping the heavy steel back into its rightful place. "The bathhouse staff evacuated the building claiming a natural gas eruption. The Syndicate operatives fleeing the rear exits did not make it very far."

Elara wiped a small streak of blood from her heavy cleaver offering a dark satisfied grin. "They burned nicely."

"The second battery is gone," Leon confirmed leaning against the alley wall. "Morgana has one anchor left. When we smash it the inner keep will be completely cut off from the city."

Valeriana stepped out from behind the Ice Queen holding a small glowing crystal in her delicate hands. The beautiful spy looked incredibly serious her dark eyes scanning the data scrolling across the magical device.

"Julian just sent a coded missive from the estate," Valeriana reported her voice tight with tension. "The neutral lords are securing the merchant districts but the Vanguard knights spotted massive troop movements near the palace walls. The Imperial Executioners are massing in the main courtyard."

"They are preparing to march," Seraphina deduced her violet eyes narrowing fiercely. "Morgana knows we are systematically blinding her. She is going to unleash her mutated beasts before we can sever the final anchor."

"Then we do not give her the time to organize," Leon commanded projecting his heavy magnetic authority. "Valeriana where is the third battery located?"

The spy tapped the glowing crystal pulling up a rough schematic of the capital’s central plaza.

"It sits directly beneath the Grand Cathedral of the Divination Court," Valeriana explained pointing to a massive structure near the palace gates. "It is the spiritual center of the city. The entire building is a fortress of religious fanatics and seasoned mages. It is the most heavily guarded location outside the throne room."

"A cathedral," Leon murmured a dark terrifying smile crossing his face. "I have always wanted to interrupt a sermon."

The digital interface chimed playfully projecting a soft pink text box directly over Captain Nyx’s soaked crimson gown.

[System Directive: The Corsair’s Reward]

[The fierce mercenary captain fought bravely in the boiling dark. Ensure she knows her efforts belong exclusively to your faction.]

[Objective: Step close to Nyx. Brush the soot from her cheek, wrap an arm around her waist, and tell her she earned a permanent spot by your side.]

[Reward: +20 Endurance, 550 Shameless Points.]

[Penalty: A localized sensory curse making you violently hiccup soap bubbles for two hours.]

Leon did not hesitate. The chaotic romantic tension was a vital tool keeping his strike team sharp and fiercely loyal.

He walked over to the exhausted corsair stopping mere inches away from her athletic frame. He reached out gently brushing a streak of gray ash from her scarred cheek. His calloused fingers lingered against her warm skin sending a concentrated spark of soothing energy into her tired muscles.

He wrapped his strong arm around her narrow waist pulling her firmly against his solid chest.

Nyx gasped softly her sharp predatory eyes widening in pure surprise. She instinctively rested her hands against his dark shirt feeling the steady rhythmic thumping of his massive heart. The blistering heat radiating from his body rapidly melted her tough mercenary exterior leaving her breathless and profoundly vulnerable.

"You earned a permanent spot by my side today Nyx," Leon whispered darkly his voice vibrating heavily against her ear.

The seasoned captain swallowed hard a brilliant red flush conquering her tanned cheeks. She opened her mouth to offer a sarcastic retort but the overwhelming pull of his masculine dominance completely silenced her. She leaned her head against his shoulder actively surrendering to his protective gravity.

[Quest Complete. Stat Rewards Distributed.]

A massive surge of physical resilience fortified his bones expanding his Endurance to handle the brutal night ahead.

Seraphina cleared her throat loudly crossing her armored arms. "If you are finished recruiting pirates Warden we have a cathedral to conquer."

Leon chuckled softly releasing the flustered corsair. He turned back toward the main street his sharp midnight eyes locking onto the towering spires visible in the distance.

"We move now," Leon ordered his voice dropping into a cold military register. "We smash the final anchor and then we march straight into the throne room. It is time to end this."

The final bloody confrontation was looming and Leon intended to tear the Divination Court down to its foundations.