NOVEL WEB Chapter 101: Collision
Director Grey's senses tingled with alarm from within his office, and he muttered, "Shit" under his breath as he felt the approaching forces of mana descending from the sky like twin storms. He knew exactly who they were and why they had come.
When the dust screen finally cleared, two figures stood revealed in the crater, Nacht Nyron and Selene Marquis of the White Hunters, their presence radiating so much magic pressure. Dorian's face, which had been twisted with fury just moments before, somehow contorted into a devious smirk that seemed to relish the chaos about to unfold.
He closed the SUV's door he'd been about to enter and turned to face them properly, with his posture relaxed yet predatory, "Well, if it isn't my two favorite people in the world," Dorian said with a grin, spreading both arms wide as though to welcome them mockingly.
Nacht stepped forward, his aura already flaring massively around him like a visible heat haze. "I thought I made it clear the last time that the next occasion I see you in Michigan would be your last."
Selene watched from behind him with both arms folded, her expression unreadable but her stance suggesting she was ready for violence at a moment's notice.
Director Grey had rushed out of the main building with Kent close behind, and he called out urgently, "Nacht!" just as the President of White Hunters finished speaking.
But Nacht didn't turn, his eyes remained locked on Dorian, who maintained that infuriating grin.
"First off, everyone needs to calm down, there's no need for—" Grey began diplomatically.
Nacht cut him off without breaking eye contact with Dorian, and asked, "Director, why is Dorian Graves back in Michigan, and what is he doing here?"
Edmund had started getting up slowly from where the shockwave had sent him sprawling, bruises already darkening on his face. He took in the scene before him and began backing away cautiously, recognizing the danger in the air.
Dorian's response came with some bravado: "This is my city, and I'm back, bitch!"
Nacht's aura flared even brighter, and Selene unfolded her arms, her body language shifting into combat readiness.
"Hey, hey, hey! Nacht, calm down, we can talk about this inside," Grey said, gesturing his hand toward the building.
"There's nothing to talk about, Garene," Nacht replied coldly, his hand moving toward his sheathed blade. "Dorian is leaving this city right this moment!"
Dorian chuckled, but then his tone went grim and cold as ice. "The last time, I was taken by surprise, but this time…" His own aura erupted with such force that the windows of the nearby SUV shattered entirely under the pressure.
Selene's eyes widened slightly as she stepped forward, ready to engage as well.
"…I'm down to take you both right here and right now!" Dorian completed his declaration.
Dark energy overtook Selene as her eyes began to glow and her own power flared to match the others. The air itself seemed to crackle with impending violence, and even Director Grey looked genuinely alarmed by the escalation.
Kent had the wisdom to step back slowly, recognizing that this was far beyond what he himself would be able to handle.
Both Nacht and Selene lunged forward simultaneously while Dorian launched himself at them with equal ferocity...
sfx: BOOM!
What looked like an explosion of white light erupted from the collision point, but when the light faded, Liam stood at the center of the maelstrom. His left hand had caught Dorian's fist while his right hand generated an invisible barrier using his Sovereign Hands ability, cushioning the impact of both Nacht's sword and Selene's strike.
Liam and the other agents had been returning from their earlier mission when he'd sensed the massive surge of magical energy nearby. Using his flight ability to arrive ahead of the others, he'd entered the situation at precisely the right moment to prevent catastrophe.
"Not in this facility, people," Liam declared firmly, his gaze sweeping across all three combatants.
Dorian pulled his arm back while Nacht and Selene retreated from their attacks. The immediate threat diffused but tensions still ran high.
Dorian scoffed, then said, "Looks like USOV got themselves a pretty strong guy." He adjusted his suit jacket and turned toward Edmund, who stood at a safe distance, motioning for him to approach so they could leave. Edmund hurried over, and moments later their vehicle reversed and departed the facility despite its shattered windows.
Nacht was preparing to act or pursue when Director Grey called out, "Nacht, let's talk in my office first." This prompted the President to stop and turn toward Grey with anger still blazing in his eyes, but he relented and began walking toward the main building with Grey and Kent following.
Selene, however, didn't immediately follow. Her gaze remained fixed on Liam for several long seconds before she walked closer after Nacht had gone inside. "I've never seen or heard of a Visor whose strength grows this fast," she observed with genuine curiosity.
"I'm not sure I understand where you're headed with this Miss," Liam replied carefully.
"Just now, you were able to stop all of our attacks simultaneously," Selene pointed out.
"To be fair, you and the President had already pulled back most of the strength from your strikes at the right moment," Liam said, recognizing their restraint.
"You noticed that…" she said with an approving smile, then turned and walked toward the building with both arms folded again.
Liam watched her go, then looked down at his trembling left arm, the one that had absorbed the full force of Dorian's punch. He could feel his bones still vibrating from the impact, and he clenched his fist, trying to steady the shaking.
In that moment, Liam realized with clarity that Dorian Graves was an extraordinarily powerful Visor.
A few seconds later, USOV SUVs rolled into the compound while Elaine descended from the air. They were the agents who had been following Liam until he'd sensed the energy surge and sped ahead, leaving them behind in his urgency to prevent what could have been a disaster.