As the dust settled, Guion lay unconscious on a throne of bone and skulls, resembling a king who had fought until his last breath. His chest barely moved, and his breath was shallow, but he was alive. "Incomprehensible," the onlookers whispered as they cautiously approached him, marvelling at the fact that he was still breathing.
Everyone had heard the stories, but seeing Guion in this state was a different matter altogether. They knew who he was, yet they hesitated to approach him. Monster or hero, the line had blurred, and fear held them back. The crowd parted, making way for the only person who did not fear him Erick.
As Erick limped through the crowd, the people whispered among themselves, "That's him, the monster who protected us." When Erick finally reached Guion, he turned to face the crowd, his voice steady and filled with emotion. "The monster who protected us," he repeated, letting the words hang in the air. "I like that. It has a good ring to it. And I want you to remember that when you decide he's a threat and must be put to death. Because this monster is my brother, and he is a hero."
The crowd, moved by Erick's words, responded with hesitant applause that quickly grew into a thunderous ovation. They were inspired by the love and strength between the two brothers, recognizing the sacrifice that had been made for their safety. Erick's words had cut through their fear, and for a moment, they saw Guion not as a monster, but as the hero who had saved them all.
Sadly, their precious moment of respect was abruptly interrupted by the arrival of the military. A black helicopter descended onto the street, landing with a thunderous roar away from the crowd. From it emerged the president and the five-star general, their arrival commanding immediate attention.
Alongside them, in more subdued land vehicles, came Principe Royer, who had returned to his normal appearance, accompanied by Isabella and Juliana. As they approached, the throng of people parted, granting them a clear path to Erick.
The president, ever the politician, began with a gracious compliment. "America will never forget what you've done for its people," he said to Erick, his voice carrying an air of deep respect. However, Erick's face remained impassive as he shook his head. "The real hero is my unconscious brother," he retorted, his voice laden with unspoken pain.
Ignoring the praise, the president's tone shifted to one of cold command. "I demand that you arrest him now, while he is still weak and vulnerable." He stepped forward, his gaze locking with Erick's, attempting to persuade him with the authority of his office. But Erick, unmoved, drew his gun with deliberate calmness and levelled it at the president. "Take one more step and I'll shoot you," he said, his face a mask of grim determination.
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd as Juliana whispered, "Oh my God." The military, taken aback, immediately raised their own weapons, their barrels aimed at Erick. "Put your gun down, officer. Don't be foolish," commanded the five-star general.
The disparity in ranks seemed to make no impression on Erick. He regarded the general with a disinterested glance before turning his attention back to the president. The general's threats fell flat, as Erick's indifference made it clear that he was prepared to face whatever came next. "I know it's hard to hand over your brother, but this concerns the entire nation.
Don't make a rash decision, or we'll be forced to eliminate both of you," the president warned. "In that case, you'll have to go through me," Royer declared, stepping forward to stand beside Erick. Isabella and Juliana quickly joined him, their solidarity unshakable. "If Principe believes in him, so do I," Isabella said, taking her place beside Royer, while Juliana followed suit on the opposite side. The president's soldiers found themselves in a precarious position, caught between their orders and the unwavering loyalty of their comrades.
The supreme general, clearly frustrated, demanded compliance. "I see you've chosen sides. Very well. At the count of three, you will step aside, or we will take action." He glared at Erick, who responded with biting sarcasm. "Oh, is that before or after I turn the president into a fool?"
The president, struggling to maintain control, tried to assert his authority. "Julius is dead, which means a new leader will emerge. If he is missing, another war could erupt. Only my brother can stop it." Erick's voice grew more resolute. "You cannot control him. It's beyond your power."
Isabella's voice cut through the tension. "Believe me, he isn't kidding." The general, now faced with an impossible situation, ordered the troops to take Guion by any means necessary. Erick, leveraging the power of the media and public sentiment, turned the president's words against him. "This concerns the whole nation, doesn't it? Let them decide who they stand for their hero or your so-called heroes."
The scene was broadcast live, and as the nation watched in real-time, support for Guion swelled. The crowd, though initially silent and fearful, began to chant in unison. A small child broke free from his mother's grasp and began shouting, "Overwhelm! Overwhelm!" His cry was quickly taken up by others, until the entire crowd was roaring, "Overwhelm!" They surged forward, their collective voice a powerful shield against the military's advance.
As the throngs of people poured into the streets, filling every corner, the military found it increasingly difficult to maneuver. The president, recognizing the escalating chaos and the preciousness of Guion to the nation, reluctantly ordered the use of extreme measures. He knew the significance of Guion to national security but kept his deeper motives concealed.
In the midst of the upheaval, the surviving Overwhelm appeared in their human forms. They emerged from behind Guion's throne of bones, coming to pay homage to the new king. Two of them, recognizable by their familiar auras of pride and respect, stood as Guion's final line of defence.
The sight of these figures, bowing in reverence, stopped the advancing soldiers in their tracks. The general, taken aback by the apparition, whispered urgently to the president, "We need to leave now." With a sharp command, the soldiers began retreating to their vehicles.
Amid the withdrawal, the figure on the right, exuding arrogance, suggested, "Let's eliminate them now before they become more of a threat." The figure on the left, marked by calm and wisdom, responded, "Patience.
If I didn't know better, I'd say you're afraid. We might need to reconsider our approach."
The scene left an indelible mark on everyone present. The immense sacrifice, the clashing of values, and the raw display of human spirit all converged in a dramatic culmination that transcended mere conflict.