Chapter 19: The Wrath of the Midnight Sun
Pod barely had time to catch his breath before a new presence made itself known. The air shifted, thickening with the oppressive weight of something far more sinister than Ryan's fury. He turned, his eyes widening in disbelief as dark, robed figures began emerging from the shadows, their faces hidden behind ornate masks. At the center of the group stood Morgan, his square jaw clenched, eyes burning with purpose.
"Pod," Morgan's voice boomed across the broken streets, cutting through the destruction like a knife. "Step aside. This is no longer your fight."
Pod's heart pounded in his chest. The Midnight Sun had arrived.
Morgan strode forward, his body rippling with controlled power. Around him, the space itself seemed to warp and twist, bending to his will as the air crackled with barely-contained energy. Behind him, his subordinates fanned out, positioning themselves in a circle around Ryan, ready to strike.
Pod's throat tightened. He had seen the church in action before—merciless, efficient, and utterly brutal in how they dealt with rogue Choujin. But this was Ryan. His best friend. And he knew Morgan wasn't here to save him. They were here to eliminate the threat.
"Don't do this!" Pod shouted, stepping between Morgan and Ryan. "I can still reach him. I just need more time!"
Morgan's gaze was cold, unflinching. "He's lost. The longer he stays in this form, the more dangerous he becomes. We're here to contain him before he destroys everything."
Pod clenched his fists. "You don't understand! He's not gone—he's fighting it! I saw it!"
Morgan's eyes flickered with something Pod couldn't quite place. Was it pity? Frustration? Either way, it was gone in an instant, replaced by the cold, calculating mask of a leader. "This isn't just about your friend, Pod. Ryan's power has grown beyond anything we've seen. If we don't stop him now, countless lives will be lost."
Behind them, Ryan let out another primal roar, his body still surging with the uncontrollable black energy. The ground quaked under the force of his rage, and Pod could feel the tension building, a ticking time bomb ready to go off.
But Pod couldn't give up on Ryan. Not yet.
"If you kill him, you'll only prove you're just like the rest of the churches," Pod shot back, his voice rising in defiance. "You claim to protect people, but all you do is destroy anyone who doesn't fit your vision of control. There's another way!"
Morgan's face hardened. "The way you're thinking of leads to ruin. We have a mission, Pod—a duty to protect humanity. Sometimes, that means making sacrifices."
With a gesture from Morgan, the other Choujin of the Midnight Sun moved in closer, their hands glowing with power as they prepared to strike.
"No!" Pod shouted, summoning his own strength, the energy inside him swelling to meet the growing threat. He couldn't let this happen. Not to Ryan. Not to anyone.
But before he could act, a soft, familiar voice cut through the tension.
"Pod, don't be a fool."
Jane emerged from behind Morgan's soldiers, her cigarette hanging loosely from her lips. She gave Pod a long, tired look, her usual smirk replaced with something colder. "You can't stop this. If you get in their way, they'll take you down too. You know that, right?"
Pod swallowed hard, his eyes darting between Jane and Morgan. He could feel the weight of the decision bearing down on him. If he fought the church, he'd be branded a traitor—just another rogue Choujin. But if he didn't…Ryan was as good as dead.
"I'm not leaving him!" Pod declared, his voice unwavering despite the fear gnawing at him.
Jane exhaled slowly, a cloud of smoke drifting upward. "Then you'd better be ready for what's coming."