Chapter 47

BURNING DOWN CONTROLS

North Los Angeles, California, United States

As Gen and Emperor approached the hilltop, the winds whipped around them with a fierce intensity, beating their bodies and threatening to knock them off course. The sun bore down on them, its searing rays a relentless assault that made the air shimmer and dance like an illusion. Undeterred, the pair pressed on, their bond stronger than any physical force that dared to stand in their way.

Emperor’s wings sliced through the turbulent currents with a grace that belied his immense size. His movements were fluid and precise as he navigated the treacherous skies full of wind, birds and pollution. Gen clung to his back, her muscles tensed and her senses heightened. She was alert for any signs of danger that might lurk among the rolling hills and placid lakes below.

As they drew nearer to the transmitter, their minds melded into one, a seamless fusion of thought and intent. Together, they surveyed the structure, their combined knowledge and intuition guiding them to the optimal point of attack. Not only was taking down the transmitter a challenge, but doing it quickly was key. Hopefully, they were done and well onto the next tower before the authorities knew what had happened.

Emperor’s chest swelled with a deep, resonant hum, the sound building in intensity until it seemed to fill the very air around them. His jaws parted, revealing rows of gleaming teeth that glinted in the sunlight, and Gen could feel the heat building within him, a searing inferno that begged for release. She braced herself for what she knew would come next.

With a roar that shook the earth and echoed through the sky, Emperor unleashed a torrent of flames. The fire surged forth like a living thing, hungry and insatiable. The blaze engulfed the transmitter, its blistering heat a tangible force that made the air crackle and pop with energy.

Gen’s heart pounded as she watched the flames dance and leap, wrapping around the structure. The metal of the tower glowed a deep, angry red as it began to warp and twist under the onslaught of heat. She could feel the scorching temperatures on her face. Instantly, the air around them shimmered like a desert mirage, but Gen refused to look away, even as her eyes watered from the brightness and heat.

Her gaze stayed locked on the destruction unfolding before her, watching with nervousness and also excitement. Gen was too afraid that if she looked away, something would go wrong, preventing them from taking down the structure poisoning the minds of the citizens one billboard message at a time.

Emperor’s fire was a work of art. It was like a masterpiece of precision and control. The flames licked at the tower’s weakest points, exploiting every flaw and vulnerability until the structure began to crumble and collapse in on itself. The ground shook with the force of the impact, but Gen and Emperor remained steadfast, their focus unwavering.

Watching the metal warp and droop as it melted downward was incredibly satisfying to Gen. She didn’t take pleasure in destroying, but she did revel in the notion that she was tearing down a monster of sorts. The creaking of the frame as it broke apart and splintered to the ground below seemed to be the victorious music to this battle they were easily winning.

As the transmitter toppled over, Gen glanced over her shoulder. She both searched for signs of others coming to stop them and innocent people watching in the distance. Fortunately, the tower was so far out of the way, on the outskirts of the city, that no one seemed to have taken notice yet. That wouldn’t last long though. A fiery tall tower would catch the notice of the authorities.

In the distance, Gen spotted one of the closest billboards. It was still some distance away, but her eagle eyes spied it and its contents easily. She watched as the billboard flickered momentarily, its lighted surface struggling to remain clear. The words on its surface jumbled slightly. Then all at once, the electronic billboard died, its insidious messages fading into nothingness.

A surge of triumph welled up within her at once. Gen let out a triumphant yell, needing to release the tension that had been building within her. The yelp of victory unleashed a fierce joy that made her heart sing and her blood race with even more adrenaline.

She and Emperor had struck a blow for freedom. They had given the people of Los Angeles a chance to reclaim their minds and their lives. Even if the citizens had no idea that they’d been controlled, Gen knew that their chains were being destroyed and that brought her a happiness like no other.

The authorities would be on their trail now. The first tower had been easy. However, what followed next would undoubtedly be a relentless pursuit that would test their skills and their resolve to the very limit.

With a final, searing blast of heat, Emperor extinguished his flames, leaving the remains of the transmitter to smolder and smoke in the afternoon sun. Gen leaned forward, her hand resting on his scales, feeling the power and the strength that flowed within him. He had performed expertly, using his power efficiently to bring down the first transmitter.

“Good work,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of the wind. “Now, we head east. The next one is waiting for us.”

Emperor gave a nod of acknowledgment. His muscles flexed as he prepared to take off through the skies once more. Gen’s pulse skyrocketed with mounting anticipation. She had always loved this moment when in battle with the thrill of the hunt and the promise of victory singing in her veins.

As the pair rose higher into the air, away from the torched tower, the wind whipped at their faces and the sun beat at their backs. Gen believed that they were a force to be reckoned with. She and Emperor were a partnership forged in the fires of adversity and tempered by the unbreakable bonds of trust and loyalty.

The road ahead would be long and fraught with danger, but together, they would see it through to the end. For the people of Los Angeles, for the truth, and for the future that hung in the balance, waiting to be claimed by those with the courage and the will to fight for it. This medieval warrior believed she’d been misplaced for a reason—all so she could protect the modern world from new age injustices.