25.5

Worm, Chapter 25.5 Summary:

It’s been three days, and Khonsu is still undefeated. Capes are losing the fight against him, and he is starting to regenerate his wounds. He appears in a new location every thirty minutes. Nuclear weapons were used against him in Russia, with heroes still trying to minimize the damage. Legend, Alexandria, and Eidolon are taking shifts, fighting two times, resting one time. It is hard to rest, though, when Endbringer can appear any time anywhere.

Weaver hasn’t slept properly in three days, which worries Tecton. She is scared, tired and feels helpless. She says that she always wanted to help, even when she was undercover with the Undersiders or when she was a villain. It was about the actions she was taking and why. She became a warlord, took care of people, escalated in terms of power she wielded, and now she can reach out both to villains and heroes. Yet she feels more and more helpless. Tecton convinces her to get some sleep, but she is interrupted by a woman in a suit. She is already gone, but a doorway remains open.

Weaver’s swarm enters the hallway, finding no traps. The woman in the suit stands aside, while another presence is detected nearby, a non-presence. One person, if she could be called a person; a phantom, flowing through the space. The woman in the suit directs Weaver to a doorway. On the other side, there are people she recognizes.

It’s a circular room with large panels, each with a different person or group standing in front. Tattletale and Grue are there, and Tattletale reveals she asked for Weaver to be picked up. Opposite them is Chevalier, along with Exalt and another cape. Dragon and Defiant are also present, in their power armor.

Other stations include a man in power armor with a cross tattoo on his face, a woman accompanied by a large monster with a skull for a head, a group of twelve with a girl at the forefront, and a woman and man sitting at a table, both in ordinary clothes.

Three men in robes are also present. Another panel lights up, revealing Faultline and several monstrous parahumans. The woman in the suit joins the woman and man sitting at the table, revealing them to be Cauldron. The woman introduces herself as Doctor Mother, the founder of Cauldron.

Tattletale suggests cutting to the chase, focusing on the Endbringer problem. They need to use the weapons and schemes they’ve been keeping for a rainy day, and negotiate for future safety in exchange for using their resources. Some aren’t willing to do so, fearing critical disadvantage. Doctor Mother says they can help troubleshoot, but Cauldron won’t use their cards. Weaver is furious, suspecting that Cauldron’s portal system could change the tide, but Doctor Mother refuses. Tattletale says it is because they are afraid someone will trace the portal back. Marquis suggests it is because of a bigger fear.

Doctor Mother states the Endbringers are a puzzle independent of every other major variable. Glaistig Uaine, the girl from the group of twelve, speaks of the end of all things, stating it doesn’t concern other celestial bodies and that it will end one way or another. She is from the Birdcage, and she refuses to fight, wanting only to collect from among the dead. She demands a hundred thousand corpses of naturally gifted parahumans to see their lights dancing in the air. Doctor Mother offers to provide them over ten years, or twenty-seven, in exchange for assistance beyond this fight. Glaistig Uaine declines, saying her word is too vital and she would rather be with the others than be separated until the grand celebration.

Marquis suggests freeing others from the Birdcage to fight, including himself and his daughter. Chevalier refuses, saying they would be letting wolves free to deal with a lion. Dragon also refuses, threatening to deploy everything to stop them if they try to rescue the prisoners. Chevalier offers to bargain with Doctor Mother, promising to ignore one or two Cauldron capes in exchange for keeping the Birdcage sealed.

Weaver says it’s a failure across the board, as they are not doing enough. She suggests sharing information and resources. Turanta from the Thanda offers assistance, as they owe Weaver for helping after Phir Sē’s death. They have the means but rely on their enemies not knowing their true abilities. They will ask a small favor from everyone but Weaver and Chevalier after.

Moord Nag, the woman with the shadow pet, is offered assistance to fight. She initially refuses, saying she is satisfied to see the world burn. Doctor Mother offers to supply what she needs to replenish her power, in exchange for five thousand lives. Dragon and Chevalier object, but Doctor Mother says it’s a small price to pay. Moord Nag accepts, saying the contract is sealed.

Chevalier vows to find her after the battle, before the people are delivered. Doctor Mother says they could ask Chevalier to leave it be, as a favor for not letting Marquis and others free. Chevalier refuses, saying not five thousand people. Doctor Mother says they will try to stop them, and that is one Endbringer they should be able to drive away.

Doctor Mother offers to pay Faultline to create more escape routes to major cities, leading to the world that the Brockton Bay portal goes to. Faultline refuses, not wanting Cauldron’s money, but offers a discount to Chevalier.

Tattletale was brought to check if anyone present was the designer of the Endbringers. She confirms nobody here is. Chevalier says he has no choice but to attend future meetings, to know what’s happening behind the scenes. Doctor Mother admits they schemed this, and Tattletale and Weaver guess it’s for a new world order.

Weaver says they were guinea pigs, but Doctor Mother says it’s not about them being in charge, and it’s small scale in the grand scheme of things. Doctor Mother says they will go down in history as villains, but it’s worth it to save everyone. Gregor questions why they are so confident they will succeed. Doctor Mother says they have a parahuman that sees the path to victory, and the alternative is everyone dying a grisly death.

Weaver realizes they know how the world ends. Doctor Mother confirms, saying they already saved it once, and then leaves with Contessa and the man with glasses.