26.3

Summary of Parahumans: Worm, Chapter 26.3:

In a tense waiting game, Weaver, formerly known as Skitter, found herself amidst a gathering of heroes and villains, preparing for a confrontation with the Slaughterhouse Nine. Crucible, a newer member of the Chicago Wards, expressed his gratitude for being included in the mission, despite the overwhelming danger. Clockblocker, the experienced Ward leader, offered advice on leadership, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the team’s safety.

The conversation took an awkward turn when Toggle, the youngest Ward, joked about a supposed romantic connection between Weaver and Clockblocker. Clockblocker, clearly annoyed, explained the origins of the rumor, attributing it to online speculation and the city’s unspoken understanding of the Undersiders’ role in maintaining peace. He lamented the impact on his career and the constant reminders of the Weaver-Clockblocker theory.

Vista, ever the observant one, pointed out Clockblocker’s pent-up frustration, leading to an apology from the usually stoic hero. The discussion shifted to the impending apocalypse, a topic that weighed heavily on everyone’s minds. Weaver questioned Clockblocker’s ability to plan for a future beyond the supposed end of the world, to which he responded that maintaining hope was essential for sanity.

The group’s dynamics became apparent, with the veteran members like Clockblocker and Kid Win exhibiting a more cynical outlook compared to the newer ones. Clockblocker even suggested that humanity’s destruction might be a deserved outcome, considering the prevalence of selfishness and idiocy in the world.

Grue and Rachel arrived, reporting that the Red Hands, a villain team, had departed. Weaver brushed off any concerns about their absence, focusing instead on the mission at hand. She found a moment of comfort in Rachel’s presence, a silent understanding passing between them as they prepared for the unknown.

Foil, now in a relationship with Parian, described her surprisingly mundane life on the “dark side,” filled with domestic routines and occasional bodyguard duties. The conversation turned lighthearted, with Imp teasing Foil and Parian about their relationship, only to be met with a warning dart from Foil.

A sudden shift in tone signaled the start of the operation. Golem had engaged the Nine at another location, and it was their turn to move. The building they were targeting was hermetically sealed, a chilling indication of Mannequin’s involvement. Vista created an opening, triggering a small explosion of ice, a defense mechanism likely devised by Mannequin or a stolen technology.

Weaver speculated on the nature of the trap, theorizing that the building was either pressurized, with hostages in a sealed area, or the interior was safe, with hostages and the Nine in unpressurized rooms. Vista created a tunnel into the building’s interior, bypassing the pressurized areas.

Inside, they discovered a gruesome scene. Murder Rats, Breeds, and a towering figure identified as a Hatchet Face hybrid awaited them. Grue, using his stolen powers, attempted to use Hatchet Face’s power nullification, but it was only partially effective. They decided to clear the building floor by floor, cornering the Nine and their hostages in the penthouse.

The battle in the stairwell was chaotic and brutal. Murder Rats, Mannequins, and Breed’s parasites attacked from all directions. The heroes struggled to gain an advantage, their powers hampered by Hatchet Face’s presence and the limitations of fighting in a confined space.

Tattletale contacted Weaver, revealing that Eidolon had arrived, drawn by the commotion. Weaver, wary of Eidolon’s potential as a catastrophic threat, urged Tattletale to turn him away. She argued that Eidolon’s presence was a danger, a potential trigger for the apocalypse they were trying to prevent.

The fight reached a climax as they reached the penthouse, where the Hatchet Face hybrid, revealed to be a combination of Hatchet Face and King, stood guard. Tyrant, as he was called, possessed immense strength and durability, and his power transferred any harm he suffered to his “pawns,” people he had touched recently.

Eidolon, having created a portal to the penthouse, confronted Weaver, questioning her authority and her motives. Weaver argued that Eidolon’s power was waning and that he posed a greater risk than she did. She pointed out that while she had the potential for evil, she was also capable of being stopped, unlike Eidolon.

In a tense standoff, Weaver convinced Eidolon to leave, appealing to his desire to be a hero and warning him of the potential consequences of his involvement. Foil, using her rule-breaking bolts, killed Tyrant, exploiting his one weakness.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Weaver turned her attention to the hostages, discovering that some of them were hosts for Breed’s parasites. Crucible, using his powers, incinerated the infected individuals, a necessary but grim act.

A coffin in the room, initially suspected to contain Jack Slash, was revealed to hold an illusion of Nyx, a member of the Nine with the power to create deceptive appearances. Nyx, desperate to survive, offered information in exchange for her freedom. She revealed that Jack was on his way to visit Nilbog, a powerful and dangerous villain.

Despite Nyx’s pleas, Crucible killed her, ending the immediate threat but leaving the heroes with the knowledge that Jack Slash was still at large, pursuing his own twisted agenda. The battle was won, but the war was far from over.