26.b (Interlude B, Golem part 2)

Summary of Parahumans: Worm, Chapter 26.b (Interlude B, Golem part 2):

At the Gails’ house, Theo is one of ten foster kids, all kept busy to give the Gails some breathing room. Mrs. Gail thanks Theo for being “one of the easy ones,” a small kindness he appreciates even as he focuses on his rigorous training regimen, a stark contrast to the backdrop of Endbringer attacks and societal unease. The world feels surreal, a collective pretense in the face of an unspoken, impending doom.

He arrives at the PRT building and finds Taylor, ready for their morning run and sparring session. He opts for sparring first, a decision Taylor accepts without comment. He asks if he’s still benefiting from their sessions, and she nods. Their dynamic is all business, hard and focused.

Theo suits up in his armor, a familiar comfort. Tecton arrives, initiating a serious conversation about Weaver. He reveals that she’s pushed other team members too far, causing friction. He warns Theo that Weaver demands everyone match her intensity, which can lead to “permanent damage,” physically, emotionally, or to their relationship. He advises Theo to back down, especially since Theo admits to having feelings for Weaver. Theo agrees to continue training, despite the risks.

In the gym, Weaver proposes a “real match,” full contact. She dominates the fight, using her bugs and flight to disorient and overwhelm him. He feels a flicker of resentment, a sense of betrayal, even though he asked for this. He knows this training will strain their friendship, but he’s desperate for any advantage she can impart.

The scene shifts to Golem, injured and facing Jack Slash after his failed attempt to stop him. Jack taunts him, delaying the killing blow for a “long talk.” Golem, barely able to move, feels despair. Jack delivers a devastating blow with his sword, flipping Golem onto his back.

Jack orders the Nine to advance. Golem, guided by Dinah’s voice, creates hands to collapse buildings, a desperate attempt to buy time. He patches his armor, moving with agonizing slowness.

He encounters Mannequin, blocking his path. He traps the tinker, using his power to create hands that bind and hold. He continues to the rooftop, collapsing more buildings, trying to keep Jack off balance.

He faces Chuckles, a clown with super speed and strength. He traps Chuckles with a hand, then encounters Murder Rat. She pins him, her blade-like claws trapping his wrists. She lowers her grotesque face towards his, her tongue pressing against his wounds.

Weaver arrives, saving him. Murder Rat collapses, dead. Golem, despite his injuries, insists on joining the pursuit of Jack. Parian stitches him up as they ride one of Bitch’s dogs to another rooftop.

They find Jack atop Hookwolf, giving orders. Foil tries to shoot Jack, but Weaver stops her, whispering, “It’s not him.” Golem realizes Jack has a Thinker power, a minor one that enhances his reactions.

Dinah gives Golem seven questions to optimize their attack. He asks about the chance of the world ending if they attack now, and she replies, “Ninety-seven percent chance, but the alternative is worse, and it’s getting worse every second!”

They attack. Foil kills two more Nine members. Tecton destabilizes the group with a shockwave. Parian’s creation traps Hookwolf momentarily. Golem asks Dinah for Jack’s location, then creates hands to block the alley, trapping Hatchet Face and King. He drops a giant hand on them, but Hatchet Face survives.

Hookwolf transforms into a blob, attacking Foil. Golem tries to block him, but fails. Parian’s creation sandwiches Hookwolf against a wall. Golem traps him with hands, but Hookwolf flows through the gaps, reforming into a wolf-headed serpent. Chevalier shoots him, scattering his components, but he reforms again.

Weaver attacks Hookwolf with her bugs, but it’s ineffective. Foil throws her rapier, impaling Hookwolf, who collapses.

Heroes arrive, including Cuff, Grace, Clockblocker, Kid Win, and Vista. Chevalier orders them to defend the perimeter. Golem warns them to hold off, realizing it’s a trap. He closes off the alley with his power, trapping the villains.

He creates hands to divide the group, leaving only King and Hatchet Face untouched. Weaver attacks, revealing the illusions: Jack hidden inside King, Siberian, and Gray Boy.

Golem shouts “Gray Boy!” Weaver orders everyone to run. Tecton creates cover with debris. Gray Boy freezes a section of the alley, trapping Tecton. He freezes Foil, creating a repeating loop of her screams.

Jack and Siberian advance. Jack monologues, wondering if they can trigger a second event, end the world, or kill Scion.

Golem asks Dinah for the chance of success with his plan. She replies, “Seventy.” He realizes there’s a “stupid, silly answer.”

He signals to a specific hero, excluding others. He asks Dinah for Jack’s location and timing, then gives the order to attack.

A D.T. officer descends, spraying containment foam at Jack and Siberian. Tecton uses the moment of Jack’s blindness to attack, knocking Siberian away from Jack. The officer sprays Gray Boy, who reappears out of the way. The foam freezes.

Siberian moves towards Jack but stops short. Jack is frozen, trapped in a loop. Gray Boy mocks him, then freezes Golem.

Foil, still screaming, steps around the field, throwing darts through Siberian and Gray Boy as his back is turned. Siberian vanishes, and Gray Boy collapses, neither reappearing.

They quarantine Jack, sealing him in containment foam. They report their success, learning that Houston is safe and Bonesaw has surrendered in New York.

They wait, unsure if they’re truly safe. Weaver asks if anyone knows what happened. Tecton says Jack said something he shouldn’t repeat. Weaver advises him to whisper it to someone he trusts. Tecton whispers to Golem, “Doesn’t make any sense. Nonsensical. He said-”.