29.1

Chapter 29.1: Navigating the Ruins of a Shattered World

Tattletale wakes up, disoriented but quickly adjusting, her power providing context. She and Taylor discuss the state of the world, acknowledging the devastation but recognizing human resilience. Taylor, unable to sleep, admits the Simurgh’s lullaby was unsettling, especially after the Endbringer’s cryptic apology. Tattletale dismisses the apology as insincere, boasting about her wealth and urging Taylor to focus on mobilizing their allies.

They reflect on the psychological toll of recent events. Taylor, having anticipated the apocalypse, feels a detached numbness, questioning her own sanity during moments of extreme stress. Tattletale, ever pragmatic, inquires about Taylor’s communication efforts, hinting at someone Taylor avoided. They discuss their unexpected rise to prominence, a bittersweet achievement in a dying world.

Tattletale reveals the survival of only high-tech and low-tech communication, like satellites and hard copies. Taylor shares that Dragon is likely managing Defiant’s duties, and that Doormaker, who doesn’t sleep, is unresponsive, having left a portal open to a remote area of Earth Bet. Concerned, they decide to investigate.

They pass a soldier, whom Tattletale instructs to gather their belongings and deliver them through the portal. If they don’t return within 24 hours, he’s to assume they’re dead and deliver Tattletale’s data to someone important. Outside, they encounter the Simurgh, who has made cosmetic changes to her guns, resembling wings. Tattletale explains the Simurgh likely lacked the necessary schematics or tinker access for functional modifications. They speculate on the Simurgh’s motives, considering the changes might be a clue about Scion.

They reach the portal to Earth Bet, now distorted by Vista’s power. The Simurgh passes through, her wings barely fitting. They board the Dragonfly, navigating the distorted space to reach the Gimel portal. Vista, Silk Road, and the Knave of Hearts are working on a solution for transportation and communication between portals, as Cauldron has seemingly abandoned them.

Tattletale assists with the technical aspects, providing coordinates for concealed portals. Taylor leaves to check on the other capes, finding Miss Militia organizing the Gimel settlement, which is transforming from a refugee camp into a staging ground. Taylor approaches the Chicago Wards, including Rachel, Imp, Foil, and Parian. They discuss Cauldron’s disappearance, with Tecton agreeing it’s not malicious.

Rachel mentions a tinker wanting to experiment on her dogs with Lab Rat’s serums, and she needs to confirm with Miss Militia if she should go with it, but is getting irritated with Dr. Baby-talk’s tone. Taylor explains the potential outcomes, emphasizing the importance of experimenting with power combinations. Rachel agrees to talk to Miss Militia. Imp and Tecton plan a prank to mess with the doctor, using Rachel’s illiteracy as a setup, though it backfires.

Grace confronts Taylor about her black costume, signifying her departure from the Protectorate. Taylor admits that the failed mission against Jack Slash was a factor, but not the entirety of it. Grace expresses disappointment about Taylor and Golem drifting away, and Cuff asks Taylor to talk to Golem. Taylor agrees, but before she can leave, news arrives that Scion is attacking another settlement.

They mobilize, heading through the portal. Scion appears, targeting their settlement. He attacks, killing and injuring capes with his energy blasts. He confronts a cape, burning him alive, then deliberately targets others, maximizing suffering. Foil takes aim with her arbalest, but Scion catches the bolt. He focuses on Foil, and Parian throws her away to save her from a lethal blast. Scion continues his rampage, picking off capes.

The Simurgh arrives through the portal, further scattering the already panicked capes. As the situation grows more desperate, the hope is that Scion will continue toying with them long enough for reinforcements to arrive through the newly established fast-travel routes. However, the arrival of an Endbringer threatens to change Scion’s behavior, signaling a potentially catastrophic escalation. It’s the beginning of the end.