The rooftop groaned beneath the weight of history in the making.
Smoke curled skyward.
Dust lingered in the air.
Sefe stood in front of Crow, her flames dim but defiant.
And then boots touched ground all around her.
One by one, the team of Hope emerged from the haze.
James Conrad, crackling sparks in both fists, stood beside her.
"Count us in."
Harry Freeman, shirt ripped, bruises all over, nodded with a tired grin.
"Yeah. You're not doing this alone, kid."
Lily Croft landed lightly behind them, frost trailing from her boots.
"He's not getting past us without a blizzard."
Sara Debeau, dirt on her cheeks, vines coiled around her arms.
"Let's root this bastard out."
The four stood shoulder to shoulder around Sefe—no hesitation, no fear.
A small girl surrounded by giants of will.
Crow's eyes scanned the growing wall of resistance.
And then—
"Yo. Back off."
Vera emerged from the smoke, dragging her crimson blade.
