Cars flipped, windows shattered and concrete cracked upon landing.

The roots were obliterated instantly, torn apart like paper due to the immense force but they had done their job.

They successfully reduced the impact to an extent while West’s body took the rest.

His arms trembled violently and his left leg dislocated on impact causing pain to shoot through him.

Yet, he didn’t drop them...

He held the broken aircraft piece above the ground with veins bulging across his arms and neck as debris and dust filled the air.

The passengers above him screamed but they were alive.

"...Safe," West exhaled slowly through gritted teeth while lowering the structure carefully and as gently as someone could after falling from over ten thousand feet.

Once it settled, he stepped back and his left leg gave slightly but he stabilized himself immediately before pushing the dislocated knee back into place.

He let out a low grunt as pain blossomed sharply before slowly starting to dull.

The passengers began unstrapping themselves, stumbling out one after another, trembling, crying and gasping for air.

Some collapsed to their knees while others clutched their chests.

A few just stared blankly, unable to process what had just happened.

"We... we actually survived..."

"I thought we were goners..."

The sky whistled again as Gor’thala’s Pyre Behemoths came crashing down one after another.

Massive green flaming creatures landing with heavy thuds across rooftops and streets with their thick fur absorbing the impact as the passengers on their backs slid off in stunned disbelief.

Some landed on buildings while some on parked cars but none even came close to dying.

Moments later, Gor’thala herself descended with Debra cradled securely in her arms and Dr. Amos still clinging weakly to her back.

She landed with a heavy thud as her knees bent slightly to absorb the force. Despite dropping from over ten thousand feet, she was completely unscathed and unlike West, she didn’t employ the use of any magical cushion.

Aurethia appeared next, dropping from the sky like a streak of light.

In the span of a second she leapt upwards repeatedly. She was so fast that it looked like a single motion.

Each leap intercepted a falling passenger, placing them safely on the ground.

To anyone watching, it looked like she had caught all twenty at once.

The sky suddenly darkened as a giant shadow covered the surroundings.

When everyone looked up, they spotted a massive serpentine body crashing down like a collapsing tower.

BOOOOOOM!

The ground shook violently as one nearby building partially collapsed under the sheer force of her landing.

Dust exploded outward, windows shattered and car alarms blarred after the descent.

West stared in her direction, astonished. "...You could grow this big the whole time?"

Seraphyra opened her mouth and began vomiting.

One by one, stone figures dropped out until there were up to twenty of them frozen in expressions of terror.

Her eyes glowed faintly and the petrification was lifted.

The statues gasped violently as they reverted back to human form, collapsing onto the ground in shock and confusion.

Seraphyra shrank slowly, returning to her usual form as she glanced at West with a sly grin.

"You didn’t ask, master."

West stared at her for a moment before exhaling. "...Fair."

Apparently, after West got his branches boosted by the affinity stone, Seraphyra’s power just like the other summons increased.

At this point, the entire street had descended into chaos.

People gathered, pouring out of buildings with their phones already out.

"Oh my God—!"

"Did a plane just crash—?!"

"They’re alive?!"

"How—?!"

The rescued passengers began to cry, laugh, scream, overwhelmed by survival.

And then they turned to West.

"Thank you!"

"Thank you so much!"

"You saved us!"

Some tried to bow, some reached out while some just cried openly.

West didn’t react much, instead, he raised a hand.

"...Alright," his voice cut through the noise. "It’s time to pay up."

The gratitude froze and things quickly turned awkward as reality hit them.

West’s gaze swept across them. "I didn’t do charity work."

Without hesitation or shame, he added; "You all agreed and I don’t have time to chase you down later."

Some swallowed nervously while some nodded quickly.

"Yes—yes—of course—!"

"We’ll pay—!"

"Just tell us how—!"

West nodded once. "Transfer. Cash. Crypto. I don’t care."

His eyes flicked briefly toward the gathering crowd and the distant sirens already beginning to echo faintly.

"...But make it fast," his tone sharpened. "Because we’re leaving."

This spectacle would no doubt attract attention from the press, authorities and awakened observers.

If Debra and Dr. Amos remained here, it would just reveal their current location to those who were hunting.

The city of Misty High glowed despite the blanket of darkness that had covered the sky. The city was alive as always with busy streets, neon-lit storefronts and the constant sounds of traffic but for West, everything felt slightly detached.

The events of the last twenty-four hours still lingered in his mind as they arrived in the city.

West had already arranged everything... without delays or unnecessary exposure they headed towards his chosen accommodation area.

They didn’t speak much during the drive.

Debra stole glances at him occasionally, as though trying to read something deeper beneath his cold composure.

Amos remained silent with his mind clearly still processing the impossible things he had witnessed.

They soon arrived at a high end hotel called Rose Cathedral...

One of the many places in Misty High that catered to individuals who valued privacy above all else. No unnecessary questions or intrusive staff, just service.

West stepped into the lobby first, scanning the surroundings for any hidden threats.

"Come," he called for them after seeing that there was nothing out of the ordinary.

.

They followed him to the elevator. Then ride was quiet for most of the way, until Debra finally spoke, "...Thank you."

West didn’t look at her. "You’re not safe yet."

About three minutes later, they arrived in the room which happened to be on the 11th floor.