Bai Zhu gripped the railing, watching the tentacles tangled in the sea, then glanced back across the port.
Gunfire erupted throughout the city.
The Gatekeeper had pinned down the golden monster in the sea, but no one could clear the particles that had entered the city. No matter how strong Morel was, his ability could completely seal off only a few blocks. He could do no more than that.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
Bai Zhu raised a hand and pointed toward the city.
"Morel could be in serious trouble. The Gatekeeper can hold it down here."
"But what about the ones inside? The Gatekeeper can't enter the city."
Morel clenched his pipe between his teeth and said nothing.
On the shared channel, Ging fell silent for a moment.
"Think about it another way."
"Stop keeping us in suspense. Spit it out."
"The target it's really after may have been inside the Chimera Ruins all along."
Bai Zhu's hand froze.
The golden monster in the sea kept splitting apart. Each time the Gatekeeper tore it open, it used the seawater to send particles away. Those sent into the city caused chaos, while several other streams moved along the outer sea.
Bai Zhu turned to follow the particles' path.
They were circling toward the ruins.
Ging continued.
"It did all this to the city just to draw the Gatekeeper away from its original position."
Milluki's shout burst from the loudspeaker.
"Couldn't you have said that sooner? Now I couldn't get down even if I wanted to!"
Bai Zhu raised a hand toward the sea.
"Don't worry, Milluki. If you fall, you'll just end up a little flatter. Not much difference."
"Just you wait, Bai Zhu!"
"I'm waiting."
Before they could finish arguing, an impact came from the seabed.
The breakwater bucked