Ten minutes later, the city appeared on the horizon as Steve, Lowe, and Hatta rode back on Väino’s snowmobiles. A deafening roar, coupled with violent tremors, forced them to halt near an office building.

Lowe dismounted his snowmobile just as an imposing Amahraspand appeared, destroying the vehicle. An explosion flung Lowe through the air, a helpless victim of the creature's wrath. Steve maneuvered his vehicle while Hatta called the statue’s attention.

The statue, brandishing its weapon, went in relentless pursuit of Steve and Hatta. Lowe sought refuge in an abandoned restaurant as he started charging the Luminescence. For fifteen long minutes, he basked beneath a beam of sunlight that pierced the ominous dark clouds. The cross absorbed energy with unprecedented rage, causing both the white waves and the cross itself to shift from yellow to brilliant red.

Lowe struggled to maintain control, gripping the jewel at the Luminescence's center as it trembled, threatening to escape his grasp. Abandoning his hiding spot, he aimed at the statue and started yelling.

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The Amahraspand unleashed a devastating strike that shattered the pavement beneath him, sending Lowe tumbling. Inadvertently, he released the Luminescence, a powerful red beam rocketed skyward, colliding with nearby buildings. Frantically, Lowe wrested the cross back into his control, redirecting the searing light.

The intensity of the light proved difficult to manage. Steve raced toward Lowe, and together, they aimed the now-white light at the statue's head. After a blinding flash, the Amahraspand stood headless.

"Ah!" Steve grumbled, his frustration evident. "We lost one of the snowmobiles!"

Lowe let out a weary sigh. "You can always tell Völundr to foot the bill."

Hatta, now in control of the remaining snowmobile, turned to Lowe and Steve. "Are you okay?"

"What's wrong with these freaking statues?" Steve's brows furrowed in confusion.

"I still can't believe they're here."

Steve and Lowe exchanged incredulous glances. "What do you mean?" Steve prompted.

"They're the Amahraspand," Hatta explained, "the seven spirits that guard the heavens and the underworld in my world."

"What?" Both Steve and Lowe exclaimed in near unison.

Hatta cleared his throat. "Alice, Aria, and I destroyed them before reaching the Author. They only obeyed the Author and delivered his commandments."

Lowe couldn't help but interrupt with his own question. "Why is Alice able to control them?"

“That’s a good question.”