Midnight arrived. The rain became a torrent, splashing against the stone arch of the Gateway.
"Time is up," Devendra Malhotra announced, his voice cold. He waved his hand.
Javed Khan stepped onto the platform, his shadow blade materializing in his right hand. The blade hummed with a dark, freezing energy.
"Now!" Rohan screamed, firing his Aetheric rifle from the rooftop. The blue bullet struck the platform stabilizer, causing it to spark and tilt.
At the same time, Rahul detonated three smoke bombs in the plaza. The security forces scrambled as thick black smoke filled the air.
Vikram folded into the shadow, appearing on the edge of the platform. He drove a Prana-infused punch into the nearest guard, sending him flying off the stage.
"Rohan, get your father!" Vikram yelled, blocking a rifle butt with his arm.
Rohan limped onto the stage, trying to cut Appa's shackles. But before he could, a shadow rose from the floor. Javed Khan appeared between Rohan and his father.
With a brutal backhand, Javed struck Rohan, sending him crashing to the wooden boards.
"No!" Appa screamed.
Vikram tried to lung toward Javed, but two Wraiths materialized, holding him back with solid shadow chains that wrapped around his arms, the freezing cold paralyzing his muscles.
"Watch, boy," Javed whispered.
With a swift, clean motion, Javed drove the shadow blade through Appa Gawde's chest.
"Father!" Rohan shrieked.
Appa's eyes went wide, then slowly closed as the dark energy drained the life from his body. Javed pulled the blade out, letting the old man slump to the floor.