[Chapter 112: Fuck, Are We Going to Die?]
Actually, if he could help it, Daniel didn't want these Six Vengeful Spirits to unleash their revenge on the plane. That would just raise the risk of a disaster. Yet the resentment weighing down on these spirits was heavy, and their impatience for vengeance was growing.
If Daniel asked them to wait, they might no longer cooperate as they did now. Instead, they'd stand directly against him. In that case, Daniel would have no choice but to intervene with force. Then it wouldn't be salvation -- it would be destruction.
He truly couldn't bring himself to destroy these six pitiful Vengeful Spirits. After much thought, he reluctantly allowed them to act on the plane. Though it invited serious risk, it felt controllable. After all, the final outcome in the movie had turned out relatively well.
Outside the cockpit, Daniel instructed the flight attendant, Riley. "Later, call the First Officer out and tell him someone needs to see him about an important matter."
"Okay."
Riley nodded and pressed the call button. The plane was on autopilot, so Captain and First Officer were relatively free.
...
Before long, the First Officer -- a white man in his 30s -- stepped out of the cockpit. He looked at Riley and asked, "You said someone needed me urgently. What's going on?"
Riley glanced toward Daniel and Air Marshal Steve. "These two gentlemen need to speak with you."
The First Officer's eyes shifted to Daniel as Daniel clapped his hands. "Come out, everyone."
Instantly, shadowy figures materialized from thin air.
"Fuck," the First Officer gasped, terrified, dropping to the floor. He pushed himself backward with his hands, shouting, "What the hell are those things?"
Daniel said calmly, "Don't be afraid. They're seeking revenge, but you're not their target."
After grasping the situation, the First Officer's fear eased somewhat. But when Daniel said the next sentence, shock flickered across his face: "You want me to call the Captain out?"
Daniel shook his head. "Not to call him out. We need you to take his place -- to fly the plane and land it safely. Can you do that?"
Yes, the man who had brutally murdered six people was the Captain of the plane. He'd used his status to charm women, only to toy with them before killing them. Until the Six Vengeful Spirits collectively pursued this flight.
But not everyone who died at his hands could become a lingering ghost. No one knew how many had truly perished because of him. The photographs had made that clear.
The First Officer hesitated, then said, "Though I haven't done it in real life, I always aced the Flight Simulator. And after years as a First Officer, I'm familiar with every procedure for takeoff and landing. Getting the plane down safely shouldn't be hard."
Daniel looked him in the eye. "This is about everyone on this plane. Are you absolutely sure?"
The First Officer nodded seriously. "I'm sure."
"Then go back. You don't need to know what happens next -- just handle flight duties."
His eyes flicked toward the Six Vengeful Spirits. Even knowing their tragic past, he still felt the terrifying murderous aura radiating off them.
"Get ready," Daniel said to the spirits.
The First Officer returned to the cockpit and closed the door.
Of course, for ghosts, that door was no barrier.
The reason the Six Vengeful Spirits hadn't directly attacked the Captain was because his crimes had summoned a powerful, corrupting Evil energy around him -- a shield they couldn't breach.
...
Daniel stepped forward and pressed an Evil-Breaking Seal onto the cockpit door.
Light rises at my command, judgment stands at this threshold.
By sealed authority, let corruption yield.
By consecrated steel, let misfortune be cut away.
What is barred by evil is opened by decree.
Let this door release what should not remain.
"Break!"
Boom!
The Seal burst into a ball of flame and quickly vanished.
The eyes of the Six Vengeful Spirits flared in unison. They sensed the powerful Evil energy inside the cockpit had been dispelled. Now, they could advance and claim their revenge.
"Roar..." inhuman roars echoed through the air.
The Six Vengeful Spirits surged toward the cockpit, their spiritual forms passing through the door and entering the cabin.
...
"Ah..." Daniel and the others outside heard a scream filled with terror and pain. Then the sound abruptly stopped.
Steve's face twisted with fear and confusion. "He was killed just like that? Isn't that too easy on him?"
As he spoke, the Six Vengeful Spirits rushed back out -- now seven in number. They clutched a Dark Soul wearing the Captain's uniform, tearing it apart violently.
"Ah..." a high-pitched scream erupted once more but was quickly stifled.
With their victim's Dark Soul in hand, the spirits passed through the floor and descended into the Baggage Compartment.
Daniel and the others faintly heard continued sounds of extreme suffering from below, distant yet intense. They all understood -- the Captain was enduring unrelenting torment, paying for every crime he had committed.
Daniel exchanged glances with the others, a flicker of satisfaction lighting their eyes. They felt the deep joy of having taken part in carrying out justice -- even if, legally, it was a crime.
But sometimes, some things transcend the law.
Suddenly, the plane shook violently. Scarlett lost her footing and nearly tumbled to the floor.
Quick as a flash, Daniel grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms, steadying her. Scarlett instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around him, a panic-filled cry escaping her lips.
"Damn it," Daniel muttered, his expression darkening. "Is the First Officer losing control of the plane?"
He reached out and grabbed Riley, who had also stumbled. Riley steadied herself and clung to Daniel's waist.
In an instant, Daniel was holding two beautiful women at once -- one on each side.
But there was no time to think about that. Stabilizing the plane was the top priority. If it crashed, everyone would be done for.
"I don't know." Steve grabbed a nearby handle to keep from being thrown off balance.
Just then, the flight crew's announcement echoed through the cabin. The pilot explained they'd encountered turbulence and requested everyone remain calm.
Daniel helped the women to the side and instructed them to each hold onto a handle.
He staggered to the call button. "What's going on in there?"
No answer came from inside the cockpit. Daniel's heart began to race.
If the First Officer couldn't control the plane, this whole situation was about to turn into a disaster.
This guy was truly unreliable. Didn't he say he could handle the plane and guarantee a smooth landing? It hadn't even been long, and everything was already falling apart.
"Can you hear me? What's happening in there?" Daniel called out again.
Still -- silence.
The people behind Daniel began to panic as well.
Scarlett's voice cracked, almost sobbing. "Fuck, are we going to die?"
*****
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