Hollywood Zenith

Chapter 188 The Darkest Day

[ 8:03 am, September 11, 2001]

" Jim, just a few moments ago, something believed to be a plane crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center. I just saw flames inside; you can see the smoke coming out of the building. We have no idea what it was; it was a tremendous BOOM just a few moments ago.

You could hear around me emergency vehicles heading toward the scene; now it could have been something internal too, we don't have any idea yet." the reporter said who was first on the stage.

He also interviewed some bystanders, but they also didn't see anything concrete.

" I hope we can get further information from the newsroom up there, Jim." He asked.

" Ollie, I am just told also that our transmitter, which is on top of the World Trade Center, also took a hit, so we were briefly affected up here.

Ones memory has to go back to the another Terrorist attack, one I hope it is not this time but if it were a plane that crashed into the side of the building. We can't rule of that possibility." Jim replied.

" Yeah, I believe it was 1945 when a US Air Force plane crashed into the eightieth of the Empire State building during a foggy night. But this is the sky here as you can see a perfectly clear.

So, I am starting to lean to the idea that perhaps this whatever here came from the inside."

It was few past eight in the morning and nothing substantial was known yet.

They brought in someone who was calling very close to the scene of the explosion.

" We are on the phone with an eyewitness Rosa. Rosa, can you hear me?"

" Yes"

" Rosa this is Jim from the Studio, Can you tell us what you saw and heard if you would?"

" Ok, I'm at 99 Hudson Street. I was standing outside at the side of building smoking and I hear a plane and I don't usually see planes in this area and all of a sudden it went right into the trade center."

" So you saw a plane crash right  to the side of the building."

" I was on the fourteenth floor so I saw it clearly, even now I could see fire enveloping the top floors. It was not even a small plane like it was enormous."

As a live news network, it was hard for them to say anything with certainty. It would also cause unnecessary panic if the news came out false.

But everything changed in the next few minutes. It happened when their news chopper was closing in toward the destination.

" Oh my goodness."

" Oh god."

" God, there is another one. There is another one!"

" This seems to be on purpose. Now it's obvious; I think that there was a second plane that crashed into the remaining tower. I don't know what will happen now."

Just like that, the situation took a turn for the worse. There were two other planes; one crashed into the Pentagon, the US intelligence headquarters and fortunately, the other one was taken down. This became the darkest day for the American history and a great shame for the most powerful country in the world.

" Freedom itself was attacked this morning by faceless cowards and freedom will be defended. The attack took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the heart and soul of the civilized world.

And the world has come together to fight a new and different war, the first, and we hope the only one, of the 21st century. It is a war against all those seeking to export terror and a war against those governments that support or shelter them.

Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honour.

We will remember every family that lives in grief.

We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children." The president said during his speech.

More than 3,000 people died or remain missing following the attacks. They came from more than 80 different nations, from many other races and religions. 343 firefighters and paramedics perished,  and 23 police officers and 37 Port Authority police officers died at the World Trade Center.

Approximately 2,000 children lost a parent on September 11, including 146 children who lost a parent in the Pentagon attacks. One business lost more than 700 employees, leaving at least 50 pregnant widows.

The world had responded with an unprecedented coalition against international terrorism. The Queen called every available asset to aid their ally, which was why Arthur and David had to abandon their operation midway.

It was not a total loss; they would only put it on hold for a few days to prepare for any more unexpected situations. What they needed to do now was to ensure the complete security of Rothschild's family members.

----------------------------------------------------

" You have advanced quite a lot in a few days," Apollo said.

" It was thanks to you. I think I am beginning to grasp the essence of magic." Samuel replied. He didn't need to eat or sleep here, so he was correctly able to focus on his training.

" I am also surprised you will call a genius; too bad this realm doesn't offer much magic support. If you increase your magic storage potential, you could increase your magic rank to intermediate level."

" I still have a long way to go. I can't even do what you did at that time."

" You mean elemental magic? I am sure you will master it in a few years. If you keep on practising, nothing comes without hard work."

" Yeah, I promise I will be diligent this time. I don't want to go through the same thing again."

" Good, I feel like you will soon wake up. Just remember not to be surprised at that time."

" Why?"

" You now have a lot of people that care about you. They are gathered, and you also have to answer their question. As far I could tell, they were quite worried." Apollo explained. He could peek outside and had a general understanding of the situation.

" Right! I almost forgot, mother, will be furious. I have to endure elder's lectures too. I also made Hannah cry; I still remember her cries before I lost consciousness."

" Don't overthink it. What you did was a noble act, protecting someone you love. I am sure they will not give you a hard time for it."

" Maybe you are right."

" I can't say the same about the 'others'. It's good that you are following your 'destiny', but I can't say I am jealous after learning what you will face in a few hours."

" Pardon? Others? Destiny?" Samuel asked. He had no idea what Apollo was talking about.

" You will learn soon enough."