Professor Layton and the Angel's Prophecy

An Inferno Affair

"Sorry that your story was cut short once again," Grosky stated, flicking his hair back. He strutted forward then, muscles bulging. "But innocent lives are in danger, and we must step up to the challenge."

Hershel smiled, before adopting a stern expression. From outside the window, the familiar buildings of the refurbished Folsense beckoned. The Anton estate made for an impressive site, not quite the formidable castle, but a quaint manor. Today, however, they were headed for the main town itself. Hershel found it unfortunate that they didn't have an address for Sofia's house, and the lack of another airship about the place was worrying.

"Indeed, Chief Inspector. We need a plan-"

Without warning, the world seemed to be thrown in chaos around them. Fire bellowed from above and all Hershel remembered before colliding with the ground was that he had dived for Flora... and failed.

When he came to, he saw that most of the others were rising too, though some of Grosky's men were struggling. Thankfully, no one appeared to be gravely hurt. Randall picked up his fallen glasses, but appeared more shaken than anythng. Grosky was already on his feet, a fire in his eyes. Hershel's eyes would turn to retribution soon enough. Now, he needed to know where Flora was. He glanced around until finally he saw Clive rising with Flora. It seemed that Clive had gotten to her first. Running over to them, he ignored his pulsing temple and the searing pain he felt in his ribcage. Broken or not, he did not care. Already he had thrown Clive and Flora into his arms.

"Thank goodness you're alright."

The young adults said nothing, and just held tighter together. It was Grosky who had to break them apart.

"Hate to break apart the touching moment," he grumbled, wiping away dirt from his face. "But we need to get out of here, and fast."

Flora blinked twice, then rubbed her eyes. She seemed dazed.

"What happened?" she murmured, looking about her as if she were only just waking from a dream.

"We appear to have been hit by a blasted missile!" Grosky snarled. "A cheap attack. Fortunately, we suffered no casualties and now we must take the fight to them."

Clive let out a bitter laugh.

"Come on, Chief Inspector. We're outnumbered. We're hurt. We don't know how many people might be lying in wait for us outside of..." he gestured to the carcass of an airship around him. "This mess."

Hershel noticed a large cut under Clive's eye, and like many others aboard the felled airship, his clothes were in a sorry state. Most had bruises, and a few minor cuts, but it seemed Clive had taken a rather painful blow. Hershel noticed the young man wincing every now and then.

Grosky moved to the nearest doorway, sideways though it was. Smoke trailed from above, but it seemed only small fires were dotted around the ship. They weren't exactly trapped in a blazing inferno. At least, not yet.

"Come, everyone follow me," the chief Inspector ordered, gesturing with his hand. "It may seem stable now, but any number of things could go wrong. I want to ensure we all make it out of here safely."

It was almost a mad scramble to get through the doorway, but the Chief Inspector boomed for order and surely his men and women listened. Randall, Hershel, Clive and Flora came last, Hershel helping Flora to step over the upturned doorway, despite her insistence that she was fine.

"Even so," Hershel murmured. "The ship we now stand on is unstable. I'd rather know you were safe."

Flora blushed before countering in a very lady-like tone.