The Risen HODWII

Chapter 57 : The Fireworks

"It's so good to see you, my dear cousin." She smirked and then faced me. "And oh, happy to see you in one piece, babe." She winked, smiling sweetly.

I could feel the dark aura radiating from Claire. "Where are they?" I asked, changing the tension.

"Hmm..." Zoey crossed her arms over her chest. "Yeah, they— you mean the girls and your members? Well, they're hiding in the laboratory, waiting for you. Earlier, we received news that the Insigma Fighters are wanted, and so everyone is searching all around, whether dead or alive." The smirk never left her face.

"Damn it." I didn't realize I was already clenching my hands. "Are they all safe?" Worry filled me.

"Unfortunately, yes. The brutal girl is protecting them," she said, and I could see the disappointment on her face. But what happened next shocked me.

"Hey! Why did you do that!?" Zoey yelled in frustration after a flying dagger passed an inch away from her cheek.

Good thing it didn't leave a scratch, or else I might have witnessed a war at the wrong time.

"I don't like the look on your face. Ugly," Claire said, turning her back and walking away.

"Ugh! I hate you!" Zoey yelled, stomping her foot in frustration.

I couldn't help but smile as I followed Claire from behind.

My girl is so cool! It's hard to believe she's mine. Only mine.

******

On the way, some of Kurt's men saw us, but Claire killed them before they could make any unnecessary moves, and I was always left speechless.

"Go ahead. Leave it to me," she said while looking at five men running toward her, ready to fight.

Suddenly, the memory from seven years ago popped into my head. This was the same scenario... I smiled. This time, I trusted her. The girl I used to protect is now the person who’s always there saving me from danger.

I nodded and ran—not to save myself, but to find my friends, hoping they were safe and sound. Claire... the Heiress of the Dark World, the Legendary Killer, is my girl.

I took a deep breath and opened the door of the Laboratory Room.

"Xenon! Thank God you're safe!" Drena saw me and walked closer, catching the attention of the others.

"Dude! Happy to see you," Coby said, patting my shoulder.

"How is it?" Lucas asked.

"Where's Claire?" Cassy asked, which created silence all around the room.

I'm glad to see them all... safe.

I slowly looked down, which made them sad.

"D-didn't she go with you?" I heard Stella murmur.

"What's the matter?" Suddenly, a person appeared from behind, which made me smile, and the girls immediately looked at her in surprise.

After that, all I heard were low screams as the girls ran to hug her.

"Happy to see you alive, dude." Adrian smiled sheepishly.

I punched him lightly in the chest. "Shut up."

And they all laughed.

******

**Drena's POV**

"Ahm... what now?" Coby asked, scratching his neck.

We were all gathered in the middle of the room. Claire was sitting in front, leaning on the desk, and we? We were waiting for someone to talk, but silence took over.

I'm glad Claire came back. She became one of my best friends, and I'm afraid to lose her.

"So, what's the plan... anyone?" Xenon asked. I know he's waiting for Claire's decision. And we all know she has a plan.

"Stella." We all sighed in relief the moment we heard her speak.

"Yes, Claire?" Stella asked humbly, looking down.

"Here." She handed a piece of paper, and Stella walked towards her, taking it.

The moment she looked at the piece of paper, a sudden dark aura filled the room. I knew it was coming from Stella as she crumpled the paper and...

"What do you want me to do?" she asked... but the way she said it... it was Uno.

"Information about the explosives," Claire stated.

"I sensed some of them hidden in different places, but the others are too difficult to find. They hid them too well. Here's the blueprint of the campus, including the bombs I found. I marked an X on the explosives we've already deactivated," she explained.

"Who's with you?" Claire plainly asked.

"Lucas," she answered, and I sensed Lucas tense up. Hmm...

"Very well, then. I'll go find the rest. Tonight, assist Lucas in deactivating all of the bombs. While... Drena." She called, which caught my attention, so I immediately looked at her.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Make an invitation letter for all students and personnel to gather at the gymnasium starting tonight. Make sure that at 5 am tomorrow, no one will be caught outside except the enemies. And Cassy," Cassy immediately sat up straight. "Help her," Claire said, and she nodded, smiling.

"Adrian, Coby." She called.

"Yes, ma'am, at your service!" They both saluted, and we couldn't help but chuckle.

"Spread those letters to all hostages, and make sure you give them... only to the victims," she said.

"Leave it to us." And they smiled.

"Xenon." Claire looked at Xenon.

"Yes, love?" he said, smiling sweetly at her.

"Ayiieee..." We teased.

"Guard the gymnasium all night and day; don’t let the enemy come in," she ordered.

"How about you?" Xenon asked, sounding disappointed.

"I'll help you," Claire answered while looking at him softly, which made Xenon smile.

"Ahem." Suddenly, a small cough caught our attention as we turned to look behind.

Zoey.

"What about me?" She pouted—oh, how cute!

I shook my head. No, she's selfish; she doesn’t even care if we die! When we were out there saving our lives, I saw her watching somewhere while eating popcorn. I sighed.

"Tch. Get me fireworks and also gather tear gas as much as you can," Claire said, and Zoey pouted once again as she walked out.

Wait... fireworks?

"Everyone, tonight you move, but never let the enemy sense it. If anyone finds out... put it on silence. Tomorrow at 5 am, we will end it," Claire stated.

This is going to be a long night for us.

"Yes, ma'am!" all of us answered, and I looked at Adrian to see his eyes shimmer with hope.