Henry. Just. Henry.

Chapter 30|The Final Battle P1

Gent and Bristine needed one thing: The Grandour Stone. They didn't care who got injured or died, they just needed that stone to complete the first mission. To get closer and closer to Erasmus' goal and finally be free... and free someone else.

Free of the name they once called 'Father', 'Mentor'... even 'Friend'. But he had changed over time. Years and years of waiting turned him bitter, impatient, and cold. This was their last chance. He wouldn't hesitate to torture them to death.

Bristine thought about her sweet love tied up in that horrid wooden chair again, screaming and fighting the pain. Those screams still stung her heart and plagued her mind. She wasn't going to let them fail again. Not this time.

She glared at her opponents, then at the outlined stone in Henry's pocket. A flaming determination in her eyes and chest, she held Gent's hand.

"For freedom." She reminded him and Gent's eyes were wide, then settled to a furious glare.

"For fucking freedom." He said, and the battle began again.

Gent ran zig-zagging forward while Bristine ran straight through his zig-zags. It was so perfectly timed the group didn't know who to concentrate on.

"Miyu, Ezra!" Henry said. "Fight Gent!"

"Cedric and I, Bristine!"

There was no time to explain why Fallon was the Sokka of Team Avatar. He just stood behind Cedric and Henry.

Cedric blasted a heavy wind at Bristine, but she dodged, trying to grab the stone. Henry committed to memory the name of the chakrams and said the fire's name. "Portami! Fire Crescent!"

He slashed the blade at her and a crescent-shaped fire blazed out.

Bristine ducked and reach for the stone again, but Henry leaped back. Cedric took the opening and shot a narrow but powerful wind at her, blowing her to the other battle.

Gent ran over to Fallon, going after the weak link. Henry and Cedric turned in horror as Fallon was held in a headlock and Bristine scrambled to her feet, pointing the snake's open mouth at Fallon's head. A black beam was forming.

"No! Wait!" Henry said.

"Give us the stone and we'll let him go!"

Henry swallowed and didn't think another thought. About to give them the stone, Miyu shouted.

"No! How can we trust them?"
 
"She's right." Ezra said. "If we give him the stone she might do it anyway."

Bristine and Gent watched each other and Gent relaxed his hold. "You have our word." He said, looking Henry dead in the eyes. "We know what it's like to want someone to be free of someone else's hold. You'd give anything, say anything, and do everything to have that loved one safely by your side again. So, believe us when I say we won't hurt Fallon if you give us the stone."

Henry and Gent had the longest staring contest, like they were trying to extract each other's souls. He searched for the truth in Gent's shimmering dark brown eyes... and instead of the truth... he found hints of sorrow, regret... desperation.

He believed them, and even if it was an act, he could and would never give up his best friend's life for a rock... albeit a powerful rock, but a rock nonetheless.

"Fine." Henry walked to Bristine and handed her the stone.

She widened her eyes, for this was the first time feeling its weight and jagged edges. The warmth from Henry's pocket transferred to it, and she clenched.

The beam reduced to nothing and the snake's mouth closed, hissing in Fallon's face. Gent released Fallon, and the two stepped back until they were far enough to run away... and that they did.