Operation Infiltration (Kotlc Fanfic)

Chapter 7 • Lost to Flames

«≪ Start Music ≫»

Sophie tore her gaze away from below, a sense of urgency gripping her. "I'm sure he saw us. We should move." 

After a brief pause, Tam said, "Fine, let's go. We'll have to sneak past them, anyway." The rest mumbled their agrees. 

As she stood, her muscles ached from being in one position for too long. They joined hands to sneak off, discussing their plan along the way. 

Sophie started the discussion. "We should incapacitate some of them, gather information, and uncover their plan." 

"Sophie, we can't fight them this time. Remember, you saw as well as I that they captured the Collective! And that included my mom..." Dex's voice cracked with emotion. "They're not what you'd call weak." 

Sophie fell silent, contemplating their options. "Alright, since you mentioned the others, couldn't we find a way to rescue them?" 

"We would have to distract them-" Biana stopped mid-sentence upon spotting them just around the slight turn in the cave. 

Fintan and Gethen's footfalls were completely silent as they nearly collided with them, causing Sophie to gasp in surprise by accident. 

This sudden noise made Fintan spin around, searching for its source, while Gethen looked at him in confusion. 

Fintan scanned his surroundings. "You heard that, right?" Gethen shrugged in boredom. 

The group had immediately frozen in place, but Sophie failed to stop in time, tripping on a rock, breaking contact with the others and becoming visible. 

"There you are, little moonlark. This must be my lucky day." Fintan said, his stare cut through her like a knife. She suppressed a whimper. 

The rest of her friends appeared. "No, it isn't!" Dex said, hurling a round blue gadget at Fintan. It landed on the ground and fizzled out. 

The two Neverseen members snickered at Dex's disappointed face. "You think a bunch of toys can stop us?" Gethen said, making a beeline for Sophie. She stumbled out of the way, causing him to almost crashed into the wall. 

While Sophie had gotten out of the way, unfortunately, Fintan had gotten in between Sophie and her friends. Fintan smirked as he divided the hallway with blue flames. Sophie stumbled back from the wave of heat. 

"You're separated from your friends now. Nothing you can do about it!" Fintan taunted, gesturing at their horrified reactions. 

Sophie hightailed it out of there, channeling mental energy into her legs to run faster, Fintan's arms narrowly missing her. 

Fintan scoffed at her friends. "Guess you're trapped here for the time being. Gethen, deal with the others while I go after her." His voice echoing as he went farther away. 

Gethen sighed in frustration. "Once again, I have to deal with his mess." 

With no other options left, she fled the scene, her heart pounding in her chest. 

«≪ Time Skip... ≫»

Sophie found herself lost in the corridors. She sensed that something was amiss; it had been a while since she'd seen anyone. Fintan, who had been close behind her, was nowhere in sight. 

Sophie heard something faint, barely making out the words. "Run while you still can!" 

Nevermind, guess he was closer than I thought. What I wouldn't give to be a Vanisher, she thought with despair.