The Hidden Knife

CHAPTER 22: DON'T BE STUPID

So we are part of a video game. It feels so real. Everything. But there's one thing.

We can't revive ourselves. If I am dead. I would be dead. Forever. And I definitely do not want it.

'You don't think we would be killing them with this toy? Do you?' I whisper to Ethan. Ethan smirks.

'Shall we proceed killing them?'.

I do not give any kind of reply. He's a bit crazy sometimes. I didn't know that he could make such a serious situation seem so comedic. I just hope he doesn't take it too far. And perhaps get himself killed. I would be dead too then.

We are standing at a corner of the wall. Even though this whole area is abandoned, it is kept in a very clean and polished way. Everything smells new here , and there are no signs of decay anywhere. Wait. Ah! I suppose this is somewhat related to the territorial organizations of those missing people. I look at the ceilings and then look at my feet. Ethan is peeking through the corner.

'I've got every location of those men. Two are guarding this hallway. There are upper chambers too, assuming. They would be also guarded. First of all, let's take down these men'. I nod. Ethan lunges forward.

I follow closely behind him, watching as he swiftly takes down the two guards in the hallway. As we make our way further into the abandoned area, I can't help but wonder how many more men we will encounter and what other secrets this place holds. But I trust Ethan to lead the way and keep us safe as we navigate through this eerie yet strangely well-maintained place.

Ethan strikes the first man with his lightsaber, and I easily take on the second. They fell down at once. It seems like this lightsaber is more powerful than I think.

'They are dead,' Ethan whispers. ' This lightsaber is powered by a unique mechanism that enhances its strength and cutting ability, making it more effective in combat. With each strike, it effortlessly slices through flesh and bone, leaving no chance for the enemy to defend themselves. The guards in the hallway stood no chance against its power, falling at the swift hand of Ethan. It's clear that this lightsaber is a formidable weapon in the right hands, and I feel safer knowing that we have it on our side as we delve deeper into this mysterious place'.

I nod and try to get in all the facts. I look at those soldiers' uniforms. I have seen the logo somewhere.

'Come on,' Ethan begins, ready to take action. I realize. Everything.

'Ethan, that's Anand's company's logo'. Ethan's face pales as he realizes the implications of what I just said. Suddenly a loud alarm starts ringing from the room. From this room. From the soldier's uniform.

'Ah shit! I guess they had planned all of this a lot earlier'.

'Follow me,' Ethan says calmly. I think we're in serious trouble.

Ethan takes out his gun in one hand and rushes through the next door. It opens up into a kind of somewhat classroom filled with desks and tables. There is another door on the other side. There were glass windows from bottom to top that cannot be opened. The best thing I liked about this building is that it has a proper light supply. The walls are painted a calming shade of blue. We both take cover under the desks and wait for the noise to stop. Four men are located undercover here. Ethan takes cover and shoots one of them.

'Ethan, look back!' I shout as another soldier appears from another end. He shoots a bullet, but we are able to dodge it and take him down. Ethan shoots a bullet straight in his palm, and I lunge with my lightsaber and slice him up. But this time two of them are left. I take cover and see Ethan running towards them with his gun drawn. As soon as I see a character, I take him down. But this one is difficult. This one is not having a gun , but a shield. He gives a huge blow to Ethan, and he slams against the desk. I know I need to act fast.

I quickly analyze the situation and realize that the shielded enemy is vulnerable from behind. I quietly maneuver around him and deliver a powerful strike with my lightsaber, taking him down swiftly. With both enemies defeated, I rush to Ethan's side to make sure he's okay. We made eye contact with each other, relieved that we were able to overcome the unexpected challenge together. Our teamwork and quick thinking saved the day once again. However, he gets up and offers me a hard blow, such that my chin is bleeding hard. I realize I'm having my gun with me. I shoot a couple of bullets, but he takes cover. Ethan again gets up and gives him some serious blows with his fist. Ethan delivers some quick blows to the man's face until he knocks him unconscious.

There are footsteps again.

'What do we do now?'. Ethan looks around.

'Just follow me'.

I don't know what he is going to do. But I do know that it would be less stupid than staying here.

He backs away from the glass windows and motions for me to follow him. I get up hesitantly, wondering what we do now. As I turn back once, I see the men approaching us. On the other hand, Ethan runs through those glass windows and crashes. He falls down, and the whole glass is shattered into a thousand pieces. He falls into the darkness with a huge thud.

Dying there would be better than dying at the hands of those men. So without any second thoughts, I too follow Ethan and jump out into the darkness, leaving the gunshots and firing behind. And I land with a large thunder. It feels like my body has been crushed. My hips were crushed and broken into a thousand pieces. The pain is excruciating, but I know I have no choice but to keep moving. I realize that I have hopefully landed on open ground with trees all around and their big barks. But where's Ethan?

'What do we do know?' This time he asks me from the darkness.

'Do you think I came up with a plan?' I ask grimly.

'Then follow me, you idiot, and stay close'. He runs into the darkness, and I once again make a stupid decision to follow him for my survival.

But not all decisions are stupid.

Sometimes they can be helpful.