The Last Saint

33: Fallen Trees

Adam's time at the hospital seemed to last forever, but finally, he seemed to have recovered enough to leave.

Eve helped him out of the bed, and took him home. At the house, there was something on the table - an ironic gift for him, from Eve. She smirked as he picked up the sword that had once belonged to Taiyang. The same sword that nearly killed him.

"Have you found him?" Adam asked.

Eve nodded. "He's not inside his own world, he's within the city. At a hotel complex near the highway, room 408, Cain found him."

Cain, standing in the doorway, took a bow. "I did. There's a catch though."

"What is it?" Adam asked.

Eve gripped her sword. "Your friends are protecting him. We'll have to fight them."

Adam sighed. "I knew it would come down to this. Listen to me. No matter what happens, don't kill them."

"I swear, I will not," Eve replied.

The trio began running towards the hotel, making their way across town. Cain pointed it out to them, and they approached it. However, as they did, they saw that the entrance was blocked off by an overgrown tree sprouting from beneath the floor. This was Baum's magic.

Eve called to Adam and pointed towards a staircase leading up a hill and into a park. He turned in time to see Beth, alone, running up the stairs. Eve started after her, but Adam grabbed her arm.

"What if it's a red herring?!" He yelled.

"What if it's not?" Eve yelled back.

"They might be trying to get us to follow her away from the hotel while they escape a different way. I'll check the room, go after her Eve!"

Eve nodded, and her and Cain chased after Beth. Adam scowled. It was a tactic he and Ryan originally thought up in order for him to get away from the Saints. He walked up to the door, and used fire to burn away the tree, allowing him to get through to the inside of the hotel.

He walked through the lobby, and found the fire exit. The entire building felt deserted. Adam walked up the stairs, carefully checking his corners for a potential ambush. Finally, he reached the forth floor, and started walking through the halls, looking for room 408. He found it, with the door propped open. Unsheathing his sword, he charged in to find it empty.

Suddenly the door across the hall swung open, and Adam turned around just in time for an arrow to pierce him in the shoulder. He stumbled backwards and fell on the floor, dropping his sword. He looked up, and saw Ryan scowling at him, bow in hand.

"FUCK," Adam yelled out. "That hurt, you son of a bitch!"

"Dammit Adam what are you doing here?" Ryan said.

"Who the hell were you expecting?" Adam replied.

"Shit, you weren't supposed to be the one who came here. You were supposed to chase Beth and let Eve come up here instead."

Adam clutched his wound. "I get it now. You were going to murder my girlfriend while Baum tried to trick me into giving up on saving the world!"

"We're trying to save you dammit! You're the one who's been tricked, by her! She's using you to fuel her own psychopathic agenda! She probably doesn't even love the real you, she's just in love with the memory of you from her past life. Wake up!"

Adam glared back at Ryan. "She loves me, and I love her too. She's made mistakes but shes a good person! I believe in her! I know that together, her and I can still save this world! And if you try to stop us, then that makes you my enemy!"

"You're delusional, Adam! You stupid bastard! I have always been on your side, god dammit! Right from day 1, I was always supporting you! Why would I betray you? You're my best friend!" Ryan yelled, with tears in his eyes.

"Not... anymore." Adam raised his hand, and Ryan panicked, trying to draw another arrow quickly. He was too slow, however, and a blast of wind caught him in the chest, throwing him backwards and knocking him out.

He struggled to stand, and pulled the arrow out, throwing it at Ryan's feet. He shook his head, and walked away, leaving the hotel.

When he was outside again, Cain was standing in front of the hotel. He looked shocked. "Adam! I came to get you! Eve's in serious danger, and I can't save her alone! Come quickly!"

Adam followed him as he took off running. "What happened? Is she ok?"

"I don't know!" Cain replied. "We were ambushed, I couldn't get close. I was chased away! He have to hurry!"

They ran through through a park, up some more steps to a spot overlooking the whole park. There, he found Eve, face down on the ground, with a knife sticking out of her back, and Beth crouched beside her. Liz stood by Eve as well, and Baum stood by the railing.

"Eve! No!" Adam yelled.

Beth immediately stood up. "Wait, Adam! It's not what it looks like!"

He launched a burst of air at her that send her flying into the railing. She hit her head hard against the metal hard, and split it open.

Liz gasped and screamed her name, and drew her sword. Her hands shook as Adam approached. She swung at him when he got close, but he dodged it, disarmed her, and stabbed her in the leg. As he pulled the sword out, he punched her in the nose, and she fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Finally, Adam approached Baum.

The Fourth looked him in the eyes. "I no longer possess the strength to fight you, Adam. I know that you will not hear what I have to say, so all I can do is hope that you will see the truth for yourself."

Adam ignored him. He stabbed Baum in the heart, and then when he fell to his knees, Adam beheaded him.

Suddenly he saw another memory, and in that memory, the truth became clear. His eyes widened, and his hands started to shake. He turned around, and looked at Eve with terrified eyes, as Cain picked her up.

He understood now.