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Enter The Castle

Leon was crazy. Maybe that's how he'd survived Raccoon City. Just moments ago, Leon had placed Ashley in my care while he entered the barn alone. It was too risky for him to be fighting the village chief by himself, but someone had to look after Ashley, and I'm sure Ashley would agree to want Leon by her side. Ashley hadn't said a word to me since we first met, and all I've gotten from her were furrowed eyebrows and angry stares.

"I don't care what you think, but Leon's not interested in you."

Wow, it looked like we were finally having a conversation and I was hoping we could avoid that. "For the record, Ashley, I don't care either," I mumbled, not making eye contact with her.

"What's the deal with you anyway? I can't believe father sent you to save me."

"If you're talking about how I'm two years younger than you and the fact that The President highly regards me to rescue you, thank you for that."

"You-"

My radio beeped. I immediately answered Hunnigan's call, interrupting Ashley. "Amara here, any news?"

"I tried to reach Leon, but he didn't answer. Are you with him?"

"He's uh, fighting The Big Cheese."

"The...?"

"The village chief," I corrected myself. "In the barn. No worries, I'm with Ashley."

"Okay, I still can't contact the helicopter I sent and we're preparing another-"

Just then, I heard an oil barrel explode and the barn was up in flames. Ashley screamed for Leon. Over the heat and noise, I didn't notice a Ganado with a chainsaw had sneaked up on Ashley. Thankfully, I was quick enough to push her out of the way. The chainsaw missed my head by an inch.

"You saved me," Ashley said, breathing harder from the shock.

"Thanks for noticing. That's kind of my job."

I promptly ended the call with Hunnigan and took out my handgun. I told Ashley to stay back and this time she didn't hesitate. I shot it right in the head, but that only caused it to be in a daze. I took the opportunity to grab the chainsaw away and cut off its head completely. Ashley almost puked at the sight. I tossed away the broken chainsaw. Leon then busted out of the barn doors, looking slightly dishevelled but otherwise fine. He coughed up blood, but he quickly wiped it off.

"Are you okay, Leon?" Ashley asked before I could.

Leon nodded quietly. He didn't even have the time to have a breather before we heard yelling in Spanish. Looked like the chainsaw Ganado brought his troupe along after all. The three of us sprinted away from the barn, eventually finding ourselves in front of a huge rural castle. The Ganados were closing in, so we had no choice but to retreat into the castle. Leon grabbed one of the cranks while Ashley grabbed the other. As the two turned the cranks, I shot at the Ganados who were already on the drawbridge. Once the drawbridge was raised, we quickly entered the castle without looking back. However, it looked like the inside wasn't much of a difference either. The cultist Ganados started attacking us, so we made a run further into the castle. I got a call from Hunnigan again.

"Sorry about earlier," I apologised for cutting her off.

"Are you alright? Where's Leon?"

"Here," Leon said, appearing behind my shoulder.

"Where's your current location?"

"We decided to lay low in a castle, but it looks like it was a bad move. It appears that this castle's also connected with the Los Illuminados. They must not get many visitors cause they're giving us one hell of a welcome," Leon answered.

"Sounds bad. I have an idea-"

The line suddenly got cut off. I tried to reconnect but I couldn't. Leon tried to contact Hunnigan on his radio, but it couldn't work either. Great, there was no connection in the castle. Guess we were on our own for the moment until we get the hell out of here. Leon took point as we walked further into the castle. The many hallways were already confusing, and it didn't help that the Ganados were chasing us everywhere. Ashley almost got kidnapped by one of the Ganados if not for Leon's quick shot. After that, she promptly stuck close to me while Leon walked ahead of us. We finally made it to the upper part of the castle and were about to cross the bridge when we heard a familiar voice again. The male half-jogged to catch up with us.

"Luis?" Leon asked when he approached us in all smiles.

"I've got something for you," Luis replied quickly, searching into his pockets. His smile turned into a frown as he frantically searched the rest of his pockets. He cursed, "Shit! I must have dropped it when I was running away from them."

"Dropped what?" Ashley inquired.

"A drug that'll stop your convulsions. Look, I know you are carriers. You've been coughing up blood, right?" Luis asked and Ashley nods silently. "Damn it! The eggs have hatched. We don't have much time."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned. "Is this the Plagas that you mentioned, Leon? The parasite... in you?"

"I have to go get it," Luis said before Leon could respond. 

"Wait, I'm coming with you," I said, stopping Luis.

"Amara, what-"

"I'm going, Leon. I know we have a mission to finish, but you two are clearly not okay. Your health and safety is my utmost importance. Luis and I will get that drug while you two try to find a way out of here."

"Amara, I can't let you follow me," Luis said worriedly, but I snapped at him.

"Why not? My partner and my subject are in danger, and I will not let anything else happen to them. I'm going with you, Luis. End of discussion."

Luis was speechless. Leon looked from me to Luis before finally nodding, though unwillingly. Leon beckoned me to come over to him. He enveloped me in a hug, whispering, "Be careful. Look out for yourself."

I knew what Leon had meant, so I hugged him back in response. When we parted, Leon gave me a firm look in his eyes. 

"If anything, just anything-"

"I got it, mom," I cut him off again, teasing him. He looked at me surprised before finally grinning.

"I'm counting on you, partner."

"Be careful!" Ashley exclaimed.

"Don't worry. We'll be back before you know it," I stated. "Stay safe, you two."