Descend into Darkness (BOOK 1)

| 31 | Sacrifice

Pace sat on the ground, preparing an assortment of guns. His movements were quick as he checked the precision and loaded each one. Elaine sat across from him, assembling her new missile launcher. 

Lance noticed me as Evander and I made our way through the crowd. Another explosion rang out in the distance, triggering the overhead sprinklers in the room.

   "How are you feeling?" I asked Evander. I couldn't help but feel guilty because of what I had done to him.

   "I'm a little tired, but it's nothing I can't handle." He chuckled. "Say, I can't help but notice there's something different--not just the hair but--even your personality."

   "It's hard to explain...but think of it as an extension of who I already am."

   "Kelsey!" Pace called out.

Elaine shot up from the ground, pushed Pace out of the way, and wrapped her arms around me tightly. "Thank god you're alright! I was worried outta my mind."

   "Carden is distracted, for now, so we must take advantage of this time."

Evander shook his head. "I know how you feel, but we should wait for Sage."

   "There is no time!"

Everyone in the room went silent. Evander took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright, what did you have in mind?"

We gathered around a map of the simulated city. Seeing it all laid out before me, I was astonished at how large and intricate it was.

   "When I left them, Leon and Carden were around this area. Isaac and I will join him in a frontal assault. Elaine, you can use your artillery to support us from a distance. Pace, you must provide her with a steady supply of ammunition. I will ensure Carden's attention remains on us."

   "What about the rest of us?" Evander asked.

   "It would appear you dealt with most of the mannequins. The next step would be to find and evacuate anyone injured. Avoid Carden at all costs."

   "Okay. Sounds good."

Once we had finished arming ourselves, Evander left with a group of hunters to scour the city for survivors. They looked relieved to avoid confrontation with Carden, and I was relieved, too. 

It felt wrong to put their lives on the line. Pace offered me a gun, but I declined, and took an extra magazine of silver bullets instead. I needed to retrieve the weapon I had enchanted.

The city degraded as we approached the centre of destruction. Buildings had collapsed, cars were mangled and charred, and the streets were ruptured. Kain was like a cataclysm. Artificial rain poured down from overhead; a futile attempt to put out the spreading flames.

   "Leo!" Elaine screeched in horror, her knees nearly buckling from the shock as she covered her mouth with a hand.

We looked up. Kain was standing at the peak of a pile of rubble. His outstretched arm pierced through Leon's chest. When he noticed us, he smiled, lifted Leon into the air, and threw him down. 

I sped forward and leapt towards Leon, barely managing to catch him falling. As we skidded to a halt, I looked down with tears in my eyes.

   "I'm not... dead yet..."

   "Don't you dare--you will make Elaine cry."

His eyes were closed, but he chuckled gently.

   "Here, drink more of my blood."

   "No. I can still... fight."

   "Your body has stopped healing. You have reached your limit."

Elaine rushed over and cradled his face with both hands.