𝔼𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕖 𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥? [ON HOLD]

96

It was probably a solid ten minutes before I found a true exit for the hole I was stuck in. Tremors and explosions racked through the maze of hallways, loose rubble falling away. There must've been some sort of chemical in the room with Iwig because I haven't stopped coughing yet and it was starting to hurt.

I was lightheaded and I felt as though my body could collapse under me at any moment, unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of passing out wherever I wanted, I was in enemy territory and they would kill me if given the chance.

Morbid, but true. As is life.

I crawl out of a hole in the wall, wheezing from the effort as I pulled into the light. I fell on the floor with a large thump and wince at the contact between my wounds and the ground. Like salt.

I hear a curious voice in the distance, not immediately recognizing it I pull myself up to standing quickly. Just before somebody came around the corner I ball my fist and hold it to my mouth, coughing the living daylights out of my lungs.

"Phantom?" I open my eyes wide, and my eyes meet his.

Eijiro lay in front of me, battered up, cut, and starting to bruise. An unknown person carrying him as he probably couldn't move on his own.

"Red?" I asked quietly... as if much more would break him into a million pieces. My eyes hesitantly drifted to the man standing behind him. "FatGum?"

The Pro gave me a small smile, and I smiled back before my face twisted in pain. I begin having another fucking coughing fit, my knees buckling and I covered my mouth with a balled fist.

Eijiro looks at me with concern but I simply waved him off. I needed to get to Eri. I knew he was safe at least now, so I needed to move on.

My body said otherwise though, after a while of coughing I pull my hand back to see blood on it. I winced but got back up.

"Where are you going Phantom?" FatGum asked suspiciously, unknowing of the blood I just coughed up.

"I need to get Eri..." I sighed, leaning on the wall for support.

"Like hell, you are," I hear Eijiro say in a scratchy voice. "You aren't well, Lils, you need to stop."

"Like you're much better," I said back with a breathy laugh. He frowned and I felt my heart throb at how upset he looked.

"Lils I'm not going back in there, and you're not either." He said sternly.

"I'm afraid he's right Phantom. You aren't in the best shape to keep going, if you went into this state you would likely hurt the situation more than help it." FatGum agreed with the redhead.

I frowned at his words, "I'm fine." I argued.

"No. You're not." FatGum said clearly.

"I'm fine!" I yelled.

"Lily!" Eijiro yelled, a deep frown was etched upon his face, one that I likely wouldn't ever forget. "If you go in there you will only get hurt more. I may have my hardening to keep myself from getting hit too bad, but you don't."

"I'll be fine! Just let me go!" I move in the opposite direction of Eijiro and hear him grunt before I'm wrapped in an arm, being picked up from behind. "FatGum let go!" I push against his arm.

"Not until we've left." I shake my head.

"No! You fucking... weasel!" FatGum ignores me as another tremor goes through the building. Dust surrounds the air and I begin coughing again. I don't stop struggling against the hold, however.

"Lils, please, you need to calm down." Eijiro pleads with me from slightly below me, I can't see his face but I can hear the hurt in his voice.

"I need to save her though! I promised!" I grumpily said through gritted teeth.