--
As the low rumbling slowly faded, Gordon felt the fog in his mind release. The dust finally fell from his conscious. Burdens fell. Weight of the last twenty years melted away. Gordon felt what he had wanted to feel for decades . . .
Relief.
All the pain, sorrow, overwhelming emotions . . . gone.
The Combine were defeated. They had no way of invading earth again.
The war was won.
Gordon looked down at Alyx, who was under his arms. She looked up at Gordon.
Suddenly, the emotions overtook him. His innards twisted with joyful butterflies.
A small tear escaped his forest colored eyes, landing on the cold cement floor. Drops of salty water fell from Alyx's lids as well. Out of exhaustion, Gordon simply rested his forehead on her's and closed his eyes.
Alyx whispered, "We did it."
He opened his eyes and gazed into hers. A weak smile was exchanged.
"Lets get out of here," she suggested.
Gordon nodded while lumbering to his feet. Grasping hands, he pulled his companion from the floor. The made their way down the hall, towards their new life.
--
Walking for a few minutes, the pair reached a new bulkhead. Gordon reached the keypad first, while Alyx simply rested her shoulder against the opposite side. She cocked her brow in a devious fashion.
"So," Alyx said mischievously, catching his attention. "What do you think we should do when we get home?"
Gordon's eyes widened in shock.
Alyx's smile grew wider. "Just putting that out there."
Her companion quickly diverted his eyes at the keypad. She could hear his heartbeat from where she was standing. Gordon pressed the open button, which caused the door to slide aside.
The next room was similar to a supply dump. It was dome shaped and very huge. A few helicopters could fit in the area. But, on the far side of the room were various crates and barrels. Other than those, the room was fairly empty. Well . . . almost.
Gordon and Alyx stepped in, making their way towards the adjacent door.
That was, until a familiar figure manifested out of the shadows.
"Good evening . . . Mr. Freeman."
Immediately, Gordon raised his SMG towards the eerie businessman. Alyx followed.
The G-Man simply grinned. "Pleas, Mr. Freeman . . . we do not . . . need to resort to . . . violence. here."
Gordon stepped back a few paces, waving for Alyx to do the same. The G-Man simply walked forward.
"I must. . admit. . . you are a great. . . asset to my . . . our. . . plans."
A confused look crossed over Gordon.
"Ahhhh," the G-Man uttered. "I guess I . . . owe you an . . . explination. . . for your action for me. Allow me to explain . . . the real story, Mr. Freeman."
Gordon felt stunned. He had always wondered about this strange character. The mystery of the G-Man baffled him.
"Well . . . . let me. . . begin."
--
"In the galaxy, a massive . . . force. . . dubbed the. . . Combine. . . was sweeping through each planet, destroying it's inhabitants. However, the . . . Combine. . . were not all-powerful. They needed the guidance of the . . . what you would say. . . swindlers of the universe. The swindlers, as I might add . . . guide civilizations in a different course in history, destroying it's inhabitants. They were called. . . The Netrea. I . . . am a Netrea.
Using our . . . trickery . . . we manage to . . . con . . . whole planets into destruction. That is why the . . . Combine. . . hired . . . the Netrea to help in the destruction of . . . the universe."
Gordon and Alyx exchanged looks of shock.
"But . . . we being the . . . back-stabbers of the galaxy . . . we wanted the Combine's . . . power. My superiors . . . issued me . . . to be in charge of the destruction of the Combine. So, I decided to find . . . a certain person . . . who could break the ranks of . . . this powerful force. And I found you, Mr. Freeman.
I then created a . . . resonance cascade . . . to allow the Combine to invade earth. After enslaving your planet . . . it allowed the perfect . . .situation . . . in which you, Mr. Freeman . . . destroy the Combine army. With this plan . . . if you failed. . . the Combine would never know. . . that we had anything to do with you. The Netrea would find another human to destroy our enemy.
But. . . you succeeded, Mr. Freeman. Thankfully."
Gordon felt troubled. He had been the pawn of a group of space con men. And now that he had finished their plan, now what were they going to do with him?
Looking behind the G-Man, he spotted a couple of familiar barrels. The red paint and drawings of flames indicated that these were explosive barrels. Gordon then focused his eyes on her enemy and slowly put his trigger on the grenade launcher on his SMG.
"And so, Mr. Freeman," The G-Man gasped. "I am afraid . . . we have no further use for you."
Gordon pulled the trigger, sending the projectile towards the barrels. He quickly grabbed Alyx and jumped away from the danger. The grenade hit the metal cylinders. The room exploded, sending flames and pressure around the room. Gordon could hear his suit warning him of the danger. He felt the intense heat lick at his neck. Underneath him, Alyx screamed.
The explosion subsided, but left half the room wreathing with flames, being the only source of light in the room now. Gordon looked up, finding no evil businessman standing in the area. He stood up, looking all around the room. A breath of relief traveled through his body.
"Mrrrrr. Freeeeeeman!" The voice shrieked out of the fire.
A tall shadow casually walked from the flames, still carrying his briefcase in his right hand. Half of the G-Man's body still sported the blue suit, dark hair and creepy face. The other half of his body, however, sported his true colors.
The opposite half looked like it was living black oil, slithering up and down the G-Man's body. A wide, green eye was filled with malice. It's feet and hands carried long, sharp claws and talons. His voice was now a shriek, similar to nails scratching glass.
"I am afraid . . . Mr. Freeman. . . that you will have to die."
Alyx raised her gun at the beast. The G-Man raised his arm at her, pushing her against the wall with telekinesis. Gordon watched in horror as Alyx hit the wall with tremendous force. With a growl, he charged the G-Man with his shotgun.
Faster than lightning, the G-Man backhanded Gordon, sending him sprawling against the floor.
"I do not . . . think you will . . . need those."
With a flick of the wrist, the monster pulled every weapon from Gordon's person. They floated in the air for a few seconds before being torn into pieces like scissors to paper. Gordon watched as his weapons were destroyed, leaving him helpless.
The G-Man charged forward, reaching Gordon in an instant. He swiped at the defenseless human, sending him against the wall.
Gordon grunted as he hit the wall. He felt something snap in his back, sending pain through his whole body. He hit the ground hard, and looked up just in time to see an alien foot slam into his face, sending him into the wall again. His face felt warm. He couldn't open his right eye.
Suddenly, he felt something grab his shoulder. He then felt like he was flying in the air, before his left shoulder hit solid ground again. Opening his one good eye, he spotted his attacker, slowly walking toward him. Gordon franticly checked his gear for any weapon. His glove clanked against a long pouch connected to the bottom of his back. He grabbed the pouch and removed the item inside.
The crowbar was sitting in his hand.
This is all I have. It will have to work.
Gordon then looked up at the beast and pulled himself off of the ground. The G-Man hissed at his prey.
--
Alyx felt pressure against her chest and was unable to move. She was stuck against the wall, unable to do anything. Helpless to watch the devastating sight before her. She watched as Gordon slipped the crowbar out. The G-Man stood mere feet away from her companion. Against the fire, she could only see the shadows of the two titans. Gordon stood crouched, crowbar prone above his head. The G-Man stood tall against the fire, his claws shining in the light.
Excruciating seconds passed as the hero and the villain waited for one or the other to strike.
And strike they did.
--
The G-Man swung the first blow, sending his claws towards Gordon's heart. The human dodged the blow, sending his crowbar into the oily arm. He didn't even penetrate the G-Man's skin before the claw sliced against his face. Gordon spun with the hit, using the momentum to shove his crowbar into the monster's stomach. The crowbar sunk deep into the G-Man's chest. The beast kicked Gordon in the chest, instantly crushing ribs. He was thrown across the room, still carrying the crowbar. The G-Man looked down at the wound on his chest. Seconds later, the slice healed instantly. An evil smile was shot at Gordon.
"No more . . . games." The leviathan hissed.
He sprinted forward and was atop Gordon in moments. The G-Man dug his claws into Gordon's shoulder, slicing deep into his body.
Gordon screamed as the sharp talons buried their way into his shoulder. Warm blood flowed from the wound, changing the color of his armor.
"Gordon!" Alyx screamed.
The G-Man ignored the woman, and while his claws still imbedded in Gordon, swung the human's body across the room. Gordon crashed into wooden crates, splintering them instantly.
Tears started flowing from Alyx's eyes. "No!"
Gordon felt nothing. His body was becoming numb. The outside of his eyes started to darken.
Please. Gordon though. Don't let me black out.
He tried standing, but felt fire course through his legs. His lungs gasped for air. More bones cracked at the simple feat.
Before he could get to his feet, the G-Man strolled up to his position. Without remorse, he grabbed Gordon's torn up shoulder and started to drag him across the floor. Gordon screamed as the claws entered his shoulder again. A trail of blood followed the titans as he was dragged across the floor. In a desperate act, he grabbed the G-Man's briefcase. Snarling at his prisoner with unspeakable fury, the G-Man suddenly threw Gordon against the wall, leaving his head propped up. The G-Man drew in closer and crouched down on his employee, sitting inches away from Gordon's face.
"Mr. . . . Freeman."
Gordon felt his body turn cold. His heart began to waver. He could barely hear the G-Man's words.
"You were . . . my greatest . . . instrument. But now . . . when an instrument has no more purpose . . . in an orchestra . . . there is no need for that instrument."
Gordon felt his own blood choking the air out of his throat.
"After you are . . . dead . . . I will take earth for . . . myself. I do not . . . need my superiors. I will . . . destroy them . . . myself."
A dark grin spread across the G-Man's features.
"Now . . . goodnight, Mr. Freeman."
--
As the G-Man focused his attention on Gordon, Alyx felt herself regaining control of her body. She walked forward, trying to think of a way to save her companion. Looking at the G-Man, she noticed his briefcase was way from the creature's hand. Remembering that the monster was furious that Gordon tried to grab the item, she realized that the briefcase could be the answer to her problem.
But, if she tried to grab it, the G-Man would surely catch her in the act. Franticly trying to come up with a plan, she notice the weapon strapped to her back.
--
Gordon lay almost dead in the clutches of the G-Man.
"Now . . . goodnight, Mr. Freeman."
The beast started to dig his claws into Gordon's belly. The talons easily cut through his armor and began to penetrate his skin. Gordon violently shook as unspeakable pain sliced through his torso.
"Hey, creepy guy!"
The G-Man drew his attention to Alyx.
With the portal gun in her hand, she had shot a portal underneath his briefcase and next to her. The briefcase slipped through the portal, and flew into Alyx's waiting hands. There she stood with the case in her right hand, and a primed grenade in the other.
"You need to leave my boyfriend alone."
The G-Man watched in horror as Alyx opened the briefcase. Blinding light escaped the case. Alyx had no time to wonder about the strange light. She threw the grenade in and tossed the briefcase in the air. The monster shrieked as the case imploded, sending out a blue shockwave into the room. The wave threw Alyx to the floor. In a rage, the G-Man felt a strange feeling pass over him. In seconds the feeling was gone. A low, guttural growl escaped the beast's lips as he put his focus on Alyx.
Then . . . the G-Man stood still. His eyes were wide and his mouth gaping open. He slowly looked down at his chest. A red crowbar was sticking in his heart, with Gordon Freeman pushing the hunk of metal deeper into the G-Man's chest.
"I now sign in my resignation." Gordon whispered the words in his enemy's face. He then twisted the crowbar, and thrust the weapon deep into the cavity. The G-Man screamed as death finally started to spread through his body. The oil skin started to jump out of his body. The creature's eyes burned deep red before turning stark white. The G-Man stood still for a moment, before falling onto his back, the crowbar still embedded in his chest.
The G-Man had been defeated.
--
Alyx sat on the cold cement floor for a moment, staring at the dead carcass of the G-Man. She then looked at Gordon, who was leaned up against the wall. She ran to his side, softly clutching his head in her hands. His face was so badly beaten and covered with blood that he could be barely recognizable if it was anyone other than Alyx there. His armor was almost gone except for the pants and a few strands of breastplate. Blood poured from every crevice in his body. Alyx felt warm tears fall down her face. She brought her eyes close to his.
"Gordon? Can you hear me?"
Gordon moved his head slightly.
"Common, baby. I need you to hold on while I get help."
A faint whisper escaped his lips.
"What?" Alyx asked, tears falling fluidly now. "what was that?"
She brought her ear closer to his lips.
A small reply came, barely discernable over the roaring flames.
"I love you."
Alyx closed her eyes, overwhelmed by emotions. She couldn't stop the sobs escaping her throat. She then looked into his one good eye.
"Stay with me, okay?"
A small croak fell from Gordon's throat.
"Gordon?!"
Fresh blood fell from his mouth.
"Gordon! Stay with me!"
His back arched as one more cough of agony coursed through his body. Gordon's figure relaxed as his whole body turned limp.
Alyx sat shocked, unable to move.
"Gordon?" She whispered.
No reply.
The H.E.V. suit's hollow female voice stated the inevitable. "Health: 0 percent."
"No," Alyx whispered. "no. NO!"
Alyx looked around, trying to find anything that could help.
"Please! Somebody help!"
Gordon's eyes stared of into space.
"Somebody HELP!"
--
All right, I have to admit that this is probably the most intense chapter I have ever written. But, I will assure you that there is one more chapter after this. So stay tuned. More on the way.