Claire broke out of her daze as Cam's fireballs connected with an unseen threat in the trees. A dark-skinned woman toppled over, her clothes in flames, and she screamed soundlessly and ran into the bushes to put the fire out. A few more fireballs later, the forest behind the enemy exploded in a fiery inferno. Dylan gave a sort of whimper, then raised her arm to set off a volley of thorns.
At the same moment, Chris flew out from the trees, heading straight for the force field in an attempt to disable it. Cam, Claire Dylan worked together, but the boy was fast, ducking and weaving through the hazardous balls of fire, shards of ice and twisting vines . As he reached the last few metres separating him from Landon, a gush of air blew past him, and suddenly, Meena became visible.
Her face contorted in hate, then slowly relaxed as he smiled at her.
"Hey, beautiful. Would you please let me pass?"
She nodded and stepped quietly to one side. He grinned in triumph, before Alicia ran out of the cover of trees and straight into his path.
"S'cuse me, Leesh."
Alicia faltered, her brain screaming at her to move.
No, she said firmly to herself. He's using his ability. Do not let him pass. Do not let him pass!
She threw herself right into his path, knocking him over and pinning him to the floor.
"Screw you, Chris!" she threw a few punches, then clawed wildly at him, forcing him to retreat.
A tall, lanky boy took Chris's place instantly, his arm raised threatening over Alicia, who was on the floor, staring up defiantly at him. He grinned, lunging out at Alicia's neck, then gave a yell of surprise and toppled over when he passed right through her.
Alicia began walking into the enemies' zone, straight into the trap that Dr. Hotz had set for her. She seemed oblivious, following only his instructions. A gust of icy wind wrapped itself around Dr. Hotz, burying him in a layer of frozen ice.
"Derrick, two more in the trees. Go free Massie and Layne. Look for a black-haired, pale boy and a brown-haired man with green eyes. Go!" Olivia whispered.
Derrick darted out from his place in the trees, catching the tall blonde boy on the arm. He crumpled with a stupid expression on his face. Behind him, Cam and Dylan sent out fiery shields and a thicket of brambles to keep their enemies away from him. A blast of moonlight illuminated the clearing and showed clearly two hidden figures in the trees. Derrick smacked one quickly, then ran towards the other, before falling onto the floor.
In a silver flash, Anala was beside him, picking him up off the floor. The man turned his attention to her, and she reeled backwards for a moment, before he fainted form Derrick's touch as well.
"Sto-" ordered Dr Hotz, and a brunette girl teleported right next to them…
…they were back inside the force field, gasping. Massie had fallen onto her bac, and Layne was sprawled out on her front, unmoving.
The throbbing inside Derrick's head was building into a massive headache. He didn't even notice when the enemy began to disappear, terrified by their losses. The group gathered in a broken circle around the fallen. Derrick seemed to be in great pain, and most of them were dizzy from exhaustion.
"Layne!"
Blake ran over to her limp form, which lay motionlessly on the ground. All around, the sounds of the others ceased to exist for him, as he watched the girl he loved lying helplessly on the ground, barely alive.
He cradled her head softly in his arms, steeling himself, fighting desperately against the tears that threatened to overflow. Her head lolled to one side when he shifted, then for the shortest moment, he thought he saw her eyelids flutter and her breathing picked up.
"Layne, I'm here, please…" he breathed sharply as her fingers twitched. Then she stayed frozen again.
Derrick rose from the ground beside him, then stumbled and caught himself again. He was wincing and holding his head, but still continued on his way towards Massie.
She was sitting on the ground, watching the scene with a lost, confused expression. When she saw Derrick coming towards her, she whimpered and backed off.
"Massie! It's me." Called Derrick, desperately.
"Who are you? I don't know you. Get away from me!" She pointed a shaking finger at Derrick, then turned to escape into the dense bushes of the forest.
Dylan rushed past Derrick, heading straight for the trees, where the branches knitted and wove together to form a barrier. Massie gasped and turned in the other direction, heading towards the group.
"Derrick." Ordered Landon grimly.
Derrick limped over, stretching out his hand tentatively, but with a fierce, determined look in his eyes. Massie saw the approaching threat and drew back a few steps, but Landon's force field pushed her forwards towards Derrick.
Derrick stared at the frightened face of the girl he loved, and reached for her cheek.
"I'm sorry, Massie. But it's for the best."
Massie crumpled and hit the floor, before Landon picked her up and walked away from the wreckage of the battle.