Helen and Cruise glanced up at the roof as the whole hangar around them trembled after a large impact. Dust rained down on them as they stared a cautious look with each other before setting their sights on the nuclear weapon.
''Sounds like the fun has begun outside.'' Cruise said.
Helen nodded nervously, always keeping one eye on the bomb. ''We've almost finished setting it up.''
It pained her to not know what was going on outside. However, she had to trust, Isabel, Jess and the others. She knew that her daughter must have some kind of plan to delay things for as long as possible so that they could get everything ready. It was a miracle that this place hadn't been burnt to the ground yet. Then again, if it were, Helen doubted they would know about it because the bomb would have gone off with that much firepower around it. Sweat poured down her face as she followed the detailed instructions laid out in one of the historical textbooks. One slip-up would be catastrophic for all of them. There was another boom that rocked the hangar, almost causing Helen to fumble with the wires on the device that she was holding.
She sighed with relief when nothing else happened and continued with her work. Next to her, Cruise was standing guard. He watched as the walls started to crack with each collision going on outside.
He smiled and glanced down at the ground. ''If only Pitt were here to see this.''
After a few more minutes of messing with the wires under the control panel, Helen stepped away, tightly holding a small device in her hand. ''This is it. This is a remote switch that will activate a timer on the bomb. We'll only have a few minutes. So, we have to detonate it after we get everyone underground.''
''My Crew should have the others to safety by now. We'll catch up with them. But, what about demon-lizard outside? Once it knows what's going on, it will try to fly away.''
Helen swallowed the lump in her throat. ''If this bomb is as powerful as I think it is, it won't be able to get away in time, even with a head start.''
''Damn,'' Cruise said. He smiled despite the danger surrounding him. ''Then let's get the others and book our ticket to a land that isn't blown to kingdom come.''
The two of them exchanged a respectful look with one another before turning towards the exit. However, they stopped when they noticed a shadowy silhouette standing by the door. In the darkness of the hangar, it was impossible to see who it was until they stepped inside. The first thing that Helen and Cruise noticed was the handgun in the person's hand. A weapon that they recognize belonged to one of the corpses they had found in the underground bunker when clearing it out. As the silhouette stepped closer, revealing themselves, Helen felt her blood boil as she stared into the eyes of the man she never wanted to see again.
''Helen,'' Gabriel smiled, adjusting his glasses with one hand while keeping his gun pointed at the two of them. ''What are you doing down here while our daughter is fighting for her life outside?''
She glared at him, wanting nothing more than to hurt him for his mocking tone. ''She is not your daughter! She and I want nothing to do with you!''
''That's an unfortunate feeling that I also share,'' he replied, pointing the gun at her. His eyes scanned the room, noting the large cylinder and open control panel behind them. He then fixed his stare onto a device that Helen was holding, despite her best attempts to hide it behind her back. ''Hand that over. Whatever it is, I don't like you holding it.''
''I won't.''
''Either that or I shoot you both and take it by force.''
Cruise smirked. ''What if she flips the switch before that happens?''
Next to him, Helen shot him a questioning stare, but Cruise didn't budge. He remained calm and poised as Gabriel focused the gun onto him now. Helen wasn't sure if Cruise was bluffing or being genuine, either way, they didn't have many options. She revealed the device and kept her finger close to the trigger. She could feel herself trembling and sweating. If it turned on now, there would be no chance for any of them to escape in time.
Gabriel looked at them and then the bomb once more. It slowly began to dawn on him what they were talking about. His jaw dropped in awe. ''Nuclear weapons? They exist?''
''That's right,'' Helen said. ''We have a weapon that can kill a Dragon. This is our chance…''
''To kill one Dragon,'' Gabriel interrupted. ''What difference will that make? There are thousands more. And their King. I was told about him by the Dragon outside. He sounds magnificent. I would love to meet him. We could meet him together. You, me, and Isabel. Hand over the trigger, Helen. Let's ascend together.''
Helen felt her stomach churn at the thought. ''I'd rather die.''
Gabriel remained emotionless as his finger slowly started to squeeze the trigger. ''Very well. I am sorry that it has come to this.''
''No, you're not.'' Helen snapped.
XXX
Thane spat out blood as he received another powerful punch to the face from Isabel. Despite his best attempts, his opponent was quicker and stronger. He threw punch after punch, breaking the rocks around them as she dodged his every attack. When he charged too quickly, she stepped to the side and lifted her knee, striking him in the stomach before pummelling him to the ground, cracking the stone beneath them.
''Well, well, Thane,'' Isabel smirked. ''It seems like you overestimated your abilities.''
Clawing at the ground, Thane looked up at her before turning to Rossula who was watching them. The Dragon appeared to slowly be losing interest. It scratched beneath its chin, causing one of its scales to fall onto the ground below. Every so often, the Dragon would look at Isabel, as if she was the more interesting figure. She was treating this more like a show than a fighter. Thane felt like he was being mocked. Even with his new power, he was still in Isabel's shadow. He screamed in frustration and slammed his fists into the ground, separating the earth. Isabel was forced to retreat as the ground quaked and broke under her feet. When she was caught and stumbled, Thane saw a chance to counter. He grabbed her face before throwing her to the ground. He threw unleashed a barrage of punches, relentlessly beating her into the ground.
Watching on nearby, Jess stood up and was prepared to throw one of her grenades to assist Isabel. However, she was stopped by Giovanni grabbing her arm before she could pull the pin.
''We have to help her,'' Jess argued.
Giovanni shook his head. ''She doesn't need our help. Not yet. Look.''
Jess turned around just in time to see Isabel kick at Thane's chin, launching him into the air. When he fell back down to the ground, Isabel was back on her feet. A little bit of blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth, but other than a few bruises and cuts, she hardly looked out of breath. They had certainly seen her in worse states before. Thane stood back up and stared at Isabel with wide eyes.
''Seriously? That's all you've got.'' Isabel taunted.
Thane shook his head in disbelief. ''No, this is all wrong. How are you still stronger than me?''
''You're so blinded by your own power that you can't see it in others.''
''What?''
Isabel glanced around her, from Thane to Rossula to the entrance to the bunker. She still hadn't heard the signal from her mother and Cruise yet. They must still be setting up the bomb. She had to keep the charade going on for as long as possible. However, it appeared that the Dragon was slowly getting bored. If one thing went wrong, it would ruin the plan and put everyone at risk. Isabel had to increase the stakes.
''We can already see that I have you beat in our base forms. So, let's see what happens when we add some fire.'' She turned to Rossula. ''Would you like to see that?''
The Dragon tilted its head and hummed delightfully. ''I would be very interesting to see that, strange human. You amuse me more than the other.''
Isabel nodded, ignoring Thane's cry of frustration. She turned to her allies and raised her arm. ''Throw me a grenade first, then one to Thane.''
Jess, Erika and Giovanni looked at each other. They didn't seem too fond of the idea, but they had no time to argue. Jess stood up and threw her grenade towards Isabel.
''No!''
Isabel turned around, but it was too late. Thane crashed into her, knocking her out of the way before grabbing the grenade. He crushed it in his hand. The explosion surrounded him as Isabel watched on in despair. Instantly, Thane was chasing after her and lashing out like a wild animal. She tried to avoid his attacks like before, but he was faster. His wild attacks frequently missed, but whenever they landed, Isabel felt each and every crushing blow. She was knocked by, quickly overwhelmed by Thane's renewed power. All the while, he berated her and cursed her name.
''I'm tired of you being the one giving orders! I am supposed to be the hero! You took my people from me! My legacy! Now, I'll take everything from you!''
Isabel raised her arms to block his attacks as she looked for a counter, but he was out of control. Even if she managed to land a punch or kick, Thane would shrug off the attack and knock her back. Out of the corner of her eye, Isabel could see the others looking on desperately. They wanted to help. Jess needed to be held back by Erika and Giovanni. They couldn't risk adding more fire to the brawl for fear that it would make Thane stronger. Jess wrestled out of their hold before being blinded by the light gleaming from Rossula's scale that was sitting on the ground near them.
Another punch sent Isabel to the ground face-first. Thane stamped his foot, missing Isabel's head by mere inches. The ground broke apart, creating a bottomless, dark chasm. Before Isabel could back away from it, Thane grabbed her from behind. He locked his arm around her neck and began to choke her. Isabel tried to pry herself free, but Thane's hold was too strong. Slowly, he edged closer to the edge of the chasm, until Isabel's feet were dangling over the side. Even with her incredible sight, she couldn't see the bottom. It was like their fight had carved open the world.
Behind them, Rossula leaned forward, entertained by the fight and curious to see the outcome, which appeared to be coming any second now.
''When you see my father in hell,'' Thane growled into Isabel's ear. ''Tell him I became what he always wanted me to be. I became a leader.''
''Tell him yourself!'' Isabel choked.
She tried to reach behind and punch him, but it was no use. With every passing second, Isabel felt numb and dreaded darkness creeping over her. She was struggling less and less as Thane readied himself to throw her lifeless body into the darkness below.
Then, Isabel saw a splash of red hit the side of her face, followed by Thane howling in pain. His hold on her loosened and she was able to escape. When she turned, she saw that Jess had come out of nowhere to stab Thane in the neck with the dragon scale. It was able to penetrate his skin, as blood spewed from the gash. He shook his body, almost throwing Jess over the edge, but she landed safely on the ground.
Thane screamed, trying to pull the scale out of his neck. Seeing a chance to end this, Isabel slid forward and kicked at his legs. Thane reached out but could do nothing as he fell over the edge, disappearing into the chasm. His scream faded into nothingness. Isabel glanced over the edge. Thane was nowhere to be seen or heard.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Isabel turned around to see Jess weakly stand up. She clutched her side but smiled through the pain as she and Isabel locked eyes.
Isabel wasn't prepared for what happened next.
Rossula's claw swung into view. The spear-like talon disappeared into Jess's back before spiking out of her chest. Blood erupted out of the wound as Isabel felt her heart shatter before her very eyes. Jess gasped but didn't make another sound as her wide eyes glazed back towards Isabel. The life in them dulled. Rossula pulled its claw back, allowing Jess to fall to the ground. Isabel tried to call out Jess's name, but she couldn't speak. All she could do was run to Jess's side. She placed Jess's head onto her lap and put her hand over the open wound. She wanted to believe she could save her, but there was no hope. Isabel couldn't speak as she looked down at Jess.
''I…I love…'' Jess said quietly before she was silent forever.
It happened so quickly that Isabel couldn't believe it was real. She didn't want to believe it. However, when she felt the warmness of Jess's blood flowing onto her lap, she knew this was real. Jess was dead in her arms.
Rossula looked down upon her without any sign of remorse or guilt. ''The human had to know its place.''
Isabel wasn't sure if she could hear Erika and Giovanni calling out to her. Everything around her slowly disappeared. All sights and sounds became a blur as something inside of her seemed to snap. Her hair ignited into a burst of flames. Red and yellow flickering from her locks as her hands seemed to shift. The bones inside her body shaped, taking a new shape, a more demonic shape. Her mouth bled as her teeth sharpened, cutting through her gums as her gasps and screams changed into rage-filled howls and roars.
''You'll pay…'' she snarled. When she looked up at Rossula, her pupils became slits and turned into a ghastly shade of gold. ''I'll make you pay!''
Isabel threw her head back. Her roar echoed far and wide. Even Rossula was taken aback by the sound. Suddenly, Isabel leapt into the air and began her attack on the Dragon.
XXX
THIS CHAPTER HURT TO WRITE. I'VE BEEN DREADING IT AND ANTICIPATING IT SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING. I KNEW IT WAS COMING. THIS IS A STORY THAT CAN GO ANYWHERE, AND NOT EVERYONE CAN MAKE IT OUT ALIVE. NOW THE QUESTION IS WHAT WILL BECOME OF ISABEL AND THE OTHERS? WILL SHE LOSE HER SANITY AND BECOME THE MONSTERS SHE'S TRYING TO DEFEAT? WILL HELEN AND CRUISE ESCAPE FROM GABRIEL? THE NEXT CHAPTER IS GOING TO BE QUITE EXPLOSIVE...IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING INCREDIBLE READERS. WE'RE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THE END NOW. STAY SAFE, ESPECIALLY WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW. TA-TA FOR NOW.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO MY MILKY WAY GALAXIES & UNIVERSE BUILDERS:
KASONGO PEMBAMOTO
ANONPERS
CASEY INSCOE
AMANDA LEWIS
CHARMAINE DUONG
