Disclaimer: Same as before.

Chap. 20

Flashback...

Cain awoke in his room, slightly disoriented. He held his head and tried to remember what happened. What…? Koemai…hospital…vengeance…Aria…tranquilizer? Cain touched his shoulder and found the tranquilizer pellet. Why would she…? His eyes then widened and he looked at the computer. All of his information on The Controller's location had been duplicated. What is she thinking? He was about to turn it off when a message came up.

Cain,

You will probably hate me for this, but I have to do this. I do not want you to become dark. When I looked into your eyes tonight, I saw something I never thought I could have seen. I saw…innocence and nobility. The way you are, the way you act, even the way you fight and yet you will not take another's life, nor take advantage of someone's pain. I want to protect that because that is what I see in you and care for. I will not let vengeance consume your heart. I will die before that happens.

Goodbye

Aria

P.S. I love you, Cain

Cain's eyes widened with surprise when he read the last line. She…loves me? Cain began to blink rapidly as he re-read the words in his head.

She loves me?

She loves me.

She loves me!

Cain suddenly refocused his thoughts. Aria, I can't let you do this. You're not going to die on me. Downloading the information, he quickly ran out the door and toward his AC.

Glaive, let's go.

He entered the cockpit and activated the controls. But before he could close the hatch.

"Cain!"

Cain blinked, Koemai?

Cain exited the AC to see his partner down below him. Next to him, Diana was holding him up.

"What are you doing here?"

"I figured you'll need my help."

"Your help?"

"I saw Aria leave out of the hospital window. Since I know she visited you last, I figure that she must have left to do something crazy."

Cain narrowed his eyes. How the heck did he pick all of that up?

"I'll go alone. You can't help me. Not in your condition."

"My condition is better than yours right now."

"What do you mean?"

You're panicking, something that you don't normally do. What happened between you two? What did she say?"

"She told me…that she loves me."

"I thought so. You're an emotional wreck. If you go into battle like that, you'll only get killed."

"And if you go like that, you'll get killed."

"Not if you're backing me up. Just like I'll back you up. Remember, we are the Hands of God. Vengeance…"

Cain looked at his friend. He's right. I hate to admit it, but he has a point. And I can't argue further. Aria will need my help. But I won't be able to in my current state of mind.

"…and justice."

Flashback end…

So Glaive, I see you got my message."

"............"

"What, no words? Did I tick you off that bad?"

Glaive didn't answer him. Rather he sent a private channel to Firewave.

"Firewave. Firewave, come in. Aria, please respond."

"Ughhh, Glaive. Is that you?"

"Yeah, it's me. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just a little ruffled."?

"What were you thinking coming here alone? Are you crazy?"

"No crazier than you, Cain. Now go, fight. Don't worry about me."

Glaive re-focused his attention on Apocalypse.

"So, you still wish to defy The Controller. Then you too will perish, just like her." He pointed his gun toward the damaged Firewave.

Darkhand strode forward, "Don't worry, Glaive. I'll take care of him."

"No."

"No?"

"I'll take care of it. Don't worry, I'll...manage."

"Be careful."

With that, Darkhand suddenly shot toward the second AC, firing his laser rifle. Meanwhile, Apocalypse and Glaive had a stand off.

"Now it is time to reap what you have sown, Glaive." A blue blade of light extended out of his left arm. A Moonlight blade.

"The end for you is near."

Glaive extended his own blade.

"And he perished by the edge of the sword."

With that said and both blades raised high, Glaive and Apocalypse charged at each other.