Fractured Fates & Silent Vows

Rating: T/M for some themes

Summary:

In another timeline, Liam triumphantly returns to his hometown for a fresh start. His time at Hollywood Arts is a whirlwind of success and new friendships. Despite keeping a few secrets, he's on top of the world. But just when he thought everything was going smoothly, an old friend reemerges, hellbent on reigniting the past.

Author's Notes:

Chapter 14: The Fact Is...

Tori was the first one to wake up the next morning. As her eyes fluttered open, she let out a silent yawn and shifted in her spot. At first, she wasn't sure what she was sleeping on. Slowly, she moved and realized that she was lying on top of someone, something soft and sturdy. The faint sunlight peeking through the clouds was enough to reveal the person's identity.

Dark chocolate skin under dirty orange made her grin softly as the young man beneath her lightly snored. She exhaled in relief when a thought crossed her mind. The night before. She began to reminisce about the events that led to her current position.

Liam was tossed in solitary with her. Her declaration of her feelings. The confession and kiss? Everything that happened came rushing back, making her cheeks turn pink.

She detested the current situation but knew she had to start the day. The worst-case scenario? The guards would return to take them back to their respective sides of the prison. As for the best-case scenario... those ideas should be saved for later, she thought. For now, she carefully moved out from under Liam's arm, leaving a light kiss on his forehead, which brought a goofy grin to his sleeping face. It was clear just how exhausted he was, and she still didn't know the extent of his injuries.

While she allowed him to rest for a bit longer, she stretched and did her best to do something with her frizzy hair. After a night that was only a few points shy of a fantasy, Tori knew she could no longer outrun the inevitable reality.

We have to meet with... someone. she grimaced at the thought. We'll need to be strong. If Liam can take both of our punishments with courage, I can...

Tori's mental rambling halted when she imagined the horrors Liam must have endured. Between the Maggot's Nest and the hot box, she was already cringing. Not to mention, there was someone called The Butcher who made her legs quake a little. Despite this, she found comfort in the previous night's events. Her lips tingled at the moment when they crossed a line.

She was proud of herself for having the courage to do it, but she was no fool. There were far more obstacles to handle before they could take things further. Between her father's objections and the inevitable conflict with Jade, Tori wouldn't fool herself into thinking things would be smooth sailing.

That didn't mean she couldn't savor things.

That kiss... she giggled to herself. "God, I'm turning into Cat..."

"You're not planning on dying your hair red, are you?"

She turned toward a now yawning Liam stretching. Seeing him like this was adorable to her even despite their surroundings.

"As if! I love Cat, but I could never picture myself in anything other than my natural hair color."

"Well, your hair looks perfect to me!"

Tori smirked at his flirtatious attitude. "So, you don't think I need to change it? Maybe a blond streak? Perhaps aqua?"

"Whatever you decide to do, I would love it, lẹwa."

She giggled softly when he called her beautiful in this different language until she remembered something more important. Given that the guards could arrive any minute now, it made her smile drop.

"Take off the jumpsuit..." she said evenly, much to his surprise. He wanted to protest, mostly out of embarrassment but found her serious gaze too much to do so. She watched as he removed the top of the jumpsuit displaying a dingy white t-shirt. She tilted her head eyeing the dried red stains while he pulled it off. "Turn around."

"Tori..."

Tori's eyes narrowed as she intensified her glare at Liam. He could have said no and ended things between them, but the desperation in her eyes forced him to comply. He slowly turned to face the wall, revealing the black and red marks on his back. At first glance, they looked like whip marks, but as Tori got closer, she could see that they were too precise.

Someone skilled with a knife had carved them into his back. Tori wanted to help Liam, but she didn't know how. She couldn't help but think about the pain he must have been in when the marks were made.

Blackened scars mixed in with the reddish bruises had to be done with something like a hot iron or a poker.

"What did they do to you?" she whispered, too fearful to touch them. His eyes showed his vulnerability, but he wouldn't resist this time.

"They tried to get information about the others but, I wouldn't talk. I passed out from the pain and they left me in some metal room until I regained consciousness. After that, I was bound and gagged before having the wounds seared shut." he looked away in shame. "I guess I was being too stubborn, huh? Maybe I could've been put in here sooner?"

"Stop it!" she forced him to turn around. "You did the best you could and that's what matters! Nobody with working brain cells would blame you for passing out after all of that! Plus, there's no guarantee that they would've sent you here! Don't you ever put yourself down like that ever again, do I make myself clear?"

Tori suddenly broke down, allowing her guard to break. Her eyes shimmered with her outrage and empathy for his plight. When she finally touched his back, it reminded her of Halloween. There, she learned about his afflicted arm; while he never flinched, she could feel the anguish pent up inside of him, begging for release.

This wasn't how Tori wanted to spend the earliest part of her morning but, if it was necessary, then she'd do whatever she had to to keep their spirits up. She refused to allow themselves to sink into depression, not while they were still trapped in this forsaken country. She capitalized this by spinning him around and hugging him gingerly, happy when he returned with equal vigor.

"I hear you, loud and clear, lẹwa."

Beautiful... He used that tongue again. She breathed a sigh of relief, sensing no deceit from his words. "Good. Now, you need to get dressed before the guards come."

"...and here I thought you enjoyed the sight of me half naked..." he teased while pulling the dirty shirt over his head.

It was a good thing he was occupied with that as it meant he'd miss the fire burning her face. She had to admit that his body was desirable, to say the least, but now wasn't the time to indulge in lustful fantasies. Well, maybe not completely...

"Maybe I prefer something a bit more alaigbọran ?" she smirked as he coughed from her bluntness. Like her Liam had picked up when she was using another language, most notably how her attitude shifted from innocence to blunt, back to naïveté again. "But, there is one more thing I want to talk about before they come for us."

"Shoot..." he cleared his scratchy throat.

Tori placed two fingers on her lips, imagining the sparks she felt from the previous night. It was enough to incite something inside of her but, she did her best to resist those urges.

"About last night... I know that we said some things to each other in the heat of passion and... desperation but," she lightly chewed her bottom lip partly to gather the right words that she wanted to say to him. "...Liam, do you mean what you said?"

"I believe you, but there's still some hesitation," she cursed herself for dragging this out.

"You're talking about Jade," she bowed her head, confirming things. "I figured as much. You two have been on my tail for as long as I've known you. I don't know where things will end up, but I like you back, Tori. When we get back home, we can talk about things when I take you on a date, if you'd like. As for things now, my feelings are sincere and I will protect you until my last breath, got it?"

"I'll hold you to that!"

"I hope you do..." he smirked playfully.

The pair were about to seal their pact when the rusty doors swung open where two Yerban soldiers stood; The time for judgment had arrived. They both faced the only way in or out as two guards motioned for them to exit.

"Come with us!" A fat and heavily bearded man motioned for the two to step out. Once in the hallway, Liam and Tori were swiftly cuffed and led down the long corridor. "The warden has decided your fate."

Tori glared at the incredibly overweight man seated behind a polished wooden desk, her face twisted with disgust. He was puffing on a cigar, which only deepened her frown as he exhaled the pungent smoke, filling the room. She felt queasy and shifted her gaze to the unyielding Liam, who remained impassive. She wondered how he managed to endure the nauseating scent, especially after the recent ordeal they had faced. She decided to ask him about it later. The unkempt man finally extinguished the cigar, leaving a trail of saliva on his grizzled beard.

"I've been told that you two were the only ones brought back to our wonderful penitentiary." The warden growled at the teens, firing spit all over the place. He then rose from his plush chair and approached his prisoners, sizing them both up. "On top of that, you refused to aid in our investigation, even lasting days with our interrogators? Is that correct?"

"Yes..." Liam said curtly. The fat leader eyed the defiant boy, his black soulless eyes igniting an unspoken war.

Defiance stared into the eyes of absolute power.

The staring contest ensued with neither combatant submitting to the other, drawing a stalemate as the soldiers and Tori watched silently. Even with the man's rancid breath, he couldn't seem to break the will of the much younger male. She was sure they were destined to be returned to the general population for their efforts.

What came next would surprise everyone: laughter filled the room.

"BWAHAHAHA! You have guts!" he slapped Liam in the arm. "I respect that fire in you, boy! You have a spirit that is not easily broken!"

The confusion on the guard's face was matched only by Jade's face at the reaction. In truth, the tension seemed thick enough to cause a miniature explosion yet now, everyone was watching the man slap his knee as if he'd been told the funniest joke ever. Regardless, she made sure to keep her guard up for anything that could happen.

"Excuse me. What are you going to do with us?" she politely uttered, careful to watch her tone. Catching his breath, the warden eyed her puerile countenance. "By now, the others are long gone so you have no other reason to keep us here! Why don't you let us go?"

"While the Chancellor had graciously waived the punishment for your little accident, girl, there's still the matter of your escape, not to mention the death of his precious octopus," He replied with a sour scowl. "You both were serving a sentence for that crime or am I mistaken."

"That's not fair! The person who did that escaped as well!" she cried only to be grabbed by the men surrounding her.

The man, overweight and contemplative, sank into his seat, stroking his beard while pondering the girl's words. She did make a valid point about the act against their leader, but their laws and regulations were explicit.

On the other hand, these regulations were designed primarily for the inhabitants of Yerba, rather than for children from the United States. Quietly, he weighed every conceivable course of action while alternately assessing the two adolescents before him. Each of them displayed a formidable inner drive that propelled them forward, an undeniably commendable quality.

Then, a smile began to tug at his lips.

"Perhaps you're right..." he began, spinning in his seat so that his back was to them. "...it is not fair to punish two people for the sins of another. Even still, we are a country of customs and traditions, many of which are non-negotiable. Normally, I would have you two thrown back in with the denizens and be done with it but, unlike the chancellor, he was deemed a fair and just man, at least by comparison. "But, I think I have what you Americans would call a 'proposition'."

Their eyes narrowed showing their suspicions of whatever the man was driving at.

"What are you 'offering' us?" Liam asked cautiously as the warden abruptly held up a single digit.

"I'm offering you two choices. The first option is you both go back with the other inmates and serve out the remainder of your sentences in full."

"And what's the second?" Tori warily cut in.

"The other choice is that you participate in a special game. If you win, then I will grant you freedom without hesitation!"

The warden could sense the shock in the air, which only fueled his amusement. This scenario was all too familiar to him; he didn't even need to witness it to predict what would happen next. First, there was the expression of sheer surprise. Then, a moment of contemplation was followed by the inevitable million-dollar question.

"Are you serious?" His lips curled into a devious grin as he looked out the window, observing the lush jungle outside. Even though the boy's tone was laced heavily with disbelief, there was the smallest hint of intrigue; enough to let him know that they were seriously considering his proposal. "How do we know that you're not just playing us?"

"I told you that we are governed by customs and it is customary to give those like you a chance to gain the freedom that you both so desperately seek. I realize that you are wary of this but, I assure you that I am willing to keep my word should you choose to take part in this little game. Or, you are welcome to go back to your respective sides and hope for the best."

While Tori was still unconvinced, Liam weighed their options.

Serve time for a pair of crimes that were dubious at best, or take a risk playing a game that could give them their freedom. Was it worth it? He turned carefully to her, giving her a look that asked for her input about this whole situation. He wasn't willing to agree to something without her agreement. Of course, she nodded and smirked confidently, giving him all he needed.

"What is this special game?"

[Yerban Base]

The pair sat quietly in the back of the military truck, encircled by armed guards. Their minds were filled with so many things as they spared glances at the trail behind them. Liam monitored what little surroundings he could register in his mind while recalling the terms of this 'game' he and Tori had been coaxed into playing. For starters, it was a game of survival; a death game.

Warden Pahtik informed them that they would be taken to a special checkpoint that would be their starting point and that they were to last three days without getting killed by the other inmates who were chosen to take part in this act of sadism.

Sadly, they weren't told of that last part until after they'd agreed thus, neither were at ease as they realized that they were thrust into a twisted situation, one that they weren't sure they could win.

"We're here!" they heard the driver call out, causing their stomachs to drop.

At that moment, they were still wearing their prison uniforms and hadn't even had a chance to shower since their first day in prison, back when they were still with some of their friends. This realization filled Jade with burning hatred as she remembered the incident that landed them in this life-threatening game. If things had gone differently, they would have been at home preparing for school or practicing for an upcoming musical. Instead, they were on the brink of entering a new world that was bound to change them forever.

...If they survived, that is.

After they were checked in, Liam and Tori were taken to an area where they were finally granted the opportunity to shower. Stepping inside, they both found it devoid of others which truly was a relief. They were instructed to hurry up and wash before being afforded breakfast. Tori eagerly slipped out of the baggy jumpsuit and placed the garment on a small table where they would remain dry. Grabbing the knob, she turned on the water only to have to suppress the yelp that threatened to shoot out after feeling the icy water kiss her body.

Liam mirrored her actions, keeping his back to her as he savored the frigid shower on his aching skin. He shuddered as the frigid liquid cascaded down his body, alerting him completely as he grabbed a nearby bar of soap. Shivering, the two scrubbed as best they could with the tattered rags to remove the dirt and grime off of them.

Once finished, they both rung out the water from their hair and stood behind one of the tables before calling out to the guards who returned swiftly. In their hands were freshly cleaned clothes that resembled military outfits.

Green shirts, camo pants, and black boots were traded in for the worn orange outfits, much to the teen's delight. Neither wasted time putting on some underwear before dressing swiftly after. Tori couldn't help but glimpse and admire how well Liam looked while tucking her pants into the boots. Maybe it was just how his body looked under the shirt or the look of determination that had her staring at him, but either was a good enough distraction.

No. Now wasn't the time to be fawning over physical appearance.

They both needed to get their heads on the task at hand or else they could kiss away any hope of returning home. Everything rode on their ability to endure whatever they had to for the next three days. 72 hours. Her mind took her to the dark crevices of her mind as she finished tying the laces of her boots.

"Ready?" A stoic Liam turned to her, eyes filled with something she'd never seen before.

Emotionlessness.

Behind his eyes, there were no emotions to be found. If this had been rage or even sorrow, she could handle it. But, this cold detachment in his gaze made her body shudder anxiously. It was something completely foreign to her and she didn't like it. But, could she blame him? Where they were about to go, maybe this was the right thing to do... Still, the coldness in his voice made her tremble a little when he inquired about her preparedness.

"Y-yeah..." she whispered, unable to look him directly in the eye. "I'm ready."

The way he said her name felt different this time. Usually, hearing him call her would fill her with joy. But now, his call only sparked fear in her as he approached the entrance. Then he said her name again but in a more familiar way. Suddenly, she felt his familiar touch as he wrapped her in his arms once more.

Tori recognized this person and his scent. She felt the urge to break down but she didn't; she couldn't afford to right now. She took one of his hands and intertwined their fingers as she inhaled deeply.

"We're going to get through this..." He whispered in her ear.

She raised her head and watched the boy she lived next door to. "How can you be sure? For all we know, we could die before the first day passes..."

He gave her a confident smile. "Because we're both warriors! Everything we've been through, we fought through and we survived."

She couldn't help but smirk a little at his response, but, it was clear that she was still greatly worried about what awaited.

"But, Liam..."

He silenced her by pressing his lips on her forehead gently, feeding her his energy as he held her tighter in his arms. It wasn't long but it was enough to get his point across. She moaned softly before they pulled away, processing the transferal of energy. His promise. His fire. Everything he wanted to say was explained in that one gesture for now.

He promised we'd make it together!

"If we return..."

"WHEN we return..." she corrected.

"Right. When we return, we'll pick up where we left off at this spot."

"You promise?"

"I promise," he chuckled softly.

"Then, I don't give you permission to die!" she poked his chest emphatically. "Am I clear?"

"Crystal!"

"Attention, warriors!"

The voice of none other than the warden himself on a megaphone grabbed their attention followed by the blaring sound of a horn. Both teens noticed him standing on a grand podium encircled by armed guards. His cheerful attitude did little to erase the tense atmosphere. Tori couldn't help but feel the tight grip of fear slipping around her throat, but at least she had an ally. On the other hand, Liam was growing impatient as he scouted the alleged competition.

Since they finished their breakfast, all eyes were on them with thinly-veiled murderous intent. It only grew worse when they arrived at a prep station. Bloodlust... Liam's tongue tingled from the bitter connotation, barely able to contain the stirring in his gut.

"In the next few minutes, you will be put in the jungle and left to fend for yourselves. Before that, here are the rules for this special game!" He pompously proclaimed, letting out a hearty laugh that echoed throughout. "Rule number one: The goal is to survive the perils of the jungle and potentially one another for three days! Rule number two: There are special items that will grant the holders automatic freedom. The catch is that there are only two of those artifacts, granting only two teams clemency! If you find one of these artifacts, you'll have to bring it back here to claim victory. The final rule is simple: While the two teams that claim an artifact will be granted their freedom, the remaining teams will have to fight to the death to be the last one standing!"

"No..." Liam's thoughts were broken by the visual of an unwell Tori Vega. By the looks of things, she was battling to keep her stale oatmeal down.

"Breathe, Tori..." he hoped his whisper would aid her demeanor. "Deep breaths, ayaba oṣupa..."

"I wish you all the best of luck! May Ashura smile on you and let the games begin!" the fat sadist announced before leaving with his entourage closely in tow.

How could someone find joy and pleasure in the slaughter of another human being? The idea disgusted Liam until he felt his left arm twitch, forcing an eyeroll from the boy. He needed to focus on something else before he succumbed to this devious sentiment.

Liam quickly counted eight teams, totaling sixteen men and women, including himself and Tori. With the elements, wildlife, and competition against them, the risk of being targeted was high if they weren't cautious. They urgently needed a plan. Turning to the aghast Tori, he gently shook her to divert her attention from the harsh reality. She seemed on the verge of breaking down, and he knew he had to address this immediately to avoid further complications.

"Listen up, Tori. I have an idea that could help us get out of this without any bloodshed on our end. I need you to concentrate."

"They want us... to..."

"I know, but don't worry about that!" She looked at him with a terror-filled gaze but managed to scrape up enough willpower to nod. "Now, listen closely. When we reach the jungle, we need to find some shelter that's well hidden from these guys. If nothing else, we'll have a good base to stay alive if we don't find those artifacts. Secondly, we'll have these bombs to distract the enemy should we find ourselves spotted. Always keep some on you at all times, understand?"

"Okay..." she breathed. "So, we just wait things out?"

"Well, that's the backup plan. The main goal is to get at least one of those artifacts and get the hell back here. If we can make and set some traps, that'll help us in the long run and most of all, don't lose our nerves. We can't afford to hesitate if we find ourselves targeted."

"What if we're forced to... you know?"

Liam knew where this was going but he could only sigh heavily. "We'll cross that bridge if we have to. I promise I'll protect you, no matter what."

While Tori didn't like that answer, she understood. Still, she'd hoped that it would never come down to it.

[Yerban Jungle]

"Keep going! Don't look back!"

Those words motivated Tori to push through the discomfort piercing through her body. Sprinting through the thickets of vines and trees to escape their pursuers, the teens had few other options to fall back on. Their lungs burned with each step but, it would be nothing compared to the fate of being caught; a little pain makes you stronger right? Still, with the stuffy and hot air practically suffocating the pair, it was a wonder how much longer they could last.

They cut around a massive tree and ducked behind it just in time as a rather massive man and equally buff woman arrived, hoping to spot their prey. It was the law of the land and they were at its mercy. Ever since they arrived in the jungle, Liam and Tori had very little time to concentrate as they encountered their first major obstacle in their current stalkers. They'd barely been in this hell for even an hour before being noticed by the beefy duo.

"I... Hate. This..." Tori clutched her chest. "How did we wind up in this mess?"

"The more important question is how did those guys find us so quickly? There's no way anyone should've found us as fast as they did."

"What are you saying?"

"It's too early to call, but I think we may be singled out in this death game."

"Seriously?"

Liam was on high alert, keeping a close watch for the two individuals. He was certain that they were the main targets, a suspicion he had harbored since their arrival at the facility. The realization became crystal clear to him as soon as they had gathered in the briefing area for the announcement, and it was confirmed when he and Tori found themselves alone in the shower area and later in the cafeteria.

he'd been preparing for this malicious reality and now, it was becoming evident that he was correct in doing so. Meanwhile, Tori leaned against the tree, finally attaining a respectable amount of oxygen. He knew that she needed the rest so he wouldn't trouble her for the time being.

They'll be circling back soon... he thought to himself. We'll have to get moving soon if we hope to lose them.

"Empty the bag quickly..." he said, never ripping his eyes away from the spot he was monitoring. Though she was confused, she complied with his instructions. Dropping everything out of the bag. Several rations and other survival tools fell from the pack, leaving her wondering what he was thinking. "Okay, leave behind anything too big to carry on us or in our pockets."

"What? Why would we do that?"

"Call me paranoid, but we can travel a lot quicker if we aren't burdened with that heavy bag." he finally turned to her, only to grab several of the intact mini-bombs along with the bow and arrows. "Sadly, we may have to leave behind the rations too. Otherwise, we may attract natural predators as well."

At this point, Tori wanted nothing more than to complain about his orders but, she had to confess that he was making some valid points. It wouldn't make any sense to carry extra food just for the sake of carrying it.

"What if we take some of it with us? We can eat it along the way so it doesn't go to waste."

He considered her counter-offer and smiled. "That sounds good to me."

After quickly gathering the last of their essential items, they swiftly took off. Their pace was strong, and within just a few minutes, the two intimidating individuals returned to discover only the scattered remnants and an empty bag. Frustration and anger were evident in their coal-black eyes as they glared at the surroundings, realizing that they had missed their prey.

As they moved further away from their previous stop, the duo continued to explore the unknown territory, finally getting a chance to observe the surroundings. The sounds of various creatures and the abundance of lush plant life captivated them. The beauty of the land was so extraordinary that, for a brief moment, they could forget about the perilous situation they were in. There was so much to appreciate and take in if only they weren't risking their lives in this twisted game.

That ruined the experience.

They trekked onward, careful to keep their eyes peeled for any sign of danger. Side by side they walked, covering each other from any potential ambush that could come. Tori kept her blade at the ready while Liam continued to keep the arrow drawn. They were caught off guard the first time and they weren't going to let that happen a second, not when the stakes were so high.

"Everything's quiet here..."

"I know..." he cut his gaze toward a nearby bush only to find a small monkey hopping out. "That's what's troubling me."

"Please don't say 'it's too quiet'..." she playfully scolded.

"Too cliche?"

"Too cliche."

"Fine..."

"Besides, I think I hear water up ahead."

Liam smiled and followed her direction, keeping his head on a swivel to ensure their safety. He didn't want to lose her, not after all they'd been through thus far. After their last night in that cell, it was clear that there was a spark between them. He wanted nothing more than to see whether it would light a fire, fizzle out, or downright explode but, none of that would be possible if they didn't get out of this situation. She was precious to him, even before their trip to Yerba, and now?

Tori Vega was far past irreplaceable.

This must be how soldiers feel when they go off to war.

He allowed a ghost of a smirk to crack his armor for only a split second before focusing on the task at hand. There'd be time for that after it all. For the time being, he could hear the sounds of crashing water growing louder, tearing him from his musings.

"Liam, look at this!"

As he contorted his body, weapon still poised, he stumbled upon something entirely unexpected amid this war-ravaged land. There, he beheld one of the most stunning panoramas he had ever been fortunate enough to lay his eyes on. They were at the precipice of a waterfall, gazing out at the unblemished natural splendor of the Earth, unspoiled by human hands.

"Wow..."

"It is beautiful. Just another surprise for us, huh?"

"Y-yeah... I guess that should be the norm for us by now."

"I can't say that I blame you..." Tori agreed, sighing softly at the sunlit territory. "I never would've guessed something this amazing would exist here. It's breathtaking! I wish we could sit and take in this moment..."

He nodded slowly. "Me too! But we need to find some sort of shelter before nightfall. The last thing we need is..."

Liam stopped abruptly as something sharp grazed the bridge of his nose, missing his vital areas by centimeters. Tori froze, looking on in horror at the boy clutching the wound only to turn and see the attackers. It was those same two who'd been hunting them down earlier; apparently, they never gave up their search. Now they were sitting ducks as blood began to flow freely down his arm. He dropped to one knee, baring his fangs at the duo.

"You monsters!"

Glaring at their emotionless faces, both teens couldn't be judged for believing the inside rumor to be true at this point as the woman grabbed another arrow. With expert speed and precision, she pulled back on the twine, this time aiming for none other than Tori herself while the male brute watched on with sickening glee. It was like a bad action movie now as the female warrior released the bolt.

Bracing for the pain that was sure to come, terra orbs watched splotches of crimson fly in the air. Strangely, she felt no pain, but that would be replaced by a different form of woe once she realized the reason why. Before her was the body of her next-door neighbor but also someone she'd come to care for deeply stumbling backward with an arrow cleanly sitting in his shoulder.

The wound continued to bleed profusely, and to make matters worse, they found themselves standing at the very edge of the waterfall. The intense agony of the arrow piercing his flesh was starting to disorient him. Although he was no stranger to pain and had been in his fair share of fights, there was something about this sensation spreading through his body that just didn't feel right.

"Yaabilta'an!"

"Looks like the nightshade is finally taking effect..." the woman brags in a calculative voice. "...he'll be dead shortly. Let's kill the girl and get back to finding one of those artifacts!"

Her partner grunted with a disgusting grin as he eyed the unnerved girl and discombobulated boy. With little time to think, Tori could only watch in horror as the man-beast charged at them without hesitation.

The world froze around her as the frenzied man raised his arms to strike at them. She shut her eyes, and in that moment of impending doom, she made a split-second decision to push Liam over the edge of the waterfall, narrowly avoiding the massive arm reaching for them.

Plunging.

She surrendered herself to the will of gravity when she chose to leap off of that ledge. Now, she had no way of determining just how she would get out of this new situation. Such a long way down but, there was nothing that she or her semi-conscious friend could do about it. Soon, she and Liam felt themselves succumbing to the will of another element before things went dark.

Above them, the triumphant duo watched as they crashed into the rushing rapids, each one satisfied with the deed.

"Now that they're gone, let's go. We have other targets to take out before this game ends." the woman ordered before stepping away, her partner following behind without so much as a word. "Even if that boy does survive, his mind will never be the same."