n

n

nAsher takes a look at where Dylan is, studying the situation.

n

"I'm not exactly sure, but I think this is alright...

" he told the others as he looked back at them.

n

"They're bearing down on him fast. We have to get Dylan on to the pressure plate.

"

nEdward shot Asher a wary look, still unsure about this whole plan of theirs. With a frown, he then asked,

"And you're sure this won't cause the whole place to blow up?

"

n

"Positive. By eighty nine percent,

" Adrian reassured him, expression straight and flat.

n

"Eighty nine percent?!

" Edward exclaimed.

n

"That's good enough for me!

" Cassidy chirped before standing up again.

n

"Hey, wait...!

" Asher called, taken a aback.

n

"Where do you think you're going?

"

n

"To help!

"

nSparing no time for argument, she dashed off to carry out the rest of the plan. Their eyes widened then, their mouths slightly gaping. Left in shock and disbelief, they had to take a moment more before they understood what she was going to do.

n

"Damn it, Cassie! Come back here!

"

nCassidy rushes into the fray regardless of Asher's call. Time stands still for Adrian starting from that point on.

nHe is not quite sure what his wife is trying to prove. This hasn't been in the plan. She was supposed to stay back with them while the others confronted their last standing enemy.

nIt was good enough. It was feasible enough.

nCassidy has to do nothing - nothing at all. But then, Adrian remembers her spiteful echo earlier.

n

"In fifteen minutes, you will die!

"

nIt's just like back then.

nFifteen minutes or ten - he doesn't know how long they have exactly. He's not sure of anything, but he's sure about one thing. There's no mistaking the determined look in her eyes when she said what she said.

nAdrian doesn't know what she'd seen back then - when the world had been swallowed into an abyss of fire. He doesn't know what Cassidy has been through without him all this time.

nShe might be more hurt than she is. She might be more unstable. She might be more enraged.

nDylan never had fifteen minutes. Neither had Cassidy.

nFeet kicking against the concrete - faster than Asher and Edward can ever be, Adrian rushes forward, fear gripping his heart and fueling his movements. He frantically goes after Cassidy, and he calls out desperately,

"Seven!

"

nMomentarily distracted, Seven is almost struck aside while Dylan is pushed forward by Cassidy at that exact same time.

nShe plows into him brutally, shoving him towards the waiting pressure plate - towards his waiting grave. Seven was able to deliver one last blow to make sure that he'd end up on it, but at the last minute, he grasped the hem of Cassidy's shirt.

n

"You dirty little—

"

nSeven hastily pulls her to get her away. When he does, he attempts to gather Cassidy into his arms next.

nAnd for that fraction of a moment, it seems like they are going to win.

nThat's until Dylan's hand finds its way to a hidden dagger in his suit and strikes straight through her - his last grapple at victory. Cassidy gasps out loud, caught off guard, and Adrian wonders at the guttural sound that escapes his lips soon after.

nThe tip of the blade is still poking through her back when the heel of Dylan's foot steps on the pressure plate. The explosion comes before any of them can comprehend the scene, and they are all blown back - with Cassidy disappearing along with Dylan behind the flames.

nMouth frozen mid-scream, Adrian wracks his brain for anything that he can do. He looks like death warmed up at that point. He faces the fire, forces his limbs to move and reaches out his hand to where Cassidy is - albeit uselessly.

n

"Fuck!

"

nHe should have had a better plan.

n---

nFiremen burst into the field, aiming to save them, but Adrian is not the one who needs to be saved this time.

n

"Where is she?!

"

nAsher materializes beside him, and Adrian shakes his head. He pulls his cloak around himself and looks back at the fire - to their source of distress.

n

"Shade! Where do you think you're going?

"

n

"Let me go—

"

n

"Sir! It's not safe! Please come this way so we can secure the place!

"

nThe fireman's voice grates at his ears, but he can only think of his wife — determined, stubborn, reckless. Then, there's her face disappearing into the fire.

nAdrian pushes forward again. That's until Asher steps in one more time, his hand on his shoulder keeping him from going any further.

n

"Adrian, let me.

"

nSomeone else is tugging him back. He barely registers Asher's voice, and he fights against it but to no avail. His hold is strong - firm. Soon, Edward is the one to disappear through the smoke in their stead.

nSomething within Adrian has snapped - he's not sure what, but then, he's suddenly overwhelmed with the feeling of feeling nothing at all.

nStiff. Numb. Dead.

nDead again.

nFor a long moment, the air is tense - as if it's being pulled by the weight of Adrian's desperation as well as the formidable hunger of the fire before them. Sparks flash in his eyes - perhaps, they are embers, or ash, or soot. He briefly entertains the thought of begging the gods for all the strength in the world to release himself from Asher's grip and plunge into the fire - if not to rescue Cassidy, then to die with her as well.

n

"Shade, get a grip!

"

nAdrian doesn't listen.

nInstead, he keeps pushing and pushing, not wanting to be dragged away without knowing for sure. He can hear the commands of the firemen, but he's a commander himself - he does not heed their words.

nHe does not need to.

nHe vaguely registers the efforts of the firemen. The flame is growing smaller and smaller now, but he's not sure what he will come to find once it's all been put out. But then, there comes a slice of hope - a familiar figure cutting a hole into the breath of the flames.

nAdrian sags in relief to find Seven carrying Cassidy's unconscious form.

nEdward follows after them, his guard set. Their clothes are singed - they're sure to have suffered some minor burns. Even still, they are alive. When Adrian looks into his elder brother's eyes, he can find the answer to his pending question -

nCassidy can still be saved.

nOnly then did Asher's voice get clearer. Only then did Adrian realize what he's saying the whole time.

n

"Let's get out of here, Shade.

"

n---

nCharles rushes over, running around in a panic, and after a short pause, the firemen come after him - they must have seen the others.

n

"President?! Asher?!

"

nAdrian can barely feel Asher's hand loosening its grip around his arm. He barely even hears his soft,

"It's Cassie. She's hurt.

"

n

"What...?

" Charles breathed, shocked and perturbed.

n

"Where is she? The hell even happened?

"

n

"She's bleeding out - stabbed, and we're told she's unconscious.. The wound is deep.

"

n