"Ok, what exactly is the plan?" Sark asked, and the one to reply—of course—was his mother. However, she didn’t look at Sark, and maybe that was a relief, given that Sark almost seemed glad about it.
"We have three streets leading to the White House. We'll split up—one is bound to be more heavily guarded than the others. Our priority is to reach the building and destroy the altar. Got that? No matter what gets in the way, shove it aside and focus. If they manage to summon their army, you can kiss this world goodbye. Problem, miss? You go by Larah, right?"
"Yes! You said no matter what happens, we should focus on the altar! So you'd really be ready to sacrifice your people—your own son—for that? How can you call yourself human?"
"Yes, I could and I would. Because if the army makes it through, there won’t be any friends or family left. It would be as if I sacrificed my son just to open the gate—because after it's open, we all die sooner or later."
"But still!" Larah insisted. "At least you get to spend time with your family!"
"Hahahaha! Miss, you asked me how I can call myself human. Tell me, do you feel human right now?"
Everyone turned to Larah. Everyone. Only Dean rushed to defend her.
"Leyla, you have to understand her. Her ba—Hope is in there!"
"And what? You’d doom everyone to save one baby? Dean, I pray you’ll never have to make that choice. I know how cruel it sounds. In movies, people kill everyone to save themselves, to save their child. But what will you tell that child when they ask why they’re the only one left? Will you tell them you killed everyone? Anyway, arguing won't help now. Let's go! Whoever reaches the White House first will hold humanity's future in their hands."
In a forest
The commander’s pulse was fading. It was a miracle he'd lasted this long.
"Nicole… my time has come."
"No, it hasn’t! I’ll give you my blood!"
"No. You need it more than me. I might endanger both of you. I didn’t think it would happen so fast."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcE8VSQ3c9
He touched Nicole’s stomach. "Maybe it’s because we got infected. Maybe it changed us."
"Don’t leave me. Don’t leave us!"
"I’ll always be with you, my love."
"Cut the drama! This isn’t a movie. When you’re dead, you’re dead. You won’t be with me."
"Yes, I will. Because you’ll drink my blood—all of it."
"What did you say?"
"Drink me, Nicole."
In the city
The group had split in three: Dean, Larah, Jessie, Sark, and a few of Leyla’s men formed the first. The second consisted of the remaining Alpha and Beta unit soldiers. The third was Leyla and her clan.
Dean led the way, Larah by his side.
"Thank you, Dean. You’re the only one who understands. How can she ask us to kill our child? That woman’s insane."
"But Larah, you also have to understand her. What she said… well—"
"We're saving Hope. That’s it. Whoever or whatever gets in my way, I’ll eliminate them!"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwiKQrZbvg
They came to an abrupt halt. The only one to cry out—almost gleefully—was Jessie.
"I must really be lucky! Nighyel, you actually want to die by my hands? You bitch!"
"Aww, John really misses you! Normally I don’t share my man, but for you… I’ll make an exception."
"Where is my child?" Larah demanded. "Where is my daughter?"
"In the White House. On the altar. She’s the final piece."14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbHulLcUC6
Larah’s eyes widened. Her body ached to strike, but she restrained herself. She turned to Jessie.
"I take it you want to settle the score alone with them?"
That was too much for Sark.
"Sorry, but not sorry! Larah, you’ve gone creepy-weird. You can’t just let Jessie—"
"I will. They’re my prey. Mine alone. If I die by their hands, so be it. Go! Go and save the world!"
"You heard her, Sark," Larah said with a smile, then sprinted off. The others followed. Only Dean and Sark remained behind.
"I won’t die, guys!" Jessie called back.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWQN3dc4Od
No more words were needed. Her axe would speak for her.
Nighyel was a witch. John was a zombie. What use were words now?
Jessie ignited her axe and stepped forward. The ground trembled slightly. Nighyel and John readied themselves. Jessie smirked, flashes of the past rushing through her head.
"To think I used to be afraid of you…" she muttered and charged.
She brought the axe down. Nighyel and John dodged, flanking her. Jessie spun, forming a flaming tornado. When John rushed in, she launched the tornado at him and turned to Nighyel, who hurled a flame orb at her. Jessie split it mid-air and advanced.
She threw her axe—Nighyel dodged—but Jessie’s fist didn’t miss. Nor did the second. Nor the third.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bknPW548k
Nighyel began to cry.
That’s when Jessie felt immense bloodlust behind her. Instinctively, she raised her arms.
She blocked John’s kick—but it still sent her flying into a building.
Jessie rose quickly. Her arm was bruised but intact. John pierced his own chest and pulled out his heart. He handed it to Nighyel.
She didn’t eat it—she absorbed it.
And at that moment, the real John returned.
"Damn… well, at least I die as myself. JESSIE! Do me a favor and kill that bitch!"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILkMGDGD7l
With those last words, he collapsed, dead.
Jessie clenched her eyes shut. It wasn’t enough to stop the tears.
Meanwhile, Nighyel stood tall. Her wounds were gone.
"My John… now that’s love! Hahahaha! I love it! Don’t worry, Jessie—you’ll join us too! Then we’ll be together forever! Hahahaha!"14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FH26BGS1d
She cloaked herself in flames and charged.
Jessie met her head-on.
No tricks.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmpypHr17W
No stalling.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08Vpt2FAdw
Just raw power colliding with raw power.
BOOOOOOOM.14Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU41kVhKON
