Maya's boots echoed softly on the sterile linoleum, each step a reluctant concession to Arthur's stubbornness.
Maya: Arthur, this is insane, (she hissed, glancing around the deserted corridor.)
Arthur, cradling the unconscious Ivy gently in his arms, didn't break his stride. His gaze was fixed ahead, his jaw set with a determination that Maya found both admirable and infuriating.
Arthur: Shut up and help me FIND him.
They continued moving down the corridors, Arthur's forearm screen guiding them towards Kyle's last known location. The tracker led them to a set of double doors marked "Mortuary." A wave of apprehension washed over Maya.
Maya: Hate to say it but... maybe...
Arthur: No... Don't say it. (He cuts her off before pushing the doors open, revealing the dim lit room with rows of metal storage containers.)
The air inside was noticeably colder, carrying a faint, almost sweet odor that Maya instinctively recoiled from.
Maya placed a hand on his arm.
Maya: Arthur…
He shook his head, pulling away from her as he walked towards the first container, his pace quickening as he began opening each one.
Arthur: No.. No. Th-The tracker must be busted o-or maybe he's… right above us, we just in the wrong level. (he mumbled, his voice growing desperate as he placed ivy down on the ground and then opened the first container, Inside, a body lay covered by a sheet.)
He moved to each and every unit, opening each one to find a corpse not Kyle's.
Arthur: Heh. See? The tracker's definitely wrong.
He opened one last unit. Inside, lying still and pale, was Kyle Macher. His eyes were closed, his expression peaceful, but the lack of any movement was undeniable.
Arthur stared, his breath catching in his throat, the reality hitting him like a physical blow.
Arthur: Kyle... (his hand reached out, touching Kyle's cold chest.)
Maya stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Maya: Arthur... (her voice was soft, filled with concern.
Arthur didn't respond, his eyes fixed on Kyle's still form. Maya squeezed his shoulder.
Maya: ...I know it's hard, but we have to go. They'll be after us.
Arthur continued to stare, lost in his thoughts.
Maya, her own memories of loss surfacing, clapped him sharply on the cheek.
Maya: Damnit! Snap out of it, Arthur! (She said firmly, her eyes locking with his.) I know how it feels to lose someone you love but now isn't the time to fall apart. We need to move.
Arthur blinked, a flicker of his usual self returning. He let out a shaky laugh.
Arthur: "Love?" I barely knew the guy... Just... surprised that Viktor didn't even tell us that they were in trouble...
Maya sighed, moving to pick Ivy up into her arms.
Maya: Let's go. (She said in a soft tone before leaving the mortuary.)
Arthur looked down at Kyle one last time, a silent goodbye, before following Maya out.
Back in the patient room that Ivy was taken from, a groan escaped Martin Shaw's lips. His eyes fluttered open, focusing on the cracked ceiling. He slowly sat up, his hand instinctively going to the spot on his chest where Maya had stabbed him. A dark stain bloomed on his pristine grey suit.
The door to the room creaked open, and a soldier in grey overalls stepped inside, his weapon raised. His eyes widened as he saw Martin sitting up.
Soldier: Commander Shaw! You're awake! Are you alright, sir?
Martin waved a dismissive hand, a faint smirk playing on his lips despite the pain.
Martin: They got the girl.
Soldier: Tch... What are your orders, sir? We can call in the rest of the teams to track them down... They won't get far.
Martin considered the offer, his eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.
Martin: As much as that sounds… enjoyable, (he said slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face,) I have a different idea in mind.o.
Soldier: Sir? What's the idea?
Martin: (he stood up, wincing slightly as he moved.) Call in the Assassin. I would very much like to see what they could against Viktor's unit.
Soldier: But... but sir, we can't guarantee that the assassin would be able to succeed against these threats.
Martin: I Know... (A predatory smile spread across his face.)
Back in the corridors, Arthur contacted Jaxon over the comms.
Arthur: Jaxs, we found them. Heading out the hospital now. Need a pickup ASAP. (Only static answered. Both Arthur and Maya exchanged worried glances.) Jaxon? You copy? (Still only static.)
Arthur: Something's wrong, (he said, his brow furrowed with worry.)
Maya: Let's just get out of here, (She urged, glancing nervously down the hallway.)
They retraced their steps, heading towards the back door they had initially entered. Ivy stirred in Maya's arms, letting out a soft groan, her eyelids beginning to flutter.
They reached the back door and stepped out into the dimly lit service area. The black SUV was there, but the driver's side door hung open. Just as they reached the vehicle, a sharp crack echoed behind them. Maya, who was carrying Ivy, cried out, a bullet tearing into her back. She stumbled, dropping Ivy to the ground.
Arthur: Maya!
Arthur spun around, drawing his own weapon. Standing a short distance away was a man with pale skin, striking blue iris eyes, lean and muscular, wearing a blue tactical suit with a black balaclava obscuring his face, and black armored gloves. His ballistic vest, the same shade of blue, was covered in pouches containing numerous small knives, along with holsters, especially along his belt. A pistol holster was strapped to his right leg, and a few gas grenades were clipped to his vest. He drags Jaxon by the collar, the latter's body limp and brutalized.
"Well, hello there, Arthur," the masked man said, his voice chillingly calm. He fired several shots at Arthur, each hitting their mark despite Arthur's desperate attempts to dodge. Ivy, now groggy and disoriented, looked around in confusion, her eyes widening as she saw the masked man approaching her, letting go of Jaxan's collar. "Don't worry, little elf," he said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm one of the good guys in this scenario."
Maya: Tch... Gary? (She asks, recognizing the man's voice.)
Gary: (He reached for his pistol, aiming it back towards the downed figure of Maya) In the flesh, baby.
Before he could fire, Arthur, despite the multiple gunshot wounds and the blood seeping through his clothes, lunged forward, tackling Gary. They wrestled for the pistol, Arthur's weakened state making it a struggle. With a grunt, Gary let Arthur have the gun but delivered a powerful kick that sent him sprawling. In a blur, he threw several small knives, each one striking Arthur with sickening precision. He dropped to his knees, the pistol skittering away.
Gary chuckles retrieving his pistol and then aiming it at Arthur's head. "Goodbye, Maya," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, a dark parallel to his earlier greeting. Before he could pull the trigger, Jaxan, with a desperate surge of adrenaline, tackled Gary from the side, sending them both sprawling.
Jaxan: Go! Now! (He grunted, struggling to hold Gary down.)
Before Arthur or Maya could react to Jaxan's sacrifice, a high-pitched, piercing ringing noise suddenly filled the air. It wasn't just loud; it resonated deep within their skulls, a wave of pure agony that made them clutch their heads and cry out. The intense sound seemed to vibrate through their very bones, disorienting them and making it difficult to think straight. Even Gary, the masked man, roared in pain, Jaxan too, his grip on Gary loosening as he writhed in agony.
Only Ivy seemed to remain strangely unaffected by the noise, her elven eyes wide with confusion as she looked at the others clutching their heads and groaning in pain.
Suddenly, the end of the area filled with figures in grey uniforms. Martin Shaw strode forward, holding a small, metallic device in his hand that pulsed with a faint blue light, the source of the agonizing ringing. He lowered the device, and the piercing sound abruptly ceased.
Just then as they suffered, the source of the piercing sound became apparent. Martin Shaw, followed by several soldiers in grey overalls carrying their silver rifles, arrived into the scene. Martin held a small, metallic device in his hand, from which the unbearable ringing emanated. He wore a grimly satisfied expression.
Martin slowly lowered the device, and the ringing gradually subsided, leaving a painful echo in their ears. as his soldiers immediately aimed their silver rifles at Arthur, Maya, and Jaxon. Gary remained standing, seemingly unfazed now that the ringing had stopped, though he eyed Martin and his men with an irritated gaze.
Martin: WELL! Looks like your little rescue mission has come to an end... (he said, his gaze sweeping over the downed and injured figures of Arthur and Maya.) You have two choices: surrender peacefully, or face the consequences.
Arthur and Maya exchanged a pained look. They were injured, disoriented, and heavily outnumbered. The choice was clear, Arthur, still feeling disoriented after the noise, slowly raised his hands, blood dripping from the wounds inflicted by Gary's knives. With a sigh of resignation, Maya and Jaxan followed suit, raising their hands in surrender.
Martin nodded, a cold satisfaction spreading across his face.
Martin: Wise choice...
His soldiers moved forward, their weapons still trained on the surrendered group. Martin walked up to Ivy, offering her a hand.
Martin: Are you alright? (he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.)
Ivy: (She looked at him, her eyes still clouded with confusion.) W-who are you?
Maetin: My name is Martin, and we are gonna help you, (he replied, escorting her away from the immediate area, gesturing for his soldiers to arrest Arthur, Maya, and Jaxan. Arthur tried to call out to Ivy, but a soldier roughly silenced him.)
As they were being cuffed, Arthur, unnoticed by the Enforcers, subtly pressed a button on the screen of his forearm device, a faint red light blinking to life beneath his sleeve.