The fight was a nightmare, hell on earth as tension filled the air while the game hung precariously in balance. Ava held onto the blue flag for dear life, her searing legs pushing her to their encampment. The rough terrain stretched out ahead like forever, every obstacle yet another trial to be withstood. Atlas dogged her footsteps, his thick steps strong and unyielding as he kept lookout for harm in the form of something coming close.
"Almost there!" Ava cried out, her cracked but resolute voice.
"Go on!" Atlas thundered, his own booming voice audible above the chaos.
Sigma's inductees sprinted after Ava and Atlas from the rear. **045** and **062** sprinted after them, their movements swift and synchronized. Lila at the vicinity of the ground level took down another expert shot, compelling **062** behind a shield to take cover.
"They're gaining on you!" Lila called out, repositioning for a better line of sight.
"Then stop them!" Ava shot back, her voice tinged with urgency.
Eli, who had been tracking the pursuit from his post, grabbed a loose piece of debris and hurled it at **045**, narrowly missing him. "Hey, I'm trying!" Eli muttered as he ducked behind cover to avoid a return strike.
Along the field on the other side, Axel and Cyrus exchanged blows in a duel which seemed to rumble the earth below itself. Cyrus struck with blistering velocity and rage, each punch filling itself with resolve. Axel dodged and danced with practiced prowess, stepping back and striking forward whenever openings presented themselves.
"Back a losing case, Sage," snarled Cyrus, with venom dripping in his voice when he swung out with a stiff hook at Axel's head. Axel dodged the blow on the nick of time, attacking in return with a swift jab at Cyrus's ribcage that caused him to grunt.
"You yack too much," Axel drawled, and with a measured and cold voice.
Cyrus grinned, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Perhaps. But that doesn't alter the reality that your team is collapsing."
Axel did not respond, his piercing eyes sweeping the battlefield as he evaluated where they were. Ava and Atlas were close—so close to the goal line—but Sigma was hot on their heels. He could not waste any more time bickering with Cyrus.
"I'm done playing," Axel said sharply, his fists clenching as he stepped forward.
Good," Cyrus replied, his grin widening. "Neither am I."
Meanwhile, Kaid had joined Ava and Atlas's defense, intercepting **062** with a heavy punch that sent the recruit stumbling. "Go!" Kaid shouted, glancing over his shoulder at Ava. "I'll hold them off!"
Ava did not delay. She relinquished her hold on the flag and took off in front, her own lungs heaving in harsh gasps. Atlas followed beside her, his massive shoulders bracing a daunting silhouette as they forced forward. The blue flag waved in her hand, a banner of their resolve to persevere.
But Sigma wasn't giving up. **021**, having regrouped, appeared from a hidden path and launched himself at Atlas with surprising speed. The two clashed violently, their movements a blur of strikes and counters as Atlas fought to keep **021** from reaching Ava.
"I've got this," Atlas grunted, grappling with **021** to keep him pinned. "Just finish it!"
Ava nodded, mind reeling as she hurried by the fight. The base came into view now, the line goal a mere step away. She listened for the cries of enthusiasm and urging of the waiting recruits who would observe, their eagerness pumping flame to her determination.
Behind her, something changed. Axel, still struggling with Cyrus, sensed the air grow thick. Cyrus's smile grew wider, his gray eyes flashing an unearthly intensity.
"You think you've got it all worked out," Cyrus growled, his voice low and menacing. "But you don't know what you're really dealing with.".
Axel's brow furrowed and he backed up, feeling something sinister take shape on the surface. Cyrus's body twitched involuntarily, his fists curling so tightly that his knuckles whitened. The sneer on his lips contorted into something darker, almost bestial.
"What are you—" Axel began, but was interrupted when Cyrus released a low, animalistic growl.
Air swirled about him, energy gathering as Cyrus's muscles grew tight into an inhuman position. His breathing became thicker, the rising and falling of his chest that of a beast. The energy mounted in the arena to a fever pitch, the recruits lining the sides rigid as he shifted.
It's time," Cyrus panted, venom dripping from his words. "Let me show you what happens when you push me too far."
Axel's intense stare narrowed, his body naturally going into protection mode. He had no idea what was about to happen, but he knew this one thing—it wasn't going to be nice.