The waterfall thundered behind them as Serah stared out at the cloaked figure in the trees. The staff in General Rhazir's hand pulsed like it was alive—burning with the same twisted energy that haunted Thorn's past.
Thorn's eyes never left the man. His back tensed, thorns twitching beneath his skin, ready to launch at the slightest movement.
Serah had seen Thorn angry before—but this was different. This was personal.
"You know him," she whispered.
Thorn nodded once. "He wasn't always a general. He was the lead scientist at Blackroot before they gave him weapons… and a new obsession."
Serah's breath caught. "What kind of obsession?"
Thorn's voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "Making monsters. I was his first experiment… and his biggest failure."
---
Outside the cave, Rhazir stepped forward, speaking calmly as if they weren't hiding just meters away.
"Thorn Everhart," his voice rang out, amplified by a hidden device. "You've run for years. We've given you mercy. We've even let you believe you were free."
Thorn clenched his fists.
"But now… you've crossed the line. You've brought an outsider into the equation. A soldier. A witness."
Serah's jaw tightened. Her hand gripped the rifle beside her.
"I offer you one last chance," Rhazir continued. "Surrender yourself willingly… and the girl lives. Refuse… and we'll burn this jungle to ash."
The drone beside him flashed red.
---
Serah turned to Thorn. "We can't run forever. We need a plan."
"There's no plan that ends with him letting us live."
She reached out and touched his chest, her voice trembling but fierce. "Then we fight. Together."
He grabbed her hand and kissed it, eyes dark with pain and passion. "I won't let him hurt you."
Suddenly, the drone outside began blinking rapidly.
A countdown.
5…
4…
"MOVE!" Thorn shouted, grabbing Serah and throwing himself over her just as the ground beneath them exploded in a wave of fire and stone.
---
The blast blew the cave apart.
Thorn shielded Serah with his body, thorns erupting from his back like a spiked wall, blocking debris.
When the smoke cleared, they were lying in the mud, blood and dirt streaking their skin.
Serah coughed, eyes wide. "That was… a warning?"
Thorn looked toward the trees. Rhazir was gone—but his message was clear.
"They're not playing anymore," he said. "This is war now."
---
Later that night, they took shelter deep in the jungle. Thorn started a small fire while Serah cleaned his wounds. Her fingers moved carefully, lovingly.
"You saved me again," she whispered.
He turned to her, eyes locked. "I'd die for you."
"Don't say that," she said, tears in her voice. "We've only just begun. We haven't even had our forever yet."
Thorn pulled her into his lap, holding her tight. "Then we'll fight for forever."
She looked up, her hand on her belly without even thinking.
Something felt… different.
A warmth deep inside her. A flutter.
"Thorn…" she whispered.
"What is it?" he asked.
She stared at him, eyes wide.
"I think… I'm pregnant."
---
Thorn froze.
The jungle seemed to go silent around them.
His eyes dropped to her stomach, then back to her tear-filled gaze.
"A child…" he murmured, voice cracking. "Our child?"
She nodded.
But before the emotion could settle, a distant crack echoed in the trees.
Then another.
Not a gunshot…
A signal.
Thorn stood slowly, his face darkening. "They found us again."
And this time… they weren't alone.
From the shadows, four black-hooded soldiers stepped into view.
But one wasn't like the others.
She wore a black mask, and her voice chilled the night.
"Hello, brother."
Serah's heart dropped.
Thorn whispered, "No… it can't be."