"Mama?" It was a memory from her earliest years, one that flickered in and out of focus. She remembered kneeling in the courtyard of their home on the moon, her mother distraught and abandoned by the palace guards.

She was young, maybe six or seven, but she knew it was a memory—one of the few times she saw her mother cry. An old teacher once told her that memories were often influenced by the emotions experienced at the time, making them particularly vivid and enduring.

This memory stuck with her, and she never knew why, perhaps because of what her mother had said, or maybe it was the moment she decided she would never love someone the way her mother loved her father. Whatever it was, deep down, she never wanted that heartbreak.

"My little ladybug," her mother cried, tears streaming down her face. "It's the things we love the most that destroy us. Love... it can be a beautiful thing, but it can also tear you apart, piece by piece. Your heart can be shattered, and the pain... it feels like it will never end."

She remembered the tightness in her own throat, the confusion and sorrow that came from seeing her mother in such pain. Her tiny hands had reached out, wanting to comfort but not understanding how. The intensity of her mother's grief was overwhelming, and it etched itself into Eko's young mind.

"Promise me, my little one," her mother continued, her voice trembling. "Promise me you won't let anyone have that kind of power over you. Guard your heart, protect it. Don't let love be the thing that destroys you."

As she watched her mother cry, a seed of fear took root in Eko's heart. She promised herself she would never let anyone have that kind of power over her. She would never allow herself to be so vulnerable, so exposed to the devastation that love could bring.

Especially when there was war around them, especially when the crystal in her heart tugged at her, guiding her to do devastating things, beautiful, horrible, devastating things.

This memory, this raw, painful moment, shaped her view on love and relationships. It built walls around her heart, walls that she thought were impenetrable. But now as she was drifting through her memories, she realized how those walls had been slowly crumbling since she met Matthew.

"Sera," her mother wept, her eyes red-rimmed and filled with a sorrow that seemed to echo through the ages, "we have a war to fight. Do not fall in love. He will never be like you, and you will not be able to protect him from death. You are not a god. Love will only weaken you. It will destroy you, just as it has destroyed me."

***** ****

The explosion ripped through the air with a deafening roar, sending shockwaves that hurled Matthew and Eko backward like ragdolls. Their bodies twisted and turned in the sky, fragile and helpless against the violent force. As they plummeted toward the upheaved sandstone ground, their survival instincts kicked in. Desperation fueled their powers, and they summoned a shimmering protective shield around themselves.

The impact was jarring, shaking them to their very cores. The heat from the scorched earth seeped through their barrier, a reminder of the inferno's relentless pursuit. Despite the agony coursing through their bodies, they gritted their teeth and forced themselves onto their knees. Debris rained down around them, the blistering winds clawing at their exposed skin. With every ounce of strength, they shielded their heads with their arms, bracing against the relentless onslaught of destruction.

Amid the chaos, Eko's heart thundered in her chest, panic seizing her as she frantically scanned the surroundings for any sign of Matthew. The world around her was a nightmarish blur of destruction and flames. A towering firestorm raged around them, a tornado of swirling flames and ash, its furious roar drowning out all other sounds. The air itself seemed to burn, filled with the acrid stench of smoke and charred earth. Each second without sight of him amplified her fear, the swirling inferno making it almost impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.

The steadfast resolve that had anchored her through the past tumultuous months began to crack, giving way to a tide of helplessness. The firestorm's heat was oppressive, the ground beneath her cracked and scorched, radiating unbearable warmth. She could feel the weight of the destruction pressing down on her, the flickering flames casting eerie shadows that danced like malevolent spirits in the smoky haze.

Desperation clawed at her as she squinted through the fiery maelstrom, the chaos blurring her vision and thoughts. In a moment of raw, unfiltered emotion, Eko's composure shattered. She unleashed a primal scream into the ground, a desperate release of the terror and frustration that threatened to overwhelm her.

The heat was unbearable, an oppressive force that circled around her barrier, relentless in its efforts to burn her alive. The world outside her protective sphere grew to a blur of orange and red, a living hell that sought to claim her.

"Matthew!" Eko's voice was a desperate plea, muffled by the ground into which she buried her face. She knew he was out there, fighting his own battle against the flames, their powers the only thing keeping them from being burnt alive.

But fire wasn't the only threat in this inferno. Oxygen, the very essence of life, was being devoured by the hungry flames. Eko felt her chest tighten, each breath becoming a futile gasp for air. Panic clawed at her mind, urging her to flee, to escape the suffocating embrace of the fire.

As she struggled to breathe, Eko tried to inhale as much air as possible, but it seemed like her lungs weren't receiving any oxygen. Panic set in, and she contemplated a desperate escape from the protective barrier that now felt like a suffocating cage.

***** *****

Matthew sensed her anxiety intensifying, and he swiftly crossed the divide between them, bridging the gap. He materialized within her barrier, his presence instantly reinforcing the protective shield enveloping them both. He kept her hunched over, huddled into his body, with her face pressed against the scorched earth as the inferno raged mercilessly around them.

"I'm here, I've got you!" he screamed. Momentary relief flooded Eko as she felt his arms around her waist, his body shielding her from the relentless assault of their surroundings. She clung to him, her grip firm, unwilling to let go of the only stability in the midst of chaos.

With her tears mixing with the soot and sweat on her face, Eko could feel the desperation in his grip, the urgency in his movements as he adjusted their barrier, fortifying it against the onslaught of flames. The heat pressed in from all sides, but together, they were a force to be reckoned with.

For Matthew, the pain was excruciating, a relentless torment that clawed at his very being. His heart hammered against his chest, erratic and unrelenting, each beat a sharp, jarring reminder of his mortality. Numbness crept into his fingers, a cold, insidious sensation that made gripping his powers feel like clutching at smoke. His lungs felt as though they were being squeezed by an invisible vice, each breath a painful, labored effort that sent spikes of agony through his torso.

He knew all the warning signs were there—his body was reaching its limit. Dizziness swirled in his head, a nauseating spiral that threatened to pull him into unconsciousness. He clenched his eyes shut, teeth grinding together as he fought to stay upright, determined to withstand the onslaught of symptoms. Protecting her was his priority, a silent vow to shield her at all costs, even as his body screamed in protest, muscles straining and bones aching under the overwhelming strain.

Then, as abruptly as it had begun, the force that had held them in its fiery grasp dissipated. The roar of the firestorm, which had filled their ears with its deafening scream, faded into an almost eerie silence. The hissing that had been the relentless soundtrack to their nightmare was now eerily absent, replaced by the haunting quiet of a world momentarily at peace.

Eko lifted her head, brushing her brunette hair away from her face, and winced as a sharp pain shot through her chest. The dull ache of a cracked rib, a painful reminder of their brutal landing, pulsed with each breath she took.

"Matthew?" Eko's voice trembled in the air, a fragile whisper as she peered from beneath his protective arm. The erratic rhythm of his breathing echoed in her ears, signaling his distress.

"T-Tell me you're okay," he gasped back, his breaths ragged and heavy, turning her concern back towards her.

"I am. What about you?" Eko's voice tightened, her eyebrows drawing together as she noted the strain in his breathing hadn't subsided. "Matthew, are you alright?" Her tone sharpened with worry. "Talk to me?"

Matthew managed a nod, his expression tight with pain that creased the corners of his eyes. "Seen b-better days," he confessed through gritted teeth, pushing himself to his feet with unsteady determination. "Come o...n, we n-need to move," he urged, gripping Eko's arm to help steady her.

Eko quickly rose beside him with a muted groan, her face contorted as a sharp pain flared across her chest. As she steadied Matthew, she noticed dark splashes on her foot, staring down at her toes.

"W-where's yo...ur s-shoe?" Matthew asked, following her gaze to the ground.

Eko pursed her lips and then looked up to Matthew, and then around the scene before them. Wherever the shoe had been, it was surely disintegrated in the firestorm.

Her attention swept over the chaotic landscape strewn with debris. The harsh reality of their situation weighed heavily on her as she realized they were far from safety. She took an uneasy breath, teetering on the edge of hyperventilating.

Suddenly, Matthew's hands cupped her face, grounding her in the present. His eyes, vibrant and determined despite the blood smeared across his face, locked onto hers.

"Ek's, l-listen to m-e. We're not g-going to be able to make heads or ta...ils of the o-outskirts. We need a h-higher vantage point," he stammered, trying to focus her mind on something concrete, something actionable.

"Higher ground," she echoed, staring back at him, the words slowly sinking in. "We need higher ground."

"Good girl," he smiled, though worry etched deep lines on his face. He needed her to stay focused, to prevent her from slipping into shock. Today had pushed them both to their limits, and he could see she was teetering on the edge. "Find some... t-thing."

Eko turned her gaze away from him, scanning the desolate landscape. Her eyes searched for anything that might offer a better perspective of their surroundings. The world was a chaotic mess of twisted metal and smoldering debris, the aftermath of the firestorm leaving a haunting tableau of destruction.

The heat radiated from the ground, and the air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and burnt earth. Each breath was a struggle, the atmosphere still heavy with the remnants of the inferno.

"Th-there, b-babe. Look u-up," Matthew's voice cut through her observations, pointing towards a distant silhouette. Eko squinted, trying to clear the haze from her vision. The outline of a building loomed in the distance, a potential beacon in their tumultuous escape. It sparked a sliver of hope—perhaps Toni was somewhere out there, searching for them. Gaining height could make it easier for him to find them.

"Are y-you .. r-ready?" Matthew's voice barely rose above a whisper, extending his hand to her.

"Yeah," she replied with a determined smile, looking up at him. "Besides, Ace and Snow can handle anything. We got this. We're fine. We're totally fine."

Matthew's response was a strained half-chuckle, tinged with pain as he clutched the bleeding wound at his waist. Eko's grip on his other hand tightened, her expression a complex tapestry of concern and faint amusement.

"We'll b-be ok...ay," he breathed out, his voice shaky as he tried to steady himself. "B-been through wor..se."

Eko looked up at him again, her tone more serious as she took in his condition. "You're not healing at all?"

He squeezed her hand, his grip firm despite his faltering voice. "F-fried, rem-meber?" he nodded to her. "Come...baby, let's g-get out of h-here. I'm fuc-king o-over to-day."

Eko nodded firmly, and with a determined look exchanged between them, Matthew let the protective barrier dissolve. They moved cautiously into the inferno, the searing heat and thick smoke hitting them immediately. As they navigated through the dark, narrow alleyways, the intensity of the flames began to lessen, almost as if recognizing their desperate effort to escape the heart of the destruction.

Turning a final corner, they were engulfed by a thick haze, reducing their surroundings to murky shadows. Behind them, unseen and silent, the Sorceress followed, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight at their evident struggle.

With stealthy urgency, Matthew led Eko from one shattered building to the next. Time seemed to stretch into an endless march as their pace slowed, fatigue gnawing relentlessly at their limbs. Each step grew heavier, each breath more labored, as if the smoke-filled air sought to drain their very resolve.

Finally, they reached the end of the block, where the jagged silhouettes of demolished buildings abruptly opened onto a vast road. It stretched before them, its expanse swallowed by a dense fog that seemed to devour all light and space, creating an eerie void.

"Ey..es op-pen," Matthew ordered, his voice low yet firm. As they stepped into the openness, their vigilance was paramount now, more than ever.

***** *****

With a malevolent smirk spreading across Isis's face and a predatory gleam in her eyes, the Sorceress rolled her head to Xero at her side. His talon-like tail swayed with an eerie grace, reminiscent of a cat poised to strike its prey.

"There's your boy," her eyes widened in delight, the anticipation of inflicting pain on the boy was a thrill she could barely contain.

"With pleasure," Xero responded, his own grin twisting into a grotesque expression of delight. "The poison in that shard is already working its magic. You can see how slow he is. But for now," he chuckled, the sound harsh and cruel, "I'm going to enjoy hurting him some more."

Isis watched as the couple hobbled into the open space, crossing the road with desperate urgency. Xero's predatory gaze was fixed on the pair, every muscle coiled in anticipation of the imminent attack, and he raced forward towards them.

Isis observed the scene with detached amusement, her arms crossed, her stance exuding nonchalant superiority. The cold satisfaction in her eyes was clear—she relished the prospect of the children of the crystal about to have their asses handed to them again.

Xero's swift attack caught the boy off guard, he hadn't seen the blow coming, and the force of it sent him crashing to the ground with a resounding thud, the impact reverberating through the empty street.

At the sound of her boyfriend's fall, the girl let out a distressed scream that sliced through the air, a raw mix of fury and panic. From her vantage point, Isis could distinctly hear the complexity in the girl's voice—an intense anger intertwined with profound concern. The emotion in the scream only heightened Isis's sense of satisfaction, as she reveled in the chaos and pain unfolding before her.

Instantly, the girl sprang into action, her attack on Xero marked by a ferocious, unyielding intensity. She matched him blow for powerful blow, her movements lacking the lethal precision of the boy's but compensated by sheer force. Despite not being slowed by the same debilitating poison afflicting the boy, her raw power was unmistakable, and her counterattacks repeatedly caught Xero off guard.

Turning her attention back to the boy as he struggled to rise, Isis noted a brief grimace of pain as he clutched his chest—either from the blow or the poison coursing through him. With a fierce yell at Xero, the boy summoned the remnants of his strength and lunged forward, forcefully pushing Xero away from the girl as spirals of energy balls hurled in every direction.

Isis watched the scene unfold, a dark fantasy playing out before her eyes. She imagined having both the boy and the girl at her mercy, their desperate screams echoing around her—a scene plucked from her wildest dreams. Yet, she remained acutely aware of the potential repercussions. The disapproval of her husband loomed large, a constant reminder of the boundaries she dared not cross.

For now, she would have to find satisfaction in merely tormenting them, a cruel indulgence that was small but gratifying.

***** *****

Gathering every shred of his dwindling energy, Matthew unleashed a fierce onslaught on Xero. With fluid, powerful movements, he smashed Xero's face against the rough, cracked pavement, his knee driving into Xero's torso with punishing force. Xero hunched over, but with a sudden, fierce twist, he swung his fisted hand and connected with Matthew's face. The impact was brutal, a bone-crunching collision that echoed through the air. The force sent Matthew sprawling backward, pain exploding behind his eyes as he hit the ground hard, his body skidding across the rough surface. The shockwaves of agony radiated from his face, making his vision blur and his head spin.

Eko, however, seized her moment. With fierce determination, she sprang forward like a wild animal, dagger in hand. As Xero turned around, she pounced on him, driving the blade into his chest with a primal scream. Xero gasped, his eyes wide with shock and pain. Eko yanked the blade out and drove it back in with even more force, her screams echoing through the air, fueled by the anger and desperation boiling within her. Each stab was a savage release of her pent-up fury, blood splattering across her face and clothes with each brutal thrust.

"You piece of fucking SHIT!" she shouted, her voice raw with fury. She pulled the dagger out and stabbed Xero again, the sound of metal slicing through flesh mingling with her ragged breaths. Blood sprayed out, staining her hands and face, but she didn't stop. Her eyes blazed with vengeance as she continued her assault, her entire being focused on making Xero pay. 

With a forceful shove, Xero managed to wedge his claws between their bodies, throwing Eko off him. Surprised by the sudden move, she landed on her feet, quickly snapping her head toward Xero. She watched as he wavered, stumbling back a few steps. His strength was fading, and a dark swirl of magic began to envelop him.

"NO YOU DON'T!" Eko screamed, lunging forward at him again. But before she could strike, Xero disappeared within the black shroud of magic, retreating to recover.

Eko stood there, breathing heavily, her hands trembling with the intensity of her emotions. She glared at the spot where Xero had vanished, but as the shroud of magic dissipated, her eyes darted to Matthew. He was hunched over on the ground, clutching his side, his face contorted with pain.

Without a second thought, she sprinted to his side, every muscle in her body taut with adrenaline as she reached him. "GET THE FUCK UP! NOW! WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

Matthew lifted his head weakly, his eyes barely open, but Eko hooked her arm under his and pulled his arm around her neck, shifting his weight to help him stand. He struggled to his feet, his movements slow and agonized. Eko could feel his weight pressing heavily against her, but she held him up, refusing to let him fall.

"Move your ass, Ace!" she gritted her teeth. "We are not fucking dying here!"

Matthew nodded, clenching his jaw to stifle a groan. Their battered bodies screamed in protest, muscles aching and bruises throbbing, but despite their exhaustion, they knew they had to keep moving to survive.

They stumbled forward, each step fueled by immense, consuming pain. The night seemed to close in on them, the darkness pressing like a vice. Eko's heart pounded in her chest as she noticed Matthew's labored breathing becoming more pronounced. Desperation clawed at her, urging her to find shelter. She spotted a decrepit building and dragged them inside, hoping the brief respite would help him catch his breath.

Leaning against the cold, rough wall, they both gasped for air. The silence was oppressive, every shadow a potential threat. Suddenly, Matthew's wristband flickered to life, the integrated communication device cutting through the tension with a burst of static.

Eko's eyes widened as she stared at the wristband, and it was Toni's voice, fraught with urgency and confusion, that broke through, "Can you hear me at all? What the fuck is going on down there?"

Eko glanced at Matthew, who, still catching his breath, then lifted his wrist closer to his face. His voice was hoarse and strained as he managed to speak. "Are yo...u f-fucking kid...ding me? W-where...a-are y..ou, To-ni?"

"Matthew?" The relief in Toni's voice was palpable as he responded, "Hovering above the city, I can't see shit after that firestorm!"

As he fought to regain his breath, Eko looked up at him, studying him intently, puzzled by why his body wasn't recovering in the same manner that her own had. When he didn't respond to Toni, she spoke up, her voice steady despite the worry gnawing at her.

"Toni, it's Eko. We're heading to the top of a building now," she began. "It looks tall enough, so keep an eye out."

"Good! Are you both okay?"

Eko's eyes flicked to Matthew, her voice trembling with worry. "Matthew?" she asked, searching his face, desperate for a response.

Matthew gritted his teeth, his breath ragged. "Mm," he managed.

"Look, both of you, get moving so we can get the hell off this fucking planet! I'm surprised Xero doesn't have his crafts in the air yet!" Toni's voice crackled with urgency over the communicator. "Don't dawdle!"

"See you in a few minutes," Eko responded, fighting to keep her voice steady.

As Eko turned back to Matthew, she saw him grimace, his hand moving from the communicator to end the call before pressing against the building for support. Her heart tightened at the sight of his other hand clutching his stomach with a white-knuckled grip.

"Babe, hey, talk to me," she urged, "You don't look good."

Gasping for each breath, Matthew's response was labored. "Just f-fucking h-hurts."

Eko stepped closer, her face etched with deep concern. Gently, she peeled Matthew's hand away from his abdomen. Lifting his shirt carefully, she revealed his torso crisscrossed with dark purple bruises and a gruesome wound that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The sight of it made her heart ache with fear and sorrow, but she pushed those feelings down, focusing on the immediate need to help him.

"Some of the shards are still in there, I think," Eko observed grimly, her fingers tracing the edges of the embedded fragments. "Babe, the sooner we can get to Toni, the better. Something in the fragments could be causing this."

She lifted her gaze, her concern deepening as she continued to observe Matthew. He was leaning heavily against the cold, metal frame of the building, using it for support as much as for a moment's respite.

"Hey?" she whispered gently, her free hand running along the side of his face. She touched his sweaty forehead and brushed back his hair, seeking some sign of reassurance from him. Slowly, Matthew turned his head toward her, offering a soft smile, his eyes trying to convey that he would be alright despite his evident pain.

"C-co...me," he offered with a strained whisper. With great effort, he pushed away from the metal frame and grasped his shirt. Eko gently pulled her hand away from his abdomen, her fingers lingering for a moment, reluctant to break the connection. She watched as he pulled his shirt down, concealing the gruesome wound once more.

"L-let's g-go," he managed, his hand reaching out to grasp hers with surprising firmness despite his pained expression. They left the desolate structure and moved toward the building they had spotted earlier. As they entered the hollowed-out edifice, an eerie silence enveloped them, their footsteps reverberating through the abandoned corridors. The faint echoes amplified the sense of desolation surrounding them.

They soon found a staircase, its upward path promising their freedom. Quickening their steps, they climbed the worn treads. Eko glanced at Matthew, needing to break the silence. "Toni mentioned back there—Xero has aircrafts too? Like, an entire fleet of them?"

"Hmm... c...controls most of-f the re...gion, b-babe."

"Who the hell did you pick a fight with?"

Matthew could only shake his head weakly, his eyes silently conveying that now was not the time for lengthy explanations. As they climbed the stairs, his hand occasionally brushed the walls for support. Driven by urgency to signal Toni, Eko let Matthew go at his own pace while she quickened hers, taking the steps two at a time.

What Eko failed to notice were the sounds emanating from below. Despite his pain, Matthew's heightened senses picked up on a disturbing noise. He paused, peering over the railing, and his stomach dropped at the sight of monsters, led by Xero himself, rapidly ascending the staircase toward them.

"F-fuc...k," Matthew cursed under his breath before bellowing upwards, "E-KO! K-keep run...ning! G-get T-toni... to f-find u-us!"

Eko's heart pounded in her chest as she glanced down, catching sight of Matthew several levels below, with the dark shapes of their pursuers swiftly gaining ground. She looked up and noted with relief that they were only a few floors from the rooftop. Fueled by a surge of adrenaline, she sprinted upwards, her mind fixated on the hope that Toni would locate them in time.

Her feet thundered against the staircase, echoing through the stairwell as she reached the final level. Bursting through the door onto the rooftop, she gasped for air, her lungs burning. Without hesitation, she raised her palm to the sky and released an energy ball, its bright arc shooting upward as a beacon for Toni.

"Come on, come on," she muttered to herself, her eyes scanning the sky for any sign of rescue.

It was the distant hum of an aircraft vibrated through the air, sharpening her senses amid the chaos. Scanning the horizon, Eko caught sight of Toni approaching. She started waving frantically, her heart pounding, and once she knew he saw where she was, she turned back toward the staircase to rejoin Matthew, her focus shattered when she collided with a solid figure. The unexpected impact sent a jolt through her body, and she staggered back, blinking in surprise. It was Matthew, who had somehow made it to the rooftop despite the odds.

"Eko! J-Jesus, RUN!" Matthew bellowed, his hands had pushed her forward with such force, propelling her away from the precarious situation. The fear in his voice spiked her adrenaline anew as they sprinted towards the edge of the building. There, a hovering craft awaited, precariously close to the rooftop's edge. Below, the craft's lower dock lay open, a lifeline in the chaos. Toni, clinging to the railing, extended one hand toward them, ready to pull them to safety.

As Eko surged ahead, her strides lengthening, she outpaced Matthew. She cast a frantic look back, her gaze locking onto Xero, who was alarmingly close. Despite the chaos swirling around her, Eko's thoughts were crystal clear, centered on Matthew. She knew his tactics and motives like a map in her mind.

She knew what he would do because, as tactical as her boyfriend was, Ace was suicidal.

"Don't do it, Matthew. Don't you dare!" Her voice sliced through the tumult, desperate and commanding.

Matthew skidded to a stop in the center of the building, his actions a stark declaration of his intent. In his hand, he held an energy ball, its surface crackling with potent energy, a vivid contrast to the stillness that momentarily enveloped them. Ignoring Eko's plea, he took aim not at Xero but at the very foundation of the building.

He smirked at the creature, causing Xero to stop abruptly, halting the army of youmas that had followed.

"Boy?" Xero warned, his tail swaying with a sinister curiosity.

With a resolute flick of his wrist, Matthew unleashed the energy ball downward, targeting the structural core. The building shuddered violently under the impact, a groan of metal and stone that amplified into a roar as the structure began to destabilize. The ground trembled, signaling the onset of a catastrophic collapse.

As the aircraft ascended from the crumbling structure below, Eko gripped the railing tightly, her knuckles turning white. She watched, transfixed, as the building collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris, a direct result of Matthew's desperate maneuver.

Neither her nor Toni could see him amongst the cloud and debris, but she could feel his powers, and before she could even think about jumping out of the aircraft to go after him, he appeared at the edge of the building before them.

Toni's arm extended out, reaching out, hands locked together, he quickly pulled his best friend aboard as the building crumbled the rest of the way underneath them.

The aircraft lurched for a moment before the system suddenly took them upwards to the skies. Eko, acting swiftly, grabbed a hold of Matthew's other arm aswell pulling him towards the safety of the craft.

The sudden abrupt lift of the aircraft caused them all to lose their balance, they tumbled to the floor of the dock as it began to close, sealing them away from the chaos they had left behind.

The aircraft continued to climb into a higher altitude,  distancing them from the doomed city, a sense of finality settled among them. They were leaving the god-forsaken world behind, hopefully for good this time.

Matthew slumped backward against the cool metal floor of the craft. Each inhale was a struggle as he fought the creeping darkness at the edges of his vision.

Toni leaned over him, his hands careful as he cradled Matthew's face to assess his condition. The concern on Toni's face deepened as he noted the pallor of Matthew's skin and the slight tremor in his fingers.

Toni's eyes briefly met Eko's across the cramped space of the dock, her expression filled with worry—not for herself, but for Matthew, who looked dangerously close to losing consciousness.

"What the hell happened?" Toni stated at her and she gritted her teeth shaking her head.

With no response Toni turned his full attention to Matthew's battered condition, then shifted to crouch before his best friend. Rolling up Matthew's shirt, the severity of the wound on his abdomen became apparent. The injury was deep, the edges ragged and stained with too much blood. Toni pressed gently around the area, checking for swelling or any signs of internal bleeding that might not be immediately visible.

"Matthew?" Toni urged again for a response.

Matthew's eyelids fluttered as he fought to stay conscious, a faint smile breaking through his pain. "G-got fuc...king lucky," he whispered, his voice so soft it was almost lost in the hum of the aircraft's engines.

With that he allowed the tension to drain from his body, surrendering to the safety of their escape.