The bumper cars collided, sending everyone jostling across the arena. Laughter and excited screams filled the air. The group was caught up in the joy of the moment, enjoying several rounds in the arena. The creative twist Jasmine had added to the festival theme for this particular fundraiser had been a pleasant surprise, leading to a fantastic turnout.

Participants from various regions had come together, rallying behind the event's goal of raising funds for critical infrastructure projects. The usual sponsors, along with their families, were present, making this a much-needed opportunity to inject some joy into the lives of civilians who had been affected by the ongoing turmoil of war.

"You can't do that!" Eko's indignant shout echoed through the bumper car arena, her voice cutting through the noise. From the sidelines, Jasmine watched with amusement as the gang found themselves caught in a fierce bumper car battle.

"CHEATER!" Eko's accusation rang out, causing a ripple of laughter to spread through the crowd, the playful energy infectious.

Matthew, wearing a smirk, was momentarily caught off guard as Eko rammed into his bumper car, her laughter ringing out joyfully. He quickly spun his car around, a determined grin on his face, and retaliated by slamming into her car with a satisfying thud.

"Hey, no fair!" Eko protested, though her wide grin betrayed her enjoyment of the game.

"Run, Eko, RUN!" Mya shouted from the sidelines, urging Eko to keep ahead of Matthew, who was now in hot pursuit.

Sawyer maneuvered his car strategically, cornering another participant, while Richie, with Mackenzie perched on his lap, joined in the fun, not far from where Eko and Matthew were sparring.

"KEEP GOING, RICHIE, YOU'RE CATCHING UP WITH HER!" Toni's voice boomed across the arena, his words filled with excitement and encouragement. The entire scene was a chaotic blend of laughter, mock protests, and the thrill of the bumper car chase, creating a lively, carefree atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the realities outside the festival grounds.

***** ******

"Your soul feels tired, give it some time to sleep," Jasmine read aloud, nibbling on another piece of her fortune cookie. The words were profound enough to make her pause and reflect, though Mya, completely absorbed in the bumper car chaos, barely noticed. She was too busy shouting at Eko to turn before Richie and Mackenzie could trap her.

"It's got a point; my soul does feel a bit overworked," Jasmine mused, studying her nails with a thoughtful expression. "Maybe I just need a manicure to fix it."

Mya, eyes glued to the bumper car action, gave Jasmine a fleeting glance. "How can your soul be tired?" she asked before quickly refocusing on the arena.

"Praying too much for a certain someone to fall desperately in love with you," Toni chimed in, smirking as he joined the conversation.

"Oh, ha-ha," Jasmine replied with a sarcastic roll of her eyes. "I'm sure Knox will notice my unbelievable talents soon enough. Just wait!"

Toni chuckled knowingly. Jasmine's crushes were a well-known source of amusement among their group. This week it was Knox, but last week she'd been all about Will, an attendant in the Skardence House, who had won her admiration just by handing her a bottle of water on her day off.

Mya laughed, joining in on the fun. "So who is it this week, Jasmine?" she asked with a teasing grin. "Are we still on Knox, or has someone new caught your eye?"

Jasmine blushed slightly but tried to brush it off with a wave of her hand. "Please, I have standards," she said with mock indignation. "Knox is just a passing fancy. It's not like I'm falling for every guy who shows me the slightest bit of attention."

"Oh really?" Toni shot back, raising an eyebrow. "So Will was just a coincidence? And what about that guy from the market last month? The one who smiled at you when you bought those flowers?"

Jasmine threw her head back in exasperation. "Okay, fine, maybe I'm a little too easily impressed. But can you blame me? It's not like there's a lot of options around here that aren't already involved in some kind of drama."

Mya and Toni exchanged amused glances, and Jasmine rolled her eyes dramatically. Annoyed but not entirely serious, she picked up a fortune cookie and hurled it at Toni. "Here," she said, sticking her tongue out at him. "Let's see what the fates have in store for your smart mouth."

Toni caught the cookie mid-air with a grin, cracking it open and pulling out the tiny slip of paper. He read it aloud: "A new pair of shoes will do you a world of good; the cost, however, will rely on someone else's fortune."

A moment of puzzled silence followed, broken only by Jasmine's sudden burst of laughter.

"I don't get it," Toni confessed, scratching his head and frowning at the fortune.

"Of course, you wouldn't get it!" Jasmine exclaimed, pointing at him, clearly amused by his confusion. Her laughter bubbled over as Toni's bewilderment only grew.

"No, seriously, this doesn't even make sense. Jazzy?" Toni scrunched his face, looking to Jasmine for an explanation.

As the bumper cars screeched to a halt, the rest of the soldiers gathered around Mya, while Jasmine and Toni continued their lighthearted debate over the fortune cookie's cryptic message.

"They're being totally bizarre," Mya remarked to the group, observing the ongoing argument between Jasmine and Toni with a smirk. Suddenly, Mackenzie came dashing along the edge of the bumper car arena, her little legs pumping with excitement before she leaped into her mother's arms.

"We won, Mommy!" she exclaimed triumphantly, her face glowing with pride and joy. Her laughter was infectious, drawing smiles from those around her.

Mya smiled warmly, planting a kiss on the top of her daughter's head. Sawyer was close behind, a proud grin on his face. But what really caught Mya's attention was the brief, lingering stare from Richie. His smile stayed just a moment too long, leaving Mya with a flutter of confusion and an unexpected warmth.

"The cookies are stupid, Jaz," Toni said, turning his attention away from Jasmine to address the rest of the group. "They never make any sense."

"Maybe the cookies are just trying to tell you something you don't want to hear," Jasmine shot back with a smirk.

Toni rolled his eyes. "Like what? That I need new shoes?"

"Cookies? What?" Richie cut in, noticing that the small group seemed more preoccupied with something other than the boys' victory in the carnival games.

"The fortune cookies," Mya explained, laughing at Richie's bewildered expression.

"Oh, fortune cookies! I love these!" Eko exclaimed as she burst into the center of the group, snatching a cookie from Jasmine's hand before anyone could protest.

She quickly unwrapped it, cracking it open to pull out the small slip of paper inside. "The end is near, and it is all your fault," Eko read aloud, her face scrunching up in disbelief. She stuck her tongue out at the fortune. "Ridiculous piece of crap!"

Eko tossed the fortune aside with a huff, prompting Matthew to burst into hysterical laughter. "Oh, Eko, it's true," he said, still laughing. "The end will come, and somehow your disaster-riffic klutz attacks will get us all killed!"

In response, Eko slapped him on his shoulder in annoyance. "You're such an idiot."

"They're just stupid fortune cookies; they don't mean anything. Come on!" Matthew chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement as they paused at one of the food stalls.

Richie, with Mackenzie perched on his shoulders, took the lead in ordering food from the vendor for the group, while Toni chimed in with suggestions for their meal.

"It's not something to be questioned. It's a complex process that is better left to higher beings... so... just open your cookie and accept your fate!" Jasmine tossed a small golden-wrapped cookie at Matthew.

"Accept my fate, huh? Well, let's see what the higher beings have in store for me then," Matthew quipped, shooting a glance at Eko. "Especially considering my bank accounts are dangerously low."

"Wait, what? Which one is low?" Eko asked, almost taken aback. "You literally have so many at the moment."

Matthew shot her a look before snapping the crunchy cookie in half and pulling out a small piece of paper.

"What?" Eko burst into laughter. "You're being such a tight-ass, you have bank accounts, plural, babe. Accounts with an 's'."

"Your card is already maxed out," Matthew retorted, waving the fortune cookie in her direction, his voice laced with frustration.

The girls turned to Eko, who was caught off guard by the revelation. She burst into laughter, trying to avoid meeting Matthew's eyes. The atmosphere shifted almost immediately from tension to humor.

"Wasn't there like ten thousand on that?" Mya commented knowingly, fully aware of Eko's notorious spending habits. She suspected Eko even tipped the shopping staff for just being helpful, something Mya definitely didn't want to mention to Matthew unless she wanted to start World War Three.

"I rose to the challenge when you said you weren't afraid of how much I spent," Eko defended herself, crossing her arms defiantly.

Matthew glared at her, his mouth agape in disbelief. "We have vastly different ideas when it comes to spending money, and you seem to think it's endless."

"Plural bank accounts," Eko reiterated with a smirk, still amused. "But seriously," her tone shifted, more curious now, "how is my card maxed out? I can't possibly have gone through all of it. You're totally egging me on here, right?"

Matthew looked at her with a mix of disbelief and amusement. "I got the notification this morning. Do you want me to show you the statement? Eko, it was meant to last you for the next few months." He leaned in closer, a devilish grin spreading across his face. "You, my love, need to find a side hustle that pays. You're cut off until next month."

"Matthew!" Eko gasped in shock and horror, her eyes widening dramatically, causing the entire group to burst into laughter at her theatrical reaction.

The group moved to a nearby bench, leaving Richie and Mackenzie to order food. The illuminating lights of the carnival and the sounds of children's laughter echoed around them as Toni took a seat, pulling out his comms device to check where Jesse had gone. He watched with mild amusement as his favorite pair, Matthew and Eko, continued their playful argument. Jasmine lazily sat beside him, her eyes bouncing between Matthew and Eko, while Mya and Sawyer were engaged in a deeper conversation, giggling like love-struck teenagers.

"You haven't heard from Jesse, have you?" Toni asked, cocking his head toward Jasmine, who shrugged.

"Probably still with the axe murderer," she mused, giggling at the story Eko had told her about Jesse's date.

"Probably," Toni shrugged, not thinking much of it. He figured Jesse was likely ignoring him on purpose. His attention shifted back to Matthew and Eko as Eko stepped closer to Matthew, clearly gearing up for a daring retort.

"Well, you could just pay me for all the sex you want. That'll cover my expenses," Eko shot back with a mischievous grin.

"Bab—" Matthew started, but his words were cut off.

"What's sex?" Mackenzie's innocent question echoed through the group, drawing everyone's attention to the five-year-old, who stood there holding a decorated fairy floss, her curiosity hanging in the air.

Mya immediately shot Matthew and Eko a disapproving glance, her eyebrows raised, while Richie looked bewildered by the group's reaction, his confusion adding to the hilarity of the moment. Another round of laughter erupted, breaking the tension.

"Nothing, honey," Mya said, crouching down to meet Mackenzie's gaze, trying to keep her voice light. "Mattie and Eko were just being very silly with their grown-up talk."

"But that's how you make a baby!" Mackenzie said matter-of-factly, looking up at her mother with wide eyes. Mya's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushing a deep red. Mackenzie then turned to Richie, who looked just as stunned, before shifting her gaze to Matthew and Eko, a broad smile spreading across her face.

"Well, technically, she's not wrong," Toni murmured under his breath, trying and failing to hide his amusement.

"Maybe we can avoid those kinds of conversations around little ears," Mya death stared the pair.

"You guys are having a baby!" Mackenzie's excited squeal pierced the air, causing nearby onlookers and families to pause, turning their attention toward the group.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Matthew exclaimed, waving his hands frantically. Eko quickly joined him, both trying to dampen Mackenzie's enthusiasm about the imaginary addition to their group. Eko's heart pounded as she noticed the curious stares and murmurs from the crowd.

"I WANT A SISTER!" Mackenzie shrieked with joy. "SHE'LL BE SO CUTE!"

Matthew felt his stomach drop. "Oh, for the love of—" he muttered, noticing some soldiers whispering among themselves as they walked past. The last thing he needed was rumors about him and Eko spreading through the ranks.

"Mya, make her stop!" Eko pleaded, her voice laced with anxiety. The rest of the group erupted into laughter at their predicament.

"Do you think she'll have Mattie's hair or Eko's hair?" Jasmine chimed in mischievously, kneeling down to Mackenzie's level. The little girl let out another delighted squeal.

"Mattie's hair!" Mackenzie exclaimed, jumping up and down, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Stop it!" Matthew and Eko snapped in unison, glaring at Jasmine, who only laughed harder, thoroughly enjoying the chaos she'd stirred.

Amidst the laughter and teasing, Jasmine's smile faded as she spotted a figure approaching their group. Her heart dropped when she recognized Madison. There was something off about her posture—more rigid and deliberate than usual.

A sense of unease crept up her spine. Madison's steps were filled with a barely contained fury, her eyes locked onto Eko with a gaze that could cut through steel. 

Eko's voice cut through the noise, still tinged with amusement. "What do you mean, Matthew has better genetics?"

Jasmine rose from the ground, worry knitting her brows. "Umm, Eko?" Jasmine sing songed at the unfolding pandemonium heading their way.

The group's attention snapped to Madison's approaching figure. Mya stood up, instinctively moving closer to Mackenzie, taking her small hand in her own. Mackenzie's wide eyes mirrored the unease that settled over the group like a fog. 

"This doesn't look good," Mya murmured, her voice barely audible as Sawyer nodded beside her.

Matthew turned to Eko, his frustration breaking through his calm facade. "Wanna deal with that? I don't have the patience for her right now."

"Fuckkk," Eko muttered under her breath. She gave Matthew a quick kiss, and moved towards her cousin that was approaching. 

"Maddy?" Eko called softly, as she met her half way across the festival grounds "Hey, are you okay? What's wrong?"

Madison's eyes blazed with a ferocity that sent a shiver down Eko's spine. Without a word, she brushed past her, her eyes fixed solely on the group ahead. The raw determination in Madison's stride was like the sharp edge of a blade, cutting through the festive atmosphere. Eko's calls went unheard as Madison made a direct line for Matthew.

"Madison!" Eko's voice rose, a mix of frustration and fear as she reached out, trying to grab her cousin's arm. Madison shrugged her off, anger contorting her face into something unrecognizable. Eko's stomach twisted in knots as Madison closed the distance, her eyes locked on Matthew like a predator stalking its prey.

In a terrifying moment, as Matthew turned to face Madison, she raised her palm. A brilliant, blinding light erupted from her hand, the powers of the crystal sparking violently. Eko's heart sank, the realization hitting her like a punch to the gut. This was no longer a simple confrontation; it was a potential catastrophe.

"We are leaving!" Madison commanded, her voice echoing with an unnatural authority, the energy from her hand crackling around her like a storm. Her gaze was fixed on Matthew, who raised his hands in a calming gesture, his face a mask of controlled fear.

Mya, sensing the imminent danger, instinctively pushed Mackenzie toward Sawyer. "Take her," Mya whispered urgently, her voice barely audible over the crackling energy that filled the air. Mackenzie looked up, eyes wide with confusion and fear.

"Does she have magic?" Sawyer asked in a low voice, his soldier instincts kicking in as he assessed the situation. His eyes stayed locked on Madison, his muscles tensed, ready to act.

"I think so," Mya replied, her own eyes never leaving Madison, who stood like a coiled spring, ready to unleash her power. Around them, the crowd began to disperse, sensing the tension and realizing the threat. A circle of wary onlookers formed, murmurings rippling through the gathering as people backed away.

"Take her!" Richie's voice came more urgently this time, snapping Sawyer into action. He nodded and took Mackenzie's hand, leading her away. 

"Come on, kiddo, let's find you something sweet," Sawyer said, his voice soothing to keep her distracted.

With Mackenzie safely out of harm's way, Richie and Mya exchanged a quick, grim glance before focusing their attention back on Madison. She stood in front of Matthew, her body taut with anger, the light from her hand casting an eerie glow on her face.

"Can we take this somewhere else?" Toni suggested in a low, urgent voice, his eyes darting around at the crowd, which was growing increasingly concerned. He could see fear and curiosity in their eyes, the tension in the air palpable.

"This will be quick!" Madison snapped. 

Eko rushed back to the scene, her heart pounding in her chest. She moved to Madison's side, desperate to find a way to defuse the situation. "Maddy, what are you doing?" Eko's voice was thick with distress. "Why do you have powers? Did you take the crystals!?"

Madison's breathing was ragged, each inhale labored as if she was fighting to maintain control. The struggle to contain her emotions and the raw, untamed magic coursing through her made her whole body tremble. Eko could see the energy flickering around Madison like a barely contained storm, the air shimmering with its intensity. She knew from her own experience how volatile crystal magic could be, especially when it was new and untrained.

"You will let us leave!" Madison insisted, turning her fiery gaze to Eko. "Say goodbye. We're going."

"Madison," Matthew interjected, trying to keep his voice calm and soothing, though an edge of urgency crept into his tone. "Okay, let's just head back to the base, and we can talk about—"

"I have everything prepared already," Madison interrupted, her voice a sharp edge of finality. "You will not follow us once we leave here!" Her determination was palpable, and the light at her fingertips blazed brighter, casting long, dancing shadows on the ground and illuminating her face with an ethereal glow.

The group and the surrounding onlookers stood frozen in shock as Madison's magic pulsated, growing stronger, more chaotic with every passing moment. The air hummed with power, and a crackling sound echoed like distant thunder.

"Enough!" Eko shouted, stepping directly in front of Madison, blocking her path. Madison's eyes widened in confusion and disbelief as Eko faced the oncoming storm head-on. The heat from Madison's magic washed over Eko's skin, scorching like the sun, but Eko held her ground, refusing to be moved. Her fear was overridden by a fierce resolve to protect Matthew at any cost.

"Move!" Madison snarled, her voice wavering between desperation and anger. "You don't understand! This has to happen!"

"No!" Eko's voice rang out, defiant, cutting through the tense air like a blade. She felt Matthew's hand grasp her wrist, pulling her back as he tried to position himself between the two cousins. Despite her protests, Madison's eyes remained locked on Matthew, her expression fierce and unyielding. "No, it doesn't, Madison! Stop this! NOW!"

"Okay," Matthew whispered, his grip on Eko's wrist tightening as he met Madison's gaze. Fear was etched across his face, but his eyes were steady, maintaining contact with Madison's wild, furious stare. "Eko, take your cousin like we discussed and leave. Pack what you need; you have access to the weapons on the lower levels—"

"No! I said no!" Eko shouted, ripping her hand free from Matthew's hold. Her glare darted between Matthew and Madison, her anger flaring, fueled by frustration and a growing sense of helplessness. "I am not leaving here! Do you both understand me? Enough of this!"

"I SAID WE'RE LEAVING!" Madison screamed, her voice echoing across the space, a sound of pure, raw emotion. It was the breaking point. Before Eko could react, Matthew shoved her back, hard. Eko stumbled and fell to the ground, a cry of surprise escaping her lips.

In that split second, the energy from the crystals under Madison's control spiraled out of control. A brilliant ball of light formed at her fingertips, growing rapidly, fueled by her anger and fear. The ground beneath them seemed to pulse with power, as if the earth itself was reacting to Madison's turmoil.

Eko barely had time to push herself up before everything around her exploded into chaos. Monsters materialized from the shadows, their roars blending with the panicked screams of the crowd. The ground shook violently, rocked by explosions that tore through the festival grounds, transforming the once joyful scene into a hellscape. Flames leapt up, consuming stalls and casting an eerie, flickering glow over the terrified faces of the fleeing people. Thick, black smoke billowed into the air, turning the sky into a swirling storm of darkness.

"Xero's here!" Toni's voice rang out in terror, his scream cutting through the cacophony of chaos. His eyes were wide, a mixture of fear and disbelief etched across his face as he watched the monsters tear through the crowd. Matthew's focus remained on Madison, seeing the strain in her expression, the way her teeth were gritted, sweat beading on her brow as she struggled to control the rampant energy.

"Holy fuck!" Richie exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the roar of energy. Madison's control was slipping, the energy ball flaring with a blinding light that forced everyone to shield their eyes. The power was tangible, crackling through the air like a storm on the verge of breaking. Eko's heart pounded, adrenaline surging through her veins as she struggled to comprehend the chaos unfolding around her.

"GET DOWN!" Matthew's voice cut through the confusion, commanding his warriors and the crowd to brace for impact. Instinctively, everyone dropped to the ground, feeling the electric charge in the air intensify, pressing down on them like a heavy weight.

Madison was trembling, the combined power of the two crystals she wielded consuming her, pushing her beyond her limits. Her eyes were wide with fear and determination as the energy ball spiraled out of control, swelling with unchecked power. The onlookers watched in horror, paralyzed by the sight of the glowing orb growing larger, its light turning a blinding white.

And then it happened. The energy imploded in a violent explosion, the force ripping through the air with a deafening roar. The sound was like thunder crashing right above them, echoing across the festival grounds. The shockwave flattened tents and sent debris flying, the blast wave knocking people off their feet.

Eko barely had time to react before Matthew moved, his body shielding hers as he projected a protective dome around them. The dome shimmered, a barrier of light that attempted to absorb the brunt of the explosion. But the force was overwhelming, pressing against the shield like a tidal wave. Eko felt herself being lifted, tossed backward as the dome flickered under the strain.

The ground rushed up to meet them, and Eko's body hit with a resounding thud. Pain shot through her, and the world spun. Her vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges as consciousness slipped away. The last thing she saw was Matthew's hand reaching for her, his eyes wide with desperation, before they were both swallowed by the chaos, torn apart by the sheer force of the blast.

Then, everything went black.