~~~~~~~~~Noah's POV~~~~~~~~~

After a while of running mixed with some flying, the orb led me to an old factory. It was rusty and most was covered in moss, and part of it was completely run down.

I took a deep breath, soon finding the entrance. I was going to walk in, but a sudden voice froze me.

It was familiar, too familiar...

"Hey, Noah, it's been a while~"

I bared my hands into fists, trying to stop them from trembling as I glared at the girl who tortured me for years.

"What are you doing here, Alexa..?"

"I've been hired, working for someone who's paying me tons of money for eliminating someone of importance."

I tried to keep myself steady. "And the target is me..?"

She walked over, placing her fingers under my chin and lifting up my head to face her directly, making me flinch. "Mm, no, not this time, baby."

I slapped her hand away, backing up a little. I didn't want her anywhere near me. Not ever again.

She only chuckled at my reaction, both her hands hiding behind her back. "The target is already inside, she's quite the fighter I must say."

My blood turned cold, eyes widening. She- she wasn't talking about Iv, r-right..?

"Don't worry, we'll kill your little friend quickly, that way she won't suffer."

I felt my eyes beginning to flicker before baring my fangs. "I won't let you!!"

She rolled her eyes with a groan. "Why even care about this girl?"

Many reasons, ones you're too cold hearted to ever understand.

But I didn't answer it out loud. Instead I turned into my hawk form, zooming past her before she had the chance to stop me. I couldn't teleport, I didn't know where she was. I could only fly through the many hallways of this infinite maze and hope she'd be in the room I looked in.

Soon enough, I managed to find her. Unfortunately, I was stunned as I saw another familiar face, sword in hand as he tried to hurt Iv, both had fresh bleeding scars in random parts of their body.

I could feel my blood starting to boil.

"Iv!!!" I yelled, turning back to human. But it was now that I remembered how weak I had become, how much of my powers were taken away.

It was as if I hadn't slept in weeks, that lack of energy, I hated this feeling!

Her head turned to me, eyes widening at the sight. "Wha- What are you-?!?"

He question was cut short when Justin sliced a deep cut across her stomach, making her let out a hiss of pain before he kicked her back far enough. I gritted my teeth, feeling my eyes burn in yellow, but I couldn't do much.

I was almost powerless at this point, I couldn't help.

...

I have to do something..

~~~~~~~~~Iv's POV~~~~~~~~~

I gripped my newest wound, feeling the blood starting to ooze into my hand. I bared my teeth, ignoring the pain that came from every side of me.

Noah wasn't suppose to follow, no one was! Not when his magic has been taken, not when he's vulnerable to ... whoever these people are!

He quickly ran over to me, grabbing one of my arms and wrapping it around his shoulders as he wrapped one of his around my waist. "Can you stand?"

"Yes, now why are you here?!" I asked, not trying to hide the anger in my tone.

He had a small glare on his face, but he tried not to show it. "What do you mean, I'm trying to help you!"

All of our words were spat out as fast as we could, knowing we were being attacked and couldn't be distracted as we tried to move. Not that it really mattered, because we were separated when Justin threw a large flaming battle sword at us!

Seriously, how's this a fair fight?!

Noah thankfully landed by the door, but I had landed in the other side. I noticed Alexa appear in the corner of the room as she stared at me with a wicked grin. There was a lever right beside her, and I could feel a chill crawling up my spine.

She didn't hesitate to flip it, and I stood up out of instinct when the ground behind me started to open, revealing a pit full of lava.

Lava...

I let out a shaky sigh as the memories from that night began to come back. I turned to walk away from it, only to see both Alexa and Justin walking to me. She glowed a dark purple, and I noticed Noah glowing in that same color, unable to move.

I had lost far too much energy to teleport out, or spell myself out, or even for a simple attack.

I played this part just like they wanted, didn't I?

This is exactly what they had planned, and I was just a little pawn.

I was a reckless idiot, and now I pay the price, for I have nowhere else to go.

I looked at Noah, who continued to struggle against Alexa's grip. He soon looked up, his gaze meeting mine, his facial features relaxing a bit. I wanted to give him a reassuring smile, telling him I'd be okay.

I couldn't even do that.

How pathetic.

I looked behind me as I had been forced back to the very edge, feeling the heat of the boiling lava near my legs. I then turned to Alexa.

"So, darling, what's it gonna be? Will you come with us peacefully, or want us to end it all right here?"

I stayed a few seconds in silence, my expression series. "What will happen to Noah?"

"Oh, him? Well, if she choose to come with us, he'll tag along as well. But I guess if you die, he's not of importance to us."

That was it.

That's what I had to do.

I looked at Noah once more. I think he knew what I was thinking of because his eyes had widened in realization. He began to shake his head, telling me no. That whatever I was planning, I wouldn't do it.

"Not giving in, eh?" Alexa formed a sword in her hands, a smirk spread across her face. "Alright, then we'll decide for you."

But before she could swing her sword at me, I jumped back, holding my breath as the world slowed around me, feeling the familiar heat close to my back. I could sense their shock, I could hear Noah's yelling.

If this was the best thing, then so be it.

~~~~~~~~~Noah's POV~~~~~~~~~

I could only stare in pure shock at what just happened, feeling tears stinging in my eyes.

I couldn't move.

My body had began to tremble as I let out my tears. I didn't try to hide them, I didn't care.

She just-...

Sh-she's...

...

N-no...

No, she's- she's not gone...!

She can't be, she's not dead!

She's not dead!!!

SHE'S NOT DEAD!!!

I fell to my knees as Alexa released her hold on me, tightly gripping my head as I choked on my sobs, tears covering my cheeks. I- I don't want to accept it..!

And yet, I saw it happen..

Right in front of me..

"Aw, boo-hoo, she was a waste of air anyways." I heard Alexa say as she walked over to me. I didn't look up, I didn't want to.

Of all the things she'd done to me, none of them hurt as much as this.

She placed a hand on my shoulder, about to speak again. I didn't want to hear it. None of it. I grabbed her wrist, quickly pulling her down as her head harshly crashed into the ground.

However, I let out a yell as I felt something pierce through my shoulder, seeing Justin pointing a gun at me.

I didn't care.

I just wanted them to suffer.

Alexa stood up, gripping her head with an angry expression. "You spoiled brat, I was gonna let you out, but now I'd rather you just join her."

I was about to protest, when we began to heard was sounded like sizzling. I turned to the pit of lava, and I knew Alexa and Justin were looking as well.

A hand reached out, long claws digging into the ground. My eyes widened, anger being swallowed entirely by fear.

Another arm reached out, holding on to the floor as a humanoid creature crawled out of the pit. They were completely black, almost like a silhouette, what I assumed to be its veins all could be seen through them, glowing bright red/orange/yellow, pulsing.

It cracked its neck, its eyes shooting open as a sickening smile grow on its face, then it let out a laugh.

"What the hell...?!?" Alexa said, staring in shock and confusion.

The creature looked at us, its expression not changing.

"Now now, my darlings, you weren't planning on leaving me behind, were you~?"

My eyes widened even more. It had changed a bit, but I could recognize that voice in an instant.

"I-Iv...?!?"

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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