The basement level wasn't as ostentatious as compared to the other floors of the building that I've been to. Everything about the basement was dull and monotonous, it resembles an underground base for manufacturing machinery or storing prototypes of weapons or equipment.

However, the only objects occupying this floor were the guards and workers, and including us too. There doesn't seem to be any equipment or machinery laying around, this place seemed to be wiped entirely cleaned.

"With this amount of guards they are throwing at us, we won't be able to make to Alexander on time." Nathan stated as the guards charged at us, the menacing aura making take a few more steps backwards.

"Hey, you forgetting something?" Thomas retorted and Nathan looked at him, but his face was covered by his mask so I couldn't make out his expression.

"What is it?" Nathan's voice held a tiny hint of annoyance.

"We have powers and they don't, duh." Thomas rolled his eyes at Nathan. I listened to their conversation half-heartedly, still scouring the floor for anything that might prove advantageous to us. My eyes caught onto some suspicious movement when a small group of guards separated, heading to a different direction.

"So, you are suggesting we charge through them?"

"Exactly."

"Like bulls?"

"Yep."

In the midst of their conversation, my eyes immediately noticed something and I felt like smacking myself in the face. It was lying in plain sight and yet I totally missed it. There was a large doorway to a corridor and another area right in front of my eyes, and the same small group of guards were heading in that direction.

"No."

"No, we can't."

Two feminine voices immediately cut off Nathan and Thomas, and I realised it was me and Kim speaking at the same time. I looked at Kim, noting how she was staring intently at the same conspicuous doorway.

"What do you mean no?"

"They definitely won't let us through." Kim said and several guards started to tackle Thomas and Nathan, since they were right at the front. Thomas avoided one of the guards deftly, while the other guards behind suddenly started to slip on something, stumbling and flailing. I glanced at the floor, realising the ground below him and his shoes were completely frozen, the ice making the floor in front of him slippery.

Whereas, the attempts on tackling Nathan proved to be futile. He easily held them two of them back with his strength, before giving them a rough shove and they flew, pushing others down with them.

"What do you mean they won't let us through?"

At that moment, a thunderous creak started to resound throughout the entire area and my eyes widened as the alarm fixed onto the doorway started to light up. Its red light spun around frantically as sirens started to echo all around us.

"That's what she meant." I muttered, watching on in horror. The guards slowly recovered, albeit still looking rather disorientated from earlier. Despite that, they didn't fail to close in on us, effectively trapping us in a huge circle.

"Shit, they are fast." Kim cursed, and the guards eventually focused on Kim, and again, instead of punching, kicking or shooting, they were just trying to tackle her. I frowned, wondering why they were trying not to hurt us.

Kim dodged a tackle from one of the guards, and avoiding another as she spun around and kicked him fiercely on the back. The door was slowly closing and the three of them were clearly struggling to fend off the relentless attacks from the guards.

"Omni, think you can make it in time with the three of us?" Kim asked and I glanced around nervously, watching as Thomas narrowly dodged a tackle.

"I can try, but I need some space." Nathan grunted, it was obvious that he couldn't take off flying with the amount of guards aiming for him. They probably knew about his powers and were hellbent on stopping him.

"Frost!" Kim shouted at Thomas hurriedly, and I immediately took it as a cue to hang onto Nathan. The guards were swift, hastily directing their attention to Thomas.

"Yes, yes. Just cover me." Thomas answered lazily, rubbing his hands together as he exhaled heavily. He knelt down quickly and pressed his palms on the floor. Just then, a guard took advantage of the opportunity, desperately trying to halt whatever Thomas was planning to do. My mouth opened automatically, wanting to warn Thomas of the impending danger.

"Piss off!"

Kim rushed in as she hissed those words out, she leaped, adjusting her position and aiming both of her legs at the guard. A second later, another guard followed behind the previous one and Kim skilfully flipped herself up from the ground, not faltering for even a single moment. She dashed forward, intercepting his path easily and I blinked in surprise, they were finally starting to attack as the guard threw a punch at Kim.

Kim blocked him with her arm and flung a fist back at him, successfully counterattacking. He stumbled back from her attack, clutching at his bloodied nose as he struggled to maintain his balance.

"Hold onto Omni!" Thomas suddenly yelled out a warning.

A wall of ice protruded out abruptly from the ground, knocking the surrounding guards into the air, who were standing on top of the ice wall. Shouts and yelps were heard all around us, the clamour providing us with enough time to hold onto Nathan as he launched into the air.

Though it felt like an eternity, it probably only took half a minute or less.

Without hesitation, Nathan zoomed towards the doorway and the doors were more than halfway closed. I could feel panic rising within me, and Nathan surged forward, increasing his speed.

A heart-stopping bang made us turn our heads and I observed as a bullet bounced off silently from Nathan's arm. The bullet made a hole in the sleeve of the hoodie, but it didn't affect Nathan at all. If I had a closer look, I was sure that I could see that mystifying glossy, silvery skin yet again.

"Holy shit! You kidding me?! They are shooting at us?" Thomas exclaimed in disbelief and Kim frowned, looking down at the guards. They were holding the guns in their hands, aiming it at them. Another loud bang made my heart skip a beat, and I widened my eyes in terror when Kim evaded a bullet, which was close to grazing her cheek.

"Are they really trying to shoot at us?" I asked, my eyes reflecting the utter fear I was feeling.

"Doesn't matter, once we get through the door, they won't be a bother anymore." Kim stated calmly and I gaped openly at how composed she was.

What the hell!

We are being freaking shot at! Don't you feel scared, even just a little?!

"...if they are really intending to hurt us..." Nathan mused to himself, his tone solemn and I started to feel apprehensive about his words.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three shots followed after and I squeaked, ducking and burying myself deeper into Nathan. I was currently holding onto my dear life on his back. Luckily, I couldn't hear any grunts or groans, making me relieved that no one was hurt.

"Damn!" Kim clicked her tongue and the guards didn't seem to give us a break.

"To the left!"

"Left!"

"Left and right!"

Kim was shouting at the directions where the bullets were coming from, and we miraculously managed to avoid all of them. I glanced at Kim, a look of admiration in my eyes at her enhanced reflexes, she didn't even need to peek to know where the bullets are.

"I'm really sorry for this." Nathan abruptly spoke and we all focused our eyes on him. He held onto Thomas' arm quietly and I furrowed my eyebrows at his action.

"Hey, dude, why are you--what the hell are you doing?!" Thomas said, only to be pulled away from Nathan as he dangled in the air with Nathan holding onto him with one arm. Thomas was evidently panicking, not daring to look down and without a word, he tossed Thomas towards the doorway.

He let out a shaky and long yell, completely frightened and I blanched in fear, yet a worrying thought crossed my mind.

Oh god!

Don't tell me he is planning to...

"Nathan, no. Whatever you are planning on doing, I swear, I'll kill you. Don't think I am going to-holy fu-" Kim gritted the words through her teeth, her eyes ablaze with anger. However, Kim's words or threatening tone didn't make him flinch one bit. Just like Thomas, he wordlessly hurled her through the air.

If it wasn't for the situation I was in right now, I would probably chuckle at Kim's screaming, since it was my first time seeing any signs of being anxious from her.

Bang! Bang!

Another bullet hit Nathan and I watched as the bullet rebounded silently off his cheek. The right side of his face immediately transmogrify into the bizarre yet mesmerising glossy, silvery skin. He grabbed gently with his two hands, since they were completely free now.

"Nathan, what are you doing?" I questioned shakily, my eyes wide in disbelief.

He responded by flipping me to the front, hugging me as he gave me a gentle squeeze. It only lasted for a few seconds and he hastily released me, gazing down at me with his gorgeous eyes. The soft look in his eyes would normally make my heart palpitate with nervousness now made me palpitate with dread.

"Stay safe."

"No! Stop!"

Nathan threw me in the same manner, like the other two and I shrieked in terror. The turbulence in me somehow made me courageous enough to open my eyes as I caught a glimpse of reassurance in his eyes.

Don't worry.

Somehow, those were the words I imagined him to say as he looked at me in this manner.

Before I could comprehend what just occurred, I felt myself falling and eventually, I started to slow down. The entire time, my eyes remained on Nathan, a conflicted look on my face.

"Catch her!"

"Shit! Sorry, Genie! It's gonna hurt a little!"

I could hear crackling sounds behind me and I landed on something solid. Fortunately, due to how slow I was now, the pain wasn't as severe, that it would leave me another horrific bruise.

It still hurt though, especially due to my injury at the abdomen.

"Argh!" I cried out in pain, feeling my body slide down something slippery and I arrived to a stop after a long time, wincing at the throbbing pain on my back. My eyes burst open and I looked up, seeing Kim stretching her hand out towards me.

"It hurts like a bitch, doesn't it?" Kim smirked and helped me up to my feet. Alas, this was Kim we were talking about, she didn't help me gently to my feet and I stumbled.

"Thanks..." I thanked her with a grumble.

At this moment, realisation dawned on me and I shot my head towards the doorway. It was fully closed now and I inhaled shakily, not seeing signs of Nathan coming in along with us.

"Damn it, I knew he was planning to do something stupid." Kim sighed heavily, a deep frown on her face.

"Na-nathan...oh god..." I couldn't stop the incessant worrying thoughts that occupied my mind.

"You guys...just trust him, won't you? He's literally invulnerable and has super strength. He can handle himself." Thomas sighed, mimicking Kim. However, he wasn't sighing at Nathan but rather, at us.

"Are you dumb? Do you think his invulnerability and strength lasts forever? You yourself know there's a limit to how much we can use our powers." Kim reprimanded Thomas and I gasped softly, eyeing the doors in concern.

Nathan!

Thomas grew silent and he held a broody look in his eyes, and I couldn't find any words to talk either. A stifling atmosphere filled the air and I glanced at the two of them, biting on my lower lip.

"Can you freeze those doors?"

"You crazy? Look at how huge those doors are, you know, if I use too much of my powers, I'll freeze to death instead." Thomas gave me a disgruntled look.

"Do you think...he can break down those doors?"

"Impossible, even with his strength." Kim shook her head at my answer and I grew more concerned, feeling tears well up in my eyes.

Come on, Jean.

You can't possibly leave him alone in there, can't you?

Thomas grimaced, an unsatisfied grunt escaping his lips. "Come on, we don't want to waste his efforts for nothing. We gotta move."

"You are just planning to leave him there?" I asked, incredulous.

"Of course not! I'm just saying we should hurry up and finish this, so we can save his damn ass!"

"Can you guarantee that he'll still be alive by then?" Kim finally spoke up and Thomas ruffled his hair in annoyance.

"The more we delay, the quicker he'll die! Damn it--fine, let's just move and think of a plan at the same time, alright?" Thomas barked at us, vexed and I nodded my head at him, giving one last glance at the door. We reluctantly moved on and sprinted down the empty, never-ending corridor and a pensive look was on my face.

"So, what's the plan?" Kim raised her eyebrows at Thomas, since he was unknowingly leading us this time around.

"Just head straight for Alexander." Thomas shrugged and Kim narrowed her eyes at his words.

"Do you know where the hell he is?"

"Not a clue."

"So what? We are splitting up? It's too risky to do that, if-"

"Hold on a second." I interrupted their conversation as something struck my mind.

"Kim, the guards me and you saw before, they ran down this corridor, didn't they? Do you think they are the ones who..."

Kim blinked her eyes rapidly, a smirk on her lips as she probably thought about the same thing that I did. "The control room is probably beyond this corridor. Hah, so that's it. For once, you are freaking smart, Genie."

"Excuse me?" I glared at Kim, offended by her words.

"Alright, our first priority is getting Omni's ass out of there, and then we start on our search for Alexander. If you have any problems, speak up now." Kim smirked at my offended response, before explaining to us with the plan she had in mind.

"How the heck do you expect to find the control room in such a freaking huge place?"

"Leave that to me."

Thomas turned to Kim and I did the same, I saw Thomas opening his mouth to speak, but after he saw the expression on Kim's face, he immediately shut his mouth. He hurriedly glanced ahead, not daring to look at Kim and I could feel myself cowering slightly due to Kim's expression.

Her face was contorted with anger and the fury in her eyes almost made me jump in fright.

Why is she so angry?

"I swear, the next time I see that bastard, I'll kill him. Idiot, sacrificing yourself like that, what the hell is he thinking?! God, I wanna punch something right now." Kim muttered darkly to herself and we were close enough to hear her. Despite her murderous tone, I smiled softly to myself at her way of showing her concern to someone.

It was rare to see such an expression on her face and honestly, I felt a little encouraged and looked up. Right on cue, we reached the end of corridor with an identical doorway and it was guarded by two men at the door. Upon seeing us, their mouths started to move as their hand went their ear and they began to approach us.

...then I felt something whoosh past me.

My eyes widened in shock as I saw Kim surging forward, when she was within range, she threw a swift punch at the guard. The guard barely managed to duck from her punch, and before he could recover, Kim slammed her knee into his crotch and speedily drew out his gun from his holster.

"Ki-" I tried to warn her of the other guard, who was preparing to draw his gun out too. He was slightly startled by Kim's speed and the intimidating aura hanging around her. Nevertheless, she obviously noticed the gun and without even looking, she pointed the gun at him as his partner in front of her was undoubtedly in excruciating pain from being slammed into the crotch like that.

She wasn't merciful either.

"Open the goddamn door, now." She growled lowly, the rage swirling in her eyes not appeased at all, in fact, it seemed even worse than before.

"Wh-whoa there, we didn't get paid to get killed..." The guard raised his hands up in surrender, his hand no longer lingering near his gun holster.

"Shut up and just open the damn doors." Kim barked at him.

"Okay! Okay!" The guard answered nervously, holding up his hand and pressing his thumb against the scanner at the side of the doors.

"So that's how she is when she's angry?" I whispered to Thomas who laughed nervously and nodded at my words.

"She's furious, not just angry. And it's my third time seeing her like this. But don't worry, she won't kill anyone."

"What?"

"The second time I saw her like this, she beaten me half to death." Thomas grinned at me and the guard finally opened the door.

"...is that something to be smiling about?"

"Ah, don't worry. I got in a couple of punches in too!"

I was too baffled to even continue the conversation with Thomas any longer. Fortunately, the sirens blaring and the red flashing lights distracted me from the ridiculous conversation with Thomas, but it made me grimace.

The doors eventually opened and just like the area before us, dozens of guards greeted our sight and I sighed, closing my eyes and clutching at my forehead.

"Not again..."

Although, there was something different to the area and I opened my eyes, lifting my head up. It was something I've never seen before, yet something that is all too familiar with me.

It was also something that brought this entire devastation upon all of us.

Infiniteum, the cube.

Hello everyone! The next chapter might be the very last chapter of this story ^^. Depending on how the story is, I might do some trivia and an epilogue. Also, for those who are currently waiting on the update on 'Lynx', I'm sorry, I can't do it by this weekend ;_;

I can upload the next chapter of 'Lynx' by next wednesday, since my exams are approaching. I wish I can be a nocturnal creature but alas, life doesn't work that way. It's only at night where my mind starts to go crazy and I can write better, but I always end up sleeping at 2 am or worse T.T.

Anyway, enough about my life and my ranting, have a great weekend everyone!