The three of us, upon hearing the announcement were speechless. It didn't help that the announcement kept ringing repeatedly in my head, especially the two words 'twenty minutes' echoing profusely in my mind.

"...twenty minutes?! Are you freaking kidding me? TWENTY DAMN MINUTES?!" Thomas blanched, the colour of his face reminding me of paper.

"Urgh, I'm sorry, I don't think I can help much at this point." Nathan spoke up beside us, he suddenly stumbled, like a wave of dizziness had just hit him.

"Nat-Omni!" I nearly called out his name yet again, I was too lost in the moment previously that I couldn't help but scream his name. I hurried to his side to support him, alas, trying to support a man that was a head taller than me proved to be difficult.

"That's what you get for sacrificing yourself like that, idiot."

"Yeah, he's a big idiot, definitely." Thomas nodded in agreement, smirking in amusement.

"It's not like you are any different, Kim..." Nathan coughed in his sentence, heaving a tired sigh. "You were sacrificing yourself earlier, doesn't that make you an idiot too?"

"Guys...is this really the time to be throwing insults at each other?" I commented, shaking my head at them.

Thomas snickered, giving Nathan a hard slap on his back. A groan escaped Nathan's lips as he narrowed his eyes at Thomas through his battered mask. Fortunately, his voice modulator wasn't damaged.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Just stay here with Genie, and leave the rest to us."

"Exactly, just like what Thomas said."

"Surround them! Don't allow them to move an inch from their spot!" Alexander demanded fiercely, his gruff voice booming via the speakers.

"So...where's the switch to shut it down?" Thomas questioned and his words instantly hit me, all colour draining away from my face.

"...wait a minute. Didn't Faviana say that once it starts the launching process, there's no way to shut it down? Aren't I right, Genie?" Kim said and I turned towards, knowing my face would be telling her the answer.

"Ye-yes...she did say that." Nathan coughed, his exhausted voice holding a hint of anxiety.

"Shit!" Thomas cursed out loud, smacking himself on the forehead.

"Damn it." Kim clicked her tongue, biting on her lower lip.

Currently now, the guards have already completely surrounded us. They had no way of climbing up to the roof, hence, they could only aim their guns at us. Since Alexander didn't give the command to shoot, they didn't make a move to shoot at us with their guns.

"So, what are we gonna do now?"

"Launching sequence will begin in nineteen minutes, please proceed-"

"Ensure that they don't move in the next nineteen minutes! Not even an inch!" Alexander barked out.

I inhaled shakily, glancing around while still supporting an exhausted Nathan. My mind tried to brainstorm for any possible ideas we can do to prevent another catastrophe from happening.

"Omni, can use your strength, even for a little while?"

Nathan forced an amicable smile on his face, removing his arm around me and collapsing to the ground. "As much as I wish I could, I really can't. I'm sorry."

"What are you planning to do?" I looked at Kim, concern written all over my face.

"Go invisible and punch the cube."

All of us stared at her, speechless. In that moment of hesitation from us, Kim just turned invisible in front of us and we couldn't find her anywhere.

"No! What the heck is she doing? Do they think they will just leave the cube unguarded like that?" I exclaimed in horror at Kim's reckless action.

She's normally composed and won't do any reckless movement!

What the heck is wrong with her today?

First, Nathan and now her? Jesus christ!

"One of them disappeared! Find her!"

"How the heck do you expect to find her when she's goddamned invisible?!"

The guards surrounding us began to separate, glancing around wildly and trying their best to pick up on any strange movement around them. Suddenly, I felt a hand pulling me backwards, and I realised it was Thomas, disbelief and frustration evident in his eyes.

"Not you too, what the hell do you think you are doing?!" Thomas chastised me, and I noticed Nathan was halfway standing up, before he collapsed to the ground, relieved.

I glanced down, realising I was close to dropping off the edge off the roof, right into the throng of guards below me. I gasped, noticing that I wasn't conscious of my actions, I was rather desperate to stop Kim or to even help her in some way, that I moved on my own without knowing.

"One after another! Shit, just trust in her, alright? If she comes into danger, I'll charge in there to safe her, no matter what." Thomas fumed, clearly annoyed at Kim's actions too.

"She's...awfully reckless today." Nathan commented, and I could see his furrowed eyebrows through his broken mask.

Thomas looked at the two of us, suspiring heavily. "That's because...my best friend, which is her brother was one of the victims that passed away from this incident."

The atmosphere around our group took a sudden turn, it was almost as if our surroundings disappeared into the background. I could only hear the sharp intake of my breath, my eyes growing wide at the revelation.

"...you have to ask the details from Kim herself, it's not my place to say it. But at least, this will give you some insight as to why she's reacting this way."

Before we could even utter any response back, a commotion was heard via the speakers of the entire area. Alexander was shouting incoherent words, sounding utterly surprised.

I furrowed my eyesbrows, glancing towards Alexander's direction.

What has gotten him so surprised?

"Ugh!"

Just then, a guard groaned loudly in pain, falling backwards as he collided with the guard behind him. Chaos seemed to happening everywhere. Glancing back and forth between Alexander and the cube, I didn't know where to focus on.

A few guards stumbled and fell, causing the others to fall along with them. The direction of the commotion was leading towards the cube, with seemingly nothing protecting it other than the guards that began to scatter.

"What are you doing here? Guards, guards! Apprehend these two, quickly!" Alexander was telling at microphone, making me wince from the piercing noise.

The guards were quick to react, splitting into a huge group that was marching towards different parts of the area. Some of them headed towards the emergency staircase, while the others stormed to the doors that were opening itself.

They have probably gained back control of the control room.

"Stop her! Stop the invisible girl!"

"She's aiming for the cube!"

Thankfully, she was still invisible, thus, the guards didn't manage to catch her. I would assume she is nearly close enough to the cube right now. I glanced up towards the room, where Alexander was situated in. He was holding a gun steadily in his hand, pointing towards a direction and my eyes followed it.

I squinted my eyes, he was aiming it at two people, a man and a woman. A familiar feeling welled up in me as I watched their figures from afar, unable to completely make out who they were.

Boom!

"Kim!" I heard Thomas hollering her name, panicking. He moved instantly, sprinting ahead as he leaped into the air. A slide made out of ice formed beneath him rapidly, and he landed smoothly on it.

I quickly observed the cube, lifting my head up, only for my eyes to widen in disbelief. There was a huge, translucent, circular shape enshrouded the cube, but it was clearly a force field preventing anyone from entering or breaking out from it. It shimmered in the light for a few seconds, as if revealing to everyone of its glory presence. However, it blended in with the environment after that, like it never existed at all in the first place.

Thomas had made a direct pathway with his slide to where Kim was. She was lying on the ground, weakened by the impact from being flung away by the force field. He broke into a sprint, ducking when a guard tried to grab him and proceeding to shove his elbow at his stomach. Without a sweat, he did a roundhouse kick and resumed his dash towards Kim. He skidded to a stop when he finally neared her, scooping her up into his arms.

"Jean...help me...get down there." Nathan muttered weakly behind me and I made a sharp turn. I narrowed my eyes disapprovingly at his request, shaking my head vehemently.

"No way! Look at you! You can't even move properly! You are just asking me to feed you to the wolves!"

"But, I'm the only one that can help them out of there right now."

"No, I'm not doing it, Nathan." I lowered my voice, still shaking my head at him. I could see the exasperation in his eyes, especially at my disapproval at his request.

"I'm not going to let you friends die down there, while I just sit here and do nothing."

"Nathan, they are my friends too! You think I'm going to let them die down there? If I have to, I-"

"To everyone in this vicinity...!" A voice interrupted our conversation, resounding throughout the place. I snapped my head up towards the room, frowning at the rather familiar feminine voice, and to my surprise, Alexander was apprehended by someone, struggling right beside the woman speaking into the microphone.

The woman was none other than Faviana Sanchez.

"Faviana? How did she..." I gasped, astonished as I remembered her episode when I visited her.

Whereas, Alexander was being constrained by a man that we were all too familiar with.

Wait a minute...

Isn't that the supermarket laser-like dude?

What...the heck is he doing? Didn't he say Alexander was going to save them?

"Damn it! Let me go!" Alexander's gruff and anxious voice was heard across the speakers.

"Take one more step closer and I'll blast this old man's head!" The laser-like man barked fiercely at the doorway, although I couldn't see who he was addressing it to. It was probably the guards that Alexander called for, to help capture the intruders.

I could hear Faviana panting heavily over the speakers, having difficulty talking properly. "To...everyone...here, in this... vicinity. My name is...my name is Faviana Sanchez, and I was previously involved in the expedition of that dangerous object right there, the cube."

She finally regained her breath, taking a step closer to the microphone. "Whatever this man says here, he is a complete liar. If the launching process is complete, those that aren't wearing the protective suit will perish-"

"Launching sequence will begin in sixteen minutes, please-"

"Please, everyone, listen to me. There is a button in this room that will initiate the self-destruct sequence. Hence, in ten minutes time, this facility will crumble to dust and this will completely stop the launching process."

Immediately after she said those words, the clamouring grew louder and soon, it became tumultuous. However for me, I wasn't fazed by her words, I was still puzzled at the man's action beside her.

What did Alexander do, to make the man have such an adverse reaction towards him?

...speaking of which, why isn't his friends with him? Where are they?

Somehow, the odd yet solemn conversation I had with them inside the car replayed in my mind. I frowned, and a terrifying thought just hit me. I staggered backwards, my hand flying to my mouth as I gazed up at that man, my eyes wide in incredulity.

"Oh god, did Alexander really do something horrible to his friends?" I mused to myself, unable to believe that he only used them for his own benefits.

"Please, escape this facility as quickly as you can." Faviana implored over the microphone and she hurried towards right after, leaving the microphone.

"Guards! What are you doing, stop her!"

"Not on my watch!" The man hissed out angrily, bringing his arm up and his hand was aiming right at the doorway. I heard some shouting and screaming in the background, before the room lit up brightly.

A beam of energy shot out from the man's hand, blasting one of the guard's back. He flew forward, and I was unable to see where he went to.

All of a sudden, alarms started blaring out of nowhere, breaking me from my daze. An emergency announcement played right after the alarms sounded, and it seemed like time had came to a stop, the tense atmosphere almost choking me.

"The emergency self-destruct sequence has been activated. All personnel, please proceed to the nearest exit and move to a safe distance. This facility will self-destruct itself in ten minutes."

The announcement kept replaying by itself, the robotic lady's voice imprinted in my mind. A hand grasped at my wrist, startling me greatly, a tiny shriek escaping me.

The guards, of course, considered their lives as their priority. Without even waiting for any command, they were already scurrying about, trying to exit this building as quickly as possible. They couldn't be bothered about Kim and Thomas, she was laying on the ground while Thomas supported her.

"Jean, let's go." Nathan was standing upright, holding my wrist gently in his hand.

"Nathan? Are you sure you can walk right now?"

"I have to try."

I nodded, pointing towards a spot in the crowd. Fortunately, with their different outfits, I was able to spot them fast enough.

"There they are."

"Come on, I'll help you down from here."

"Are you sure, Nathan?"

Nathan glanced at me, his hand moving down from my wrist, entwining with mine. His other arm snaked around my waist, pulling me close.

"Do you trust me?"

I blinked at him, recalling the same words he had asked almost a month or two ago.

"This time, I do." I grinned at Nathan and he chuckled softly, making us hover in the air. A few moments later, we touched the ground safely, the guards brushing past us, paying no heed to us. Beside me, Nathan stumbled and I gasped, instinctively supporting him. His arm around my shoulder.

"Sorry, looks like I have to rely on you to support me from now on."

The announcement played yet again, reminding us that it was nine minutes left till it self-destructs. We slowly trudged our way to where Kim and Thomas were. It was odd though, despite being nine minutes away from dying, I was utterly composed, just like Nathan.

There wasn't a trace of panic present on our faces.

The guards, on the other hand, were running for their lives. It was a breeze walking towards Kim and Thomas, there was absolutely no obstructions this time around.

"Is she okay?" Nathan asked, anyone could tell he was worried from the tone of his voice.

"Aren't you the stupid one here? Look at yourself." Kim was rolling her eyes via her mask, just like Nathan's, her mask were chipped off at certain parts.

Thomas helped her up to her feet and she moaned in pain. "Both of you are the stupid ones, geez, one after another." He shook his head, tutting disapprovingly.

Kim raised her hand weakly, smacking him on his head.

"Ah."

"You aren't the one to be talking about stupidity. Your one reckless move from two months ago almost claimed many lives, remember?"

"That's right." Nathan faked a cough as he added.

Now, it was my turn to roll my eyes at them. "Guys, seriously, for real though. We are nine minutes away from imminent death, and you are standing here, taking about who is stupid?"

Yet again, another announcement played and alas, we had wasted another minute chatting over here.

"It's eight minutes, genie." Kim smirked at me and the two boys chuckled.

"Shush, and hurry up!"

"I would love to, but this is best I can do."

"Pssh, come on big boy, I'm injured too, yet I'm moving faster than you."

"...I'm probably hurting more than you are. Maybe. Probably? Sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that, it just slipped out from-"

"Tch, stop it with your dumb excuses."

"Guys, really? And I thought I was the only one who always argues with Kim."

"We aren't arguing."

"We are not arguing."

The two fatigued people in our group answered at the same time. I've lost count the number of times I've rolled my eyes.

So, this is how Nathan felt like when me and Kim argued.

"Do you think we should help the others out of here too?"

"Thomas, they are clearly faster than us, and they know their way to the exit. What could we possibly help them with?"

"Geez, alright Kim. I know you get grumpy when you get hurt."

"What are you talking about? Isn't she always grumpy?"

"What did you say, genie?"

*************************

Following the guards to the exit was the correct choice. Being squeezed the entire time was worth it, since we managed to make it out in one piece, with five minutes remaining left on the clock. The entire time, due to being focused in escaping, I wasn't aware of what happened to Alexander, Faviana or the man I met at the supermarket.

I can't believe until now, I still didn't know his name.

"I'm surprised Solar betrayed Alexander in the end."

We were still walking, with Thomas supporting Kim while I supported Nathan. Some of the members of the facility had already reached the safe distance allocated, staring blankly at the enormous facility before then. We were close to them, and again, none of them bothered about us. Jogging past us, wanting to reach that area as quickly as possible.

"Who's Solar?" I asked, frowning in confusion.

"Ahh, right. You weren't there while we looked through his document. It's the laser dude you met back at the mall, you know, pew pew?" Thomas explained, making shooting gestures with his other free hand.

"So...that's his alias."

"I wondered why he betrayed Alexander. And also, why didn't I see his usual gang with him?"

I glanced away, thinking of the dreadful things Alexander must have did to break his trust. "Alexander definitely did something to him, and the gang, which made him react this way."

"...is he going to make it out safely? Along with that lady, Faviana?" Nathan spoke up this time, obviously fretting over their livelihood.

It was so expected of Nathan to do that, even with an enemy he has encountered before.

Well, other than that one time where Aquarius really angered him after she attacked me.

"I don't think they are silly enough to throw their lives away like that." Kim waved it off, and we eventually arrived at our location, joining the crowd.

We gazed upon the scene before us. There were still people streaming out of the building, extremely frightened and fearful for their safety. This time, my composure slowly broke as I could clearly see guards, along with the scientists and staff members among the crowd.

However, I couldn't find the familiar face of Solar or Faviana. Even though I wasn't acquainted with them in anyway, one of them being a person I've only met once and the other who almost killed me, I couldn't help but worry. After all, they just stopped a disaster from happening, and they risked their lives for it. Moreover, they didn't deserve to die like that.

Nobody deserved to die like that anyway. 

"Guys, I'm sorry. I can't do this, I'm heading back in there to find anyone else and bring them out here."

I took a step forward, only to be held back by a tight grip around my arm. I furrowed my eyebrows, turning around to see Kim holding me back. 

It was a little shocking to find out that she still had some strength left in her.

"Jean. Don't. You don't know your way around the facility, and I'm sure majority of them had already made it out. And besides, look." Kim gestured her head tiredly, and I glanced ahead, seeing two silhouettes in the distance, one of them carrying someone on their back.

The light soon shone down on them, and somehow, relief came flooding into me, causing my knees to tremble and I sank to the grass.

"Jean?"

"Hey, whoa there."

"Gah!"

I didn't know why, but a myriad of emotions overwhelmed me as they began to approach us. I turned to Nathan, who collapsed to the grass with me, and I apologised to him, unable to control my shaky voice.

"Oh goodness! You are...here too...?" Faviana recognised me immediately when she was close enough, asking me with a surprised voice.

"Ye-yes. I hope you are...okay now."

She smiled kindly at me, shaking her head. "It's alright, I had face it sooner or later anyway, knowing Alexander's character. He definitely wouldn't let his ambitions end like that."

"Alright, and here you go." A new voice entered the conversation, and I gazed upwards. Solar threw Alexander to the grass, dusting his hands as he eyed the man in disgust.

"Take this piece of scum away from my sight. And throw him in prison." He spat out, infuriated as he kicked an unconscious Alexander towards us. I eyed Solar with a hesitant look, rather curious as to what he did, to make him despise the man that he once revered. Thinking back about his attitude, it was a drastic change; an extremely drastic change.

It almost looked like he wanted to murder Alexander.

His contemptuous gaze lingered in Alexander a second longer. Not saying a word, he trudged away, disregarding us and I could sense a certain sadness enveloping him.

Boom!

Boom! Boom!

The deafening crashes and explosions immediately silenced the anxious crowd. Everyone gazed on ahead, watching as the once revered and astounding facility was currently being exploded into pieces. The building broke apart, crumbling and falling to the ground. The impact of it causing the dust and any other particles to swirl around, along with causing a harsh breeze.

We were far away enough to be safe from the impact and the after effects. A strange silence hung in the air, and no one said a word, every single of us just observing the scene occurring in front of us. The explosions and crashes eventually halted, another moment of silence passed. The silence was abruptly interrupted when everyone behind us broke into victorious and relieved cheers, we could even hear some of them sobbing.

The intense feelings that hit me beforehand began to envelope me yet again. It was hard to explain the feelings I had at that moment, the myriad of emotions making me flop onto the grass, exhaling for a long breath.

It...it stopped...

We...all managed to stop it.

Another catastrophe, another Infiniteum.

I can't believe it.

"Is it...finally over?" I murmured to the others, glancing at the three of them. It was if the relief was finally affecting them, all of them falling to the ground one after another.

Kim was at my right, a genuine, wide smile on her face. "Yeah...it's finally over." She was in the same position as me, laying in the grass.

"Yes, it's--it's really...over. Everyone, you did a great job..." Nathan was at my left, one of his knee propped up, while the other resting on the grass. He seemed too exhausted to even manage a smile.

"Hell yeahhhh! We did it!" Thomas cheered beside us, seating crossed-legged, throwing his fist into the air. He beamed at the sky, guffawing to himself.

My lips were shaky as I smiled, my arm hastily covering my eyes. I could feel the three of them looking at me when I did that, and I heard their movements, as if they were leaning in closer to me.

"Hey, genie. What's wrong with you?"

"Jean?"

"Hey, the heck's wrong with you?"

"No-nothing." I sniffed pathetically, my arms feeling a little wet. I feel tears dripping down my face, not knowing why I had to urge to cry.

"Pfft, what's there to be crying over. You crybaby." Kim snickered, punching me lightly on the arm.

I felt a hand wrapping around my arm, pulling it away. "Hey now, there's no need to cry so happily."

"Who--who says I'm crying tears of joy?" I sniffled, rubbing at my eyes.

"It's alright, there's no need to cry." Nathan smiled down softly at me, offering me his hand. I blinked my eyes at him, sniffling twice.

"Geez, get up you lazybum. We still have work to do." Kim gave me another smack, this time, it was at my stomach instead.

"Ah! Holy crap, that hurts!"

"Wha...I-I didn't hit that hard, did I?"

"No...I think that you just hit my gunshot wound."

"What?!"

"Kim, I thought we already told you she got shot, but it's not exactly being shot by a gun, but more like a paintball, right?" Thomas scratched his head awkwardly.

"Ouch, gahhh...right...something like--ugh...that." I agreed with a wince and a groan.

"I know! I heard that clearly the first time! If it hurts so badly with a light tap, how were you so fine before?"

"Ow...I don't know..."

"Jean! Are you alright?"

"Kim...for real, how is a smack from you a light tap?"

"What? You telling me this isn't a light tap?"

"Ah! What the hell, Kim? Are you telling me you smacked that hard on Jean's wound?"

Nathan fussed over me, while Kim and Thomas were bickering, with me still wincing and moaning on the grass. Nevertheless, at that point, no one realised that Solar had disappeared long ago.

The facility staff members, along with Faviana, decided to bring Alexander to the police station with them. They would act as the witness to today's event, accompanied by the guards. In addition to Faviana's testimony, I think it would be safe to say that we won't be seeing Alexander Talbot anytime soon.

Nonetheless, something deep inside of me didn't feel at ease. It made me feel terribly uneasy, and I set off with the others in trepidation, casting a glance at the rubble gathered around the area. 

"Is it really over?" I murmured to myself, staring at the gigantic pile of rubble.

When a door closes, another door opens, and whether it was for better or for worse, only the ones opening it would know.

To be continued...

Ah, there is an epilogue after this, just letting you guys know ^^. 

Hello guys, that's it! That's the final chapter of this book, and yes, there is a sequel coming right up. Those who plan to stick around to enjoy the sequel, thank you! And those who aren't, I thank you very much for joining me in this journey. 

I experiences many obstacles trying to finish this book, my final year in school, personal issues, writer's block and distractions. Honestly though, the comments and votes from every single one of you really pushed me. 

(this is actually the first time I have completed a novel of my own, wooooow)

I think it took me more than a year to finish this book, I'm not too sure hahah. I'm going to edit it personally when I am finally free from my final year. Alsoooo, I may or may not change the first chapter entirely. I find it cringy when I re-read it sometimes, like I don't know what the hell am I thinking when I wrote that.

So, *ahem*, let me know your thoughts on whether you want me to keep the original chapter 1, or do an entirely new one ^^.

Anyway, end of my rambling. I'll see you guys once more in epilogue :D. Stay tuned! I might include in some trivia too, which takes places in the POV of Nathan, Kim and Thomas! 

Enjoy your weekend, everyone! <3