Kaivan didn't stay still. He sprinted after him, pushing through the pain. His breath came ragged, his wounds screamed, but the fire in his gaze refused to dim.
Yet William was no ordinary foe. Even weakened by Omnicent, his instincts stayed razor sharp. He tore through the narrow corridors with frightening speed, searching for shelter, or allies. His footsteps thundered on, like a drum announcing an ending.
Kaivan reached the doorway but froze. Ethan stood there, eyes wide as he struggled with Isabel, who was thrashing violently under Omnidream's control.
Kaivan placed a steady hand on his shoulder and whispered quickly, "Hold her. Don't let her hurt anyone."
Ethan nodded, even as turmoil twisted inside him. "I understand." He stepped forward toward Isabel, whose arms swung wildly, her body fighting everything around her. Ethan didn't flinch. He knew, this wasn't the Isabel he loved, and he wouldn't let her drown any deeper.
Kaivan turned back and dashed into the corridor after William, though he knew this wouldn't end quickly. William might escape for now, but the battle was far from over. The Tome of Omnicent was in his hands now, and the secrets it carried could be their only hope of ending this nightmare.
Meanwhile, in another part of the base, William stormed forward with a rage that scorched everything in his path. His presence alone scattered anyone who dared cross him. He headed straight for the ongoing battle.
Felicia and Rapi were still clashing. Though exhausted, Felicia moved with agile sharpness, her slender frame weaving through the air. Every swing from the giant Rapi shattered concrete like brittle glass, yet Felicia always slipped just ahead, always a whisper faster. Frustration twisted across Rapi's face.
William arrived amid the chaos. His gaze locked instantly on Rapi's towering figure. His anger roared back to life. Kaivan had humiliated him, his forces were collapsing, and now Rapi still hadn't finished her mission.
"Rapi!" William's voice thundered across the ruined hall.
Rapi turned quickly. Relief flickered in her eyes, certain that William had come to aid her. "Thank goodness you're alive," she panted.
But William's expression held no warmth. He grabbed her hair and yanked her head down, forcing the massive woman to stumble. His voice was like burning steel.
"When I call you, you answer. Don't make me regret recruiting you."
The words tore through her. Rapi, trembling, could only bow her head. "I'm sorry… It won't happen again," she whispered, her voice drained of fire.
Across the rubble, Felicia watched. Something sharp flickered in her eyes, interest.
This wasn't just authority. This was domination. This was absolute control.
And if Rapi could be shaken by pressure alone, then she wasn't the unbreakable monster Felicia once feared.
Before Felicia could react, William swiftly drew a pistol from his pocket, smooth, fast, without hesitation.
"This is why you ignored my order?" he growled. A single pull of the trigger followed.
A thunderous blast ripped through the air. The bullet streaked toward Felicia. But she moved like lightning, raising her metal staff with almost supernatural precision.
CLANG! The collision sparked a burst of light. The impact rattled her arms, yet Felicia did not step back. William, who wore a mocking smirk moments earlier, froze in disbelief. His eyes widened.
"Stubborn as ever," he muttered, holstering his gun.
Felicia said nothing. Her gaze stayed locked onto him, cold, cutting.
"Fine. You're forgiven," William said lightly, then glanced at Rapi. "Handle her."
His tone was casual, as if this were nothing more than another task. Without waiting for a reply, he turned toward the exit.
But he stopped when a deep, furious voice echoed through the hall.
"WILLIAM!"
Kaivan stood at the end of the corridor. His breath was heavy, sweat beading along his temples, but his eyes burned. Rage powered his steps.
Felicia, still fighting Rapi, turned briefly. Her breaths were shaky, but her voice was clear.
"He went… toward the outside!" she shouted.
Kaivan narrowed his eyes, fixing onto William's retreating silhouette. His muscles tightened, ready to chase, but he paused, glancing back at Felicia. He drew in a long breath.
"Felicia! When this is over, I need to talk to you. It's important!"
His voice echoed through the ruined hallway. The world seemed to pause for a heartbeat. Felicia's pulse quickened, not from battle, but from the weight of his words. Kaivan wasn't someone who spoke lightly. If he said it mattered, then it truly mattered.
A faint smile curved on Felicia's lips. Hope shimmered in her eyes, filling her limbs with fresh strength.
"OKAY! I'LL FINISH THIS!" she shouted, energized.
Her grip tightened on her metal staff. Her stance steadied. Her eyes blazed like embers, nothing would stop her now.
Felicia launched forward. Her feet struck the ground, her body a swift rush of wind. Her staff sliced through the air, almost invisible.
CLANG! Rapi staggered backward, losing balance. Felicia didn't give her a moment to breathe. She spun, unleashing another strike even faster.
Meanwhile, Kaivan sprinted after William. But something felt wrong, William wasn't heading for the exit. He turned instead, moving away from the basement where the previous battle had taken place.
Kaivan narrowed his gaze. What are you planning, William?
The dark corridor stretched ahead, flickering neon lights guiding Kaivan's chase. At the far end, he saw William slow down. Before him lay the collapsed bodies of his subordinates. Some unconscious. Others lifeless, their throats pierced, blood pooling in chilling shapes.
William's eyes bulged. His breath hitched. Fear crawled up his spine.
"Impossible… impossible…" he whispered. "They're just high school kids… how could they, "
His hands trembled. His mind cracked under the weight of the scene. Someone he had underestimated had turned this base into a silent massacre. For the first time, William felt fear.