Era's arm, sliced clean off, had sprayed a torrent of blood in all directions, staining the ground a scarlet hue. The pain and blood loss had weakened her considerably, and she eventually collapsed to one knee, her hand shaking from the searing pain as she tried in vain to stem the bleeding. Exhaustion and despair gripped her being, her short, ragged breaths a testament to her inner struggle not to give in.
The attacker, witnessing this desperate act of heroism, burst out laughing, his cruel amusement echoing in the air like a sinister melody. Era's blood had also splattered his face, and he ran his tongue over a drop, savoring the moment with chilling sadism. The sight fueled Aaron's rage, as he lay on the ground, his body unable to move from the blows he had suffered. Yet despite his weakness, his face expressed a consuming fury, his eyes fixed on the man with burning hatred.
After a final burst of mocking laughter, he halted abruptly, his smile morphing into a mask of cruelty. "Well, well," he sneered, his voice and dripping with scorn. "The bearers of the Phoenix and Griffin Rings, together in one place. I suppose I can kill two birds with one stone." His gaze flickered between Aaron and Era, a twisted pleasure evident in his eyes as he savored the gulf of power that separated them from him. "That was entertain hesitation, he channeled his energy into his right fist, the air crackling around him as he lunged toward Era, his strike poised to deliver the fatal blow. Aaron, pinned to the ground, could only watch in helpless horror as the scene unfolded before him. His anguished cry pierced the air: "Noooo!!!"
In that moment of despair, a surge of energy coursed through Era, igniting a fierce determination within her. She felt a renewed sense of purpose, fueled by her unwavering resolve not to die, not that way, much less let Aaron perish before her eyes.
Despite her serious injury, she raised her good arm and called out, "Light hardening: solar shield," and managed to summon a shield of luminous energy. The barrier shimmered with a bright, golden light, fragile but resolute, interposing itself between her and the attacker' fist.
However, the latter's powerful strike imbued with dark energy reduced the golden shield to shards before it could even accomplish its task. As the attacker' fist prepared to reach her, Era, resigned to her fate, seeing fragments of her life pass before her eyes. Memories, faces, happy and heartbreaking moments. Death seems inevitable... but at the last moment, when his shadowy fist was just inches from Era, Corvus broke his momentum : "Let's move!" He ordered.
The assailant paused. He nodded, and replied, "As you wish, master." In the distance, the sound of emergency services got closer, their sirens tearing through the chaos.
He stepped back, his eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and disappointment.
"It's time to go," he said coolly, glancing toward the street where police lights flickered in the distance.
As they turned to leave, the man looked over his shoulder, his dark eyes locking onto Era's. "My name is Apophis," he declared, a smirk playing on his lips. "I am one of the Sentinels of the Shadows. Our paths are destined to cross again and and I hope that next time we meet, you will entertain me more."
Without another word, he stepped away, disappearing into the shadows. Era's heart sank as she watched him go, a mix of relief and dread washing over her.
Then she collapsed, her body turning livid from the hemorrhage. Unconscious, she already seemed to be dying, the weight of her fragility hitting Aaron like a fatal blow. Trembling, he straightened up with difficulty, his muscles screaming with the effort, but his desperation pushed him forward.
Era lay pale against the scorched earth, her complexion drained from the blood she had lost. He held her close to him, his arms shaking and clumsy trying to protect her, even though the danger seems to have already passed. Tears streamed down his face, mixing pain and guilt. His voice broke as he screamed into the void:
"Why!!! No!! Don't die, Era! Please... I'm sorry..."
A crimson stain seeped through his clothes, warm and sticky, as her life drained away with every passing moment. He pressed his hand against her wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding, whispering, "Stay with me, Era. Please, don't leave me. Just hold on a little longer!"
Her eyelids fluttered weakly, and she let out a faint sigh, her voice barely audible. "Aaron... go... Leave me." Her words, though faint, carried a pleading tone that shattered his heart.
"No!" Aaron shouted, his voice cracking as his tears fell freely. "I'm not leaving you! You hear me? I'm not going anywhere without you!" His grip tightened as if sheer will alone could anchor her to life.
Era's eyes, dulled by pain and exhaustion, locked onto his. A soft smile tugged at her lips, almost imperceptible, before her body slackened in his arms. "Aaron..." she whispered one last time, her voice trailing off as her consciousness faded.
"No! No, Era! Wake up!" Aaron screamed, shaking her gently as though it would rouse her. "You're not dying! Do you hear me?! You're not—" His voice broke, and a choked sob escaped his throat. He pressed his forehead against hers, desperation coursing through him.
The sound of sirens grew louder, piercing through his anguish. He tried to lift Era, but his battered body betrayed him. His knees buckled, and he fell back to the ground, clutching her lifeless form. "Damn it!" he cursed, his voice hoarse. "Somebody help me!"
As if answering his plea, A sudden, blinding flash of light erupted before him, and a massive circular portal materialized in the air. Its surface shimmered like liquid silver, rippling as if the fabric of reality itself had been torn open. Aaron blinked, shielding his eyes from the brilliance.
From the portal stepped a tall, commanding figure, imposing yet serene in her arrival. She was draped in sleek, dark armor that glinted under the faint glow of the gate. Her presence was magnetic, her piercing gaze sweeping over the scene with calculated precision. Six other figures followed her, their movements fluid and precise, their white and gold uniforms contrasting starkly with the chaos around them.
Aaron's despair transformed into fury as he recognized the imposing woman: Hydra. His bloodied hands clenched into fists, and his voice rang out, raw with anger. "You're too late, Hydra! You're always too damn late! Where were you when we needed you?! Where were you when my mother died?! And now, is it Era's turn?" His voice cracked with emotion as his tears mixed with Era's blood on his face. "You let this happen. You let her die! I hate you!"
Hydra's expression remained unreadable, though a flicker of something—regret?—crossed her eyes for a moment. She said nothing, her gaze shifting to Era's limp body and Aaron's trembling form.
Aaron's breath came in ragged gasps, his anger burning brighter than his anguish. He glared at Hydra, his voice rising, raw and venomous. "You should've stayed where you were, Hydra! Nice and warm, safe and untouchable! That's what you're good at, isn't it? Watching while others—"
He didn't get the chance to finish. A sharp pain exploded at the back of his head, and his vision blurred. His body crumpled forward as darkness closed in, and the last thing he saw was Hydra's impassive face, her gaze unflinching as the world around him faded to black.
Behind him, a Sky Weaver lowered his weapon, a faint hum of energy dissipating as the baton powered down. Hydra nodded once, her expression inscrutable, and gestured toward Aaron and Era.
"Take them," she commanded, her voice firm but devoid of emotion. "Quickly."
Two Sky Weavers efficiently lifted Aaron onto a glowing light stretcher, while another pair stabilized Era with intricate, softly pulsing equipment before securing her on another stretcher.
Hydra lingered briefly, her gaze hard as she surveyed the bloodstained, scorched battlefield. With a deep breath, she turned and followed her team toward the shimmering silver portal.
The weavers moved swiftly, carrying Aaron and Era through the glowing gateway. Hydra paused at the threshold, casting one final glance at the desolation before stepping through.
The portal closed behind them, leaving no trace of their departure, only silence and the scent of burnt ozone lingering in the air.