The gurgling of receding water and the hiss of cold mist filled the now dark cave. The chaos was gone, replaced by a suffocating silence.
In the dark corner of the ruins, Moris was stranded, leaning against a shattered wall. His body shivered, not just from the cold entering from the surface, but from piercing pain. He felt his legs were weak, as if all his nerves were paralyzed.
("Ugh, why can't I move my body? Is this the effect of that Blue Crystallis? Damn it!") Moris thought frustratedly. He tried to draw breath from the pressure of the remaining pooled water, but it was difficult.
Suddenly, the sound of boots scraping broke the silence. The footsteps were familiar, the footsteps of a VaultaCorp soldier.
Moris: "Hey, you there! Help me quickly!" Moris said with difficulty, unable to stand.
But the footsteps stopped right where his purple dagger lay in the water. Moris scoffed, forcing an arrogant tone.
Moris: "Hey! What are you waiting for?! Help me get up, don't you dare try to steal my dagger!"
Vin did not reply. His ice-cold eyes stared straight at Moris. Slowly, Vin raised his hand. The worn VaultaCorp uniform contrasted with the purple aura that began emanating from his palm, enveloping Vin in a faint, deadly light.
Moris, seeing the purple aura, flinched. Pure fear froze on his face. He realized his mistake.
("There is no other option," Vin thought coldly. "Your arrogance must be put to an end.")**
"No! Please—"
Moris's voice was cut short as an immense pressure hit him. Vin activated Gravity Manipulation. Moris's weight increased tenfold in a second. He felt every bone in his body creak, his internal organs squeezed. His head was pressed hard into the muddy bottom.
Cold water flooded his throat. He struggled helplessly, trying to reach Vin, but Vin just stood tall, letting Gravity do its job.
Blood started coming out of Moris's nose and ears. In the horrifying silence, his struggle ended.
Vin lowered his hand, the purple aura vanished. He bent down, taking the Purple Crystallis Knife from the water. The dagger felt warm, as if welcoming its return.
Vin looked towards Rian and Anya being rescued by the Golem in the distance. His face, now devoid of emotion, concealed a deep sadness. The mission begins.
Rian gasped the cold water gripping his body so hard he coughed violently the Golem held him at the edge of the island the lake water was still slowly swirling the current was already weak then Rian immediately looked at Anya her face was pale there was much blood so Anya was severely injured. "Golem, hurry!" Rian yelled.
The Golem gently carried Rian to the edge of a large rock and there Salsa lay totally unconscious Zoe had disappeared and the Old Guardian was beside her the Old Guardian's back looked terrible with thick blue blood spreading onto the rock. Rian panicked because there were too many injured, "Golem, check the Old Guardian," he commanded then the Golem slowly bowed and could only shake its head gently so Rian swallowed hard feeling the pain and failure strike him.
"Anya, what is your condition?" Anya moaned with a weak voice and said "L-leave this place they will return." Rian nodded because it was true VaultaCorp would not give up Evan and the other soldiers who were swept into the lake would definitely return with more ammunition.
"We have to go right now Golem, take the Old Guardian," Rian said.
The Golem carefully grabbed the Old Guardian's heavy body Rian lifted Salsa onto his back and Anya forced herself to stand up but her body swayed, "Golem, put Anya inside the Emergency Cave. Quick. I'll carry Salsa," Rian said then they moved quickly leaving the shattered fortress leaving the lake calm yet deadly because their duty was not to fight but to survive