[Finn your tree ether reserves are running low. We need to end this quickly!]
The fight had went on for minutes now the elevator platform was nearing the surface and Finn was exhausted a few more blows and he'd collapse from fatigue. Trying to set up a trap for stein to fall in was pointless due to the elevator moving constantly.
'To hell with it'
With the next attack from stein S.B.A blocked it and Finn did something other than attack…
Instead of going for Steins weak points Finn aimed for his sword. It seemed that S.B.A caught onto this sudden change because the string suddenly grew much sharper and with one swipe the blade was shattered into 3 pieces.
Stein jumped back a few times while Finn fell to his knees out of exhaustion.
It was hot the fire was rising up the walls rapidly and was sure to catch up to them soon. The heat was so scorching Finn felt as if he would fall unconscious at any given moment.
"Going for my blade, huh? Nice move was that also one of the suits doing?" Stein remarked mockingly.
Finn swiped off the blood that started gushing out of his nose. This fight would be over soon and with Stein unarmed now it was evident he'd be the one left standing. Although, something felt wrong. It made no sense how Stein was defeated so easily, he didn't even attempt to save his sword from being destroyed like that. It was all too convenient.
'Unless…'
Suddenly Stein turned into a haze only after images were left of him. He was on the move going to attack Finn at any second now.
'Crap!'
Stein appeared right in front of Finn and in his hand a dagger was aimed right at Finns heart. Suddenly the strings on Finns fingers moved in a hurry they latched onto Steins arm and swung him up into the air.
The dagger was already inContact with Finns body so when Stein was flung up it scrapped against his skin making a cut along Finns chest.
He grabbed his chest. The pain he felt was unbearable. Finn had never been hurt like this before so a wound from a weapon was new to him.
Looking up he saw Stein standing tall a few feet away from him. The dagger in his hand looked peculiar like it was forged by a master black smith.
"I guess it caught your attention, this dagger of mine. I'd be glad to show you what it is capable of." Stein had a wide grin on his face as he admired his dagger. "You see this weapon was made special just for me there aren't many out there like this one and for a good reason too."
Suddenly Finn watched as the white metal of the dagger had its edges start to turn red and it middle part start to glow with radiance.
Suddenly it felt like the place started feeling even more like a furnace.
[Not good the strings wont be of help anymore you'll have to dodge!]
Once again Stein was gone nothing but some dust was shot up from the ground. Finn fell backwards in an attempt to dodge in the same moment Stein reappeared and a slice was made where his neck once was. He dodged a fatal attack with a fluke.
[You're almost there. Less than a minute left]
Finn was in a bad position he was on the ground, his body felt too weak to get up or roll over but he had to do something Stein was standing right above him.
Finn kicked up with his foot aiming for Steins hand that was holding the dagger but to no avail Stein grabbed his leg before he was even able to hit his arm.
Finn felt immense pain due to the cut on his chest that was now under the pressure of Steins foot. He struggled trying to push his foot off but it did nothing but make him feel more pain.
Stein knelt in towards Finns and placed the dagger by Finns neck.
[This is bad! The strings I make are burning it's too hot for them!]
"It's over kid."
***
Stein was about to finally get out of this place he had the kid immobilized under his foot and it seemed the suit had stopped making those strings.
He lowered himself putting the edge of the dagger to his neck. He saw the kid face change when the hot metal touched his neck. His eyes watered and face was strewn with pain. Suddenly Stein was overwhelmed with the feeling of pain. It wasn't physical but mental.
'This kid. Why… Why does he remind me of her'
Suddenly Stein felt he's back to his senses a wave of realization and revelation hit him.
'What the hell am I doing. Murdering a child for some people I don't even know'
Stein stared into the kids eyes even more they were weak and tired like an animal watching its predator about to prey on it.
'It was the same look she had that day. My daughter… I'm sorry…'
Stein forced himself away and fell on his back his dagger still in his hand.
***
Finn coughed out a some blood before rising up again the pain of the metal to his neck was driving him insane but it was over now.
For some reason the warrior decided to let his enemy go…
Finn looked around Stein was now on the floor a few feet away from.
"Move away from me… before I do something I regret" Stein said in a pained voice.
Finn crawled a few feet back and rested for a second he needed to get back on his feet quickly.
Slowly he rose back onto his feet. He was in a lot of pain.
[Not to alarm you but you are almost out of tree ether once you run out you'll drop to the floor powerless]
Finn sighed.
They were almost there he was able to see the edge of the top floor.
Suddenly the elevator came to a halt.
'What the…'
It was quiet. Silence filled the elevator shaft only the sounds of the crackling fire could be heard.
Out of the corner of Finns eyes he saw a massive shadow slowly rising up.
'It's here…'
Stein quickly rose to his feet again this time his aggression wasn't aimed towards Finn… but towards the giant flower like monster towering above them both.
"Climb your way up I'll hold it off…"
Finn watched Steins blade shine again it was like the sun rays made its way into the blade and were now inhabiting it.
"Its pointless with the state we're in neither of us can take it on. We have to climb now"
Finn quickly turned around aiming to run off to the edge and jump grabbing onto the pipes on the wall.
He had not noticed it but the creature was going straight for him. Stein realized this and made his way to Finn in a dash.
[Finn on your right!]
"Kid look out!"
Stein pushed Finn out of the way but the push was too strong he slid off the edge of the elevator platform. If Finn was just a second late he wouldn't have grabbed on to the edge.
Looking down the creature seemed to have tied its vines around the shaft of the elevator the fire was spreading upwards at a pace that was harrowing. Finn struggled to force his way back onto the platform. He looked around for Stein and found him currently in the maw of the creature it seems that when he pushed him out the way he was caught in his stead.
Stein stabbed the monster many times with the dagger which made the creature instinctively let go of him. He fell onto the platform and rolled over back onto his feet. Finn watched as he held his side, the creature had made a lot of injuries onto Stein as it seems.
"Hurry up we need to leave!" Finn Shouted out.
He turned around and jumped. Finns hands reached out as far as they can and grabbed onto the pipes he strengthened his grip and started climbing.
"Argh.."
Stein had also jumped but he wasn't going to reach far enough to he grabbed onto one of Finns legs. Finn made sure to look down to make sure Stein wasn't planning on stabbing him or anything and continued his climb.
They were almost there Finn only had to climb up a few more pipes just to reach the top, Stein was still holding on to Finns leg for his dear life.
Suddenly Finn felt immense pressure and the sound of bones crushing… but they weren't his bones.
He looked down to see the creature had bit into Steins legs and wasn't planning on letting go.
Finn was now holding onto a pipe while Stein was holding onto his leg as the creature was biting into Steins leg and the rest of the creatures body was entangled onto the elevator shaft under the platform. The scene was quiet cinematic to say the least.
Finn was holding on to the pipe with all the strength hes got.
'No, not again. I won't fall like this again. I won't be weak like this again!'
[You're almost out of tree ether Finn you don't have much time left, you need to make a decision]
Finn could hear the sound of flesh getting torn apart.
Looking down he saw Stein coughing out blood he looked half unconscious.
He looked back up at Finn his expression hopeless.
"Son… I know I'm in no possession to ask you this but I need you to give something to my daughter. Consider it my Will…"
Finn didn't dare respond he was worried that if he did he'd lose focus or that the lungs in his chest would leave and his hands would give out. He simply nodded.
"I'll take that as a yes…"
Suddenly Finn felt the familiar cold metal of the dagger penetrate the side of his thigh.
"Aaarghh!"
The pain was immeasurable Finn felt like he was losing his mind.
Looking down Stein let go of Finns leg and was now falling the elevator shaft gave out and with it fell the creature. Only one to remain was Finn.
He slowly climbed up and what was supposed to be a small climb felt like a years worth of pain he made it onto the top floor and rolled over away from the edge.
'Dammit…'
Finn was in haste, he crawled slowly but surely towards the gate in a last dich effort to get as close as possible to the exit but when he made it there bloodied and half dead the gate still stood tall and firmly shut.
He came to a realization.
'It comes down to who can last longer me or that damned creature…'
[I'll do all I can using what little tree ether you've gotten left to heal some of the more fatal wounds I won't be able to heal the one on your thigh though you'll have to remove the dagger first.]
Finn was on the ground. He couldn't move a single centimeter he was face down trying with all the power he had left not to pass out.
Time would pass and the fire had made it to the top floor the toxic air increases by the second and Finn wasn't able to do anything about it.
'What if it's resistant to fire. What if it dies and gate remains closed… Am I really going to die here...'
All kinds of foul thoughts invaded Finns mind.
'What would makka do if I don't come home. Please no… don't let it end like this…'
He crawled to the gate and starting punching it his punches were weak and would barely leave a scratch on the gate but he was still determined to get out of here.
'Even if I lose my whole arm to this…'
He put the weight of his body onto the gate and continued his pathetic effort.
Suddenly his mind went blank, he was still conscious but he couldn't make a thought all he could so was watch as the fire engulfed the room little by little.
[Finn… I truly am sorry…]
He looked up at the ceiling and a tear ran down his face, a tear that quickly evaporated off his face.
Suddenly he heard a loud and terrifying screech he suddenly felt a small boost in energy.
Finn felt the weight of his body fall to the ground and at the same time a giant wave of wind brush over his face the wind was so strong he got pushed away in a ragdoll.
The wind also pushed back the fires, and then Finn saw it the rays of light falling down on the gate the trees standing outside and the birds chirping a tune for the arrival of a new day.
Finn slowly crawled outside and onto the ground away from the bunker.
He turned his back onto the ground and rested he then faced the sun and watched the sun rise on a new day.
"Thank you S.B.A…"
[No need to thank me Finn it was your determination that got you out of there!]
"Hey… ever thought about getting a new name?"
[If it makes communicating easier then why not! What names do you have in mind though?]
"I think… Gris would be a cool name"
[Gris it is then!]