Elias cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders, the fight still buzzing in his veins like caffeine. He glanced down at the bloodied hallway and the half-melted Tier 5 corpse, then over at the smaller infected littered around like trash. "Fucking pests," he muttered, stepping over a twitching limb.
He turned to Riven, who stood by the doorway still holding her gun. Her face was pale from blood loss, but her jaw was tight, eyes burning with frustration and embarrassment.
"Get the first aid kit," Elias said, voice low but firm. "I'll clean this mess. You just... sit your sexy ass down and don't bleed out."
Riven blinked. For a moment, it looked like she wanted to argue. Her pride was twitching, and that gun in her hand trembled slightly. But then she exhaled, winced as pain shot through her thigh, and nodded.
"Fine. Don't take forever."
Elias gave her a crooked grin.
"Can't rush greatness, princess."
Once she was gone, he knelt by the corpses. The air reeked of rotting flesh and scorched bone. He placed his hand on a twitching, infected chest.
One by one, he absorbed the cores, letting the power surge into his body. Nothing flashy, just steady fuel for the storm brewing inside him. When he was done, he grabbed a mop from a closet, dumped the corpses into the incinerator chute, and scrubbed the blood from the floor with a bored look.
"Fucking hell, I've become a damn janitor," he mumbled.
He locked the door properly this time, twisting the bolts and scanning the seal twice. Satisfied, he tossed the key onto the table, cracked his knuckles again, and made his way back to Riven's room.
When he opened the door, the sight that greeted him almost made him forget what pain looked like.
Riven sat on the bed, one leg extended awkwardly, her wound already cleaned but not dressed. She held the med kit like she'd been waiting. Her shirt had bloodstains, and she wore only a black sports bra and dark shorts. She didn't look like a wounded woman. She looked like a goddess resting after the war.
Cute.
Elias grinned as he shut the door behind him.
"Gloves," he muttered, walking to the counter and slipping on a pair. "We doing this or not?"
"I could do it myself," she said defensively, eyes narrowing.
"Are we going to argue about this again? You're shaking," Elias said bluntly. "You treat yourself and pass out, I'm not cleaning up the mess. Now spread your legs..."
She choked on her breath. "What did you just say?"
Elias paused, deadpan.
"For the wound, sweetheart. I need to get to your thigh. Don't make it weird."
Her cheeks burned. She avoided eye contact and adjusted her leg slightly to give him space.
Elias knelt down in front of her, peeling open a fresh bandage. He dabbed antiseptic over the wound with a soft cloth. Riven winced but didn't complain.
"You're lucky you didn't get infected. And also," he muttered, voice rough but quieter now. "That Tier 5 could've ripped your spine out through your mouth."
"I've handled worse," she said, but her voice lacked its usual bite.
He smirked, "Sure. But maybe lock the damn door next time, yeah?"
She didn't answer, her cheeks still tinged pink. His fingers brushed the soft skin of her inner thigh, and she jolted slightly. Her lips parted, eyes fluttering.
System Notification:
[Target: Riven Halcroft | Lust Level: 30% | Loyalty Level: 10%]
Elias raised an eyebrow. "Damn. All this from a touch?"
"Shut up," she snapped, but there was no venom in her voice.
He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"You know, I could stop if you're gonna kick me again. But I'm pretty sure you're enjoying this."
Her breath hitched, and her fingers tightened on the sheets. When he pressed the gauze down and taped it gently, his thumb lingered a second too long. Riven finally broke.
With a flush climbing up to her ears, she shoved him with her good leg. He fell back with a low laugh.
"Get out," she said breathlessly. "Now."
Elias peeled off the gloves slowly, flicking them into the trash. He ran a hand through his hair and stood, looming over her with his usual cocky grin.
"Well, if you insist."
He turned to the door but paused.
"I'm leaving the hideout with Ivy tomorrow. Just thought you should know."
Riven blinked, visibly startled. "What? Why?"
Elias shrugged.
"Gotta move. I'm not meant to stay in one place. Makes me itchy."
He didn't wait for her to respond. Just gave her a final look, something softer than his usual grin, and stepped out.
The hallway was quiet. He moved toward Ivy's room and knocked once.
She opened it after a few seconds. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw him, and even more when she noticed how he was looking at her.
Ivy wore a tank top that clung too tight and shorts that were clearly chosen for a reason. Her cheeks flushed when his eyes slid down.
"I was... just getting ready to sleep," she said, pretending to fix her top.
"Mm," Elias said, stepping in slowly. "Looks like you were waiting for me."
Ivy didn't deny it.
He didn't touch her. Just walked in close, lifted a finger, and trailed it down the curve of her neck to the edge of her collarbone, brushing the skin between her breasts.
She shivered.
Then he stopped, eyes unreadable.
"Pack up. We're leaving tomorrow."
She blinked. "What? Why?"
Same question Riven asked. It's as if they both liked him here at a spot.
"Don't worry about it," he said, turning away. "I'll explain later."
And then he left her standing there, half-dressed and speechless.
.
.
The next morning came with the scent of coffee and tension.
Elias dressed quickly, slinging his new weapon over his shoulder. Ivy met him by the hallway, still groggy but ready. Riven stood at the front of the hideout, arms folded, eyes unreadable.
"You sure about this?" she asked as he approached.
"Nope," Elias said honestly. "But it's what I'm doing."
"Where are you going?"
He exhaled.
"Wherever my feet take me. Might circle the city for a while. Might head out. I'll know when I see it."
Riven didn't reply. Her eyes lingered on him for a long time.
He gave her a mock salute.
"Try not to get gutted again,"
"If fate allows it, we'll meet again," she smiled.
Elias nodded and looked at his system. As long as she has become a target, they'll always meet again.
And with that, he walked away.
Ivy followed close, glancing back once.
Inside the hideout, Riven stepped back toward her desk with sadness painted all over her face. She barely had time to sit when her computers flared to life, alarms blaring.
Her heart dropped.
"Shit," she whispered. "Something's here."
Onscreen, a new signal had entered the city.
Something... or someone dangerous was coming.
[END OF CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE]