It was void of light, and yet Jamal almost felt at peace. Despite being completely covered in Ula's darkness, it was calming in a manner, unless one was to consider that they were slowly suffocating. How she had this power that he didn't know about had him confused, although Youden's work definitely gave them a power boost of some type. At least he could still feel her hand holding onto his, but it was as if she was pulling back from him, despite giving it his all.
He continued to stare into nothing, as he couldn't take any more breaths. Not like it mattered at this point, even though his lungs were burning for oxygen. It was clawing him from the inside, and each moment was getting more and more unbearable. Maybe he should die right now, and just end his suffering.
Luckily for him, a section of the darkness moved away from his mouth, to which he couldn't see but quickly sucked in some much-needed air, gasping like a fish out of water. Continuing to inhale that precious gas, he could feel more sections begin to come off his face, as he slowly began to regain full control of his body. Only mere moments later was he blinded by restored sight in his left eye.
All he could see was a concentrating Ula, as she moved her hand across his face, before looking back at him.
"Wow." he managed to say, as she continued working in silence. "Glad your back to your senses."
She didn't reply, as the last of the darkness from his face was removed, and he was able to get a good look around. With his hearing restored, he could hear multiple pings and bangs in the short distance, with men screaming out commands in their direction. Of course, that was why she was so focused.
"Stay still." the woman replied back to him, as she got half of his forearm clear of darkness.
"You remember anything at all?" Jamal continued to press, wanting to break the silence.
"No."
Her memory must still be foggy, but there has to be something there, he knew. He had to ask more questions and get her back to everything that happened.
"There's got to be something." Jamal fumed, as the last of the darkness was removed.
"All I know is that you seem familiar." Ula noted, before screaming broke the silence. "I think your friend needs help."
"Oh, yeah." Jamal attempted to walk, but was stumbling. "I think I need a minute."
"Well, hurry. I'll see what I can do." Ula turned towards the hallway.
The sight was horrifying. The hallway was filled with multiple bodies, as Beai was on the ground, using one of them as a mount for the rifle she had, still laying siege to those attempting to come towards them. It was reassuring though, to know that someone was competent.
"Is he back yet?" Beai didn't even look behind her, as the latest round of guards were downed for now, as she reloaded another salvaged clip into the weapon.
"Yeah, but it's going to be a second." Ula took note.
"So, you guys going to get back together, or what?" Beai looked back at her.
"I don't even know him." she almost said in disgust, but deep down felt otherwise.
"Sure you don't. Anyway, we need to get out of here. The elevator route isn't going to work, so you know any stairs or alternate routes?"
"Uh, I don't think there's any on this level." Ula recalled, causing Beai to curse in frustration.
"Well, that's perfect! It's only a matter of time before we get overrun anyway."
Shaking her head, Ula heard shuffling behind her, to see Jamal beginning to make his way towards them, although a bit slow. He gave the two women a thumbs up, as he looked around.
"I see you held them off." Jamal laughed at the sight, "That's good. That's good."
"It's time to leave now, so I rather not get to waiting." Beai fumed, as she gotten off the ground, "But there's no alternate route."
"I see where this is going. Say less." Jamal went back into the middle of the hallway, looking at the hole in the ceiling.
It was too thin for them to get through, and there was no doubt it would take too much energy for him to waste for everyone to get out. There was one finale option though. Looking towards the opposite wall, Jamal pulled his right arm back, as he began concentrating power through it.
"What is he doing?" Ula looked confused.
"I don't think it'll be good regardless, but it'll work." Beai began connecting dots. "Looks like we're going to have to jump out of here."
"What!" Ula turned towards Jamal, who's arm was now glowing with flames.
"Here's go nothing then." Jamal crackled at, as he shot a blast towards the wall.
It pierced through the barrier, as it quickly broke down the material, before shooting clear through. Jamal gave it a few more seconds before ending the attack. Walking and looking over the edge provided him a good look at the situation below.
There were hundreds of soldiers and onlookers outside and wrapping around the building. The base floor was definitely not going to be a solid option. Hearing a ding, he turned back towards the rest of the group, to see a bloodied Brat hobbling towards them.
"Don't shoot!" Jamal cried out to Beai, who raised the rifle towards the boy. "Brat, how?"
"So many guards, I barely transformed to a bird and away in time." the boy collapsed to the ground.
The ragtag team quickly rushed towards him, and a quick inspection proved to be devastating. The boy was sliced across multiple sections, but at least he hadn't fallen yet. It wasn't going to be over yet though.
"We got to go. Brat, your going to have to push yourself one last time." Jamal pushed the boy back up. "It's either this or we die."
"What are you suggesting?" the boy grumbled back.
"In order to survive, we're going to have to fly out of here." Jamal concluded.
"What!" Everyone almost said in near perfect unison.
Jamal didn't even argue back with them, as he returned back towards the hole. This was literally all they had left. There was no other option for them at this point. It was now or never. It was a solid five-stories high, so they were going to have to travel across an entire street and make it to the roof of a townhouse across the street.
"I think this is going to be impossible." Ula could see, coming to his side.
"Then it's time to find out, shall we?" Jamal held his hand out.
She hesitated, before grabbing it, and getting pulled closer to him. It was somewhat awkward, until Jamal clasped her hand around his neck. What was he doing?
"I'm going to be honest, I've never done this before." Jamal laughed, as he lifted her up across his back, piggyback-style. "But I mean, I think it's possible. Just hang on tight, and don't let go. May be painful, but should be brief."
"What are you doing!" she cried out, as the man's hands began to heat with his flames beginning to burn around them.
She almost began to kick him, until they were completely surrounded by flames, and leaving her no choice to be in this. It was silent for a few seconds before Jamal decided that he was ready. Ula had no time to prepare, as the man propelled himself out of the building, and into the air.
For a few moments, she almost felt free, before looking down at the ground below, and began to scream in fear. Jamal stifled, as they began dropping down towards the ground.
"Jamal!" the woman cried out, as they past the fourth floor.
Straining, the man began to burn his flames more efficiently, as the descent calmed at the second floor, before he shot back up, shocking the onlookers and the soldiers watching the flying pair. Jamal was drilled towards his goal, as he soared above the aimed rooftop, before crashing onto it.
They both stumbled across the place, before managing to recover. Coming back up, Jamal looked across to see Brat and Beai staring at him in surprise. If he could do it, so could they.
"Jamal, are you okay?" he could hear Ula ask him.
"I'm fine, you?" he replied, to which she nodded.
At least they were free, but it would be hectic regardless. It was to the palace from here, and making it there would likely be harder than getting out of there undetected.