Location: Oasis Online.
A blazing car raced through the streets, billowing smoke in its wake as it careened outside the city of Crescent Moon.
In hot pursuit were a group of high-tech black cars, far from ordinary. Had it not been for Tory's daring maneuvers, they would have caught up to their target by now.
For the moment, they maintained a safe distance, fully aware that the vehicle they pursued was destined for either mechanical failure or a catastrophic explosion, taking its occupants with it.
Nevertheless, they continued firing at the car and its passengers, utilizing forbidden mana bullets in Borgys' Oasis, a virtual world meant for non-Metas.
Amidst the high-speed chase, the cacophony of bullets and the clamor of onlooking spectators capturing the event, laughter erupted from the focal point—the pursued car.
"Hahaha… Aaaaargh, fuuck!"
Tory's laughter inflicted greater agony upon him than the pain he already endured, intensified as he heard Vik's apology. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.
Glancing downward, Tory observed the bullet-riddled cavity in his chest, disintegration erasing any trace of a mere flesh wound. A clear hole marked his dying body.
Tory's life slipped away faster than Vik's, yet he harbored no resentment. Nor did he harbor anger towards his partner in crime. Instead, he chose his final moments to soothe his brother's turmoil, adjusting his position before speaking.
"Aaaargh. Vik, stop behaving like a coward. If we're destined to die, then so be it. There is dignity in death, and we have discovered ours through this audacious act. I only wish I could witness the shock on that bitch's face when she learns of our deeds. Hahaha!"
Tory's words seemed to expedite his own disintegration, but he paid it no mind, coughing up blood as he pressed on.
"Don't fret. I hold no blame for you. In life, my brother, shit happens. So go easy on yourself. And abandon the arrogance of believing you can control everything with your intellect alone. Who the fuck do you think you are? A god among men?"
Tory's speech alleviated the burden weighing on Vik's conscience. Gazing at the destructive wounds that ravaged his flesh, Vik knew his fate would soon join Tory's if events unfolded as they appeared.
Yet, Tory endeavored to bring a smile to his friend's face with his next words.
"Who knows, Vik? Perhaps in our next life, we'll be surrounded by enchanting companions. Mamacitas, all around us. What say you, brother? We'll revel like rabbits in heat. Deal?"
Tory extended his hand for a fist bump from Vik, only to realize that his arm, too, was on the brink of disintegration. By this point, Vik had come to terms with their impending demise.
Chuckling at his brother's peculiar deathbed conversation, Vik reciprocated the fist bump.
"Hahaha. Alright."
Vik assured his brother, finally summoning the resolve to address a long-delayed matter.
"Axela, can you still hear me?"
Vik accessed Oasis's interface using his MCP chip, reaching out to the sole entity capable of aiding him and his brother in their final moments. Fortunately, someone responded.
'Yes. Your privilege remains intact, allowing me to hear your commands. What do you require?"
Vik turned his gaze to his brother, fragments of Tory's existence soon to disintegrate, as he made his decision.
"Very well. Axela, please initiate the Lazarus sequence for my friend Fernando Torres immediately. Keep my own sequence on standby."
Deep lines of stress etched Vik's forehead as he spoke, hoping for a seamless progression without any administrative errors impeding the process.
Unaware of Vik's conversation with Axela, Tory, too, remained in the dark. They had never discussed Lazarus Pods, their minds consumed with simultaneous planning and communication. There was no opportunity for Vik to enlighten Tory about these matters.
Tory prepared to inquire about Vik's cryptic words when a sensation of impending doom washed over him. Yet, before he could voice his question, a searing pain engulfed his entire being, as if his body had ignited into flames.
"Lazarus sequence initiated for Fernando Torres.
Estimated time of completion: 3.3 seconds."
Both Vik and Tory listened to Axela's voice, its transmission directly received by their neural networks. Vik comprehended the situation, but Tory remained oblivious, consumed by the overwhelming agony that surpassed his ability to register pain.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! Vik… Wh… aaaaargh! What have you… aargh?"
Tory's disintegrating form abruptly halted, replaced by an incandescent conflagration of white flames. It consumed his body silently, devoid of scent or smoke, leaving behind no trace.
With a tear at the corner of his eye, Vik bore witness to his brother's transformation and spoke with remorse.
"I apologize for subjecting you to such agony, my brother. If it is meant to be, we shall meet again. In this life or the next, or perhaps somewhere in between.
For now… rest. I will shoulder the burdens from this point onward."
Vik addressed Tory, uncertain if his words resonated. His eyes gleamed with determination as he recalled the teachings his father imparted during his youth.
"Vladimir fears no war, regardless of the odds or the opposition."
Vik abruptly steered the car, executing a 180-degree turn, and accelerated to its maximum velocity. The abrupt maneuver dislodged various parts of the vehicle, casting them in the direction preceding the turn. The car's roof was among the discarded remnants.
Tory's body swiftly disappeared after the white flames consumed him, instantly reducing his remains to ashes.
Now, Vik remained alone in the driver's seat, exposed to the elements, propelling a roofless car on the verge of being swept away. Accelerating toward his adversaries, intent on his own demise, he declared to himself:
"Let's wreck some shit up. I shall be the architect of my own destruction."