Isaac vanished, leaving behind an unsettling silence that hung in the air. Ophelia was left to grapple with the weight of her decision, torn between her own life and the lives of countless others. Despite her determination not to be controlled by Isaac, the magnitude of the choice before her was undeniable.
Turning to Dell, Ophelia's movements were restricted by the bombs attached to her limbs. She found a more comfortable sitting position, seeking advice from Dell in this critical moment.
Dell's response was measured and pragmatic. "The decision lies within you, Ophelia. For me, this isn't a game. Isaac knows that I would clear all the bombs on myself without hesitation, even if it meant sacrificing ten thousand lives."
Ophelia's frustration was evident as she argued, "But our lives shouldn't hold more value than those of others living in this world!" She paused, her tone shifting. "Yet, when faced with the choice between my own survival and that of others, I can't help but feel selfish."
Dell gently guided her to reconsider. "Think about it, Isaac is purposefully creating a difficult situation for you. He will continue to take lives at his whim, whether you choose or not. Surviving now would grant you the opportunity to save even more lives in the final two days of this world. Choosing death, however, would extinguish that possibility entirely."
Ophelia's eyes lit up with a glimmer of hope, sparked by Dell's words. "What if... What if there's a way to avoid choosing between the two?" Her voice trembled with anticipation. "What if there's a solution where neither I nor those innocent people have to die?"
As Ophelia contemplated her situation, she knew that trying to manipulate the force on each individual bomb would be an impossible task. Isaac's power seemed almost limitless, and the sheer number of bombs he could deploy was overwhelming. She needed a different approach, one that could address the scale of the challenge.
"Dell," Ophelia's voice carried a sense of urgency, "I can't possibly control all these bombs one by one. Isaac's power is too vast. But what if I find a way to disrupt his ability to detonate them remotely?"
Dell's brows furrowed in thought. "Disrupt his control over the bombs? That's a bold idea, Ophelia. But how do you plan to do that?"
Ophelia's mind raced as she pieced together her plan. "Isaac's control over the bombs must have a source or a central mechanism. If I can identify that source, maybe I can use my power to interfere with it, preventing him from triggering the explosions."
Dell's eyes lit up with understanding. "However, Ophelia, don't forget that Isaac possesses unusual powers, the central mechanism might be completely unexplained."
Ophelia nodded, acknowledging the potential complexity of her task. "You're right, Dell. But we have to try. We can't let fear paralyze us."
Dell's expression shifted to a more focused one. "Alright, Ophelia. Let's work on honing your power. I noticed something when you were reacting to this sudden challenge. Your power seems to respond instinctively, almost as if it's tied to your emotions."
Ophelia looked intrigued, hanging on Dell's words.
"You pushed Isaac away earlier, didn't you? It wasn't just a thought; it was a reaction, an extension of your will. Your power is closely tied to your intentions and emotions," Dell explained.
Ophelia considered this insight. "So, if I could focus my emotions and intentions, I could potentially direct my power more effectively?"
Dell nodded. "Exactly. Think of it as guiding a river's flow. You need to harness your emotions and intentions to channel your power where you want it to go."
Ophelia absorbed the idea. "And in this case, I need to focus that power onto Isaac himself, disrupt his ability to trigger the bombs."
Dell listened to Ophelia's conclusion and then gently shook his head. "You're on the right track, Ophelia, but I'd advise against directly targeting Isaac's power just yet. Instead, let's build on your newfound ability. Think of it as refining the river's path before redirecting its course."
Ophelia looked puzzled. "What do you mean, Dell?"
Dell smiled reassuringly. "Before you challenge Isaac's control over the bombs, you should first master using your power to protect yourself. Remember how I shielded myself from the flames during the explosion? That's a skill you need to develop. Start small, focusing on creating a shield around yourself that can withstand the impact of the explosions."
Ophelia considered Dell's words. "So, you mean I should learn to use my power to protect myself first, and then I can use it offensively?"
Dell nodded. "Exactly. By mastering self-defense, you'll not only increase your confidence but also your control over the force. Once you can shield yourself effectively, you can apply that skill to disrupt the bombs remotely. And if you can do that, you can save countless lives."
Ophelia's determination ignited anew. "Alright, Dell. Teach me how to protect myself using my power."
---
Dell guided Ophelia in refining her utilization of the power to shield herself.
"Watch me, Ophelia," he instructed, focusing his force to surround his entire body.
Although Ophelia couldn't see the force directly, she could feel its presence, creating a significant pressure. "Imagine yourself as an object, and that you are now surrounded by the ocean."
"You possess remarkable strength," Ophelia marveled at the scope of his influence, her determination ignited to achieve the same. She emulated his technique, but a weak shield only appeared around her head and neck.
Her disappointment was palpable.
"You'll improve over time, especially as you encounter more life-and-death situations. Training also plays a role," Dell reassured her, his hand tenderly patting her head.
Ophelia regarded him with a mixture of surprise and nostalgia at the gesture. "You remind me of my father, Dell."
"Did your father like patting you?" Dell inquired.
"I only met him once, and that's all he did," Ophelia revealed with a touch of melancholy. "I don't have much time, though. The countdown is now 41 minutes, and I've got to master the skill as quickly as possible."
After several trials, Ophelia still wasn't able to place a shield all over her body.
"It's normal, Ophelia," Dell reassured her again. "As the bombs are going to explode soon, perhaps focus on protecting the most important organs of yourself. This ensures that the shield is strong enough to defend against the impact of ten bombs while you are still alive afterwards."
"You're right. In this way, Isaac wouldn't have a reason to take away ten thousand lives, as I did not dislodge any of the bombs," Ophelia said with determination. "I shall focus on protecting my brain, heart, and lungs. But this essentially means that I would become paralyzed after the explosion."
"I will protect you, Ophelia," Dell promised. "Once we reach the fifth day, your wounds would be automatically healed as long as you still have brain signals going on."
"What if Isaac attacks us again? I know that you are strong, but I'm not sure if you could fight against Isaac," Ophelia was worried.
"His only way to kill in this world is by bombing," Dell explained. "Milton's example made it clear; he could have killed Milton directly that night, but instead he incapacitated Milton and then killed him with a bomb. There are limitations imposed on people like him, as the Elimination Portal never aims to kill everyone and it sets limits when the power between two sides is too far apart."
"The Elimination Portal?" It was the first time that Ophelia heard the name.
"That's the name of the entity that sent all of you here," Dell said. "You will become familiar with it if you complete the first world."
---
The 60-minute countdown finally reached its final minute.
Ophelia and Dell positioned themselves in an empty space, a distance away from populated areas, to minimize the impact on innocent lives. They stood apart, ensuring Dell's safety from the impending explosion.
"Ophelia, initiate the shielding!" Dell activated his shield simultaneously, though he couldn't protect Ophelia under his shield this time. The bombs were tied to her limbs, so she had to shield herself.
"I'm ready!" Ophelia shouted, her palms sweaty. Even though she was well-prepared, nervousness still gripped her, fueled by the potential consequences of a failure in her shielding.
Bang! Boom!
The simultaneous detonation of ten bombs unleashed a massive explosion, more intense than any they had witnessed before.
Dell remained motionless in his spot, the flames failing to touch him.
Buildings in the vicinity, although still some distance away, were impacted by the blast.
Several structures crumbled, as though an earthquake had struck.
Ophelia had never felt pain like this. It was beyond description, akin to an onslaught of countless teeth gnawing at her flesh simultaneously, threatening to tear her apart.
Although the explosion left her vital organs intact, she managed to erect a feeble shield over the rest of her body, preventing immediate incineration.
Gradually, the flames subsided, revealing a clearer scene.
"Are you okay, Ophelia?" Dell rushed to her side, inspecting her condition. Thankfully, her body remained whole, but her arms and legs bore severe injuries.
Ophelia could hardly utter a word, as she was only half-conscious.
"Send me to the hospital, if there is one," she managed to joke.
Her jest conveyed to Dell that she was in better shape than he might have feared, though she was still far from being well. "Certainly, I'll help you staunch the bleeding," he said, retrieving the first aid kit they had prepared. "By taking the bombs upon yourself, you saved 10,000 lives, my little heroine."
"Thank you," Ophelia replied, her voice growing weaker due to the ongoing blood loss. As she teetered on the brink of unconsciousness, her shield dissipated entirely. Dell utilized his power to craft a much more robust shield around her.
"What an incredible growth," Dell remarked, his tone full of admiration. "If I were to tell her that I could protect her without her lifting a finger, she'd never have come this far."