Chapter 143: The Boomerang Flames!
Nyala's eyes widened as she noticed the dark crimson seeping through Adrian's shirt, the holes from multiple bullet wounds now visible in the flickering light.
He had managed to keep his composure, fighting through the pain, but now the severity of his injuries was undeniable.
"Adrian!" she called, her voice a mixture of shock and worry. "You're bleeding… You're hurt, badly." She could barely believe he was still standing, let alone fighting. The strength he had shown, hiding his injuries to shield her, left her both awed and deeply concerned.
He flashed a faint, reassuring smile, but Nyala could see the strain in his eyes. The salt-infused bullets had weakened him significantly, draining his energy faster than he could replenish it.
She knew that if Tessa were here, she would have healed him without a second thought, her powers sealing his wounds effortlessly. But here, in this exposed battlefield, they had no such aid.
"If Tessa was here…" Nyala's voice faltered, her tone thick with worry. "She could've healed you. Adrian, please, let's fall back. We don't have to do this alone."
Her own shoulder throbbed painfully, blood trickling from the wound she had wrapped hastily with a torn piece of her shirt. The cloth wasn't enough to stop the bleeding entirely, and each movement sent another spike of pain through her arm. But despite her own injuries, her thoughts were solely on Adrian. She wasn't sure how much longer either of them could hold out.
But Adrian was resolute. "Nyala," he began, his voice firm, though softened by a hint of warmth. "I'm going to throw you to a safe area. When you get back to the underground school, tell Tessa everything. Let her know this was a trap, and that she shouldn't come for me—not yet." His gaze was steady, filled with an unbreakable determination.
Nyala opened her mouth to protest, but the look in his eyes silenced her. She realized this wasn't just a command; it was his way of protecting her, of ensuring that she survived this ordeal. She could see it now—he was fighting with a fierce, selfless loyalty, the way a protective older brother would risk everything for his sister. He was bearing the brunt of this battle, knowing it could cost him dearly, and yet his only concern was her safety.
A mix of emotions surged within her: admiration, gratitude, and a tenderness she hadn't expected. Adrian had always seemed so distant, a figure of unwavering strength. But now, in this moment, she felt a connection that went deeper than friendship. It was as if he had shown her a side of himself he rarely let anyone see. For the first time, she contemplated throwing caution aside, embracing him, letting him know how deeply he had moved her.
"Adrian…" Her voice trembled as she searched for the right words, but he cut her off gently, his tone both practical and calm.
"When I say go," he instructed, "get ready. I'm going to throw you, and my flames will guide you safely to the ground. Think of it like a boomerang—they'll follow you, catch you, and bring you down unharmed and then return to me." His voice held a faint trace of amusement, but his eyes remained serious, focused.
Nyala took a shaky breath, steadying herself as she met his gaze. Despite everything, she trusted him completely. He was sending her away to save her, to protect Tessa by delivering this crucial message. And for that, she would honor his resolve and carry out his plan.
"Alright, Adrian," she said, her voice steady now, despite the overwhelming emotions swirling within her. She would go—but she would remember this moment, and the sacrifice he was willing to make. And she silently promised herself that she would return, with Tessa and any help they could muster, to bring him back safely.
Adrian gritted his teeth, slowly rising on shaky legs, his injured thigh throbbing with each movement. A salt bullet was lodged deep in his thigh, sending shocks of searing pain through him, but he pushed it to the back of his mind, refusing to give in.
Nyala could hardly bear to watch him like this. It was strange and heartbreaking to see Adrian—the one with god-like confidence, always unshakable—grimacing in pain. It felt unnatural, like seeing the unbreakable brought to its knees.
"Come out and surrender!" Agent Wali's voice echoed, sharp and mocking. "We'll spare you a swift end if you cooperate. After all, you're nothing more than a warm-up, or should I say, target practice. Our real target is your precious moon goddess."
The mention of Tessa sent a jolt of rage through Adrian, igniting something raw and primal within him. His fists clenched, and he felt a surge of defiance pushing him past his physical limits.
Still hidden behind the rock, he shouted back, his voice filled with steely determination, "Even if I die today, I'll make sure you die nonetheless, no one will save you from my hand"
This stunned agent Wali who shifted back warily, while looking cautiously at his subordinates.
With one swift, determined motion, Adrian scooped Nyala up with his left arm, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. Nyala barely had time to process what was happening before he took a powerful leap from behind the rock. In a heartbeat, he hurled her through the air, his flames followed her like an adult guiding a child, and then it cushioned her as she sailed away from the immediate danger zone.
Her body arced gracefully before landing safely in the distance, far beyond the reach of Agent Wali and his men. The flames then returned to Adrian.
Nyala could now leave and head to the underground school, but she felt afraid for Adrian. She knew he could be very reckless. She had to tell Tessa quickly about what was going on so that she could act fast. She just believed that once Tessa got involved, everything else would fall in place.
The agents stood momentarily stunned, bewildered by Adrian's sudden action. A murmur rippled through their ranks, and laughter broke out among them.
"Did he just… throw his own partner?" one agent sneered, nudging another.
"Seems he'd rather kill his own than let us have the satisfaction," another chuckled, shaking his head in derision. "That girl had a fine ass though, could have helped me relax a little, what a pity."
But their taunts only deepened Adrian's resolve. The agents' mocking laughter rang in his ears, fueling the embers of his fury. They had no idea what they were dealing with.