Chapter 26: Desperate Measures
Archon's smile twisted, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "You fools," he sneered. "You thought you could infiltrate the Shadow Net?"
Josh's team was surrounded, outnumbered. I stood frozen, chaos magic simmering beneath the surface.
Archon's gaze locked onto Emily. "She's the reason we lost you, Tyler. She helped you escape."
Emily's eyes widened, fear creeping into her expression.
"You," Archon spat, his voice venomous. "You ruined everything."
The Dark Six's operatives closed in, their guns trained on Emily.
"No!" I shouted, chaos magic surging.
Archon's smile grew. "You'll never join us willingly. But with Emily's... motivation, perhaps you'll reconsider."
The operatives dragged Emily forward, a knife pressed to her throat.
"Don't!" I begged, my control fraying.
Emily's terrified gaze met mine.
Archon's voice dripped with malice. "Watch her die, Tyler. Watch and know it's your fault."
Rage exploded within me. Chaos magic burst forth, purple-black energy ripping through the air.
"NO!" I roared.
The Dark Six's operatives stumbled back, overwhelmed by the chaotic energy.
Emily broke free, rushing to my side.
Josh and the others seized the opportunity, fighting back.
The Shadow Net's operatives faltered, unprepared for my unleashed chaos magic.
Archon's eyes widened, fear flickering across his face.
"We have to get out, now!" Josh shouted.
We fled, chaos magic clearing a path through the Shadow Net.
As we escaped, I knew the stakes had changed. The Dark Six would stop at nothing.
And I would do the same to protect my friends.
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