Deborah's POV
NO.7 began shaking violently, the tremors growing stronger and stronger.
The walls groaned under the strain, and bits of rubble began raining down from the ceiling.
Matthew and I knew—Murias' end was near.
As the underground city began to collapse and magma began to seep through, we took advantage of the chaos and made our way quickly toward the exit amidst the panic-stricken crowd.
But the situation was too chaotic, and Matthew and I eventually got separated.
When I finally reached Murias' main exit, I was shocked to find that an FDB unit was already stationed there, maintaining order and systematically organizing the residents' evacuation.
What surprised me even more was seeing Cora.
She stood in front of the line, distributing Amulets with the other soldiers, her movements quick and efficient.
But I could see it—she was struggling to hold herself together.
Tears streamed down her face, but she didn't pause her work, patiently handing out Amulet after Amulet to the people around her.
Seeing her like that, my heart tightened painfully, and I rushed over at once.
"Cora!" I called softly.
She turned to look at me, and in that instant, she broke down, throwing herself into my arms and clinging to me tightly, her tears soaking my shoulder.
"He's gone, Deborah… My father… he's gone…" she sobbed, choking on her words, her voice filled with pain and utter despair.
"What?!" I froze, my entire body going cold.
"He just… took his own life at home," she managed to choke out, tears pouring down her face like a dam that had burst.
"He handed his Signet Ring to David and transferred command to him… He told him to take charge of the evacuation… He said he was going to stay behind and see Murias through to the end… He made us promise to get as many people out as possible."
I could only hold her tightly, my heart feeling as though it had been struck with a crushing blow.
"I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry, Cora…" I murmured, gently rubbing her back.
"He loved you, Cora… He loved every single person in Murias too. He chose to stay behind because he wanted to protect what he believed in until the very end. You have to be strong… because you know he wanted you to lead everyone to safety. That was his final wish."
Cora's body shook violently as her fingers dug into my sleeves.
"But I… I didn't want him to die…" Her voice was almost drowned out by her sobs.
"I know… but he made his own choice, Cora." I lifted her face, looking at her seriously. "Your father was a hero. He protected everyone in Murias in his own way. And now, it's up to us to finish what he started."
A faint glimmer of light sparked in her eyes, like a drowning person grasping at a final lifeline.
After a long moment, she took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her face.
"You're right… I can't let his sacrifice be in vain," she whispered, biting down hard, her gaze hardening with a newfound determination.
"I need to get back to work," she said softly, her voice still thick with emotion but laced with unyielding resolve. "We have to get these Amulets to everyone and save as many lives as we can."
I nodded, watching as she turned and took her place once more, handing out Amulet after Amulet to the frightened people surging toward the exit.
As more and more residents, weighed down with their hastily packed belongings, flocked to the exit, the scene grew more chaotic.
The FDB soldiers fought to keep order, but the crowd's panic and the crush of bodies were making the situation increasingly volatile.
Everyone was rushing desperately toward the exit, terrified of being engulfed by the approaching magma.
Those who had already received their Amulets were swiftly guided out of the underground city, heading toward the first assembly point in the desert.
No one knew if the magma would erupt through the underground city's exit—everything had become so unpredictable.
And while we were struggling to maintain order, more and more people began to lose control.
Some started snatching at the Amulets, and a few even grabbed multiple charms at once, fearing that one might not be enough to protect them.
The chaos escalated, and the air at the exit thickened with fear and despair.
Just then, David and Mark appeared at the entrance.
Seeing their familiar figures, a wave of relief washed over me.
"David!" I hurried over, my eyes filled with worry. "Have you seen Matthew?"
David's face was grim as he shook his head slightly.
"He must have gone to Tirnanog," Mark said quietly.
My heart clenched, my breath catching in my throat.
Tirnanog—the lowest level of Murias, where most of the women and children lived.
Due to the harsh labor and repeated childbirths, most of the women there were in extremely poor health.
Matthew knew that they would be the hardest to evacuate…
I spun around and bolted for the passage leading to Tirnanog, not looking back.
"Deborah, wait!" David shouted after me, panic in his voice. "I've already sent a unit to assist in Tirnanog—you don't have to worry!"
"No!" I shouted back as I ran, tears blurring my vision. "He's still there—I can't leave him behind!"
I knew he was still there.
And I would never let him face this catastrophe alone.
If Murias was destined to be destroyed—
Then I would face its final fate together with him.