Part 1: The Smiling Ultimatum
The figure wearing Elliot's voice stood motionless, its smile as wide as the black sky above them.
"Give her to me," it repeated, its tone calm—as if it wasn't making a demand, but stating a fact.
Elliot's heart thundered in his chest. He positioned himself in front of Emily, his knife glinting under the flickering light.
"You're not taking her."
The entity's smile didn't falter. Its black eyes shimmered with something ancient—something hungry.
"Refuse, and the city remains mine. Refuse, and these people stay hollow."
Behind them, the crowd of motionless citizens stood like ghosts, their mouths open in silent screams, their souls suspended between worlds.
Emily's voice broke the silence.
"Why me?" she whispered, stepping forward slightly, her eyes locked onto the figure. "Why am I the key?"
The thing's smile widened, if that was possible.
"Because you're the last tether between this world and what lies beyond."
Part 2: The Tower Shifts
Before anyone could react, the ground beneath their feet trembled.
The black tower groaned, its walls twisting and pulsing like a living thing.
Mara gritted her teeth, scanning the crowd. "Something's happening."
From deep within the tower, a low, guttural hum began to rise—a sound that vibrated through their bones, making the air feel heavy and thick.
Caldwell backed away, his face pale. "The gate… it's waking up."
The smiling figure nodded slowly.
"Time is running out. Choose."
But Elliot didn't move.
He wouldn't.
He couldn't.
Emily placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Elliot… I think I know what I have to do."
Part 3: Emily's Choice
Elliot spun around, his eyes wide. "No. There has to be another way."
Emily's expression was calm, but there was a deep sadness in her glowing eyes.
"I can feel it, Elliot. The connection. The gate needs me to open fully." She paused, swallowing hard. "But I think… I can close it too."
Mara stepped forward. "You're not sacrificing yourself for this. We'll find another way."
But Emily just shook her head.
"If I don't do this, the city will stay trapped. The people will stay like this. And eventually, the gate will find another way to open."
Elliot's heart ached.
He had fought so hard to get her back. To save her from the alley.
And now… this?
"There has to be another way," he whispered, his voice breaking.
Emily smiled softly, tears glimmering in her eyes.
"Sometimes, saving the world means letting go, Elliot."
Part 4: The Tower's Descent into Chaos
Suddenly, the crowd of motionless people began to move.
But it wasn't normal.
Their limbs twisted, their mouths stretched wider than humanly possible. Their eyes glowed faintly, reflecting the same light as the gate.
Caldwell gasped. "They're becoming part of it!"
Mara fired a shot into the air, but it did nothing to stop their slow, unnatural march forward.
The smiling entity laughed softly.
"You see? You're out of time."
Elliot tightened his grip on his knife. "Then we make time."
Part 5: The Final Gambit
Emily turned to Elliot one last time.
"Keep them distracted. I'll handle the gate."
Elliot grabbed her wrist.
"Emily, please…"
She leaned in, resting her forehead against his.
"You saved me once. Let me save you now."
Then she turned and ran toward the gate.
The smiling entity let out a roar, its form twisting and elongating, becoming something inhuman.
Elliot and Mara charged into the crowd of twisted citizens, using everything they had to clear a path for Emily.
But the gate was already starting to open.
A dark, churning void pulsed beyond it, and from its depths, something began to emerge.
Emily reached the gate, placing her hands against the cold stone.
She whispered one word—
"Close."
Part 6: The Price Paid
The ground shook violently, the tower's walls cracking and splintering.
The gate screamed, a sound not of this world, as Emily poured everything she had into sealing it.
The smiling entity lunged for her, but Elliot was faster.
He tackled the thing to the ground, driving his knife into its shifting form.
Mara fought off the twisted crowd, her blade flashing as she cleared the path.
And then—
With a final, deafening blast of light—
The gate snapped shut.
The tower collapsed around them, and the twisted people fell motionless.
When the dust cleared—
Elliot scrambled to his feet, searching for Emily.
But she was gone.
Only her glowing necklace remained, lying in the rubble.
Elliot fell to his knees, clutching it to his chest.
And for the first time—
The city was truly silent.
But the cost had been too high.