[i]Cornelia[/i] The look in Rys’ face sends a chill up Cornelia's spine. His expression of pure terror was contrary to the one he gave when he visited her in prison. Once he was above her. Now, she towers over him with a gun in hand. “Any last words?” she asks, completely ignoring the Huntress and her soldiers. He shakes his head weakly and struggles to rise, leaning against the metal wall. “No. Not today. You won’t be killing any of us today.” Cornelia switches targets and fires at one of the soldiers. The bullet lands and knocks him over the edge of the railing. She shrugs. “Jinxed it.” Tetra screams and lunges for the Warlock. Cornelia sidesteps and Clementine pounds her foot against Tetra’s front, knocking her on her back. The remaining soldier raises his rifle, but Clementine flicks a knife at him that lands in his heart. He falls down dead. “NOW,” Cornelia emphasizes. “Any last words?” She turns back to Rys, who is speechless. “What, did you think I CHANGED while you left me to rot in prison? Traveler forbid!” She grins. “Tetra looks a little worse for wear, though.” The Huntress groans as she rolls onto her side. “You’ll pay for that, and killing my men. Not cool, lady.” Cornelia frowns. “It’s ‘madam.’ And I thought you knew who I was. Oh…” Her wicked grin returns. “You don’t remember me, do you? Or Rys, or school, or why the City is burning. Interesting! Maybe an affect of losing your Light? Maybe you thought he could help?” She gestures to Rys with the gun. “Did you really? Ha! He can’t help you. No one can. Not while I live. Rys will do to you what he did to me: abandon and forsake. I watched as he walked away from my home with nary a tear in his eye while I wept my heart out.” The Warlock closes her eyes as if in a trance. “My mother tried to comfort me but it was no use. My best friend had left me for all time. A week later I slept in a prison; not for the first time. And now…” She opens her eyes and inhales deeply, “I am free.” “This is not freedom,” Rys replies. “Look around you. You’re being hunted by every faction we know of, racing from one shelter to the next, bent on MY destruction! This is exactly why we could not remain friends: you, driven by evil and deceit, and me, a champion of the Light could never coexist. It is not possible.” “When I am through with this world,” Cornelia seethes, bending down to his face, “it WILL be possible. I guarantee it. And Light will no longer fight against Dark, there will be no friend or foe, no allies or enemies. It will be harmony.” “An unrealistic ambition,” Tetra responds. “Sooner or later your harmony would break. Your order would cease, and come crumbling down like an avalanche.” Cornelia spun at Tetra. “And what would be better? An endless conflict that drags on for eternity? I will create a peace that has never been seen before, a rest that transcends violence.” Rys shakes his head. “You are already lost, if you believe that is possible with your power.” All the while, around them, fries were growing around the City. A war was waging in the streets, unbeknownst to them. Bullets flew as men and women made their way to the broken Tower. Guardian fought beside lightless. A Guardian with Light makes their way to the Traveler; to Ghaul, to end this Red War. Cornelia raises her weapon once more to Rys’ head. “Enough of this. I’ve been waiting to end you for a long time. No more.” She draws the hammer back, and places her finger on the trigger. [i]Young Wolf[/i] Tired, weak, and sore, the Guardian raises his rifle to meet the new Ghaul: a bright, massive giant of Light. “He’s done it,” Ghost whispers. “We failed.” “No,” the Guardian replies with a smile. “We haven’t failed. Look.” Ahead of them, the Traveler was breaking the cage. Then it explodes with Light. [i]Rys[/i] He had never felt so helpless without his Light, this young Warlock; so vulnerable and weak. He wishes he trained harder without the safety net of his Light, in an event like this. This, being Cornelia aiming a revolver at his head. This, Rys’ imminent death. Then as he sinks to his lowest point, he feels Light hit him like a speeding train. With some hesitation he reaches out. And lighting forms at his fingertips. Cornelia looks at the spark with confusion, then growing realization. But she has no time to act before Rys thrusts his palms forward and shoots a beam of electricity at her and Clementine. They fly backwards as Tetra summons an arc staff and slices the bridge, severing them from their opponents. “Come on!” Rys, now invigorated with Light, takes her hand and rushes for the exit far ahead. All around them, Cabal ships rise and fire at the City. Guards are scrambling in the prison, some are aiming at Rys and Tetra, preparing to fire. “Rys!” Tetra shouts over the roaring gunfire and blazing flames. “What?!” “I remember.” Rys looks at her with hope. She quickly takes off her mask and smiles brightly. Her eyes tell no lies: she remembers everything. “Then let’s get out of here and catch up,” Rys says with a grin. With a nod, she extends a revolver to him.