Piltover - The Memorial Ceremony - [Continued]

The councilors continued their frantic escape, their breaths ragged and movements hurried. Terrance Hood led the charge, his M6G Magnum held firmly in his hand. He glanced back, gesturing urgently. "Keep moving!" he barked.

Shoola, Mel, and Hoskel pushed ahead, their steps quick and uneven. Behind them, Cassandra turned, her worried eyes scanning the group. She spotted Bolbok and Tobias, who were still struggling to carry the injured Salo. Two Enforcers flanked them, providing cover.

Salo winced, his voice filled with pain. "Agh! My legs!" he cried out.

"We're almost there, Salo. Hold on!" Tobias encouraged, his voice firm despite the strain.

But the brief moment of hope shattered as a guttural roar pierced the air. A Chemtank rounded the corner behind them, its glowing eyes locking onto the group with a predatory glare. It sprinted forward with terrifying speed, the ground trembling under its weight.

"Behind you!" Cassandra screamed, her voice sharp with alarm.

The two Enforcers turned, but it was too late. The Chemtank's blade swung with devastating force, slicing through one Enforcer instantly. The other raised their weapon, firing a burst of rounds that struck a valve. The Chemtank roared in pain, but it didn't stop. With terrifying precision, it plunged its blade into the second Enforcer, lifting them off the ground and hurling the body toward Bolbok, Tobias, and Salo.

The impact knocked all three to the ground, the lifeless Enforcer's body sprawling across them. Salo cried out in agony, Tobias groaned as he tried to recover, and Bolbok struggled to push the body aside.

Terrance's sharp eyes locked onto the Chemtank. "No!" he shouted, raising his Magnum and firing a series of precise shots. The bullets slowed the mechanical behemoth, but its advance didn't stop. Cassandra, seeing the danger, sprinted to the downed Enforcer, grabbing their rifle. She leveled it at the Chemtank, her hands trembling as she fired shot after shot.

The Chemtank snarled, turning sharply toward Cassandra, who now stood closest. With a bone-rattling roar, it charged, its blade gleaming in the dim light. Cassandra fired desperately, but her rounds only ricocheted off its thick armor.

Terrance fired alongside her, their shots in unison. But with a sinking feeling, Terrance's Magnum clicked—the chamber was empty. "Damn it!" he muttered in frustration, fumbling to reload.

The Chemtank reached Cassandra, slashing her rifle in half with a single swing. "Agh!" Cassandra cried out as she fell backward onto the ground. The mechanical giant loomed over her, raising its blade for the killing blow.

On the ground, Tobias turned toward Cassandra, his face filled with horror as he saw the imminent strike. "No!" he roared, forcing himself to his feet. With every ounce of strength he had, he ran toward Cassandra, placing himself between her and the Chemtank.

The Chemtank's blade pierced Tobias square in the chest, the force knocking the air out of him. Cassandra's eyes widened in shock and terror as she screamed, "TOBIAS!" Her voice echoed across the battlefield.

The Chemtank lifted Tobias briefly before tossing him aside like a ragdoll. Tobias hit the ground, gasping for air, his life slipping away.

The Chemtank refocused on Cassandra, its blade rising again. But before it could strike, a single, precise shot rang out. The bullet struck a valve on the Chemtank's back, and purple gas spewed out in a hissing cloud. The mechanical beast let out a final roar of agony before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

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Cassandra turned, her breath catching in her throat as she spotted Terrance, standing firm with the fallen Enforcer's rifle in his hands. Smoke curled from the barrel as he lowered the weapon, his sharp gaze locking briefly with Cassandra.

Without hesitation, Cassandra scrambled toward Tobias, falling to her knees beside him. "Tobias!" she cried, her hands trembling as she cradled his face. Tobias gasped for air, his chest heaving as blood stained his clothes. Cassandra's tears streamed freely as she begged, "Stay with me! Please, stay with me!"

Caitlyn arrived at the scene alongside Vi, her boots skidding slightly as she took in the chaos before her. Her sharp eyes locked onto the sight of her parents amidst the aftermath, her heart sinking. Her gaze fell on her father, Tobias, lying on the ground, his chest heaving shallowly, blood staining his clothes. Her rifle slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. "No... no..." she whispered, her voice trembling.

Without hesitation, Caitlyn sprinted forward, her steps frantic as she closed the distance to her father. Vi lingered for a moment, watching Caitlyn's reaction. She glanced briefly at the scene, her jaw tightening before she followed afoot, her pace measured but urgent.

Caitlyn dropped to her knees beside Tobias, her hands trembling as she touched his shoulder gently. Tears streamed down her face as she cried out, "Father! Wha—what did you do?! Why?!"

Tobias's weak eyes fluttered open at the sound of her voice. A faint smile graced his lips, his breathing labored but steady enough to speak. "Had to... protect her," he whispered, his voice barely audible, his gaze drifting briefly toward Cassandra.

Caitlyn shook her head, her tears falling freely now. "You didn't have to do this!" she sobbed. "You—!" Her words broke as she struggled to contain the overwhelming emotions threatening to consume her.

Caitlyn pressed her forehead against her father's shoulder, her sobs muffled as Vi stood by, her presence steady amidst the storm of emotions.

As Cassandra cradled Tobias in her arms, tears streamed down her face, mixing with the streaks of blood that covered her hands. Tobias, his breaths shallow and labored, slowly raised a trembling hand to her cheek, his touch gentle despite the smeared blood. His eyes softened as he looked at her, his voice weak but filled with sorrow. "I... I'm sorry..." he murmured, his words barely audible.

Cassandra's tears fell harder as she leaned into his touch, her hand covering his. "No, Tobias... don't—don't apologize," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Please, don't leave me."

Tobias' gaze shifted slowly, his head turning toward Caitlyn, who knelt beside him, her own tears streaming down her face. His hand reached out toward her weakly, trembling in the air. "Caitlyn..." he whispered.

Caitlyn immediately took his hand in hers, holding it tightly as if her grip alone could keep him with them. "Yes, Father, I'm here... I'm here," she said, her voice trembling but steady enough to reach him.

Tobias smiled faintly, his strength fading with every passing moment. "T-take care... of your... mother..." he said, his voice breaking as he struggled to form the words.

Caitlyn nodded quickly, her tears falling onto his hand as she held it close. "I will. I promise. I will," she choked out, her voice laced with desperation.

His eyes, filled with a mix of love and regret, lingered on her for a brief moment before they slowly closed. His chest rose and fell one final time, his last breath escaping as his body stilled.

Cassandra let out a heart-wrenching sob, burying her face into his shoulder as she clung to him. "Tobias..." she whispered brokenly.

Caitlyn gripped his now-limp hand, her entire body trembling as the weight of the moment crashed over her. "No... no..." she whispered, shaking her head as tears blurred her vision.

Vi, standing silently nearby, lowered her head out of respect, her hands clenching into fists. The air around them was heavy with grief, a moment frozen in time amidst the chaos of the battlefield.

As the weight of Tobias' sacrifice settled over the group, Terrance Hood stood a short distance away, his expression heavy with sorrow. Slowly, he removed his white military hat, holding it against his chest as a gesture of respect. His gaze dropped to the ground, the grief etched on his face evident in the slight downturn of his lips and the furrow of his brow.

Caitlyn and Cassandra clung to Tobias, their sobs breaking the silence. Cassandra's tears fell onto his lifeless face as she cradled him close, while Caitlyn gripped his hand tightly, as if refusing to let go. Their shared grief painted a picture of unbearable loss.

Vi, her usual sharp demeanor softened, crouched down beside Caitlyn. She placed a firm but gentle hand on Caitlyn's shoulder, offering silent support. She didn't speak—she knew there were no words that could mend what had been broken. Her presence alone was a testament to her unwavering loyalty.

Terrance glanced toward the scene, his throat tightening as he took a step back to give them space. The battlefield around them seemed quieter now, the chaos momentarily subdued, as if the world itself was mourning with them.