Hans reached the underground facility, where he saw a large metal door with a keypad. He entered the code that Gorgon had given him, and the door opened. He looked back, and saw Gorgon limping towards them, still carrying Ethan.

"Hurry up, Gorgon!" Hans shouted, his voice filled with fear and worry. He saw the enemy players and Nila standing over the ruins of their base, their faces twisted with malice and greed.

"I'm coming, Hans!" Gorgon shouted back, his voice strained and determined. He ignored the pain in his leg, and the blood staining his clothes. He had been shot by several arrows, but he refused to give up.

But soon more arrows pierced his legs, causing him to stagger. He felt his strength fading, and his vision blurring. He clenched his teeth, and tried to keep running.

"Ethan!!" Norman shouted, as he tried to move forward. He wanted to help Gorgon, and to see his son.

"Stop. Don't move ahead." Hans said, as he grabbed Norman by the arm. He pulled him back, and glared at him.

"Why are you stopping me, Hans? Can't you see Commander Gorgon is in danger?" Norman shouted, his voice angry and desperate. He couldn't understand why Hans was holding him back, when Gorgon needed their help.

"I know. That's why I will go. You all should go inside." Hans said, his voice firm and decisive. He knew Gorgon was in trouble, and he wanted to help him. But he also knew that Ethan and his family were the priority. They had to get to safety, before the enemy got to them.

"But.." Norman protested, his voice hesitant and worried. He didn't want to leave Gorgon behind, but he also didn't want to endanger his family.

"They're all targeting whoever is close to Ethan. Do you get it?" Hans shouted, his voice loud and clear. He wanted Norman to understand the situation, and to trust him. He had a plan, and he needed Norman to cooperate.

"Okay. But if you also fall in danger, then I will have to come." Norman agreed, his voice reluctant and concerned. He didn't like the idea of leaving Hans and Gorgon alone, but he also knew they were capable and brave. He hoped they would make it.

Hans nodded and ran towards Norman, but was stopped by an invisible wall. He felt a shock, and stumbled back.

"What's this? A barrier?" Hans asked, his voice confused and surprised. He didn't expect to find another obstacle, and he wondered what it meant.

"Hans, can you hear me?" Gorgon's voice came from the earpiece, his voice weak and faint. He was just few meters away from the building, but he had collapsed on the ground. He was losing blood, and consciousness.

"What have you done, Gorgon?" Hans demanded, his voice alarmed and angry. He suspected that Gorgon had something to do with the barrier, and he wanted an explanation.

"Don't worry. It's a protective barrier. It will keep you safe, and no one can come or go without my permission." Gorgon said, his voice calm and reassuring. He wanted to protect Hans and the others, and to buy them some time.

"But.." Hans said, his voice frustrated and worried. He didn't like the idea of being trapped, and he wanted to help Gorgon.

"Listen. Lucien has said that he will come soon. So he will handle everything and tell Norman that he shouldn't worry about Ethan. He will come to his family safely. Nothing will happen to him." Gorgon said, his voice hopeful and sincere.

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He stood up and started moving. He knew he had to get to the door. He knew he had take Ethan to his family. He knew he had to live to see that boy smiling.

But he also knew he was dying. He felt the arrows and spells hitting him, tearing his flesh and burning his skin. He felt the blood gushing out of his wounds, soaking his clothes and dripping on the ground. He felt the pain overwhelming him, making him scream and cry.

He kept moving despite the pain. One step, two step. He kept walking carrying Ethan over his shoulders. He looked at the door, and saw it was only a few steps away.

He saw Hans waiting for him, his face anxious and worried. He saw Norman and his family behind him, their faces hopeful and grateful.

But he never made it. He fell to the ground, his hand dropping. He heard Hans and Norman calling his name, their voice filled with fear and sorrow. He heard Wanda and others crying, their voice filled with grief and regret.

-------

"Listen Ethan, never feel that you are alone even when I'm no longer with you." Gorgon said to the little boy beside him.

"What are you trying to say?" The little boy asked, his voice uninterested as he wrote something in his notebook.

"What I'm saying is never feel that you are alone if you do then try to recall the moments you smiled, you will find a motive to overcome your loneliness." Gorgon said with a smile. He was trying to teach him a valuable lesson, one that he had learned the hard way.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" The little boy said, his voice confused and bored. He didn't understand what Gorgon was talking about, and he didn't care.

'drip drip drip'

Ethan opened his eyes and saw something he never imagined to see. He saw Gorgon on the knees, shielding him with his body, his body covered in blood. He saw arrows and spells sticking out of his flesh, his skin charred and torn.

"You are awake." Gorgon said, his voice weak and faint. He had sensed Ethan's consciousness, and wanted to talk to him. He still maintained a smile, even though he was dying.

"Aaa..Aaah.."

Ethan suddenly felt water rolling down his cheeks. He realized they were tears, and he didn't know why he was crying. He felt a surge of emotion, and he didn't know what it was.

"Hey, don't cry. It doesn't suit you. Always remember one thing you are not alone." Gorgon said, his voice calm and reassuring. He reached out his hand, and wiped his tears away. He patted Ethan's head. He wanted to comfort him, and to make him happy. He wanted to tell him he loved him, and to say goodbye.

"Aa..Aaa..." Ethan cried out, his voice loud and broken.

"I'm sorry I promised to give you back your smile. I'm sorry I failed to keep my promise. Please forgive me...Forgive...me"

Gorgon's weakened voice struggled to convey his sincerity and remorse. His arms enveloped Ethan in a tight embrace for the last time. The weight of his apology hung heavy in the air, mingling with the palpable ache of Ethan's tears.

"Aaargh..." Ethan screamed, his voice filled with pain and anger. He saw the enemy players and Nila standing over the ruins of their base.

"Everyone attack him." Nila commanded her group, her voice cold and cruel. She saw Gorgon body dead and useless. She saw an opportunity to attack Ethan.

Many arrows flew towards Ethan but he neither dodged them nor did he react.

His focus was only on Gorgon's heartbeats which still could be heard a little but soon it also stopped and Gorgon's body fell over the ground.

Ethan looked at Gorgon's dead body but he didn't know what he was feeling at that moment.

"Aa....Aaah...aaah.."

[Warning! Warning!]

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 42.2%]

Was it grief?

[Warning! Warning!]

[???? Synchronization rate is increasing at tremendous rate]

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 43.4%]

Was it sadness?

[Warning! Warning!]

[???? Synchronization rate is increasing at tremendous rate]

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 44.7%]

Or was it anger?

[Warning! Warning!]

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 46.5%]

But none of that mattered.

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 49.1%]

[You may lose yourself]

[Warning! Warning!]

At that moment only one thing was in his mind.

[???? Synchronization rate has increased to 51.4%]

[Warning! Warning!]

Destruction.

[???? Synchronization rate has crossed 50%]

[Warning! Warning!]

[You are losing your consciousness!!]

His body started to morph. His bones started cracking, and his muscles bulging. His skin teared apart while his fingers started growing longer, and his nails turning into claws. He saw his palms glowing, and his veins pulsing.

[Warning! Warning!]

[Your body is drastically changing!!]

[Error!! Error!!]

His chest heaved and bulged, pushing out his ribs like a cage. He could feel his heart beating faster, and his lungs breathing harder.

[Error!! Error!!]

[Error!! Error!!]

His thighs started thickening, and his knees bending. His feet enlarged, while his heels sharpened, and his ankles twisted.

His head also underwent a drastic change. His ears stretched and pointed, and his nose flattened. His eyes widened, and his pupils dilated. His teeth sharpened into fangs, dripping with saliva.

[Error!! Error!!]

[Portion of Abbys has been detected]

[Warning! Warning!]

His hair cascaded down his back, curling and twisting. It turned a deep crimson, like blood, and covered his face and neck.

[Warning! Warning!]

[Wrath has been detected]

[Warning! Warning!]

He transformed into a demon like being. He roared, and the sound echoed through the night.

[Ego of Wrath has manifested]

[Warning! Warning!]