Zein's Point of View
I wasn't just emotionally exhausted; my body was giving up. There was no more pain, just a hollow, heavy tiredness. I had no regrets about leaving Ace to save him from the fallout, but as I drifted, I knew one thing: if I got a second chance, I'd choose him every single time.
Then, I felt a gentle touch. My heart recognized him before my eyes even opened.
"Darling, I'm here now. Open your eyes."
His voice was better than magic. The longing that had drained my strength vanished, replaced by a surge of life. I opened my eyes to see him brushing a hand against my cheek.
"I'm sorry I took a little too long," he whispered.
I reached out to touch his face, needing to know he was real. "S-Supremo..."
"Were you scared?"
"Not anymore."
He helped me up, and I leaned into him, my knees shaking from the blood loss. Around us, people in red and black masks stood guard.
"What is happening?" I asked.
"You came back to me. That's what happened," he said with a smirk. "Promise me, Zein. You'll never leave me again."
I adjusted his glasses and smiled. "I will stay no matter what."
A massive explosion shook the floor. "I warned them not to touch you," Ace said, his voice turning cold. "Now they'll pay the cost of breaking my rules."
Gunfire echoed. Ace gripped my hand tight. "Shut up and hold my hand back."
We ran out of the lab, meeting a wall of armed men. "Close your eyes," he commanded. I heard the chaos—crashes, shots, and then silence. When I looked, Ace was wiping blood off a knife, having moved with lethal speed.
Suddenly, a downed man aimed a gun at Ace's back. Before he could fire, two nails were driven into his head.
"Are we late?"
Nicky, Nazzer, and Matt—the Black Blood Gang—stood at the entrance. Matt rushed to hug me, but after three seconds, Ace pulled me away. "Three seconds is enough. You guys take it from here."
He noticed my arm was bleeding and tore a strip of his own clothes to bandage it.
"Why are they after me, Supremo?"
He swallowed hard. "You're the piece they've been looking for, Zein. Your blood is what completes the formula."
Matthew's Point of View
I've loved her for a long time. I just got too comfortable thinking she wouldn't fall for anyone else.
I joined the BBG to protect her. She's a magnet for trouble, but she never blames anyone else. She stayed with me when I couldn't walk, knowing the consequences. Now, it's my turn.
A bullet grazed my arm, and I winced, throwing my last nail to take the guy down. I grabbed a gun from the floor. "Where is that bitch?!" Nicky yelled, looking for Madame Violet.
The lab was in ruins after the explosion I triggered, but the admins were gone. I headed back toward Zein. I knew Supremo was with her, but I couldn't stop worrying. He had stormed this place alone the moment he heard she was captured. It was terrifying and amazing. He'd take care of her.
This bloody battle is finally about to end.
Vanessa's Point of View
We were deep in the woods under a high moon. Silence in Hell University isn't peace—it's a warning. Jerome was scanning the area with a flashlight while Mia stared into space.
"Who are we waiting for?" I asked, grabbing Jerome's collar.
"They're coming," he insisted.
"We have to save Zein," Mia added.
"She's with Supremo," Fritzy told us. "Just chill, Savagge."
One student stood up, trembling. "We should escape now! It's Zein they're after anyway. Why get killed for her?"
Slap.
Mia's palm connected with the girl's cheek. "Fuck you," Mia spat. "She sacrificed herself for your freedom, and this is what you say? Ungrateful!"
Even Angel stepped forward. "You're all cowards. You're like rats hiding in the dark. Zein is new here, and she actually did something. Are you just going to live in fear forever?"
"Supremo has saved us so many times," Fritzy added. "We can't let him face this alone."
One by one, the students stood up.
"I will stand with Supremo Ace Craige."
"I want to avenge my friend."
"For my sister."
Zein lit the fire; Supremo fueled it. These students, treated like animals for so long, had finally awakened. Tonight, the blood spilled won't be from the innocent. This is the end of Hell University.
It's going to be a long, bloody night.