THE LAST SURVIVOR

THE PRICE OF THE SURVIVAL

The forest stood frozen.

Hundreds of red laser sights danced across Ethan's chest, Raven's forehead, Lucas's heart, and the Guardian's armored frame.

Director Magnus Voss smiled as though the battle had already been won.

"You have ten seconds," he said calmly.

"Hand over the pendants."

"No," Ethan replied.

Magnus sighed.

"I was hoping you'd make the sensible choice."

He snapped his fingers.

Bang!

A sniper's bullet ripped through the air.

Lucas shoved Ethan aside.

The bullet tore into Lucas's shoulder, spinning him to the ground.

"Lucas!" Ethan shouted.

The six survivors scattered for cover as Black Phoenix soldiers opened fire.

The quiet forest erupted into war.

Explosions shook the mountains.

The Guardian charged forward, its golden wings blazing with energy. Every step it took sent cracks racing through the earth.

Magnus raised his hand.

"Release the Hunters."

The doors of the transport aircraft opened.

Six armored figures descended on cables.

Unlike ordinary soldiers, these warriors moved with unnatural speed.

Each carried a weapon forged from the same silver metal as Ethan's pendant.

Raven's face turned pale.

"The Hunter Unit..."

"They're elite Eclipse assassins."

One of the Hunters landed directly in front of Ethan.

His helmet concealed his face.

Without a word, he drew two glowing blades.

In a blur, he attacked.

CLANG!

Ethan barely raised his arm in time. A silver shield burst from the pendant, blocking the strike.

The impact hurled him backward into a fallen tree.

"You're slow," the Hunter said coldly.

"But your potential..."

"...is extraordinary."

He lunged again.

This time Ethan remembered ARIA's training.

He sidestepped.

Grabbed the Hunter's wrist.

Twisted.

The glowing blade fell into the mud.

The Hunter paused.

For the first time, he sounded surprised.

"So the memories are returning."

Before Ethan could answer, another explosion rocked the battlefield.

The corrupted survivor broke free from the Guardian and charged toward Magnus.

"Stop!" Lucas cried.

Magnus didn't move.

Instead, he smiled.

"Good."

"Come to me."

As the creature leaped...

Magnus stretched out his hand.

A crimson crystal embedded in his glove began to glow.

A beam of red energy struck the corrupted survivor.

Instantly, the monster froze.

Its savage roar became a cry of agony.

Then...

It knelt before Magnus.

Ethan stared in disbelief.

"He's controlling it..."

Magnus looked at Ethan with a satisfied grin.

"This is the true power of the Eclipse Core."

"Imagine an army that never questions orders."

He pointed toward Ethan.

"And you're the final piece I need."

The pendant around Ethan's neck suddenly pulsed violently.

ARIA's voice echoed in his mind.

"Emergency alert."

"A hidden signal has been detected."

"Signal source identified..."

Ethan held his breath.

"Who is it?"

ARIA answered:

"Dr. Amelia Carter."

Ethan's eyes widened.

"My mother..."

"She's alive?"

Before ARIA could respond, the signal cut off.

The last words echoed through Ethan's mind:

"Ethan... don't trust... the Guardian..."

Silence.

Ethan looked slowly toward the towering machine that had been protecting him.

The Guardian turned its glowing eyes toward him.

Had it been hiding the truth?

Or was someone trying to turn him against his greatest ally?