Moments Later…

  Maya walked back and forth, her irritation building. "We are running out of time, Lee. You already know it. Darris has everything he needs to eliminate us off the map, and we're still playing catch-up."

  "I know that!" Lee snapped, his tone fierce. He ran his hand through his hair and exhaled softly to settle himself. "But you're asking me to wager on something none of us truly understands. The Skull Mask's powers are more than simply a weapon. They're—"

  "A curse?" Maya interjected, pausing to face him straight. "Maybe. However, they are our only chance. I mean, look how far you've gone yourself, Lee, and the fact that after absorbing Winston, you're doing just well after all that time denying your grief!"

  Taz shook his head as he leaned against a collapsing pillar, arms folded. "This is lunacy. You've witnessed what happens when someone loses control of that power, Maya. It's not only risky; it's disastrous."

  "And what's the alternative?" Maya shot back, her voice raised. "We wait for Darris to pick us up one by one?" I'm not suggesting we go in blind. But we need to fight fire with fire, and right now, Lee is the only one who can provide us with that opportunity."

  Luke, sitting on his homemade perch, sighed deeply. "You are asking us to jump from a cliff without knowing if there is water or rocks at the bottom. I understand your need, Maya, but don't pretend this is anything other than suicidal.

  Finally, he spoke quietly but firmly. "You're right."

  Maya blinked, taken aback. "What?"

  "You're right," Lee said, raising his gaze to meet hers. "We don't have a chance without it. But, if we do this if I share this power there will be rules. No irresponsibility, no shortcuts, and no misunderstandings about what it implies."

  Taz straightened and wrinkled his brow. "Wait, you're seriously contemplating this? "After everything we've seen?"

  "I don't have a choice," Lee remarked, his voice heavy with despair. "Neither of us does. The IPC is closing in, and Darris won't stop until we're dead or worse. He turned to face Maya. "Do you want this power?" Fine. However, recognise that it is more than simply strength. It's a war for control, sanity, and your soul. If you are not ready for that, please let me know right away."

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Maya's determination slipped briefly. "I'm ready."

  Taz threw up his hands. "This is insane."

  "Maybe," Lee acknowledged. "But it's the only shot we've got." He glanced at Luke, who remained mute with an inscrutable face. "What about you?"

  Luke hesitated, his fingers pounding on the box's edge. "If it's as dangerous as you say, then giving it to all of us sounds like a quick way to end up dead." He stopped, then said, "But if it's the only way to level the playing field... I'm in."

  "Taz, it is your chance to make up your mind. "It is now or never!" According to Taz and Lee

  "Dammit, screw it only because your my friend... Shit!" laughed Taz.

  The safe home was a poorly lighted, dilapidated chamber buried within the convoluted ruins of Havel City. The air was thick with mould and debris, and the sole light came from a single swinging lamp overhead. Lee stood at the centre, clutching a knife in his fragile hand.

  "Alright," Lee said, his voice solid but with an air of discomfort. "This is more than just a transition of power. What I'm going to reveal is not intended for anybody else. "But in desperate times..." He trailed off and shook his head.

  "Get on with it," Maya said, her voice tense without expectation.

  Lee breathed deeply and seized the knife. He cut a clean line across his palm in one rapid move, the sting hardly registered as blood welled up. The red liquid flowed gradually into a little vial he had found earlier, collecting at the bottom and starting to glow softly.

  Taz grimaced. "That's freakish. It's not intended to do that, right?"

  "Everything about this is freaky," Luke mumbled.

  Lee finished filling the vial and sealed it carefully. The radiance within increased, throbbing regularly like a pulse. He stepped back and pointed to the table, where three more empty vials sat. "Each of you takes one," he said, his tone leaving no space for disagreement. "The ritual relies on blood mine and yours. It will connect you to the mask's power, but it will transform you. Permanently with no hope of removing it."

  The three exchanged apprehensive glances before moving onwards. Maya reached out first, keeping her palm firm as she clutched the vial. Taz paused, then unwillingly followed, mumbling curses beneath his breath. Luke was the last, accepting his vial with a solemn nod.

  "What now?" Maya enquired, gazing at the bright liquid.

  "Drink," Lee said simply.

  Taz made a face. "Do you want us to drink glowing blood?" "This is just getting better."

  "Just do it," Maya said, putting the vial to her lips without hesitation. She swallowed the drink in one rush, shivering as it passed down her throat. The room emerged to shake around her as her eyes blazed with a disturbing light, a maze of silver and crimson dancing over her lenses.

  Taz clenched his teeth. "If I die, I'm haunting you, Lee." He followed suit, coughing slightly as the thick material passed. His legs weakened briefly, but he pressed himself against the table, his eyes burning a rich gold tint.

  Luke was last. He tightened his jaw and glanced at the vial. "Here's to bad decisions." He drank, his expression unwavering even as his body trembled uncontrollably. His eyes flashed a bright blue, sending shadows across the room.

  Lee sits down cross-legged

  “I’ll wait for you all to finish for now… You’re on your own with The One.”