The main platform stretched ahead—

Cold.

Wide.

Quiet in a way that didn't match what lay above ground.

Don walked forward.

Charles kept pace beside him.

Winter followed a step behind, arms folded neatly across her front.

From below—

Faint.

Muted.

But clear to him—

Samantha.

Summer.

Soft sobs.

Uneven breaths.

They carried through the structure, slipping past layers, reaching him without effort.

He didn't slow.

Didn't turn.

His face stayed level as they reached the elevator.

The doors opened before they even stopped—

Ding—~

Winter hadn't moved.

Hadn't gestured.

It simply obeyed.

Don stepped in first.

Charles followed.

They turned—

Facing forward.

Winter remained just outside, standing at the threshold.

Her gaze rested on them.

"If you wish to return," she said, tone even, "I shall remain on standby at all times."

A brief pause.

"And should I perceive any danger, I will either inform you or commence emergency measures."

Don nodded once.

"You do that."

He paused.

Just slightly.

The sound again—

Quieter now.

But still there.

"…and be on standby for my call as well."

His eyes lowered a fraction.

"Just… to let them know I'm alright."

Winter inclined her head.

"Noted."

That was enough.

The doors slid shut—

SHHHK—~

And the elevator began to rise—

HUMMMMM—~

Inside—

Charles leaned back against the wall, folding his arms.

He exhaled lightly.

"You know," he said, voice easier now, "you could have stayed."

Don shifted slightly, leaning against the side panel.

"I'm not one to back down."

Simple.

Flat.

Then—

"I'm sure you have your reasons."

A glance.

"As a friend… it's only natural I back you up."

Charles gave a faint smile.

Small.

Real.

He pushed off the wall just as the elevator slowed—

Ding—~

The doors opened.

They stepped out.

No hesitation.

No pause.

Through the upper level.

Past the abandoned lab.

Out.

The exit doors parted—

And sealed behind them the moment they cleared the threshold—

THUNK—~

Outside—

The air felt different.

Heavier.

Not from weight—

From what it carried.

Distant explosions rolled through the sky—

BOOOOM—!

THOOM—!

Faint.

But constant.

The ground under their feet remained untouched.

No bodies.

No worms.

No destruction.

Yet.

They stopped.

Just for a moment.

Scanning.

Listening.

Charles spoke first.

Not looking at him.

"Remember when I said… it's bigger than that?"

Don gave a small nod.

"Yeah?"

Charles drew in a breath.

Slow.

Measured.

"This whole situation…"

He trailed off.

Eyes forward.

"…is an opportunity."

Don didn't react outwardly.

But the thought hit.

Hard.

'Countless people are dying…'

'Opportunity?'

The idea sat wrong—

For a second.

Then—

Something clicked.

A shift.

Not approval.

Understanding.

Charles continued.

"I know that may sound cold, but…"

He exhaled through his nose.

"…it's the truth."

His hand flexed once at his side.

"If I… no…"

A slight shake of his head.

"If we can help in any way during this crisis…"

He turned his head.

Looked directly at Don.

"…it will greatly boost us."

His voice stayed calm.

Controlled.

"For heroes to be seen… to be loved…"

A brief pause.

"…it's inevitable that something like this happens."

No shame.

No attempt to hide it.

Just—

Fact.

"This is an opportunity."

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"One that will push me closer toward my goal."

A second passed.

Then—

"Knowing that…"

A direct look.

"Will you still follow me out there?"

Don didn't hesitate.

Not even for a second.

He turned his head.

Met his gaze.

"You said it yourself…"

A small pause.

"…this is an opportunity."

Charles smiled.

Barely.

Then nodded.

Once.

His expression settled back.

Focused.

He took a breath.

Deeper this time.

"Then let's make the most of it."

His hand came up—

Rested briefly on Don's shoulder.

Firm.

"I'll tell you my plan along the way."

It dropped.

"Come on."

He stepped forward.

No hesitation.

Don followed.

One step—

Then another—

His eyes lifted briefly.

Up.

To the sky.

Where it had all started.

Where it was still happening.

Then—

He looked forward again.

And kept moving.

---

Several minutes later—

The Land Cruiser moved through the outer stretch of the city—

Engine steady—

Don sat at the wheel.

Eyes forward.

Hands firm.

Charles sat beside him, phone to his ear.

Outside—

The roads had changed.

Not empty—

Never that—

But broken.

People moved in the opposite direction.

Running.

Stumbling.

Some carried bags—

Others carried people.

A man rushed past with a child in his arms, blood soaking through the fabric at the child's side. His face was twisted, shouting for help that no one answered.

Further ahead—

Two people dragged someone between them, the body limp, feet scraping along the asphalt—

SCRRRT—~

Not everyone made it.

A shape lay near the curb.

Still.

Someone slowed beside it—

Then kept moving.

No time.

No choice.

Inside the vehicle—

Charles nodded as he listened.

"Alright… where's it most bad…"

A pause.

"I see."

He shifted slightly in his seat.

Eyes narrowing.

"No, no—wait for me at the Ebon Crest, alright."

He ended the call.

Lowered the phone.

Then looked toward Don.

"Avoid using Halberg Avenue… East Row… and the cross through Vance Street," he said. "There's a lot of activity on them."

His tone stayed level.

"We're not geared for a heavy clash right now."

Don gave a small nod.

"Noted."

But as he said it—

His eyes narrowed.

Ahead—

Movement.

From between two buildings—

A man stepped out.

Large.

Broad.

Covered in blood.

Not splattered—

Coated.

His clothes clung to him in dark patches.

His expression—

Blank.

Empty.

In each hand—

A head.

Dismembered.

Held loosely.

Like they meant nothing.

He walked forward.

Calm.

Stopped at the edge of the road.

Then—

Turned.

Looked directly at them.

Don didn't slow.

Didn't hesitate.

His foot pressed down—

VRROOOOM—!

The engine surged.

The vehicle shot forward.

Closing distance fast.

The man didn't move.

Didn't brace.

Didn't react.

He just watched.

As the Land Cruiser rushed past him—

His head turned.

Slow.

Tracking them.

Unblinking.

---

Inside—

Charles twisted slightly, looking into the side mirror.

Watching him shrink behind them.

"…you think he's infected?" he asked.

Don gave a small shrug.

"Possible."

A second later.

"Or he had to kill some infected people he knew."

His eyes flicked briefly to the rearview mirror.

Then—

Something changed.

His gaze sharpened.

"…wait—"

Behind them—

The man let go.

The heads dropped—

THUD—! THUD—!

No hesitation.

His legs bent—

Then—

He jumped.

BOOOOM—!

The ground beneath him cracked outward, asphalt breaking apart in jagged lines as force drove into it.

The Land Cruiser shook—

GRRRR—!

Charles felt it through the seat.

"What the hell!?"

He leaned out the window—

Looking up—

The man's body cut through the air above them.

Fast.

Already descending.

A direct path.

In front of them.

Charles pulled back in quickly.

"Shit—he's definitely infected…"

A brief pause.

"…and strong."

Don's jaw tightened.

His grip on the wheel adjusted slightly.

"Hold on."

His foot pressed harder—

The engine roared—

VRRROOOOM—!

With one hand on the wheel—

He leaned slightly—

Eyes tracking ahead.

The man dropped—

CRASH—!

He landed several meters in front of them.

The road shattered outward from the impact—

Chunks of asphalt lifted—

Cracks splitting in all directions.

Before the debris even settled—

Before dust could rise fully—

He moved.

A burst forward—

Fast.

Too fast.

Charging straight at the vehicle.

Don watched him—

Just a second.

Measured.

Then—

He acted.

His pupils shifted—

A faint blue outline forming—

A low hum building—

Vmmmm—~

His hand lifted slightly from the wheel—

A short motion—

Like brushing something aside.

The effect—

Immediate.

The man's body jerked—

Then lifted.

Dragged sideways mid-stride—

Before he could react—

Before the thing inside him could adjust—

He was airborne.

Pulled.

Thrown.

CRASH—!

His body slammed into the front of a looted building.

The wall caved inward on impact, glass and debris bursting outward—

KRRRSH—!

The force carried him through part of the structure before he dropped out of sight.

The glow in Don's eyes faded.

Just like that.

His hand returned fully to the wheel.

His gaze shifted forward again.

No comment.

No pause.

The Land Cruiser kept moving.

Leaving the wreck behind.

Beside him—

Charles exhaled lightly.

"…well," he muttered.

A faint look crossed his face.

Not surprise.

Recognition.

He leaned back slightly in his seat.

"Guess that answers that."

Don didn't respond.

His eyes stayed ahead.

Focused.