Fais.
Even from this distance.
His voice carried.
"IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE?!"
Andre's response came immediately.
"BETTER THAN LOOKING LIKE A POLISHED EGG!"
Silence.
Then another shockwave ripped through the tunnel.
The ceiling groaned overhead.
Dust rained down in thick sheets.
Even Eric flinched.
"Okay."
He swallowed hard and moved toward the lever.
Kai turned sharply.
"Wait."
Eric froze.
Kai stared past him into the darkness.
For a moment, through the settling dust, he saw movement.
Andre.
Still fighting.
Still standing.
Then Fais emerged through the haze, his massive frame cutting through the debris like a wall.
And behind him—
Cultists.
A few of them still alive.
Staggering.
Dragging themselves forward.
The battle was still happening.
Still too close.
Still not over.
Kai's chest tightened.
"Andre—"
Eric didn't say a word.
He just reached for the lever.
Kai's eyes widened.
"No, wait!"
But Eric had already pulled it.
CLANK.
The mechanism locked into place.
A deep metallic groan rolled through the tunnel.
Kai lurched forward, trying to break free from Eric's grip.
"Eric, stop!"
The architect grabbed him harder and started running.
Kai fought against him, but his body was too weak.
Every muscle screamed.
His legs barely obeyed him.
The fight earlier had drained him completely.
"Andre!"
His voice echoed through the collapsing tunnel.
"ANDRE!"