As the fire raged through the Bendeta Mansion, its flames reaching higher with each passing moment, Oriana stood at the edge of the rooftop, her gaze locked on Petri, the savage embodiment of darkness and twisted desires.
The moon emerged from behind the dispersing clouds, casting an ethereal glow on the apocalyptic scene below.
The time on that fateful night was 12:01 am, September 9, 2016, the solemn anniversary of the infamous Wednesday 9-9-9 incident.
"Hahahaha..."
Petri reveled in the surge of stolen soul energy coursing through his veins, his laughter piercing through the crackling of the flames.
Oriana's voice cut through the chaos, laced with both pain and accusation.
"You killed Antonio! And six others seven years ago! You murdered your own nephew!" Oriana's words carried the weight of the truth that had haunted her for so long.
Petri's face contorted into a malicious grin, his eyes gleaming with a sick pleasure.
"Family? They don't last forever," he spat, raising his right arm, his grotesque iron claw poised for an attack.
Oriana's instincts kicked in, her body moving with agility and precision as she narrowly evaded the deadly strike.
With a purposeful stride, Oriana made her way to the edge of the rooftop, ensuring that Petri remained far from Lexus's location, her partner who lay wounded and vulnerable. Amidst the chaos, a brief silence fell upon the scene, granting Oriana the clarity to hear the distant sound of approaching helicopters.
Oriana wiped away her tears, a resolute glint in her eyes.
Petri raised his arm once more, extolling the virtues of immortality "Hahaha Immortality is the most important of all!!!".
Oriana, fueled by a newfound strength and determination, interjected, her voice cutting through the air with cold resolve.
"You're right, Uncle," she declared, her shotgun aimed at Petri's feet,
her finger firmly on the trigger.
"Immortality is for bitches!!!"
"Bang!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
In an instant, the deafening blast of the shotgun shattered the air, shaking the very foundations of the burning mansion. The roof beneath Petri's feet crumbled, plunging him into the fiery inferno of the fifth floor. His enraged screams pierced through the night, drowned out by the crackling flames and the victorious beat of Oriana's heart.
"Curse you!!!!!!!!!!" Petri's final words echoed through the flames, swallowed by the relentless blaze that consumed him.
Oriana stood firm, the weight of her actions and the gravity of the moment sinking in. The rain continued to pour, washing away the ash and tears from her face, as she took a deep breath, ready to face whatever awaited her beyond the burning Bendeta mansion.
The rain finally stopped, and Lexus struggled to his feet, enduring the pain from his injuries.
He removed his uniform and tore a piece of it, fashioning a makeshift cloth bandage. Biting down hard, he carefully aligned his dislocated right arm.
"Crack! AUUUGHHH," he winced, his teeth sinking into the cloth.
Once his arm was back in place, he tore another piece of cloth and placed it over his injured right eye.
Lexus sighed in relief, grateful that the shrapnel had only scratched his eye. If it had pierced through, it could have caused severe brain damage or even death.
Oriana approached Lexus cautiously, making her way to his side beside the chimney.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concern etched across her face.
Lexus replied, "Be careful, Ori. It's not over yet. Petri still has the AL-Machina2 on his body."
Together, they held onto the chimney, their bodies pressed against the structure as the fire raged around them.
Suddenly, Petri emerged onto the roof once again, his Wolf Mascot burned and malfunctioning. Transforming back into his original body, a 4-foot humanoid doll appeared before them.
Petri laughed maniacally, taunting them, "Hahahahaha! Did you see, kids? I didn't die! You can't kill me because I don't have a soul core! I am the living AL-Ma—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Lexus and Oriana froze as they witnessed the glowing eyes of towering figures behind Petri.
A flash of lightning illuminated their faces—the Bunny Doll, Dog Doll, the broken Chicken Doll, and the broken Dino Doll, all accompanied by four humanoid dolls.
The Bunny Doll spoke, its voice dripping with accusation, "Hi, Uncle Petri? It's you all along? You controlled us, imprisoned our souls for your use?"
Petri chuckled, dismissing their words. "Hehehe, do you think you have power over me?"
he sneered, opening a compartment in his arm and pressing a remote control that governed the dolls.
"Click!"
However, to Petri's horror, the Bunny Doll hopped high into the air and stomped on him with immense force.
As Petri fell, the other six dolls followed suit, viciously dismembering his artificial body, revealing broken wires and flesh.
The core of the AL-Machina2 exploded, releasing the eerie soul energy trapped within. The dolls continued their brutal assault on Petri, tearing him apart mercilessly.
Lexus and Oriana seized the opportunity, quickly making their way to the ladder that descended from the helicopter where Don Kisame Bendeta awaited.
The other helicopters scanned the surrounding forest, their pilots remaining vigilant, as if anticipating any further threats. Don Kisame's caution was palpable this time. Lexus and Oriana climbed into the helicopter, and it ascended, carrying them to safety.
As Don Kisame Bendeta gazed upon the burning Bendeta Mansion, he noticed the Big Rabbit mascot on the rooftop, waving its hands.
A chilling sensation enveloped him, and tears streamed down his face.
Kisame allowed the helicopter to move away, commanding his troops, "I shall escort the survivors to the hospital. You all go and clean up this mess."
The officer nodded, replying, "Roger!"
As the cracks in the walls widened and the flames danced hungrily around them, the final moment arrived. With a deafening roar, the weakened foundations gave way, and the once-grand Bendeta Mansion began to collapse upon itself. Dust filled the air as the walls crumbled, and the floors cascaded down in a cascade of destruction.
The towering structure that had held so much history, secrets, and memories was now reduced to a pile of rubble and debris. The flames, now free from their confines, danced triumphantly amidst the wreckage, devouring the remnants of what was once a symbol of wealth and power.