Burn It All Down

Chapter 47 : Burn It All Down

Then the sound of police sirens cut through the storm outside, and the heavy footsteps of the police could be heard approaching the mansion.

"Surround and search the area! Make sure no one escapes!" Chief Tamara's voice roared through the rain, cutting through the sound of fire and the distant wails of sirens. Officers in tactical gear rushed forward, forming a perimeter around the burning mansion.

The flashing red and blue lights of police cars painted the scene in sharp hues of urgency and dread. Rain splattered on the ground, sizzling as droplets met the searing flames.

Inside the Mansion

"Hang in there, Rei," Agent Bunny muttered, her voice weak but resolute as she helped Hedgehog limp through the mansion's corridors.

His breath was ragged, and every step felt like his body was breaking apart from the inside. His muscles ached from the effects of the Soul Pill, his veins burning as though lava coursed through them. Each movement sent a searing jolt of pain through his limbs, but he refused to stop.

"We're almost there, Nina," Hedgehog grunted, his eyes sharp with resolve. His free arm was already infused with Orve, a faint glow pulsing around his fist like a flickering ember.

Then they saw them.

Stefan and Lily stood at the end of the hallway. Stefan's gaze was calm, his hands in his pockets as if he had been waiting for them. Beside him, Lily wore a smile that was too wide, too eerie for the devastation around them.

"Step aside," Hedgehog growled, his eyes narrowed to slits. His breath came in sharp, his heart beats harder in his chest. "Or I'll break every bone in your body."

Lily giggled, covering her mouth with her fingertips. "Oho~ Scary. But I think you've had enough fun for one day."

"Shut up!" Hedgehog barked, his voice is full with rage and defiance. His feet shifted, his stance ready to lunge. "I'm done playing you're sick games"

But then....BANG!

A gunshot echoed, sharp as lightning splitting the air. Time slowed. Hedgehog's eyes went wide. His heart stopped.

"NINA!"

Blood sprayed into the air. Bunny's eyes trembled with shock as she staggered forward, her hand pressing against her chest where the bullet had struck. Her fingers came away red and wet.

"R-Rei…" Bunny whispered, her voice faint as her legs gave out. She collapsed into his arms, her weight pulling him to the ground with her. Her eyes searched for his face, soft tears welling in her gaze.

"No, no, no, no!" Hedgehog's voice cracked as he cradled her head against his chest. His fingers trembled as he applied pressure to the wound, his tears mixing with the rain. "Don't talk like that, Nina. You're gonna be fine, you hear me? You're gonna be okay."

She reached up slowly, her cold fingers touching his face with a featherlight caress. Her lips curled into a sad smile. "Rei... I've always loved you..." she murmured, her voice barely a breath. "Always."

His heart broke. "I love you too, Nina! So stay with me! Please, just stay with me!" His words were desperate, raw with anguish. Tears streamed down his face, dripping onto hers. "Please, don't leave me..."

Her eyes softened, gazing at him with all the love she had never spoken aloud until now. Her hand rested against his cheek one last time. "Take care of Hana… please... take care of my sister..." Her fingers went limp. Her eyes dulled. Her breathing stopped.

"Nina?" he whispered, shaking her lightly. "Nina!"

She didn't respond.

"NO!!!!!!!!"

Hedgehog's scream echoed louder than the thunder, louder than the rain, louder than anything else in that moment. His cry was filled with agony, rage, and soul-crushing sorrow. He hugged her lifeless body, his arms trembling as he held her close.

"Burn it all down," Stefan said calmly, his eyes fixed on the painful display.

Lily grinned. "With pleasure." She raised her hand, her fingers flickering with sparks of crimson fire. The flames surged forward, consuming the walls, floors, and even the police outside.

The officers screamed as fire engulfed them, their cries of agony piercing the air before being abruptly silenced. Their charred bodies collapsed one by one, the rain too weak to extinguish the magical blaze.

Stefan and Lily walked away, unbothered by the destruction behind them. "The government's involved now," Stefan muttered, glancing over his shoulder. "Just as planned."

Lily giggled. "And your dear nephew?" she teased.

Stefan's eyes glowed faintly. "He'll learn soon enough."

A Hill Overlooking the Mansion

A girl with horns crouched, her sniper rifle still aimed at the mansion. She blew the smoke from the barrel, a grin of pure delight stretching across her face.

"Got 'em," she laughed, her fangs peeking from her grin.

"You're sick," grumbled the goblin beside her, his mohawk slick from the rain. "You seriously enjoy this crap?"

She shot him a glare. "Call me sick again, you little shitty green rat, and I'll make you my next target."

The goblin's face scrunched in irritation. "Say that again, you psychotic Bitc-"

"Enough."

The voice came from the man in the shadows. His silhouette was barely visible against the glow of the flames. "We're leaving. Move."

The demon girl rolled her eyes but obeyed. The goblin grumbled but followed suit. Their figures vanished into the forest, leaving only the sound of rain and distant sirens.

Inside the Mansion

Agent Beetle leaned against a wall, his face battered and bruised. He sucked in air, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Nearby, Bass crouched over Pelican's lifeless body, his hands trembling as he closed his comrade's eyes.

"Rest now, brother," Bass whispered, his voice hollow with grief. His eyes burned with anger, but his body was too broken to do anything more.

The police finally burst into the room, weapons drawn. "Hands up! Don't move!"

Beetle raised his arms slowly, his eyes dim with exhaustion. Bass did the same. Handcuffs clicked around their wrists.

Nearby, Malcolm lay beaten beyond recognition, barely able to lift his head. His swollen eyes twitched as officers yanked him off the ground. Machielo, still unconscious, was dragged away in chains.

The sounds of battle faded, replaced by the hiss of rain and the distant roar of the flames.

Back to Hedgehog

Hedgehog knelt in the rain, his face buried in Bunny's hair, her lifeless body in his arms. His head hung low, his body shaking with sobs.

Chief Tamara and the other officers arrived and was shocked in surprise and fear as he saw his men burned to death

"Put the body down! You're under arrest!" Chief Tamara's voice cut through the storm.

Hedgehog didn't move.

"I said, put the body down!" the chief barked.

When the officers tried to pull him away, Hedgehog thrashed violently, his mind consumed with rage. "NO! SHE'S NOT GONE!!" His hoarse voice was raw with despair.

They struggled to restrain him, but exhaustion and pain overwhelmed him. His strength failed. His body went limp, his arms falling to his sides. The last thing he saw was Bunny's face being consumed by flames.

They pinned him to the ground, handcuffs biting into his wrists as rain mixed with his tears. His face pressed against the wet dirt, his gaze distant and hollow.

On the Horizon

Under the glow of the burning mansion, Stefan watched as crates of contraband were loaded into trucks. His eyes glinted with something sinister.

"Everything is in motion now," he said with a faint smile. "They think they've won, but they have no idea what's coming."

Lily's eyes sparkled with mischief. "And what about the others?"

Stefan's smirk widened. "Let them suffer. It makes the next part more fun."

As the fire engulfing the mansion behind them, they disappeared into the shadows with no trace.

To be continued…..