Zhon noticed Ravine stepping out of the entrance. "Oh, you're back?" He smiled. "You feel any better now?"

  Ravine, still controlled by Mother Phoenix, continued walking slowly toward them.

  Aria looked down. "Ravine, about earlier... I just want to say I'm sorry. We shouldn't fight like this as a team. You're not mad still, are you?"

  Ravine didn't answer, but in her mind she was screaming: Please get away from me! It's not me!

  As she came closer with no facial expression, Roan steadied himself. "Ravine?"

  Mother Phoenix laughed in her mind. Look at them caring for you. Don't you feel bad for lashing out at them?

  Ravine remained silent.

  Now, which one should we go for first? Your captain would be such an easy target, don't you think?

  "Please stop," Ravine said in a low voice. "I get it. I won't try to influence them anymore. Please let me go."

  Mother Phoenix laughed. Do you now? Do you really get it? She exhaled. I think you need a reminder—one strong enough that you won't interfere with my plans anymore.

  Ravine shuddered. No...

  Mother Phoenix used Ravine's body to lunge toward Aria, but Roan blocked the strike with his sniper rifle. As he struggled to keep her in check, he groaned, "Rav, what are you doing? Now is not the time for this shit—get a grip!"

  Ravine looked at him with an unreadable, blank expression. She used her spear to launch him into the air, then joined him and struck from multiple angles, roughing up his thick armor.

  As Roan recovered mid-air and blocked another heavy attack, he observed, The way she moves... It's like there's no structure to her movements... like a puppet. He muttered, "You're not Ravine, are you?"

  He activated his super hearing and heard two distinct voices within her. His lips parted in realization, but before he could say anything, Ravine executed a spinning kick to the back of his head, sending him flying down with immense speed. He crashed into the sand, creating a massive cloud on impact.

  That should keep him down for a while, Mother Phoenix thought as she surveyed what she'd done. She made Ravine land gracefully on the ground. Now that the actual fighter is gone, let's get rid of the dead weight.

  Zhon stepped in front of Irene and Aria. "Aria, until Roan is back, we need to protect the captain."

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  As Ravine's body stepped closer, he said, "It seems Ravine made her choice—and it's not to be on our side anymore."

  Ravine felt something she'd never experienced before—immense pain traversing her entire being. "No, no, no. It's not me. She's doing this." Her voice was shaky, her breath uneven, though her exterior showed no emotion.

  I still have plans for her in the finale, but her... Mother Phoenix looked at Aria. She has no place in what is to come.

  "Don't you dare touch her," Ravine pleaded. "She went through enough already. She never did anything wrong." Her voice broke. "She just wants to see this world." She paused, breathing heavily. "Why are you doing this?"

  Mother Phoenix answered in her calming voice. The same as always—to ensure our survival.

  "Bullshit!" Ravine screamed internally.

  You will see for yourself later and thank me.

  Mother Phoenix aimed for Aria, but Zhon shouted, "Aria, now!"

  The drone lit up, blinding Ravine's body. Zhon struck with fast jabs and full punches to her face and stomach, making her stumble.

  "I don't know what's wrong with you, Ravine, but since we came out of that facility, you've changed! Now you're even attacking us?" He struck again furiously. "After everything we've been through, we're so close to finding the answers we want—so why do you have to be like this?"

  He aimed for another punch, but Ravine caught it, then punched him hard in the gut. She pulled him back and struck his face three times before kicking him away from Aria.

  Now then, here we go.

  Mother Phoenix finally managed to grab Aria and began crushing her drone body. But Zhon activated the Sphere of Grace, switching places with Aria. Now he was the one being choked.

  Furious, Mother Phoenix used Ravine's body to smash Zhon against the steel facility wall repeatedly. "Why won't you just stay down?" she said with each impact.

  "Ravine, stop! Please, you're killing him!" Aria screamed.

  Mother Phoenix grabbed Zhon's damaged body and threw it at Aria, stunning her. Then she grabbed the drone again. "I've got you now."

  She activated Ravine's Razor Arms and began grinding them against the drone.

  Aria's voice was low. "If seeing me die brings you comfort, so be it." She looked into Ravine's eyes. "Just know that even now, I still look up to you as my big sister."

  "MOTHER PHOENIX, STOP IT NOW!" Ravine screamed within her body.

  But it was too late. With a swift slice, the drone split in two.

  Time seemed to slow down. In both their perspectives, Zhon and Ravine felt their world shatter as Aria crashed to the ground in pieces, never to move again.

  With agonizing effort, Zhon got up and pushed Ravine's body away. He knelt and tried to piece the fragments together, his eyes watering, his breathing erratic.

  My job here is done. I will see you in Japan.

  Mother Phoenix released Ravine, giving her back control of her body.

  Ravine rushed to Zhon's side, but he swatted her away. "Go away! She didn't deserve this, and yet you killed her like she was nothing! She looked up to you, damn it—so why?" He pushed her body again. "I don't want you here. Neither does Roan, and neither will Irene. I'll tell her you betrayed us. I don't want to see you again!"

  Ravine stammered, overwhelmed by emotions crashing together. After composing herself as best she could, she turned around. "Very well."

  She walked back into the facility, fueled by rage and profound grief. She balled her fist. "Mother Phoenix, I will make sure to get to you before any of them."

  She smashed her hand into the wall, leaving cracks. "Screw the answers. Screw why we were there. All I care about now is seeing you dead. You will pay for what you did to them and how you used my body to do it, you bastard!"

  She rushed toward the transport tube, her voice filled with determination and fury. "I hope you heard that—I'm coming for you, and I'll make sure you pay for every single one of my comrades' lives you took from us. And I won't stop until you're dead. This is my promise to you."