Chapter 53: Dead Mentality

Romaine's POV

When transported to the mental plane, I felt the pain from my body fade as it detached itself.

"I'm.. I'm alright." I awed

"So my hunch was correct then." Kyle commented, "Because it's our consciousnesses that are transported and not our bodies, then your physical injuries would have no effect on you in here."

"Oh I see."

"Donte!" Shante hollered

We averted our attention to the figures out in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, it Zero holding Donte up by the torso, senselessly beating him.

"Romaine." Kyle prompted

"Right." I affirmed, already in my stance

I sped toward them, closely followed by Shante.

I managed to catch the Zero somewhat off-guard, giving him a punch to the jaw. He barely flinched, only getting pushed by the actual force. He dropped Donte and ran in the direction I had forced him in, with me close behind him. Shante had stopped at Donte to check on him.

After what this guy's done, I couldn't let him get away. And I doubt he'd just allow us to leave in peace anyway.

Shante's POV

I couldn't help but panic when I saw Donte. I didn't know what to do, and I was just filled with so any different emotions. And it was all my fault..

"Donte- Donte!" I called his name, while I shook him

His body seemed broken in so many ways, and he had so many bruises all over him.

His face was swollen from being hit so much. I could see that he was still breathing, but he was unresponsive. As tears flooded my eyes, I called his name louder and louder. But I got no response from him.

Mr Kyle managed to run over here, too bad he's not a speedster though; he seemed tired after running all the way out here, and it took him long compared to me.

"Mr Kyle." I called him, "Is there anything we can do?"

Kyle's POV

While I'm usually head strong in believing we can do anything, after seeing Donte's face up close... it was clear to me that is was all over. His consciousness, painted in blood and bruises, his bones broken so badly that he looks almost disfigured.

With just a simple gaze into his eyes, you could tell the immense amount of pain he was in. While I didn't get to know Donte personally, the lack of positivity and hope in his soul was really unlike him. Even if he wanted to move now, it's more than evident that his body was to disabled to achieve any sort of movement.

I can't believe it's only been 3 days... and he's already in this condition.

I'd give him a pep talk or something, but... his eyes made it clear to me that my efforts would be in vain;

"He's lost the will to live." I stated heavy-heartedly

Such pain and agony.. He want's to be put out of his misery.

No child should have to deal with that~

The whole place had begun shaking, with the infinite space collapsing apart.

"Mr Kyle!" Shante regained my attention, "What's happening."

"His mind's collapsing." I stated

"Well how do we stop it?" Romaine questioned, squaring off against the Zero clone as he passed by

"There's nothing we can do; he has no desire to stay alive."

"Well I'm sure you can do something."

Things have been easy up to this point, because the people I helped at least had the desire to be saved.

But what about when the person I want to help doesn't even want to live...

I've never given up before, but.. this is really hopeless.

No. I can't give up here! We've come too far to back down!

~Start Kyle's Theme (Static Mind)~

"Kyle. We need to do something." Prompted Romaine

"Already on it." I stressed

I stretched my hands forward, focusing my mind.

If he doesn't have the will to sustain himself then..

"I'll use my own." I muttered

Soon after, his body got coated by a thin, near-transparent film.

"Uhh, Kyle-" Romaine distressed

I turned to my right, realizing that the Zero clone was holding Romaine up by the neck.

"Get over here, you bastard." I commanded, gesturing my hand to choke him with my unseen force

Once he was forced to let go of Romaine, I levitated him over to me.

I stared the devil in the eyes for a brief moment, before snapping his neck with my unseen force. His body almost instantly dissipated after I simultaneously crushed all his limbs.

"You guys." I called out, "We gotta go."

"But what about Donte?" Shante questioned

"I did all I could. Now grab on."

Once the two touched my extended arm, I transported us out of the collapsing plane back to reality.

~End of Kyle's Theme~

3rd Person POV

As Donte's heart monitor continued giving off a single note, Cassandra shuffled around the room, adjusting the medical instruments in an attempt to prolong his life.

"He's on the verge of total organ failure- What are they waiting on to get out?" Cassandra panicked

"I suggest you keep calm, Mi Lady." Advised the Prince "Panicking won't solve anything."

"Yeah well it's a bit hard not to be in such a state when almost every other member of the team could die in an instant."

"How much time do they have?"

"Not much. He'll reach total organ failure in.. oh no- 3.. 2.. 1~"

Upon the count of the last number, Donte's body illuminated the room in a bright flash.

"They're back-" Cas announced

"Well of course we're back." Kyle responded, "Did you really think we'd die in there?"

"What of the lad?" questioned the Prince

"It's impossible-" Cas commented, looking at her tablet when she heard the heart monitor return to frequency, "It's faint, but-... his heart is beating. It appears as if all the hyper brain activity was halted."

"Well then, mission successful." stated Kyle

"You did it Mr Kyle!" Shante cheered, hugging him tightly, "So is he going to wake up now?"

"I highly doubt it." Cassandra answered, "But we'll have to wait and see."

"Well look at you, lad." The Prince joined, "You've been the center of attention lately with those flashy abilities of yours."

"Hey.." Romaine called attention, barely standing up, "I was there too you know."

Coughing up blood, Romaine fell once again to the ground, entering into a coughing fit.

"Hey Cas," Kyle called as they all swarmed him, "What's wrong with him?"

After short analysis with one of her devices, Cassandra hummed and gave a response

"Some of the poisonous gas has gotten into his lungs. It must've been during that encounter with Shante; the force of her initial strike was enough to blow him out of the gas's perimeter, but he still must've inhaled a small amount. Hence why it would've taken this long to affect his respiratory system."

"There's no time to waste, how do we help him?" Kyle questioned

"Help me move him onto the table over there." Cas commanded