Chapter 18: First Mission pt.5

Me and Catalina kept going at each other for about 20 minutes. I was wasting time, and Heesung was too distracted with Desmond, which wasn't going all too well either. I took the first opening I could to distract Catalina to get to Bella and get some distance.

"Bell, you okay?" I called out, stopping short to position myself between her and Desmond.

"I've been worse," she grumbled, brushing dirt off her uniform. "But I'm not letting that happen again."

Before I could respond, Catalina stepped into view.

"You're persistent, I'll give you that," Catalina said, her voice smooth and mocking. "But you're out of your league here."

She was calm, too calm. It was unnerving. I glanced back at Heesung, who had been circling around to flank them. He nodded once, signaling he was ready.

---

Bella took another shot at Catalina, her bullet curving unnaturally midair as it aimed straight for Catalina's chest. But this time, Catalina was ready. She swiped her hand through the air, and the bullet shattered into dust before it could reach her.

"She can manipulate objects, too?" Bella cursed under her breath.

"No," I said, narrowing my eyes. "That's not manipulation—that's disintegration."

Desmond wasted no time charging toward us, his fists glowing with a faint blue energy. I barely had time to react as he closed the distance between us in seconds. I dodged his first punch, the force of it splitting a tree behind me clean in half.

"Heesung, now!" I shouted.

Heesung moved like lightning, aiming a powerful kick at Desmond's side. But Desmond caught it mid-strike, his grip like a vice.

"Not bad," Desmond said with a smirk, before twisting and hurling Heesung into the ground.

---

This wasn't going to work. Head-on attacks wouldn't get us anywhere against these two—they were too strong, too coordinated.

"Bella, fall back!" I yelled, my mind racing to come up with a new plan.

"Not happening!" she snapped, taking aim again.

"Just trust me!"

Reluctantly, Bell retreated to higher ground, finding a perch among the trees. I turned to Heesung, who was already on his feet again, a determined look on his face.

"We need to split them up," I said. "Catalina's powers seem to focus on defense and support. If we can isolate her, Desmond will be easier to handle."

Heesung nodded. "Got it. Leave her to me."

I didn't have time to ask if he was sure before he was already moving, sprinting toward Catalina with unwavering focus.

---

Desmond's attention snapped back to me as Heesung engaged Catalina, forcing her away from the clearing.

"Looks like it's just you and me now," Desmond said, his smirk widening.

"Don't flatter yourself," I shot back, gripping my weapon tighter.

I rushed him, feinting left before pivoting to the right and aiming for his ribs. He dodged, of course, but it was a close call—closer than I think he expected. His smirk faltered for a split second, and I seized the opportunity to press the attack.

Desmond's strength was undeniable, but his confidence was his biggest weakness. Every time I landed a blow, his expression grew more frustrated.

"Not so cocky now, are you?" I taunted, ducking under one of his punches.

"Keep talking," he growled, his movements becoming more erratic.

---

Desmond's frustration was becoming evident. His punches were powerful but lacked the precision he had when the fight started. I dodged another wild swing, rolling to the side and coming up with my weapon raised.

"You're slowing down," I said, hoping to provoke him further.

"Don't mistake caution for weakness," he snapped, his voice laced with venom.

Suddenly, he switched tactics, slamming his fist into the ground. A shockwave rippled out from the impact, shaking the forest floor and sending me sprawling. I barely had time to react before he was on me, pinning me down with one arm.

"I'll admit," he said, leaning closer, "you're better than I expected. But this ends now."

I gritted my teeth, twisting and kicking, but his grip was unrelenting. Just as I started to panic, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air.

Desmond flinched, releasing me just in time for Bell's sniper bullet to graze his shoulder. It wasn't a direct hit, but it was enough to create an opening.

"Nice shot, Bell!" I shouted, scrambling to my feet.

"Anytime," she called back from her perch.

Desmond growled, clutching his shoulder. "You think this changes anything?"

"It already has," I replied, lunging at him with renewed determination.

---

While I kept Desmond occupied, Heesung had his hands full with Catalina. Her disintegration ability made close combat nearly impossible—every time he got within range, she'd swipe at him, forcing him to retreat.

"You're persistent," Catalina said, her voice calm despite the chaos. "But persistence won't save you."

Heesung smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "We'll see about that."

He feigned another attack, but this time, instead of closing the distance, he hurled a small device at her feet. It exploded in a burst of smoke, momentarily blinding her.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Heesung closed in, delivering a series of rapid strikes to her torso. She staggered, but her wounds healed almost instantly, her body glowing faintly as the damage reversed itself.

"Annoying, isn't it?" Catalina said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You can't win against someone who can't stay down."

"Maybe not," Heesung admitted, "but I'm pretty good at keeping people busy."

---

After what felt like hours of relentless combat, Bell managed to get another clean shot, this time hitting Desmond in the leg. He stumbled, giving me the chance to deliver a finishing blow that sent him crashing to the ground.

"Stay down," I warned, aiming my weapon at his chest.

He glared up at me, defiant even in defeat. "This isn't over."

"It is for now," I said, stepping back as Bell and Heesung regrouped with me.

"What about Catalina?" I asked, glancing at Heesung.

"She got away," he admitted, frustration evident in his tone. "But I managed to slow her down."

Bell gestured toward the horizon, where the sky was starting to brighten. "We don't have much time before that weapon goes off. We need to find it now."

I nodded, my exhaustion forgotten as adrenaline surged through me. "Let's move."