Let's Escape (Part 2)

Chun's heart pounded. The air between them felt electric, charged with tension as Cain and Joker faced each other like old rivals enjoying a game only they understood.

Zhang took a slow step toward Chun, his voice low. "We need to be careful."

Chun barely nodded. Her fingers twitched at her side, itching for a weapon she didn't have.

Joker stretched lazily. "So, what's the plan, Cain? Gonna play hero and help these lost little lambs?" He smirked. "Or are you just here to enjoy the show?"

Cain grinned, tilting his head slightly. "Who says I have to pick one?" His stance was relaxed, but Chun didn't miss the subtle way he shifted his weight—like a fighter ready to pounce at any second.

Joker let out an exaggerated sigh. "You and your theatrics. Fine, fine. Let's make this interesting."

With a snap of his fingers, the shadows around him twisted and stretched, forming grotesque figures with hollow, empty eyes. The air grew heavy, thick with an unnatural presence. The figures shambled forward, surrounding Chun and Zhang.

Zhang clenched his fists. "Damn it."

Chun steadied herself. Focus. Don't panic.

Cain exhaled loudly. "Come on, Joker. You're making me look bad." He rolled his shoulders, then smirked at Chun. "Alright, kid. Let's see if you can handle this."

Before Chun could respond, Cain moved.

Faster than she could follow, he lunged into the swarm of shadows, his fist colliding with the nearest creature. A pulse of golden energy exploded outward, obliterating it instantly. The Strength tarot card shimmered faintly in his grip as he spun, striking down another enemy with a single fluid motion.

Joker cackled. "Oh, I love watching you fight, Cain. Such grace."

Cain ignored him, his movements effortless, almost playful. He fought like he had all the time in the world—dodging, weaving, striking with precise force.

Zhang didn't wait for an invitation. With a sharp exhale, he charged into the fray, his fists slamming into the nearest shadow-creature. It dissolved into black mist.

Chun gritted her teeth. She couldn't just stand there.

She clenched her hands into fists and rushed forward.

The battle was chaos. Shadows lunged from all sides, their forms shifting unpredictably. Chun dodged an incoming strike, barely avoiding a clawed hand that slashed through the air where her head had been moments before.

Cain glanced at her mid-fight and grinned. "Not bad, kid."

"Shut up and fight!" Chun snapped, swinging at a creature.

Cain let out a laugh. "Oh, I like you."

"Hey, That's My Girl !"

Joker watched from a distance, amusement dancing in his eyes. "How Funny. I like the little drama you had there."

Joker laugh tirelessly.

"Shut Up !" said loudly at the same time by Chun and Zhang.

The shadows surged forward.

The real fight had begun.

Chun's breath came in short gasps as she dodged another shadowy strike. The creatures swarmed, their hollow eyes fixed on her, their distorted limbs stretching unnaturally. Zhang was fending off three at once, his fists glowing faintly as he struck with precision.

Cain, meanwhile, was laughing.

He moved with effortless grace, as if the battle were a mere game. Every punch sent shockwaves through the air, dispersing the shadows in golden bursts. He didn't just fight—he dominated, weaving through the battlefield like he had been born in it.

Joker leaned lazily against an unseen force, watching like an entertained spectator. "Oh, Cain, you really haven't changed." His voice was rich with amusement. "Still playing with your food?"

Cain smirked, ducking under a swipe and delivering a devastating uppercut that sent a shadow spiraling into nothingness. "Why rush? I like a good warm-up."

Chun grit her teeth, barely dodging another strike. They're just playing around while we're struggling…

A hand shot out of the darkness, wrapping around her wrist. Cold. Wrong. She barely had time to react before it yanked her off her feet.

"Chun!" Zhang turned, but another shadow lunged at him, forcing him back.

Cain's eyes flicked toward her. "Tch."

Then he moved.

One second, Chun was being dragged into the abyss. The next, Cain was beside her, his hand gripping her forearm. Strength surged through her body as he yanked her free. He pivoted midair, his other hand clenched into a fist.

A single punch shattered the shadow's form like fragile glass.

Chun gasped as she hit the ground, Cain landing beside her with ease. He turned to her with that ever-present smirk. "Try not to die, alright?"

She scowled. "I wasn't planning to."

Joker let out a slow, exaggerated clap. "Bravo, Cain. Saving the damsel in distress? How heroic of you."

Cain's smirk didn't falter, but Chun saw something in his eyes—something sharp. "I don't do heroics."

Joker tilted his head. "Oh, I know. That's why it's so interesting watching you pretend."

Cain's expression darkened.

The air shifted.

The shadows, once erratic, began to focus. No longer mindless creatures—they were converging, forming something more. The battlefield grew eerily quiet as the darkness twisted.

Then it spoke.

A voice, layered with countless tones, echoed through the space.

"You think strength is enough?"

The shifting mass of darkness coalesced into something humanoid. Not just a monster. A figure. A presence. It stood tall, its form flickering between countless faces—Joker's, Zhang's, Cain's, even Chun's.

Cain's smirk vanished.

Joker chuckled. "Ah, there it is." He gestured at the figure. "The part of yourself you'd rather not see."

Chun's stomach twisted.

The creature stepped forward.

Cain exhaled slowly. "Well, that's annoying." He rolled his shoulders. "Guess I should get serious."

Joker spread his arms. "Now this is the game I've been waiting for."

Cain's fingers flexed, his knuckles cracking as he took a single step forward. The ground beneath him trembled, as if responding to his presence.

Chun felt it too—the shift. The weight of the moment pressing down on all of them.

The figure of shifting faces took another step, its form flickering between countless expressions—anger, sorrow, mockery. It knew them. It had seen their struggles, their weaknesses. It wasn't just darkness.

It was them.

Cain let out a slow breath. His usual smirk flickered for just a second before returning, sharper than ever. "You know, Joker," he said, rolling his shoulders, "I was hoping for more of a challenge."

Joker chuckled, his golden eyes flashing. "Oh, you'll get one."

The thing lunged.

Cain met it head-on.

The impact sent a shockwave through the air. Chun staggered back, shielding her eyes as golden light clashed against inky blackness. The ground cracked beneath Cain's feet as he held his ground, his fist locked against the creature's clawed hand.

For the first time since meeting him, Chun saw Cain strain.

The Strength card's power surged around him, golden energy wrapping his arms in jagged arcs, but the creature pushed back—harder.

Cain's feet slid.

Joker grinned. "What's wrong? I thought you were stronger than this."

Cain's jaw tightened. "Shut up."

He shifted his stance, his aura flaring as he twisted his body, breaking the deadlock. His fist shot forward, slamming into the creature's chest. The impact sent cracks rippling across its form, its faces distorting with pain.

But it didn't break.

It only laughed.

Chun's stomach clenched. "Cain, what is that thing?"

Cain's expression darkened. "Something that shouldn't exist."

The creature straightened, its wounds already sealing. It tilted its head at Cain, its voice layering over itself in a sickening echo.

"Strength alone means nothing."

Cain's fists clenched.

Joker sighed dramatically. "Ooooh, that has to sting. You, of all people, being told your strength isn't enough? How tragic."

Cain ignored him.

Instead, he turned slightly, eyes locking onto Chun. "Run."

She stiffened. "What?"

"I'm not gonna repeat myself." His voice was firm. "Go."

But she couldn't move.

Because deep down, she knew—this fight wasn't just about Cain.

This was all of them.

The creature took another step forward, its form growing sharper, more solid. The flickering faces settled—until one remained.

Chun's own reflection stared back at her.

A cold, knowing smile curled its lips.

"You can't run from yourself."

Her breath caught in her throat.

Cain turned back to face the creature, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he charged.