This is What I Live For

He rolled swiftly to the left as the boulder shattered behind him. He scrambled to his feet again, only to find Ivanov standing amidst the massive wreckage of a recently collapsed building. Ivanov began to relentlessly hurl rocks from the debris pile at Sairi, who, in turn, deflected some with his sword and repelled others with the energy flowing from his left hand. The barrage was incessant, and he knew he could not evade it for much longer. He dropped his sword, placing all his hope in a final, desperate gambit. He raised both hands into the air, focusing all his body's energy into them. He saw five large rocks hurtling toward him. He projected a wave of energy into the air, and the rocks stopped, suspended as if in zero gravity. Ivanov stared, disbelieving what he was seeing.

Sairi's muscles began to spasm, but he pushed himself harder, propelling the rocks back at Ivanov. They struck him in a relentless onslaught, knocking him to the ground. Unfazed, Ivanov brushed the rocks aside and leaped to his feet again. He looked at the exhausted Sairi and sensed his opportunity. He charged. Sairi bent down, retrieved his sword, and prepared for the end. Ivanov lunged, his power overwhelming the depleted Sairi, who could barely stand. He was on the verge of being annihilated. Sairi raised his right hand, levitating a few small rocks to orbit his body, then launched them at Ivanov. They struck him but did not slow his advance. Just as Ivanov was about to strike, a sound echoed from the surroundings. He paused for a fraction of a second, just as a fiery projectile slammed into him, sending him flying away from Sairi. Sairi, in turn, looked toward the source of the projectile and saw another one streaking toward him. He dropped to the ground, narrowly escaping it. He raised his head, trying to comprehend what was happening, and saw several human figures moving in the darkness, approaching him, their forms indistinct. Suddenly, a blinding light emanated from the figures, directed at Sairi. He shielded his eyes, stumbling backward, trying to discern their identities through his fingers, but he could see nothing. He saw another projectile, similar to a bazooka rocket, fly past him, heading for Ivanov, who was struggling to his feet, swaying in pain, his body having reverted to its normal state. A tremor of fear ran through Sairi.

The projectile will kill him, he thought.

He pushed himself with every ounce of strength he had left, raising his hands toward the projectile, channeling his remaining energy to stop it. The projectile froze in mid-air, a mere two meters from Ivanov. It strained against Sairi's power, trying to continue its trajectory, but he held it fast. His body screamed in protest, his strength rapidly fading. Sweat poured from him as he pushed himself to his limit, but the projectile continued to resist.

Ivanov stood up, feeling a wave of exhaustion and a throbbing headache. He looked ahead, his mind struggling to process the scene before him: something was hovering in the air directly in front of him, and bright lights were approaching from a distance. He turned his gaze to the agonized Sairi, who seemed to be holding the hovering object in place. His expression shifted as he finally understood. He heard Sairi scream, his voice raw with effort:

"GET AWAAAAAAAAAY!"

Ivanov sprinted to the left. The projectile shot past him, exploding a few meters behind. He looked back at Sairi and saw him collapse to the ground, unconscious. The lights converged on him, and shadowy figures emerged from the darkness, surrounding him. They seized him, lifted him, and began to drag him away. Ivanov rushed to his aid, but he felt the sharp prick of a needle in his body and fell to the ground. Darkness began to consume his vision. The shadows and lights closed in, seizing him as well, and began to drag his inert form away, back the way they had come.

***

Ares stared at the General for a long moment, then said:

"Now, listen to my plan very carefully."

The General, stroking his chin, replied, "I am giving you my full attention."

Ares began to recount the plan in all its detail. The General's expression shifted from interest to astonishment as he spoke, and everyone else in the tent listened with rapt focus. When Ares finished, a period of silence hung in the air.

"That is a brilliant plan, young man," the General said with great enthusiasm. "I must confess, you are more clever than I anticipated."

Ares offered a calculated smile. "Thank you, sir. It is an honor to receive your praise. And now, I will depart to carry out my part of the mission. You begin with yours. We will reconvene here tomorrow, at the same time."

The Captain, already pressing the transmitter and issuing orders to the soldiers, confirmed, "The operation will be implemented, effective immediately."

"I will send a squad of soldiers with you," the General added. "They will assist you in your task."

Ares objected with a swift, decisive sharpness. "No. I require no assistance. I operate more efficiently alone. You have only to execute the tasks I have outlined for you. I will handle the rest."

The General appeared uneasy, but he sensed this was non-negotiable for Ares. He also recalled that this young man had managed to cross the United Nations barrier and arrive here without a single scratch. He sighed deeply. "Very well. As you wish. I will not press the matter. But understand, there is no margin for error. We are depending on you."

Ares nodded once, then collected the supplies he had requested they prepare for him. He bid farewell to the General and the other soldiers in the tent and headed outside, accompanied by the Captain. He crossed the encampment to the exit gate, acknowledged the salutes of the two guards on duty, and stepped outside the perimeter. He then turned to the Captain.

"I suppose this is goodbye, then," he said, his tone one of manufactured melancholy. "Take care of yourself. The times ahead will be trying for us all."

The Captain was silent for a few seconds before breaking the quiet. "Yes. This will be the beginning of the counter-offensive against those bastards. Now, we have procured what you requested. Look behind you."

The Captain pointed behind Ares. He turned to see a modern electric motorcycle, its black frame looking as though it had never been used.

This is undeniably the most favorable development since my awakening in these damnable circumstances, he thought to himself, a genuine joy rising within him.

A wide smile spread across Ares's face. "Excellent," he said, his voice filled with a sudden, intense enthusiasm. "This is what I live for."