Chapter 053: Under the Surface

Eli's POV 

Marconi's voice slinked across the night, spasming my spine. I made myself cool even if the weight of our situation crashed on me. Ava halted next to me, and I grasped her hand firmly. Her breath stopped Not just now; we couldn show fear.

Marconi entering the dim light stated, "You have been quite the thorn in my side, Eli." His attire was beautiful, his grin predatory. To be very honest, I find it really impressive. Most people seldom remain this long.

Retaining a forceful voice, I shot back, "I aim to disappoint." Every phrase was intentional, every second a chance to get away. Every minute to consider.

Marconi laughed a deep, terrifying note. "Brave words for a man on the run."

I went gently to sleep between Ava and him. "What then do you want, Marconi?"

His eyes gleamed with entertainment. "My ideal has always been control. Eli, you have been too long meddling in my life. And today you have included this lovely woman into it. such a loss.

Ava stayed rigid next to me, but she did not back off. Strong in voice, she said, "I'm here by choice." "Everything you have against him is against me too."

Marconi tilted his head to see her. Loyalty. How appealing? It will underline this all the more horrible.

He came forward, and I pushed myself to stay grounded in space. Trying to buy time, I said, "You think you're invincible." But Marconi, you have bred rivals. More than you could possibly be aware of.

"Is that so?" enquired He raised an eyebrow clearly not very impressed. "Do help me."

I turned to Ava, our quiet ongoing chat. We have to softly fascinate him without exposing our hand. Maintaining a relaxed voice, I went on, "You're slipping." Here now, "the cracks are showing."

His smile stammered, only for a moment. " Eli, I am in command of everything. One does not locate cracks here.

" Then why are you here?" I pushed, running a measured risk. Given your confidence, why bother directly confronting me?

His eyes fogged, and I knew I had set off a sensitive nerve. His voice was cool, "Because I like to handle loose ends personally," he said. And Eli, you have grown into a somewhat lazy end.

The air becomes heavy and loaded with turmoil. Ava's pulse surged, exactly as mine did. This was the exact moment everything may go apart.

I still had to complete it though.

"You believe killing me would solve your problems?" I questioned, looking straight at him. You're mistaken. Proof is already at hand. Taking me down won't change anything.

Marconi's voice faltered, and I knew he was assessing what I had said. One I thought would give us time was a bluff. "You're bluffing," he said, even if his voice revealed some doubt.

Leaning closer, I inquired, "Am I?" " Earlier, you undervalued me. Are you really ready to bet once more?

The silence stretched, the tension so thick I could scarcely breathe. Marconi looked to be computing, attempting to find out whether I was telling the truth. Beside me, Ava turned, ready for anything.

enough, Marconi murmured at last, his voice sharp. "I am bored with this game."

He raised a hand, and his soldiers moved forward. My ideas flew, seeking a release. There were both too many of them and too many variables here. But I couldn let terror paralyze me.

"Now!," I shouted and grabbed Ava's hand to slide her to the side. Where we had been standing only minutes before, bullets cut the masonry. My heart racing, we ran behind a stack of crates.

"Eli, what do we have to do?" Ava whispered, dread huge in her eyes.

"We fight," I said, my voice steady in the chaos. We fight our way forth here.

She nodded, a hardening of her face resolved. Each step deliberate, every breath a struggle, we marched together. Every shot I aimed at Marconi's men was a last-d attempt to extend our time. Ava stayed close, her actions accurate and quick. She was powerful, stronger than I would have ever credited her with, even if she had military experience.

The fight lasted, every minute a confusion of sound and movement. I would not give up even if I could sense weary setting in. Not yet. Not while we were so close.

Then, looking out the corner of my eye, I saw Marconi back-tracking watching. Not only a man, he stood for everything I had struggled against, everything that had broken my life apart. And I realized at that precise moment that this transcended simple survival. It turned on declaring it completed. Good for good.

Low in voice, "Ava, cover me," I said.

She nodded and understood exactly then. I went, weaving through the mayhem, focused on one objective. When Marconi saw me walking toward him, I saw for the first time anything like worry in his eyes.

"Eli," he said, his voice choking. "Think carefully.

I answered, my feet never wavering: "I have."

We came together in the middle of the room, a collision of will and violence. He exceeded my expectations, yet he lacked something I needed for war. It helped me to think about Ava, about the life we could enjoy. We fought, each hitting a memorial to what we had gone through. One punch after another.

Blood flowing from his lip, Marconi spat, "You cannot win."

Fist slammed into his jaw, I said, "I already have." He staggered, and I briefly felt it was over.

Then he lunged, a knife glistening in his hand. I let go even though side discomfort started to flare. I turned and tossed him smashing to the ground using every last bit of muscle.

He stayed on the earth.

The weight of what we had done fell over me, stilling the room. Ava rushed to my side, hands gentle yet strong. Eli: You're hurt.

"I'm fine," I replied, lying even as the earth spun. " Is he...?"

She nodded, eyes fluttering with both terror and relief. "It's Done."

I wanted to let trust flow over me. Deep down, though, I realized it was not that simple. We had won the battle even though the war was far from over.

"Come on," I pushed, trying to get myself upright. We had to go.

Our choices weighing us down, we staggered out into the twilight together. One thing was obvious—we would travel it together—even though the route ahead was uncertain.

Right now, that also is plenty.