"Bro, what are you even talking about?"


    Elvis, as always, shed that carefree smirk, the kind that suggested he''d use the sky as a nket if it fell. "Who said anything about a duel to the death? I''m just going back to report in. Been AWOL for days. If I don''t show up soon, the organization will have my head, and there goes my health insurance."


    "Stop ying dumb. I heard your conversation with Dad!"


    Evadne pouted, her lips a bright shade of rebellion, pinching her earlobe. "Remember, I''ve got ears everywhere!"


    Elvis: "..."


    Such a curious fox, always eavesdropping!


    "No matter what, I need to save Ellie."


    Elvis took a deep breath, a dull ache spreading through his heart. "If Avery''s bold enough to reveal his location and even suggests meeting in Helgen, it means we''re in for a nasty fight. Honestly, I''m scared."


    "Elvis..." Cassius Ashbourne, the eldest brother, eyes suddenly moist, grabbed his brother''s broad shoulders.


    "Elvis!" Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy were also on the verge of breaking down.


    "I''m not afraid of dying. I''m just afraid of not being able toe back to you all." Elvis smiled, a heavy burden in his light words.


    "Elvis, stop talking nonsense!"


    Cassius hugged his brother, his voice deep and gravelly. "I''m with you, little bro. I''ll protect you, won''t let anything happen!"


    "Big bro, cut it out. If anything happened to you, Dr. Bright would be devastated, wouldn''t she?" Elvis couldn''t resist a tease.


    Cassius''s voice was thick with emotion, his eyes damp. "We''ll alle back alive, reunite with our loved ones, and stay together... till the end."


    Evadne couldn''t bear such a scene, her sensitive heart already secretly shedding tears.


    "Elvis, let mee with you."


    Thaddeus wrapped his arm around Evadne''s waist, his jaw clenched tight. "Don''t forget, we''re alumni. I might have switched from military to business, but the soldier in me never dies. If not me, then who will stand at the forefront?" "Yeah, alumni."


    Elvis''s eyes sparkled with emotion. "Never thought we''d fight side by side like this."


    "Thaddeus..." Evadne lifted her tear-stained face, looking deeply at her man.


    A fierce pride surged within her, but so did a profound worry, which she dared not show too much of, fearing it would burden Thaddeus.


    She knew too well, not letting him face Avery would be his lifelong regret.


    So, Evadne held back her tears, her voice soft but light. "Lately, Arnold and Aaron have been cracking cases together, with Wayne turning state''s evidence, Avery''s stronghold in Elmsworth has crumbled, the Chambers Group''s stocks tanked, and the culprits have either been arrested or suspended. He''s at his wit''s end in Helgen. Aaron''s got a red alert out for him, police are on their way to search and arrest. Darcy was itching for a reason to go after him, now with full preparation and presidential authorization, Helgen''s police are scouring for his whereabouts. This time, he won''t fly away!"


    Elvis''s heart pounded heavily. "Just five days away... from Elsie and Harvey''s wedding."


    Evadne''s eyes zed with determination. "I''m going with you!"


    The three men stared in shock, in unison:


    "No way!"


    "No one knows Avery better than me."


    Evadne had anticipated this, her expression calm, her voice steady. "If he''s calling Elvis, it means he''s prepared for a scorched earth policy. Otherwise, with his resources, it would be unnecessary to expose himself, right? So, from the start, his goal wasn''t Elvis... It was me."


    Cassius and Elvis were taken aback, then fell silent.


    They knew Evadne was right.


    But they couldn''t let their beloved sister risk her life!


    "Evadne, don''t go!" Thaddeus suddenly embraced her, his heartbeat heavy against her chest.


    The embrace was too deep, too tight, too heavy, nearly leaving Evadne breathless, yet unshaken:


    "I must go. Thaddeus, no matter when, where, or what happens, I want to be with


    you. We''re in this together, always."


    "Evadne, no..." Thaddeus''s voice was a broken whisper.


    They had weathered many storms, conspiracies, life-and-death situations together.


    Yet, this time, Thaddeus had a foreboding feeling, as if a deep, dark plot awaited them, ready to pounce from the shadows.


    "It''s time to settle things with Avery."


    Evadne smiled softly, gently soothing his broad back. "If I keep hiding, do you think Avery would just give up? He''d devise endless schemes to force me out. By refusing, I''d only endanger those around me. Thaddeus, you understand me best. You know I can''t back down now."


    As the night waned, a bright moon shone through the window, illuminating the intertwined lovers.


    Tonight, Evadne was uncharacteristically bold, and Thaddeus, passionate as fire.


    As if, after this encounter, they might never have another chance to be so closely entwined...


    His sweat-drenched muscles tensed under her touch, ready to burst at any moment.


    The dim light of the crystalmp flickered in her eyes, stirring a whirlwind of desire and confusion...


    "Evadne... I must protect you, I have to." Thaddeus murmured into her ear, voice deep with longing.


    "I trust you." Evadne wrapped her arms around his neck, lifting herself to meet his kiss.


    In the embrace of love, they whispered through the night, until their voices were hoarse, until dawn arrived.