During the battle, Van had been consciously switching his skills on and off to preserve SP and EP, but it was clear that such tactics would only hold him back.

You can't outlast a zombie, it's just that simple. You have to end it all as quickly as possible. He reminded himself.

Van activated all his skills for his pseudo super mode and sent a Charged Force fist through the chest of the Hunter and broke free.

Stunned, the monster cried out. Van then rotated and opened his fist to deliver an upward knife hand.

This will end it!

*ka-chink*

The zombie's claws dug deep into Van's arm. He pulled away before it was ripped off.

Van took a moment to heal and create a new plan. The Hunter was doing the same as the hole in his chest closed up.

*Crick*

The Hunter's arms drooped down.

It looked liked his arms were getting longer.

Next he swung both arms haphazardly at Van. 

The unsuspecting blocks prevented a direct attack, but with each point of contact the elbow would dislocate next and strike around his guard.

The zombies' rubbery limbs snapped in the air. Van quickly countered with a charged knife hand, severing the arms for a second time.

"Ha!" The Hunter laughed. "I was all out of plans but somehow whipping you just felt right."

Van's frustration peaked from the constant verbal assault, but he kept his composure and saved his energy.

The stand off continued.

During the battle, Juni had successfully snuck into the elevator, and used her vine to lasso in the parts. But struggled as she dragged Mills in next.

Suddenly the Hunter looked at Juni and smiled.

"Do you know why they call this prison the Hell Hole? It's because of the retractable floors." The Hunter walked a circle around Van.

Van quickly placed himself between the Hunter and the elevator. Next he made a Barrier around the elevator door with Mills safely inside.

"During an outbreak a zombie got in. Probably some guard, who knows. But when then the inmates started to turn they took away the floors. Everyone was trapped, including the staff, guards and warden."

He remembers?

" They all tasted so good." The Hunter slurped.

" Van, look out! It's close to evolving!"

The biggest difference between each zombie class wasn't just their speed, strength or regenerative powers. It was their intelligence and control. The reason Rulers were feared was because they remembered their past lives and could exert control over all other zombies beneath them.

Van was now witnessing the birth of a Ruler. After having consumed countless people and surviving for years unchecked, this Hunter was on the verge of obtaining power well beyond what this team could handle.

Power swelled within the defeated Hunter. Van's Psyn-sense was going haywire.

"I will not be defeated by the likes of you!"

Van braced for impact.

Should've known this boss would have a second phase.

The Hunter launched himself full force at Van.

A sturdy block intercepted the predictable elbow but the following combination was too fast to parry.

Van lost a sizable chunk of HP, nearly half of the red bar on the lower left of his vision was gone.

However, the blue bar and green bar were still in good shape. 

If the boss was in his second phase, then I'm going into my second phase too.

Van jumped back and employed every combat skill at his disposal. Next he rushed forward, arms crossed just below his eyes, knife hands extended.

The Hunter rushed in as well. Arms open wide and claws stretched to the limit. Ready to claim Van's head just like he sliced open Mills. 

Juni didn't blink, but still couldn't see the exchange. One moment, Van was on the left and the Hunter was on the right. In the next moment they switched places, facing away from eachother.

Van fell with blood gushing from his chest. Catching himself before falling flat. In a few moments he rose back to his feet.

Just then the Hunter let his arms drop to his side. psyn energy began to leak from his neck. He turned to talk to Van but nothing came up. Only the soft thud of his head hitting the floor.

Van could barely stand, his breathing was labored. But the battle was finally done. The Hunter's head was rolling past his feet.

"Van, help! It's Mills."

Juni looked beyond desperate, fighting back tears as she help tightly onto Mills. Her grip was the only thing keeping him alive.

Van had no idea what to do. Willpower prevented him from panicking.

Maybe Metatron knows!

His clear mind raced to a solution. In moments he was standing in the Innermost Light.

Metatron! I need your help!

"I am aware of your dilemma. The power is within you to help your ally."

Tell me what I need to do.

Van moved as Metatron spoke. He needed to unlock the last path on the crossroads to reveal the next 4 branching paths. 

There, between the paths of Barrier and Laser, lies Halo.

Halo (lvl1) Exchange EP to heal others.

Requirements: Barrier, Laser

Unlock: Lux x2

Van unlocked the ability without a second thought. 

Back in reality he had already placed his hands over Mills' wound. 

Halo

EP drained from the bar in the lower right corner of his vision. But the color was returning to Mills' face.

"It's working!" Juni cheered.

"I'm spent." Van nearly collapsed against the elevator wall.

"I think it's enough until we make it back to a Doc." Juni wiped any tears that dared escape her eyes.

"It's over." Van sighed, while looking at the parts Juni had stacked up inside the elevator despite only being able to use one arm. 

Van placed the key into the slot and turned. The elevator buttons glowed.

*Gurgle, cough*

"If you thought I was scary, your going to shit yourself when you see who's really in charge."

The decapitated Hunter head called out to the survivors as they entered the elevator. 

"The ones who rule the deadzones shall return. The undying Lords of death and decay will reclaim this land and all the souls upon it." The Hunter laughs maniacally as he dissolves into psyn energy.

Van pressed the elevator button for the roof.

*ding*

When the elevator doors opened they emerged from the sealed doors on the roof. Van and Juni carried Mills out first. Then they returned for the parts. There was still a glint of daylight. The sun had not fully set yet.

Juni stood on the edge of the rooftop and motioned for support from below.

In not time the driver had ascended the grappling hooks and helped the battered heroes into the truck along with their objective.

Upon their triumphant return they were greeted by the Commander and his guards. The techs got to work immediately on repairs with the new parts.

The Commander announced that everyone should rest, debriefing could wait until the morning.

[Emergency Quest Complete

Save the Generator

Collection

Alternator 1/1

Regulator 1/1

Stator 1/1

Rotor 1/1

Location: Dowanfall Penitentiary 

Reward: Prototype Generator, 5000Ť

[NOTICE]

[You have overcome a trial: Lux x1 Rewarded. ]