It seemed like the whole world fell silent, going into a complete halt. Only the soft sound of my pants filled the air, my lungs burning with exhaustion, my muscles crying out for relief as they trembled. I was done, this battle was lost. I lost.

The Silence Syndicates had surrounded me, my techno spear clattering to the ground. My body jolted as I heard a clash in the distance, the syndicates turning as well, pointing their guns up. My eyes widened in horror as I could barely make out the figure, fighting and screaming in the distance.

“Sorren?!” I muttered. My feet began to move by themselves as my instincts immediately came into play. Some of The Silence syndicates raised their guns once more, threatening at anymore movement.

I knew I couldn’t fight. Anymore use of Neo would make my body shut down to cope. My nose was dried with blood along with other parts of my body, lined with wounds and bruises.

I could only watch as The Silence fought ruthlessly against Sorren, his passion and determination plowed through everyone in his way.

“Sorren, stop!!” I cried out. He paused for a just brief moment, his eyes wide with fear, begging for me to fight.

With an abrupt gunshot, I let out a loud and sharp scream. I collapsed to the ground, “You maniac…”

I clutched my right thigh, my eyes burning with hatred as I looked up to Ruin. Their mask distorting their voice. They walked slowly up to me as Sorren suddenly stopped attacking, being quickly overwhelmed by the syndicates.

“It seems he needs a little… reminder of who we are. Who YOU are.”

I let out a groan and laid on my side, blood pooling onto the ground.

“You need me alive don’t you?! Wouldn’t be good if I died here on the asphalt!! Just let him go… please.” I pleaded, trembling as I clutched my thigh a bit tighter.

The syndicates brought Sorren to Ruin, throwing him to the ground. He turned to me, his face twisting in fear as he saw through state I was in.

“Renji!! What the hell are you doing?!” he yelled, crawling over to me. He hovered his hands over me, trying to assess the damage I took.

“We have a deal. Are you here to oppose?” Ruin uttered, walking close to Sorren.

“What?! What deal?! What—“

Ruin suddenly grabbed Sorrens neck, pulling him close, his reflection clear in their visor.

“I guess it’s none of your concern…”

“Sorren, please… Just… go…” I muttered. My head was already spinning, my body’s energy slowly slipping.

“You should listen to your girlfriend… she’s-“

Without warning, Sorren swung his fist at Ruin, smashing part of her visor off. The syndicates grabbed Sorren hastily and slammed him to the ground. He squirmed on the ground, yelling curses and my name.

“Renji!! Renji please!!”

Ruin growled in irritation. “I have no time for this. Stand her up. We have to move.” they demanded, walking away from the both of us.

The syndicates stood me up, nearly falling over again as I looked back at the large pool of blood that had been left by me. “Walk”. I obeyed and started to stumble as I walked, abruptly stopping as I heard Sorren yelling again.

“No!! Your insane!! You’ll kill her!! You’ll-“

“JUST STOP!!”

My voice echoed in the alleyways into the street. I panted softly.

“I-I have to do this. I can’t risk you or anyone else’s life… Not anymore.” I implored, staring at the pool of blood. It had small blue streaks of light, zipping quickly in the fluid.

“I’m sorry. This… this is how it has to be.”

Ruin grabbed my arm, her broken visor revealing part of her light blue eyes.

“We have to move. You know why.” she said in a cold tone, pulling me along as I stumbled to keep balance.

The Silence syndicates continued to hold Sorren down as he writhed under them, screaming, tears streaming down his face. They pulled out a small syringe, quickly injecting it into his neck, his screaming and writhing slowing to a stop as his eyes sleoly closed. I sighed softly as I watched him fade into the distance, my own body giving into my own exhaustion as I felt everything fade, only the echos of Sorrens voice rang in my mind.