Page 107 of The Divide that Binds Us

“Wanna say that to my face?”he taunts.

I unhook my dagger from my pants.“With pleasure!”

“Alice!”Azul snaps.

It’s a long drop but I hop over the rail and lunge for Rio.He shoots a bolt of lightning at me, but I deflect using my shield and crashing right into him against one of the pillars.He grunts as I knock the air outta him but gets up to stomp on my foot (ouch) and kick the dagger out of my hand.

What kind of footwear does Ultima wear?My mistake for picking a fight while wearing socks.

I hop on my good foot to reach the dagger, but Rio trips me to the floor.I crawl the rest of the way, feeling a sizzling jolt through my body from him grabbing my ankle.My shield emits with enough force to blast him across the lobby, so I can grab my dagger and get up.I glance fast enough to see Azul watching from the balcony.I ignore the incoming soreness as Rio hurries to his feet.

Members who were once walking by skid away from the fight and take videos on their phones, cheering me on.More people crowd into the lobby as Rio turns around and shoots another lightning bolt at me.I dodge in time and slash the blade at him, but he steps out of the way and grabs ahold of my hoodie sleeve.The electrical shock is back, and my body convulses again.I focus on emitting the shield, but a painful, vibrating tickle surges through me and my muscles won’t stop contracting.

I stiffly try to slash the dagger at Rio’s face to get him to let go, but he just leans back.When I tug my sleeve away, he tugs back.So, either this hoodie is gonna rip...

Oooooor I just spin out of the hoodie and stumble to the floor.Gosh, I feel silly.

I’m still crouched when I swipe the dagger toward Rio’s ankles, but he hops and kicks me square in the face.My head throbs and my eyes sting with tears as I gasp from the sudden force.The lighting in the lobby isn’t helping.

“Alice!”Billie screams.

Gathering myself to my feet, blood oozes out of my nose, but I can keep going.

“Enough!”Azul bellows, having come downstairs.Everyone circles Rio and me, but Azul emerges with her hands behind her back.Rio straightens up as she approaches him, stepping forward and pausing our long staring contest.He clears his throat and does a quick sloppy bow, sweat beading from his flushed face.

“My apologies, Master Azul.I...I d-don’t know what c-came over me, I just—I...I am so sorry!”

Azul stares at him, the waves in her eyes freezing in her arctic glare.I wouldn’t want to be punished with whatever shadow powers she has.Even after five years, I’m not exactly sure what Azul can do.

“Your improper caution is ill fitting of you, Commander Rio.Considering we’ve already filed a complaint of contempt against Ultima, I’m quite bewildered at your willingness to engage in battle with my Special Agent,” she says.

“Self-defense, Master Azul,” Rio huffs.“You may disagree with my choice, but I’ve been trained to never back down, and that’s the kind of role model I am for my team.”

“That tracks,” I mutter, crossing my arms.

“Interesting.I will certainly be in touch with Master Cedric.”Azul steps aside so Rio and I are in full view of each other again.

I glower at Rio, ready to rip him to shreds, knowing full well I’m supposed to be on my best behavior and not do anything reckless.Billie runs up to me and links our arms while Azul strolls away.

“Get.Out,” I tell him.“If Natasha ever shows up again, we’ll yeet her back to your hellhole.”

Who knows when the last time she’s had tea to settle her agitation.Her psyche is rapidly dissolving; how Rio can’t see this for himself is beyond me.Surely, she’ll reach Berserk soon and she needs to be far away from Elite when this happens.Our Natasha is gone, and Elite has had enough time to mourn our loss.Seeing her in this state is just too much, even for me.

I think about Wren’s father reaching Berserk in the park likely from excessive agitation as a human.Luckily, he was able to die on his terms before he lost total control.

Rio flexes his hands before shoving his palms up his eyes with a long groan.He paces in circles in the lobby while Billie and I exchange glances.Every time the entrance doors slide open from someone coming or leaving, I barely catch Natasha’s defiant screams outside before the doors close again.Stacy strolls back in, smirking and shaking her head, shortly after, Drake runs back inside huffing with enlarged green eyes.

“Sir!Natasha ran off; I’m sorry, I couldn’t hold her for much longer,” he says.

Rio clenches his fists, flexing the tension in his jaw.Bags form under his eyes.He’s crumbling.He needs a win; I know that feeling.

Ultima is obsessed with perfection, peace, and unity.They’ll do whatever it takes to get what they want, just like Cedric.In the end, Ultima is just as toxic as Overdrive was.

The lights in the lobby flicker, catching Rio’s attention, so he stomps out the building.Drake looks back at him and then trudges toward us with a solemn expression.

Billie studies his face but her brows crease massively and generate a wrinkled forehead of utter confusion.

“You’re Drake Strife, right?”I ask.“You know Evangeline.”

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