Chapter 342: Beautiful Betrayal (2/2)

Zinnia rushed to Alton's aid, unaware of what happened, choosing to protect him. ”Alton was right! You all want to take his Stages!”

”Move out of the way, Zinnia! Let me finish this; Alton will not stop until we are all dead!” Riley snapped, holding her hand out, charging another attack. ”That isn't your friend anymore.”

”Zin-I-a….” Alton whispered, the life fading from his eyes. ”I don't want to die….”

Riley tried moving Zinnia, only for her to snap by Alton's words. Thrusting her sword forward, a blast of lightning struck Riley burning her face as she jolted back, holding her eye in pain falling to the ground. The moment Riley was taken out, Alton came to life through his new Stage. The ground began to shake as all of Alton's wounds began to heal, rising to his feet; he roared with a scream of rage and fury, blasting everyone back. Holding Zinnia, keeping her from being fired back, Gale was the only one who could keep himself standing. ”No way! The Stage of Anger?! When did he?”

Alton moved his hands around, taking a deep breath whispering. ”One, two, three, four, five, six. Stance Six, Freezing ignite.”

Ice blasted out, freezing the area before shattering blowing up. The building was destroyed as everyone was covered in snow. Alton took Zinnia's hand, his face still burnt. ”Zinnia… Thank you.”

Falling to one knee, Zinnia caught him looking worried. ”We need to get out of here.”

”Yes…. I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't want to do this.” He whimpered, being carried away. ”Wait. What about her?”

Zinnia looked to Jehovah, nodding. ”Can you help her?”

Holding his hand out, Jehovah was lifted in the air with Scarlett's psychic powers. The three began to leave as Alton was limping helped to move through Zinnia. ”I'm sorry, Zin….”

”What are you apologising for?” She whispered, still worried about her dear friend.

”I forced you into this mess. You fought your friends and made enemies of them because of me.”

Zinnia shook her head smiling. ”No, please don't. I don't want your apology. What I'm doing is right. I'll be by your side and protect you no matter what, Alt.”

”Thank you, Zin, you're the only person I have left. I love you for that.”

Flustered, Zinnia nodded, keeping ahead. ”I love you too.”

****

Alice returned with Lucas staring on in horror. Her base was destroyed with many deaths. Gale slouched over, coughing, helping Riley, who's had bandages around her right eye. He turned to her, sighing. ”What happened here?”

”Alton betrayed us. He stole the Stage of Anger and ran away with Zinnia and Jehovah.” He sighed, looking around. ”We lost most of the Syndicate family and Haggis. Everyone else is just about alright.”

Alice gripped her fist, cursing. ”Damn it! We need to get after him. He can't be allowed to keep going on like this.”

Gale nodded, sitting Riley down. ”Zinnia is being tricked by him. We need to get her back and save him.”

Alice looked away, whispering. ”No…. Alton is gone; we need to stop him once and for all.”

”You're serious?!” Gale gasped. ”You want to kill him?!”

”No…. I would want to save him no matter what. But I can't think of any way to do so. I'm sorry, Gale.”

Gale shook his head. ”No, no, I understand. This is the only way.”

”Lucas. We should keep going.”

Riley gripped Alice's leg. ”Wait…. Let me come with you. I save Zinnia.”

”You're in no condition to fight Riley. Please just rest. I'll get Zinnia back no matter what.” Alice smiled, placing her hand on Riley's head. ”Come on, Lucas.”

Lucas looked back, sighing. ”This scene…. It's exactly like the Garden…. When will this bloodshed end?”