Chapter 114: Final Moment
Sophia quickly wiped her tears and opened her medical kit, desperately trying to stabilize her mother. "Sophia..." Lillian said softly, her voice strained. "You can't save me. It's not about the injuries..." Suddenly, her expression shifted, her eyes widening with panic. "You have to go! Now!" she shouted, shoving Sophia away with surprising strength.
"No! I won't leave you!" Sophia screamed, trying to reach for her mother again.
Zack, watching from nearby, noticed the sudden shift in Lillian's demeanor. His eyes narrowed, and he quickly gave an order: "Ego, take control of the armor and get Sophia out of here. Now!"
Sophia's armor abruptly activated its propellers, lifting her off the ground against her will. "No! Mom!" Sophia cried out in despair as the armor carried her away, her outstretched hand reaching for her mother.
Lillian turned toward Zack with a faint, bittersweet smile. "No wonder I found you pleasing," she said softly. "Take care of my daughter..."
Her smile turned sad as a faint red glow appeared in her chest, right over her heart. Zack's eyes widened in recognition. "A chip..." he muttered, his voice heavy with realization. Lillian nodded faintly. Then, in a flash, the glow intensified.
BOOM! The explosion tore through the air, leaving a devastating silence in its wake. Lillian's body was blown apart, her perfect form reduced to fragments. Even in death, her face bore a serene, inexplicable smile.
"Collect her remains. Prepare for burial," Zack said coldly, his face devoid of emotion. He didn't dwell on what had just happened—there was no time for that. He removed his nanosuit and equipped the Apex armor. With a roar of thrusters, he descended the mountain, landing near the burning wreckage where Black Hand lay.
Black Hand, or what was left of him, sat amidst the flames. His cloak had been burned away, revealing the horrific truth beneath—a body of twisted metal and synthetic organs. Only his head retained a vaguely human appearance, though even that was damaged. His synthetic voice rasped through a damaged speaker. "Hahaha... so you've come, Zack..."