You Are Dead

Leon heard the click of his Sig as he pulled the trigger – the telling sign that he had hoped never to hear. He’d been counting rounds for the past ten minutes as he attempted to scrounge for ammo, but now his chamber was completely spent. He reached for his knife, but as he did, an older man with a hand held axe was already bringing his weapon down. There was no time to counter.

The biting pain of the blade cut through his left shoulder and down to his chest as he let out a loud howl of pain. A fist then found the corner of his mouth, and soon the world began to spin. Collapsing on his knees, Leon grabbed at his shoulder as he tried to steady himself. The red eyes of the Ganados were staring back at him. Their knives and axes and pitchforks were all waiting for the kill. As they closed in on him however, they all suddenly stopped and stood straight.

Leon looked past the group of enemies and saw the ominous figure approaching from the path in front of him. His heavy blue robes and living staff already told him who this man was.

“Sadler…” he grimaced through the pain.

“Leon,” Sadler replied as his foreboding smile spread across his face. “I must admit I was quite surprised that you were able to make it this far. I thought Chief Mendez would be the end of you, but you once again proved me wrong. Now it appears as if your American luck has run out at last.”

He tried to stay focused through the pain, but he was losing a lot of blood. He had no herbs left, and the last first aid spray bottle was knocked out of his hands before he could use it.

“Don’t think… that this is over… Sadler.” He said. “Even if you… kill me… You won’t succeed.”

Sadler looked down at him and smiled again. “Perhaps you are referring to your lady friend who has a penchant for red.”

With that sentence he nodded his head in the direction behind Leon’s position. He could hear the sounds of struggling behind him, but couldn’t see until the Ganados parted. She was thrown to the ground next to him. His heart sank in his chest.

“Ada…” he whispered.

Ada Wong slowly brought herself up to her knees. She had been cut in numerous places on her lovely skin, but Leon’s eyes went to her belly and the bloody hand she held against it. Blood was running through her fingers from a stab wound!

“Ada… how bad?”

She slowly turned her head to look at him. Her skin was pale from the blood loss, but a small smile spread across her lips. “I’m sorry… Leon. I won’t be able to… bail you out this time.”

“Sadler you bastard!” He yelled as he turned his attention back to the menacing man.

“It’s nothing to get all upset about. Now that I have my two bothersome flies at my heel, this unfortunate incident can be put to rest. Once I send Ashley back to her father as one of the Los Illuminados, the world will be mine!”

He then flicked his finger and looked behind them. “And as for you two, I will send you back to the hell from which you came.”

Leon heard the sound of metal dragging on the ground. He turned his head and saw a large man with a sack over his head pulling a huge double-bladed axe. He turned to Ada. She was looking off into the distance. Her mouth was pulled tight as she tried to endure the pain in her abdomen. Her face was passive, but Leon could see the fear there as well. He reached for her hand and entwined his fingers in hers. She turned to look at him.

“Leon…” she whispered, her eyes now full of fear. She knew this was the end.

“I know,” he heard himself reply. “Don’t worry. I’m here. I’m not going to leave you.”

She gently smiled at him as her grip on his hand tightened.

“In the next life then,” she whispered.

“I’ll be waiting for you on the other side, and this time… I won’t let you run away.”

He heard the blade leave the ground. The feeling of wind ran along his face. It was strange that the end felt so peaceful. But he was here with her, and if he had to go – that was how he wanted it.

“Ada… I…” Before he could say the words, his world went black.