Bab 30: Shadows of Betrayal
The ambush was chaos incarnate. The gunfire roared, echoing through the compound as the air thickened with smoke and adrenaline. My chest heaved as I struggled to keep calm, the weight of the pistol in my hand grounding me. Every instinct screamed at me to run, but I stayed rooted. This wasn't just a fight; it was survival.
Dante barked orders to his men, his voice cutting through the cacophony. "Hold the line! Push forward! Do not let them circle us!"
His presence was magnetic, a commanding force that rallied everyone. Despite the odds, they fought harder with him leading. I stayed low behind the armored vehicle, my heart pounding as I peeked around the corner. The compound was ablaze with light and fire, Maria's soldiers hidden in the shadows like specters, aiming with precision.
---
A Calculated Move
"Focus!" Dante's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as he crouched beside me, his expression grim but protective. "You're not a target. Stay close to me."
"I can fight," I replied, trying to steady my voice despite the trembling in my hands.
"You don't have to prove anything," he said, his tone softer now. "I need you alive, not reckless."
Before I could argue, a flash of movement caught his attention. He turned sharply, firing at a soldier who had crept too close. The man dropped instantly, a pained groan escaping him.
Dante glanced at me. "Move when I say. No hesitation. Got it?"
I nodded, gripping the pistol tighter.
---
Inside the Enemy's Den
The firefight pushed us closer to the main building. Dante's men systematically eliminated the sentries, closing in with the efficiency of seasoned warriors. Maria's forces were strong, but we had the element of determination.
Victor appeared beside Dante, his face smeared with soot. "We're running low on ammo," he muttered. "And Maria's got reinforcements coming."
Dante cursed under his breath. "Then we take her down now. We can't give her time to regroup."
Victor's eyes flickered to me. "Get her out of here. This isn't her fight."
"She stays," Dante said firmly, cutting off any protest.
"Dante—"
"She. Stays," he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Victor scowled but said nothing more, disappearing back into the fray.
---
The Face-Off
We reached the main entrance, the thick wooden doors hanging ajar, smoke seeping from within. Dante motioned for his men to spread out, their weapons raised. My stomach churned as we stepped inside, the atmosphere oppressive and suffocating.
The hallways were eerily silent, the faint flicker of flames casting long shadows. It was a stark contrast to the chaos outside, and the silence was almost worse.
"Stay behind me," Dante whispered, his hand brushing mine briefly.
I followed closely, my senses on high alert. Every creak of the floorboards, every distant sound, felt magnified.
And then she appeared.
Maria stood at the end of the hallway, her presence commanding despite the soot-streaked walls and flickering lights. She was dressed in black, her sharp features illuminated by the glow of the flames behind her. Her lips curled into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Dante," she purred, her voice dripping with malice. "You always did know how to make an entrance."
Dante stepped forward, his gun trained on her. "It's over, Maria."
"Is it?" she asked, tilting her head. "You're here, bleeding and broken, and you think you've won?"
"I don't think," he said coldly. "I know."
---
The Trap Unfolds
Maria's smile widened as she raised a hand. Before I could react, a series of loud clicks echoed around us. Hidden doors along the hallway flew open, revealing more of her men, their weapons aimed squarely at us.
My breath caught as Dante grabbed my arm, pulling me behind him. His men moved into position, forming a protective circle.
"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?" Maria taunted, her voice laced with amusement.
Dante didn't flinch. "You can throw everything you have at me, Maria. It won't change the outcome."
Her gaze shifted to me then, and a chill ran down my spine. "Ah, the infamous wife," she said, her tone mocking. "Tell me, dear, what's it like to be caught in the crossfire of a war you don't belong in?"
I forced myself to meet her gaze, my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my throat. "Better than being a coward who hides behind others to do her dirty work."
Maria's smile faltered for a split second before she laughed, a cold, sharp sound. "You've got spirit. I'll give you that. Too bad it won't save you."
---
The Turning Point
The standoff lasted only moments, though it felt like an eternity. Dante's men were outnumbered, but they were well-trained, their movements precise and calculated.
The hallway erupted into chaos as gunfire broke out once more. Dante pulled me into a side room, shielding me as bullets tore through the walls.
"We're pinned down," he muttered, his jaw tight. "We need to take out Maria's leadership or this won't end."
I nodded, my mind racing. "What about the other side entrance? She might not have it guarded as heavily."
Dante glanced at me, his eyes narrowing. "That's a gamble."
"It's the only shot we have," I said firmly.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Stay close to me. No matter what happens."
---
Confronting Maria
We slipped through the chaos, moving toward the side entrance I had mentioned. The air was thick with smoke and the acrid stench of gunpowder. My heart raced as we turned a corner and found ourselves face-to-face with Maria once again.
This time, she wasn't alone. Two of her men flanked her, their guns trained on us.
"Dante," she said, her voice smooth and mocking. "You're persistent, I'll give you that."
"This ends now, Maria," Dante said, his tone deadly.
Maria smirked. "Oh, I don't think so."
In a flash, everything happened at once. Dante lunged forward, his movements a blur as he disarmed one of the guards. I raised my pistol, my hands steady as I fired at the other, the recoil jolting through me.
Maria screamed in rage, pulling a knife from her belt as she charged at Dante. He caught her wrist, twisting it with brutal precision until the weapon clattered to the floor.
"You've lost," Dante growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Maria's eyes burned with fury, but there was a flicker of fear beneath her bravado. "You think killing me will fix everything? You're a fool, Dante."
"Maybe," he said, his grip tightening. "But at least I'm not a traitor."
---
The Aftermath
The battle ended as quickly as it began. Maria's forces surrendered once their leader was subdued, and Dante's men secured the compound.
I stood in the aftermath, the weight of what had happened settling over me. The smell of smoke and blood lingered in the air, a grim reminder of the cost of this victory.
Dante approached me, his expression unreadable. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, though my body ached and my mind was reeling. "I'm fine."
He placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. "It's over," he said softly.
But as I looked around at the destruction, I couldn't help but wonder if it truly was.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone