Chapter 50

Tzuyu looked down for the hundredth time today on the watch that indicates Jihyo's heart rate. She managed to convince Jihyo to wear the device that would make her know she's still alive even if they're not together. The younger woman knows how her partner do things. If sacrificing herself is the way to solve a problem she'll probably do it.

"Hey are you okay?" Momo turned to her in concern. Tzuyu brushed the negative thoughts away and nodded.

"Yeah. We should hurry and help the others." She answered calmly. Momo and Jeongyeon shared a look. They knew what she actually felt at the moment.

"She's going to be fine." Momo assured.

"Yeah Jihyo won't leave us that easily." Jeong added.

Tzuyu smiled hearing their comforting words but still the uneasiness is there. She can't shrug the worries away. If given the chance she would choose to stay with her all the time but Jihyo appointed her this important job along with Momo and Jeongyeon. If they were to fail, then everything they planned will be a waste.

They need to make an opening within the cage for Jihyo to easily teleport those people who have to stay and fight. The time limit they have is one hour at minimum. The bomb has already been planted and the timer will start within three minutes from now.

"After making a hole, call Nayeon and the rest to escape." Tzuyu fired a gun to the approaching men. Momo made it easy by throwing another gas. For people with ability, inhaling the gas won't be a problem but if it was inhaled by a normal person they'll start acting weird as if they just took a great amount of cocaine. Jeong and Tzuyu is wearing masks to avoid meeting the same fate as those laughing guards.

"What about you guys?" Jeong asked.

"I'll go get the Captain, Chaeyoung, Mina and Aki. Take Jisoo and Rose with you too. I don't think we can keep the promise of keeping the kid alive for her if Mina gets her memories back." Tzuyu could only imagine the bloody fight in that room right now. Momo and Jeongyeon nodded in agreement.

Tzuyu let out a sigh. She have to think positively even though her gut tells her something bad will definitely happen. She's not blind not to notice how sweet Jihyo's words and actions to her this morning. It's as if she's savoring their last moments together.

Please keep her safe. I won't beg for anything more... just let her live.

...

Mina's cold eyes stared deeply on the struggling child. She just sent her flying like that without even moving a finger. Her hair started to change color into a blonde one. The witch before has finally returned.

"Annoying."

After saying that, a maddening laugh resounded in the room. The child spat out the blood as her wound started to heal in an insane speed.

"You surprised me there." She chuckled. Mina didn't answer and her expression stayed calm and cold. She decided to finally take things seriously. Her smile turned into solemn face as she raised a finger. Mina felt the same rush of air in energy coming to her. It's the same as what she did. With one look, the attack didn't hit her.

Meanwhile, Jihyo and Akira stayed stunned in their position. Looking at Mina, she knew that woman is the same witch she fought ten years ago. She instantly turned to Chaeyoung that has yet to wake up. Jihyo frowned.  Chaeyoung should be back too if the unlocking of memory is done. Why is she still unconscious? Jihyo felt the cold sweats ran down her spine. This means she's still there and trapped.

"Akira come." Taking Akira's wrist, she took her to Chaeyoung. Mina noticed the movement and turned to them. Not even caring about her opponent. Jihyo stiffened when she felt the piercing glare on her back. She thanked the heavens for the little kid's timing.

"Where the hell are you looking." The clone made a leap and attacked Mina behind. She hits her neck but Mina didn't even flinch.

"That tickles." She muttered coldly and took the kid's feet to throw so hard on the same direction she sent her before. The dent became bigger. Mina massages her neck that the clone kicked. She moves her head to the sides and let out a sigh.

Jihyo took the chance to cast her barrier around them. This will help to mask their scent and movement. The inside of the barrier will be completely devoid from the outside.

"Akira wake me up after three minutes." She sat before Chaeyoung and holds her hand.

"What?! why? what will happen if you won't wake up?" Akira panicked.

"Both of us will die."

...

Mina's mind is blank. She don't recognize anyone. Her body react when there is danger and terminate whoever her eyes landed into.

"Y-you really are strong." The kid struggled to stand up as she clutched her head. Blood streamed down from the open wound that is healing every second. Mina blinked calmly and sent a sneak attack. The clone sees through it and managed to avoid. The wall that has been hit with it made a wide crack.

"Hey don't be impatient." She's avoiding the insane attack speed coming from the assassin. She moves like she's one with the air. Appearing and disappearing when the kid could block her attacks. The thrill is there with every exchange they make. Their movements is hard to follow within normal eyes.

Looking closely at the fight, they looked like they are fairly strong but on the other hand, the kid is struggling to keep up with the older girl. She's getting faster every second that attacking is getting hard. The clone has no choice but to resort in defence. Using her tails, she made a barrier for herself. Mina saw what she did and smirked.

"That won't do." A very chilling aura came from her as  she snapped her fingers. It's just like how Jihyo did earlier. A deafening sound shaked the room. She struggled to cover her ears and close her eyes. The sound is messing with her hearing sense and just like that, her ears started to bleed.

"Fuck." She muttered under her breath. She never expected the real one could use this ability to this extent. It's three times stronger than before.

"Let's end this." Mina raised a hand and with it is the rise of the clone from the floor. Her body limp and head raised. It's as if there is an invincible force holding her neck and lifting her to the air. Mina tightened her hold and along with it is a desperate gasp coming from the child.

Her eyes is still blank and empty looking at the drying kid in front of her. She doesn't feel anything but the thought to kill. Mina was stopped by a familiar voice. The voice of the man she despised the most.

"Mina stop." A man wearing a casual clothes with a pair of glasses and white hair evident on his hair. Mina didn't let go and continued to stare at the stranger.

"It's me your father." He said with a husky voice.

Mina turned to the kid in her gasp who looked like already out of it. Her skin pale and turning bluish. She clicked her tongue and finally closed her fist making the neck of child snap. As the head falls, Mina watched it rolls on the ground. She threw the body on the side and turns to the old man again.

His eyes showed no fear. He remained stoic even after seeing the child he raised for ten years get beheaded just like that in a second.

"I knew she's just an imitation and would not be compared to you." He smiled. Mina stayed stoic. She didn't answer as she thought the person before her is weak. She looked down on his missing arm then goes back to look on his face. He looked so happy.

"Who are-" Mina winced in pain when suddenly flashes of memories came back to her. She gets on her knees and closed her eyes tight. The childhood, her sister, father, best friend, and the team. Everything came back to her. Raising her head, she was met with her father's face. A tear escaped in her eyes.

The sister she vowed to protect, her best friend who sacrificed her life for her, the whole reason she lost everything ten years ago.

Chaeyoung...

...

Jihyo used her fifth ability, the telepathy. By only using three is already dangerous what more she will use all of it in just a day. She can only try to reach for Chaeyoung for three minutes. More time will kill her and she might drag Chaeyoung along with her if she won't bring her back. The four minutes fight with that clone drains almost all of her strength already.

"Son Chaeyoung answer me." She called through her mind. She can't read anything from the woman's consciousness. Shit is she lost?!

Jihyo gritted her teeth and tried to dig deeper. It is dangerous for her to do so but she have to. After some seconds of looking in the girl's mind, she finally found a short of signal and sign of her own consciousness. Realization hit her. The reason why Mina is acting different was because she has yet to regain her memory. Chaeyoung is still inside.

A minute passed and Jihyo could feel her life draining away. She have to do this right. Linking her mind to Mina trough Chaeyoung, she looked for the younger girl.

"Son Chaeyoung where are you?!" She shouted in her inner mind.

On the distant part of Mina's mind, Chaeyoung heard Jihyo's calling. She has been looking for a way to get out. It seems like she lost to the memories of Mina's past and can't find her way out.

"Jihyo unnie!" She shouted back. Jihyo heard it and looked where the voice is coming from. Chaeyoung's voice is small as if she was behind something thick and closed. She found out that was the place where the memories are locked.

"Follow my voice!"

Chaeyoung looked at her side where she could hear the voice coming from. The brutal deaths of those people ten years ago... she has been repeatedly seeing them. It made her felt like it's going to hunt her for years. She could feel her stomach twitching in disgust from the scattered organs.

Her heart also aches for Mina. She was the one who has to take everything alone. She took her father's rage, she took the burden to protect those people she cared for alone. Suffered the loneliness and pain in her cell.

Finally reaching the door, she took her a step back on that white hallway again. The memories she saw along with all the secrets are now finally free. The metal door cracked and everything is up to Mina now. Chaeyoung could feel the numbing feeling again. Her time is almost up and she need to go back to her own mind. Concentrating, she follow what Jihyo taught her to do.

"Finally!" Akira exclaimed when she saw Chaeyoung and Jihyo altogether gasp for air.

"A-are you okay?" Jihyo immediately checked on her worriedly while still catching her breathe.

"I am... I should be the one asking you unnie." Chaeyoung is still holding Jihyo's hand and that made her see what she's thinking at the moment.

"Unnie you-" Chaeyoung's voice trembled. Jihyo sighed and made a wall in her mind to block her thoughts. Being a mental ability user too, she knew how to counter such ability.

"Stop we need to go help Mina first." Jihyo stopped her  words and stood up. Akira who has been observing the two can only guess a thing or two about what is happening.

"What about Minari?" She looked at the woman not so far away from them facing a man Chaeyoung recognized as Mina's father. They watched as Mina falls on her knee and clutches her head. Chaeyoung worriedly ran towards the woman.

"Chaeyoung no-" Jihyo tried to stop her but she suddenly lost strength on her legs. Good thing Akira catched her.

"Hey are you okay? Tzuyu told me to watch over you. Captain, you already used too much of your powers now." Akira worriedly let the girl sat and lean on her. She stared at the older girl's eyes. The blue color is flickering. It looks like it's slowly fading.

"Captain you are..." Akira trailed. Jihyo smiled. She didn't answer Akira and turned to her best friend and Chaeyoung. She felt so relieved when Mina didn't react violently towards Chaeyoung. This only means their plan is a success.

"Ahh I can finally rest." She muttered so lowly that Akira barely hears it.

...

Chaeyoung...

"Mina!" Chaeyoung rushed to her side. Mina immediately looked at the person she wanted to see. Her eyes overflows with different emotions now. The pain she had long forgotten ten years ago came back like a bucket of ice to her.

"I'm sorry." She muttered and clung to Chaeyoung as if her life depend on it. Chaeyoung understood where the tears are coming from. She can only imagine how painful it is for Mina and so she hug her tight.

"You are that kid back then." The man frowned seeing the girl in front of him. Chaeyoung sent him a glare.

"So what if I am?" Chaeyoung's blue eyes stare deeply into him.

"The foolish selfish kid." He said mockingly.

"You are the reason why this happened! You are the reason why your daughter is suffering just because you can't move one!" Chaeyoung spat. Seeing Mina's past, she knew everything now. Her retort made him stunned.

"How dare you... Mina agreed to it because she also thinks I am right." He retort. Chaeyoung laughed sarcastically.

"Ohh come one. Mina only agreed because she pities her crazy father and personally blamed herself for her mother's death. She didn't really want that whatever perfection you called. You are just and idiot who thinks that her wife will be happy if you will make your daughter a monster. Do you really think that's what she wanted?" Chaeyoung can't stop herself to get angry at the selfish man in front of her. She has her own lacking but this man who calls himself a father can't even realize his own fault.

"You don't know anything!" The man rebuked. Chaeyoung wanted to talk back again when Mina stopped her.

"Father... please stop it. Mom won't be happy seeing this." Mina is crying.

"Mina... you agreed to be her replacement..." The man lowered her gaze and clenched his fist.

"Father I am not anyone's replacement. Mom she- she left a video to me that I should take care of you. She said I should follow your orders and I did tried. I did everything to satisfy your craving for that so called perfection but please... Let's stop now." Mina begged him. The man was again stunned in his place. This is her daughter, not a another person begging him to stop. But for him... it's too late to go back now. He made too many mistake and there is no way he can get away from it.

He did looked for his daughter but not to kill her. He did become the villain but not to destroy the protagonist. It is for her to hate him. The last salvation he can have is to be killed by her daughter's hands. Way back twelve years ago, before the that night of Chaeyoung, he knew he made a mistake. He made his  daughter hate her and he can't turn back.

Much more, he's only following orders. The person behind his wife's death. His life is already binded by that person and can't do anything on his own. This is one of the reason why he wanted to make Mina the strongest so that no one will dare to hurt her. He actually throws his humanity for his daughter. He knew the clone can't win against his daughter but he still let her fight and he knew that kid is another life he has to pay in hell.

He took out a gun and pointed it on Mina. His love towards his only daughter is true. He knew the suffering he made her get through ever since the day Mina agreed in the experimentation. His wife told him to protect their angel but he felt ashamed as he knew he can't. Under that person's eyes, no daughter can escape. So he has to decide the hardest decision in his life.

Ten years ago when Mina lost control and took his arm. He felt disappointed that she didn't kill him. He knew his daughter understand even without him saying anything.

"Mina you got weaker..." He smiled, the same soft one playing in his lips. "and stronger. I guess this is the end. The hide and seek finally ends here." He fired the gun but not on Mina but towards Chaeyoung. The person he knew Mina cared so much ever since he remembered. Mina stopped the bullets mid air.

"Please father stop this already can you just go back to the father I know." Mina is crying so hard while Chaeyoung is holding her trembling hand. (Play audio)

"That bullet has special chemical to it. If you wont fire that to a normal body, the chemical will explode and everyone here will die." He said as if openly saying to her to kill him. He already achieved his goal to make her daughter strong and with the people around her there's no doubt she will be fine. He has been waiting for this time.

"No please don't." She shook her head in refusal.

"Five seconds Mina. One, Two, Three..." He still have that calm expression on his face as if he already accepted everything. Mina closed her eyes. "Two.. on-" The bullets pierced through his heart. A wide grin came from him. Chaeyoung saw how his lips formed those words.

Take.Care.of.Her.

He dropped to the floor and along with it is Mina's tears. Akira guided Jihyo to the other two. Chaeyoung hug the crying girl in her arms as Jihyo patted her shoulder. Just in time, Tzuyu arrived in the scene. Her worries immediately brushed away seeing her girlfriend is fine.

"Tzuyu-ah" Jihyo turned to her and smiled. The younger woman let out a sigh. The fight is finally over.

"Unnie..." She called and grab the woman for a hug. Akira smiled seeing the two couples happy and alive.

"Aki." Mina suddenly calls for her.

"Yes nee?"

"I'm sorry for not recognizing you." Mina cried again. Akira joins their hug.

"Ani it's fine. As long as you two are fine and alive I'll be satisfied." Akira smiled widely, making her eyes smile too.

"Also you Jihyo... You sacrificed too much. You said you can't use your power that much but you still did. I owe you everything." Mina turned to her best friend and the younger girl assisting her. "Tzuyu I'm sorry if unnie didn't recognized you."

"It's fine unnie." Tzuyu shrugged.

"I'm your friend Mina and the only person who can help you is me. I can't let you down can I?" She chuckled.

"But will you be fine after this?" Mina's voice is full of concern. Something Jihyo missed from her.

"Yeah." She lied. Chaeyoung knows better.

"We should get out of here. Everyone got out already." Tzuyu reminded them. She turned to the girl in her arms. "Will it be okay to teleport now?" She asked worriedly cause it looked like she's so drained. Chaeyoung couldn't move that much too as she's already at her limit.

"Yes but let's check the last room first" Jihyo pointed at the door where Mina's father came out. All of them entered the room and they are met with a burning place. It looks like he destroyed the evidences himself. They shared looks and decided to just go.

"Wait" Mina suddenly interrupted. She let go of Chaeyoung and ran to her father's dead body. She reached for his pen. The pen he always carries way back before things change.

"Let's go."

and just like that, they left the room and back into the camp.

"You are back!" Momo welcomes them with an open arms along with Sana.

"Wait I'm not seeing a ghost right?" Chaeyeon ran to Akira and began to check her. She's suddenly crying after seeing her little sister she thought she lost.

"No unnie and don't kill me a second time please." Akira complained because she is being tackled with a tight hug. Everyone looked so happy but Jisoo has that solemn smile on her.

"Sorry we can't save her." Tzuyu turned to her apologetically. Jisoo sighed and shook her head.

"No, maybe I'm asking for too much after all." She brushed the sadness away with a smile. "Rose and I have to go somewhere until we meet again." She slightly bowed and the two girl left the place silently.

(Play the audio) (because it's so sad huhuhu)

They continued to give exchange of praises within themselves for doing a good job in finishing the cage. But just as the smiles came the tears followed. Jihyo suddenly coughed so hard that it goes unnoticed by everyone.

"Hey unnie are you-"

Blood, Jihyo is coughing blood. Momo's eyes widened. She injected her a healing serum immediately but it didn't made the cough go away. Jihyo's complexion turned paler and paler by seconds and her skin cold. Tzuyu catched her on her arms and shook her lightly.

"No please no..." Tzuyu begged. She don't know to whom she actually said it. Chaeyoung covers her mouth to hide the loud cries. She knew this will happen.

"Hey Jihyo what is happening? you said you'll be okay." Mina is starting to panic. She can't let her best friend leave her. Not until she makes up with everything she gave for her and to the group.

"I-I'm sorry." Jihyo mutters between the coughs. She stared at the girls around her. A satisfied smile came to her lips.

"Captain don't leave us." Dahyun kneeled in front of her. Jihyo became a sister and mother of the group. Without her everything will be different. All of them burst on crying but Sana can't and so she bit her lower lips from the foreign feeling of agony in her heart. She just hits her chest and close her eyes in pain.

"My time is up. I c-can't help anymore." Jihyo coughs another trail of blood. Akira lowered her gaze. Her savior is dying in front of her and she can't even do anything.

"Unnie don't leave us how can we go on..." Chaeyoung cried kneeling in front of her too. Mina trembling in regret and pain. The friend she met that made her accompanied and entertained when life in the cage is so rough. She can't imagine without seeing that familiar face. Even with a mask, ten years is still long. Their bond is strong and if someone on the other end has to leave, it's just so painful to feel.

"No one will hunt you guys now. Y-you are all free and I have to rest." Jihyo's smiles made them cry harder. Dahyun, Nayeon and Chaeyoung is having a hard time to breath. While Tzuyu is silently crying with Jihyo in her arms. If someone is in so much pain right now it will be the youngest girl.

"Tzuyu-ah mianhe... unnie can't be with you." Jihyo started to struggle on her breathing. Tzuyu just shook her head.

"It's okay unnie. You don't have to worry about me too much." She hiccuped and sniffed.

"Nayeonie and Jeongie please don't fight too much." Jihyo's voice is hoarse and weak. Jeongyeon who has been silently crying and comforting Nayeon nodded while Nayeon shook her head.

"No you need to stay and be our advisor again." Nayeon cried. Jihyo chuckled lightly.

"Can't do that though..." She smiled apologetically. That only made Nayeon wailed. They have been friends since years ago and not having her presence is a great adjustment.

"Dahyunie don't let Sana trick you too much okay?" Jihyo turned to the crying girl. Dahyun can't answer properly because of her cries but still she managed a nod. "Sana listen to Dahyun." She continued.

"I know captain." Sana answered. Her eyes full of pain.

"Momo don't bury yourself too much in chemicals. Go date someone."

Momo cracked a small smile hearing her friend's word for her. She felt so useless that she can't cure the person who they owed their life with.

"Yes I'll bring him to you next time." She answered trying to muster a smile. Jihyo nodded satisfied with her reply.

"Mina please don't blame yourself." Jihyo's voice is almost begging. Mina can't meet her eyes and she just nodded while looking down on the ground. She felt ashamed. Jihyo turned to Chaeyoung and smiled. Chaeyoung nodded to her. She understood that smile.

"Tzuyu... I need to go. Where is my kiss?" Jihyo looked at her lover weakly. Tzuyu has her jaws tightened.

"I can't let you go after all." She let go of her true emotions. How can she if the woman became her other half. If she were to go then she'll be incomplete.

"Come on we talked about this." Jihyo holds her cheeks with her cold hands. Tzuyu leaned to the touch. Painful tears streaming down her face. She finally gave in to the woman before her. She always gave in to her even since before. Leaning down, she captured her lips in a very loving manner. The last kiss and goodbye. Jihyo smiled to the kiss and slowly... life left her.

The explosions echoing from a distance can't be compared to the lost of a dear family.

...

Author's Note:

Next is epilogue... Here is some tissue :)