Ethan felt the weight of the task ahead. He knew time was running out. Without hesitation, he grabbed the radio strapped to his side—every assassin in the group had one, already used during the assassination mission to coordinate their movements. In a flash, Ethan remembered the radio as he watched Marcus's story unfold in the mirror—the same tool that had once kept them connected was now their only chance of survival. His heart raced, but his hands remained steady as he spoke.
He switched between their languages with precision, his voice calm yet commanding, cutting through the chaos. "Everyone, regroup!" A stunned silence filled with air, as the group witnessed his sudden mastery of multiple languages. Ethan continued, "We meet at the alley near Rue de la Paix, now! No one is to move alone!" His words echoed through the night, each language seamlessly blending into the next.
Questions burned in everyone's minds, but there was no time for answers. Lucia Maren heard her assassin instincts kicking in—and she nodded to Ethan. Alina Vetrova adjusted her stance, understanding the urgency. The others, though panicked, began to follow his instructions.
"Stay low. Stay together," Ethan continued, his voice unwavering. "We're stronger as a team. Move fast and move smart."
Lucia Maren heard him and quickly made her way toward the alley, following Renji Takeda's path. Alina Vetrova moved with her, using Ethan's instructions to avoid the attackers and stay hidden. Ethan fired back, holding off the attackers and giving the others precious time. His shots were precise, forcing the enemies into cover.
He ducked behind a nearby wall, counting the seconds before he had to move again. A bullet struck his side, but he barely flinched. Adrenaline kept him focused. He kicked away a grenade that had rolled toward him, then fired on the move, taking out two attackers.
"Keep moving!" Ethan shouted into the radio, his voice firm, despite the growing pain. "I'll hold them off. Don't stop for me."
The group hesitated for a moment, but Ethan's command was clear. Lucia Maren and the others pressed on, their steps hurried, the urgency in his voice pushing them forward. Ethan shot again, dropping another attacker, then glanced over his shoulder. The others were getting further away, the gap widening.
More attackers appeared, emerging from the shadows. He fought back with ruthless efficiency, using every ounce of energy he had left. His shots rang out, one after another, as he tried to close the gap quickly to stay between Lucia and the others. He aimed to ensure their escape while fending off their pursuers.
But the attackers kept coming, faster now. His vision blurred with each passing second as blood soaked his side. He knew the moment was close. Another attacker tried to sneak up on him from behind. Ethan spun and shot him down without hesitation, then turned back to face the oncoming threat. His body was giving out, but his aim didn't waver.
The gap between him and the others widened further, but he kept them covered as best he could. "Go!" he barked into the radio one last time. "You must move now. Get out of here—don't look back."
His voice cracked with exhaustion, but the order was clear. He couldn't hold them off much longer. All four heard the command in the radio. For a moment, they froze, staring back toward the sound of gunfire. Their hearts were heavy, knowing Ethan was still out there, buying them time. But they listened, obeying his final order, and kept moving.
Ethan's breath was shallow. His vision dimmed, the world around him slowing. One last shot rang out from his weapon, and then, everything went black. The last thing Ethan saw was the alley—the place where his mission would end. He slumped against the wall, his body failing him, but his mind at peace.
Ethan let the radio fall from his hand. He lay back, staring at the dark sky above him, his head resting against the cold concrete. The sounds of gunfire and shouting faded into the background. All he could think about was the fact that the assassins were alive. His mission was complete. With his final breath, he whispered into the radio, "You're safe now. Go."
The radio crackled faintly in his hand as he let it fall to the ground. The sounds of the city faded, and the weight of the task he had completed settled over him like a heavy fog. All four, hearing his final words, pressed on toward their escape. The airport lay ahead, their destination. They would never forget him. Not ever.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he closed his eyes. He felt peace, knowing he had done his duty. He had given everything to protect them, and now they had a chance to live. That thought made his sacrifice worth it.
As his final breath left his body, the chaos around him seemed to fade completely. Ethan's journey had come to an end, but his actions would not be forgotten. Ethan had done what Marcus couldn't, and he had saved lives because of it.