DJ deftly evaded another onslaught of blasts coming his way, conjuring a massive obsidian wall that he swiftly transformed into bedrock, launching multiple bedrock spears at Dark. Dark effortlessly dodged the spears, destroying some with his Vira Blade.

"Is that the best you can do? Where's that void trick you pulled?" Dark taunted, seizing DJ's shoulder and hurling him through the forest. DJ grunted, quickly regaining his footing and erecting a protective barrier as Dark unleashed a powerful blast toward him.

"Cheater. Tell me, DJ, what's your secret? How did you acquire this power?" Dark inquired, touching down on the grassy ground as he advanced towards DJ.

"A secret? I don't spill my secrets to strangers," DJ grinned mischievously, but before Dark could react, he found himself suspended in mid-air. "What the—" Dark's words were abruptly cut off as he was hurled far into the distance.

DJ exhaled sharply, his gaze fixed on the spot where Dark had vanished, likely to land somewhere in the city with how far he had thrown him. I've got to move fast . DJ thought as he descended towards the waters below, observing the mercenaries clambering up the cliffside.

"Might as well follow through with my plan," DJ muttered to himself, advancing towards them.

"He's back?!" Ballista exclaimed, eyes widening as he looked up at DJ, who stood with his arms crossed, a determined look on his face. "Tell me the name of your employer, and I'll release all of you," DJ growled, prompting Ballista to clench his jaw, readying himself to transform into a turret. However, Agent intervened, placing a hand on Ballista's shoulder, halting his actions.

"Fighting won't lead anywhere," Agent murmured, glancing up at DJ. "I'm sorry, but I can't disclose anything. So, go ahead and do what you must," Agent smirked, causing DJ's eyes to widen. "Wow! Uh... .really? That loyal?" DJ laughed nervously, observing the mercenaries nod in agreement.

"Aw, for god's sake," DJ groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Clearly, he couldn't just drown them. In truth, he hadn't intended to do so; he had merely hoped to intimidate them into divulging information. Yet, even faced with the threat of death, they remained unfazed.

"Damn it," DJ muttered, rolling his eyes in frustration, gazing up with a sense of disappointment. However, his expression shifted to one of confusion as Purple descended from above. "What the?!" DJ exclaimed in astonishment as Purple landed beside him. "DJ!" Purple called out, embracing him tightly. DJ returned the hug, patting Purple's back in a show of comfort.

"Didn't I instruct you to head to Alan's PC?" DJ asked, amused, as Purple sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Well, technically, you said 'bring Chosen to the PC,' not 'stay,'" Purple retorted with a mischievous grin, causing DJ to roll his eyes.

"My mistake, I didn't realize I had to be that precise," DJ remarked nonchalantly, prompting Purple to giggle. They both then redirected their attention to the mercenaries, who observed their exchange.

"So, what's the plan with them?" DJ inquired, turning to Purple, who furrowed his brow, contemplating their next move.

"Let's just leave them be," Purple suggested, casting a glance at Primal, whose eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Seriously?" Ballista exclaimed, his jaw dropping in astonishment. "Let's call it a day. DJ hasn't even had breakfast yet," Purple smirked, prompting DJ to laugh. "True, I was practically half-asleep when I faced you guys," DJ admitted with a scratch of his head and a yawn.

"Fantastic, we got defeated by a guy who just rolled out of bed," Primal deadpanned before refocusing on Purple, who met her gaze. "Why release us? You know we'll come after you again," Agent queried, crossing his arms, his expression serious.

"Even so, you all seemed fine with me serving under Rocket Corp for a week," Purple smirked before seizing DJ's arm and leading him away. "Anyway, next time we meet, I won't go easy on you," Purple winked at Ballista, who clenched his fist in response.

"Brat!" Ballista growled, shaking his fist in frustration, while Primal chuckled, shaking her head as they watched Purple and DJ soar away.

Suddenly, DJ seized Purple, shielding him from a massive blast that hurled them towards the shore. "Shit!" Primal yelped, prompting Agent to place a hand on Primal's shoulder, halting her impulse to rush to their aid.

"Don't. Let Dark handle this," Agent advised, folding his arms behind his back.

"DJ! Are you alright?" Purple sat up, unscathed, turning to check on DJ, who was panting heavily, clearly caught off guard by the unexpected attack. Luckily, he had caught sight of the fireball hurtling towards them and managed to absorb the impact to shield them both.

"Alright," DJ grunted, swiftly summoning a bedrock wall as another blast headed their way.

Springing to his feet, Purple stood by his side. "Is it him again?" Purple asked, loading his crossbow with three rockets. "Yeah, I really think you should leave," DJ urged through clenched teeth, deflecting another blast from the side.

"What, and abandon you here? I can't do that. I just—Oh no," Purple exclaimed, spotting Second and the others plummeting from the sky. "Get them out of here! Now!" DJ growled before propelling himself away with a thunderous blast.

"Finally stopped running, huh?" Dark taunted with a grin, eliciting a growl from DJ, who was no longer in the mood for conversation. "Shall we end this?" DJ smirked, conjuring a massive netherite sword and thrusting it at Dark, who effortlessly caught it with his hands, piercing it with his Vira Blade, causing it to dissipate completely.

DJ clicked his tongue in frustration, crafting a massive bow out of netherite and unleashing a volley of arrows at Dark, who effortlessly deleted each one.

"What, you expect me to just stand here and let it hit me? Show me that void trick again, I dare you!" Dark taunted with a maniacal laugh, causing DJ to clench his jaw, a bead of sweat forming at the back of his neck.

He could indeed attempt the void portal once more, but that would entail... DJ glanced around, spotting Purple concealed behind a cluster of trees with the others, then turning his attention to the mercenaries still observing from the sidelines.

"What, afraid you might harm innocent bystanders?" Dark taunted, a smirk playing on his lips as DJ's expression darkened.

"I don't need it to take you down," DJ retorted confidently, though his hands betrayed him with their clammy, shaky state. Deep down, he knew defeating Dark was no easy feat. They could battle endlessly without a clear victor emerging. The only definitive solution would involve banishing Dark to the void.

Yet, that option would entail causing more destruction, something DJ preferred to avoid.

Dark merely scoffed.

"What in the world are all of you doing here? I specifically said I was going after DJ alone!" Purple exclaimed, waving his arms in frustration as he observed each of them flush with embarrassment.

"We were concerned for both of you!" Green interjected, letting out a yelp as the ground trembled beneath them. They gazed upward, witnessing DJ and Dark locked in combat, their clashes causing the very ground to quake.

"We have to leave this place. If we inadvertently get caught in the crossfire, we're done for. We're here solely to retrieve you and DJ," Yellow urged, turning to Purple, who watched the battle intently, his heart pounding in his chest as he observed DJ deftly evade Dark's relentless assaults.

"DJ can handle himself," Second remarked, placing a reassuring hand on Purple, who could only furrow his brow in concern.

"No, that blade in his hands... If it touches DJ, I'm scared to think what might happen," Purple exclaimed, his voice tinged with fear, just as the ground convulsed once more, his eyes widening as DJ gestured, summoning two massive ravagers out of thin air.

"What in the world?!" Blue cried out in alarm, prompting them all to take several steps back as the tremors persisted, accompanied by resounding roars that filled the air. Purple's eyes widened in shock. "We have to help DJ! I can grab him, and we can escape from here!" Purple turned to Second urgently.

"I actually brought obsidian to make a portal," Red chimed in, producing obsidian blocks and swiftly assembling a portal before igniting it with a whoosh. "There! I'll retrieve DJ. Enter the portal and wait for us. Be prepared to dismantle it when we arrive," Purple instructed, poised to take flight.

Before Purple could take off, Green firmly grasped his arm. "No, we're staying right here and entering together," Green stated, as Purple pulled his arm away with a frustrated grunt. "Fine! Just have your pickaxes ready," Purple grumbled before ascending. From above, he spotted DJ attempting to trap Dark within a bedrock enclosure, aided by the titan ravagers at his side.

"DJ! Let's go! Forget about him!" Purple shouted, gesturing wildly.

DJ, his expression filled with concern, turned towards Purple and nodded. He conjured a few more titan ravagers to distract Dark before soaring over to Purple. "Let's move!" DJ declared as they descended to the ground and dashed towards the portal.

"DJ! Thank goodness you're safe," Second exclaimed, giving DJ a quick one-armed hug before stepping back. "Alright, everyone, get in," Purple directed, pointing towards the portal.

As they prepared to enter the portal, a flash of red and black streaked towards Purple. "Purple!" Second cried out, hurrying towards his friend. Before the attack could reach Purple, DJ intercepted it, shielding Purple with his own body, his back now facing Dark.

A sharp exhale escaped DJ as his eyes widened, a look of realization crossing his face.

"D-DJ?" Purple faltered, his eyes trembling as he gazed downward, a sense of dread creeping over him. There, a black blade pierced through DJ's chest, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Purp... I..." DJ's voice faltered, his eyes fluttering as he weakly attempted to grasp at the blade lodged in his chest, his strength waning.

Dark's chilling laughter echoed through the air as he withdrew his blade, leaving DJ to crumple lifelessly in Purple's arms, his eyes rolling back. A collective scream erupted from everyone present, with Yellow letting out a roar of fury as he charged at Dark, brandishing his diamond sword.

The group rallied together, attempting to take down Dark, but their efforts were futile as he effortlessly swatted them away like bothersome insects.

"DJ! DJ! Wake up!" Purple's anguished cries filled the air as he knelt beside the motionless figure of DJ. Placing a trembling hand on DJ's chest, Purple let out a heart-wrenching cry as he watched DJ's form gradually fade away.

"No! Please, no!" Purple wailed, shaking DJ's body desperately, hoping against hope for a response.

Purple's tears flowed freely as he pleaded with DJ to awaken, his voice trembling with desperation. He caressed DJ's cheek, his hands quivering as he traced down his neck, only to feel the absence of a heartbeat.

"No... No..." Purple gasped, his hands moving to his own hair, pulling at it in anguish, disregarding the pain as he gazed down at DJ's still form. "You're not dead, you're just resting. You'll wake up, DJ, please, please wake up," Purple sobbed, his cries filled with a mixture of denial and despair.

In the periphery, Second was thrown against a tree, while the rest of their group lay unconscious on the ground, Dark looming over them with a smirk.

"Isn't it touching how he sacrificed himself for you? I should thank you for that," Dark taunted, his voice dripping with amusement as he approached Purple.

"Stay back!" Purple's voice cracked with emotion as he clutched DJ tightly to his chest. "It's no use, kid. Sooner or later, he'll be reduced to mere lines of code, disappearing without a trace. You won't even have his lifeless body," Dark taunted, a cruel smirk on his face.

"Enough," a new voice cut through the tension as Agent stepped forward, his expression stern. Dark merely huffed, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. "No fun~" Dark teased, observing as Primal and Hazard carried the other teenagers while Ballista bore Second on his back.

Approaching Purple, Agent frowned as he witnessed the desperate grip with which Purple held onto DJ, noting the gradual fading of DJ's left leg.

"I suggest you come with us," Agent suggested, activating his UI as Purple growled in frustration. "I should have just killed all of you," Purple muttered darkly, his voice laced with bitterness.

Dark's chilling laughter filled the air as he mocked Purple, reveling in the chaos he had caused. "Listen to yourself! You can't even do anything, yet you talk of taking a life? Look at what your friend's sacrifice led to. He didn't end me, and now I've ended him-" Dark's taunts were abruptly cut off by Purple's anguished scream as he rose to his feet, sword in hand, only to be restrained by Agent who swiftly bound his hands together.

"Enough, Dark. You've caused more than enough harm," Agent stated firmly, his gaze unwavering on Dark, who simply rolled his eyes in response. "Forget about the other one. You won't even have a body to mourn, so why bother?" Dark sneered, reveling in the pain he had inflicted.

Meanwhile, Purple, tears streaming down his face, struggled against Agent's hold, his gaze fixed on DJ, whose form was slowly dissipating, his shoulder already fading away, resembling nothing more than a peaceful slumber.

"Please, no, please," Purple pleaded desperately as he was led away by Agent. "I'm sorry, kid. It's all part of the job," Agent muttered softly, his expression pained, as Purple's cries echoed.

🎮 ⚔️ ⛏️

"Purple..." Green murmured softly as he observed his friend, the purple figure, pacing back and forth, his distress manifesting in his actions as he scratched at his arms and neck, then tugged at his hair.

"DJ can't be dead... He can't be. He's okay, he's okay," Purple repeated frantically, his voice laced with desperation, interspersed with sniffles and sobs before he collapsed to the floor, pounding his fist against the ground.

"Please, please, don't take him away from me too!" Purple's anguished cries filled the room as Green approached him, taking hold of his shoulders and drawing him close in a tight embrace.

"Purple," Green whispered, running a soothing hand along his friend's back as Purple continued to shake and sob. "He's gone, Green. I saw his form fade away... he's gone. This is my fault," Purple's words were heavy with grief as Green continued to offer his comfort, running his hand through Purple's hair.

"Purple, this isn't on you. DJ made the choice to save you," Green whispered gently, trying to console Purple who was consumed by sobs, his body trembling with the fear and agony of losing yet another important person in his life.

"I should have... I shouldn't have come. It's my fault," Purple confessed in a hushed tone, clinging tightly to Green, his anger palpable as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

"They all deserve to pay, to suffer, to die!" Purple's voice rose in a primal scream as he broke free from Green's embrace, his fists pounding against the bars in a frenzy of rage. "Purple," Yellow's voice cut through the chaos from a nearby cage, where Blue huddled, visibly shaken by the outburst.

Ignoring the pain and the blood dripping from his split knuckles, Purple continued his assault on the bars until Green intervened, grasping his arm and pulling him away. "Please, calm down. Stop hurting yourself," Green pleaded, his own tears mingling with the tumult of emotions in the air.

Purple's eyes widened in disbelief as he witnessed Green's emotional breakdown before him, his own hands trembling with a mixture of grief and anger.

"DJ is okay, right? He's human! He can't just disappear, right?" Red's voice reverberated through the room, his hands rattling the bars until Second stepped in, embracing him in a comforting hug.

"He's gone," Yellow's words were barely a whisper, his gaze shifting towards Blue as he fought to contain his own sorrow, biting his lip to stem the tears threatening to spill. "He's not gone! He was fading slowly!" Purple's voice rose in denial, his frustration and despair evident as he tugged at his hair, a fierce growl escaping his lips.

"Please, Purple, try to calm yourself. Anger won't change anything," Second implored, his expression strained with worry. "Calm down? How can I calm down?! DJ is out there, fading away! And we're stuck in here! If only you all had listened to me and stayed back, you could have been out there, aiding DJ!" Purple snarled, his fists striking the bars

Second's brow furrowed deeply, his frustration evident as he stepped away from Red before unleashing his own outburst. "We were worried about you!" he shouted, the tension in the room palpable.

"Well, frankly, I couldn't care less if I died!" Purple's retort echoed through the space, cutting through the silence as everyone turned to him, taken aback by his stark declaration.

"Purple, please don't say that. DJ saved you because he wanted you to survive," Blue's voice was soft, a gentle plea amidst the turmoil, but it only elicited a guttural scream from Purple, who collapsed to his knees, tears flowing unabated.

"Why?! Why?!" Purple's anguished cries filled the room, Green moving closer to him, pulling him into a tight embrace, offering what comfort he could in the face of such overwhelming grief.

"Chosen is still in the PC. Blue managed to provide him with healing potions. There's a good chance he's searching for us," Yellow's words broke the somber atmosphere, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. "I hope he finds us," Second murmured, his gaze distant and troubled as he turned away.

In the midst of Purple's cries, the group could only wait, their hearts heavy with uncertainty about what the future held.