Becker's lungs burned as he sprinted through the forest, boots pounding against the leaf-strewn ground.
The roar of engines echoed behind him as his pursuers wove between the trees in their military-grade vehicles.
He risked a glance back—at least a hundred soldiers, hellbent on capturing their 'traitorous' ex-general.
Becker grimaced. Even one-on-one, these lackeys were no match for his air manipulation powers.
But a hundred at once? His mana reserves teetered dangerously low after hours of battling these goons.
Tires squealed as a jeep pulled up alongside him. Becker dove right as laser rifles and brain crystal powers shredded the underbrush. He tumbled to his feet and kept running, cursing under his breath.
Becker whipped around, his exhaustion montarily forgotten as he prepared his counterattack.
Raising his right hand, he focused his power, feeling the air molecules respond to his will. The invisible gases condensed and warped thanks to his mana, spinning as they compressed into solid form.
Within seconds, the air had transford into a deadly javelin, its crystalline point glinting in the dappled sunlight.
Becker gripped the shaft, the weapon's weight feeling natural in his palm. mana thrumd through the condensed air, resonating with his power.
Becker's eyes narrowed, zeroing in on one approaching jeep.
With a grunt, he hurled the javelin with superhuman force, his arm extending fully as the weapon left his hand.
The spear rocketed forward, slicing through the air like a missile. Becker watched its trajectory, confident in the imminent impact.
He hurled it at the nearest SUV. The spear impaled the driver and passenger behind before they could react.
The javelin also pierced the jeep's hood in a spray of tal, spearing through the engine block. The force of the impact stopped the vehicle dead in its tracks, severing it in half.
The two severed chunks of the jeep crashed to the ground with an earsplitting tallic screech.
Flas erupted from the ruined engine and licked up the chassis. Soldiers spilled from the wreckage, thrown from the vehicle like rag dolls.
The javelin had sliced through the SUV as easily as a hot knife through butter, leaving the pursuing soldiers scattered helplessly across the forest floor.
Becker allowed himself a grim smile at the devastation before sprinting onward with the other vehicles on his tail.
"GET HIM!"
Becker allowed himself a grim smile before sprinting on. The forest blurred around him, branches whipping against his face. His lungs seared, protesting the prolonged exertion.
Up ahead, a river cut through the trees. Becker made for it, hoping the water might deter his pursuers.
He burst from the treeline and splashed into the rushing current. Icy water swirled around his knees, soaking his fatigues.
On the opposite bank, soldiers piled from their vehicles, weapons trained on Becker.
Their commander's voice bood over a gaphone. "Surrender, traitor! You're surrounded!"
Becker tensed, eying the figures lining the riverbanks. He might be able to take down a few more, but not all of them.
"Surrender, Becker!" the captain said through his gaphone. "You're surrounded with nowhere to run. Make this easy on yourself."
Becker turned to face the soldiers lining the riverbanks, weapons trained on him. He took a deep breath.
"How can you do this?" Becker called out, anger creeping into his tone. "After everything I've done for Frant, you turned against so easily?"
The captain scoffed. "Save your lies, you bastard! We have plenty of evidence proving your involvent with the Crystal Cross Gang."
Becker's hands curled into fists. "More false claims fabricated by Volkov to undermine ," he shot back.
"That snake was always jealous of my position. He sowed discord at every turn."
The soldiers shuffled in unease, but kept their sights steadied. The captain's eyes narrowed.
"Last chance, Becker," he said. "Surrender imdiately or we will execute you where you stand."
Desperation clawed at Becker's mind. Had his decades of loyal service to the nation ant nothing?
Were his people so quick to discard him over baseless accusations? Didn't anyone rember all he'd sacrificed for Frant?
Jaw clenched, Becker began gathering the last wisps of mana in his weary body.
If this was to be his end, he wouldn't go quietly. He'd take down as many turncoats as he could before they overwheld him.
Becker tensed, ready to transform into air and evade the imminent hail of gunfire.
He drew the mana from his brain crystal, feeling it swirl and crackle within his cells.
"Let's see what you can—"
Suddenly, ard figures burst from the treeline, descending on the soldiers' flank. They didn't look like soldiers from Frant, but they were trained and strong.
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