CHAPTER 314: APOCALYPTIC ROMANCE 24

They crashed through the emergency exit — only to find the street outside churning with undead. Claws dragging asphalt, jaws snapping, hungry.

Sasha hissed, "Everyone down!"

Three grenades flew from her hand.

Cloud blinked — he definitely did not issue those.

Where did she got those?

KA-THOOM!

Cars rocked. Glass rained. Smoke rolled across the street as bodies flew. Cloud looked at Sasha — surprise cracking his usual stoic calm. But he didn’t ask, they didn’t have time.

They sprinted through the haze, lungs burning. They reached the armored van — but the engine wasn’t running. The driver looked frozen with anxiety.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Alvaro roared. "Drive!"

"Not without Henry and Grey," Cloud replied, refusing to look away from the chaos.

"If we stay, we all die!" Alvaro snapped.

Cloud’s voice turned to steel. "They’re my men."

A guttural roar thundered behind them — the horde flooding closer. Sasha grabbed Cloud’s arm. "Commander! We need to go!"

He shook free and jumped right back into the sea of undead.

"CLOUD

!"

He cut through them like a storm — a soldier refusing to lose even one life under his command. And Sasha saw it — the same relentless loyalty that broke her heart in the past.

Grey came stumbling from the smoke, screaming, dozens of undead on his heels. Cloud covered him with rapid fire, pushing him closer and closer to the van.

But in the chaos, Sasha could already calculate the outcome.

Cloud would be swallowed. He’d die before he reached safety.

Her body moved before her mind could protest.

She sprinted after him.

"SASHA!"

Alvaro leapt out after her — only to be tackled back inside by the driver and Grey.

"SASHA! LET ME GO! SASHA!" Alvaro’s fists slammed against the metal walls as the van doors shut.

His roar followed her.

"GO!" Cloud shouted.

The van’s roaring engine answered back.

And then — Sasha’s world went white.

BOOOOOOM!!!

Fire. Screams. A shockwave.

Dust swallowing the world whole.

Cloud’s arm clamped around her waist, dragging her behind cover. His gun hot, breath ragged against her ear.

The two of them — cut off. Alone. Surrounded by hell.

Sasha was not done. Not by a long shot.

As the undead closed in, she reached into her ring and pulled out a flamethrower — bright silver, sleek and deadly — and unleashed a roaring stream of fire.

Undead caught flame like dry leaves, bodies collapsing into molten piles. Screeches filled the air, and smoke churned upward in black, furious coils.

Between the chaos, Sasha spotted a narrow gap forming in the incoming horde.

"There! Commander — now!"

Cloud saw the same opportunity. His hand shot out, gripping Sasha’s wrist with a strength that promised survival. "Move!"

They sprinted — dodging flaming corpses and leaping over writhing limbs — until they reached a small, rundown convenience store. Cloud shoved Sasha in first, slamming the door closed behind them.

He didn’t hesitate. He and Sasha dragged shelves, crates — anything — to barricade the entrance. They barely finished when three undead emerged from the dark corner of the store.

Cloud disposed of them instantly, silent and efficient — knife straight to the head, no wasted movement.

"Stay put," he ordered firmly before disappearing deeper into the aisles.

A minute later — gunshots. Sasha flinched. Silence followed.

Cloud returned, scanning the mess. His shoulders fell. "Cleared. But there’s nothing left. Probably scavenged months ago." He clicked his tongue. "And my pack is in the van..."

He finally turned to face Sasha fully — noticing her staring at him like she was studying every line of his expression.

He wiped soot from his cheek. "We wait here. By morning, my men will come back for us. Stay quiet, stay hidden. Then we will survive."

Sasha met his gaze, amused. "Aren’t you going to ask where I pulled this flamethrower from?" She held up the weapon proudly.

Cloud inhaled long and deep, then exhaled — removing his tactical vest, sweat gliding down his neck.

"Are you going to tell me the truth if I do?"

Sasha didn’t answer with words.

She simply materialized two water bottles in her hands.

Cloud froze. Surprised — but composed.

"How?" he asked calmly.

"I have a space ring," Sasha said simply and began to explain like what she had told Alvaro.

Cloud interrogated her efficiently for a few minutes — what’s inside, how much, any limits. When he finally accepted the impossible reality, he let out a small, exhausted huff.

"With everything happening... I shouldn’t be surprised if you suddenly start flying or casting magic."

Sasha laughed softly. "Trust me, if I could do magic, I’d be in a better-looking hideout."

Cloud’s shoulders loosened, a rare, almost invisible smile tugging at his lips.

"If you have that many supplies, then we’re not in immediate danger. Good." He paused. "But still — conserve. A lifetime’s worth for two people or five becomes a year’s worth for twenty."

Sasha nodded. "I know. And I’m not planning on becoming the Bastion’s walking supermarket."

Then, more softly: "You won’t tell anyone... right?"

Cloud’s eyes locked with hers — a soldier’s vow within them. "No. I owe you my life. And your secret is safe with me."

Sasha let out a relieved breath. "Then I entrust my life and secret to you, Commander Cloud."

His throat bobbed — just slightly — at the weight of her words.

"You should rest," he said, voice gruff. "I’ve checked the perimeter. Only threats are outside. I’ll keep watch."

Instead of answering, Sasha reached into her ring and unfolded something — and suddenly a soft, automatic inflatable bed puffed up on the floor with a small foomph.

Complete with pillows. And a blanket.

Cloud blinked. "...What in the—"

"We’ll avoid cooking so smoke and light doesn’t give us away," Sasha said, already bringing out sandwiches. She offered him one. "Here. There’s more where it came, so don’t be shy to asks seconds."

Cloud hesitated only a second before accepting.

He took a bite — and then chuckled... quietly.

"This is... dangerously comfortable," he murmured. "I could get used to it."

Sasha blinked, stunned.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"You smiled," she said, staring. "You’re very handsome when you don’t look like you’re plotting someone’s execution."