The barrel of Rook's rifle was steady, his finger resting against the trigger. The air between him and Kruger felt charged, thick with a tension neither of them had felt in years.
Eva gasped for breath, rubbing her bruised throat as Kruger slowly released her. His icy stare never left Rook.
"You're really gonna pull that trigger, Sergeant?" he asked, his voice calm, amused. "After everything?"
Kruger took a slow step forward, the bullet wound in his shoulder already closing. "You've fought by my side for years, Rook. You know exactly what happens to people who betray me."
"I know," Rook said flatly.
The shot rang out, echoing through the ruined bunker. The bullet pierced Kruger's chest, just above his heart.
Kruger staggered but didn't fall. Instead, he let out a low chuckle, glancing down at the fresh wound as it, too, began to heal.
"See?" Kruger murmured. "You should've aimed for the head."
Faster than Rook anticipated, Kruger closed the distance, slamming his fist into Rook's gut. The impact sent him crashing into a steel wall, the air leaving his lungs in a violent gasp.
"Rook!" Eva shouted, reaching for a knife—
Kruger snatched her wrist, twisting it just enough to make her drop the blade. "No, no," he muttered. "You stay put."
Rook coughed, blood dripping from his mouth as he forced himself to stand. "You're not human anymore, Kruger," he growled.
Kruger smirked. "I never was."
Deep beneath the bunker, Dr. Sylvia "Plague Mistress" Voss worked rapidly, her fingers flying across a control panel. The monitors flickered with data streams—Kruger's vital signs.
She clenched her jaw. His evolution was progressing faster than anticipated. The experimental strain in his blood was pushing beyond its original design. If this continued…
Voss activated her private comms.
"Baron Kane," she said. "Prepare the contingency plan. Kruger is becoming—" She hesitated, choosing her next words carefully.
Kruger grabbed Rook by the throat, lifting him effortlessly. "You were always a good soldier," he mused. "Loyal. But I don't need men anymore."
Rook struggled, forcing out a smirk despite the pain. "Then why haven't you killed me yet?"
Kruger's expression darkened.
For the first time, something flickered behind those dead, glowing eyes—hesitation.
She lunged, slamming her boot against Kruger's knee, making him falter. Rook took the opportunity, swinging the butt of his rifle into Kruger's jaw.
The General staggered, his patience finally snapping.
His eyes glowed brighter. His muscles tensed.
Then, he let out a monstrous snarl.
Whatever humanity he had left—was gone.