The streets of Raccoon City burned as the final wave of infected surged. The Nemesis-type mutant, still towering and unrelenting, roared with fury as its flesh twisted, regenerating in real time. Its clawed limbs tore up pavement and shredded steel barricades with brute force.
Jasen stepped forward, armor scorched, face grim. Tony was at his side, spinning one of his pistols with a smile that didn't quite hide his focus.
"Double trouble," Tony muttered.
"Let's finish this," Jasen replied.
With a roar of engines and firelight casting their shadows long, the two launched forward. The Nemesis lunged—but Jasen met it head-on, delivering a massive uppercut that sent shockwaves through the ground. The Tyrant staggered.
Tony slipped in behind, flipping in mid-air, unloading a full magazine into its exposed lower spine.
The mutant retaliated, swiping fast—but Jasen dodged, barely, planting a foot into the creature's chest to vault backward.
Jill's voice came through over the comms. "Civilians are clear! Tunnels are open! Get out of there!"
Leon added, "We've got your exit point secured. Just end it!"
Tony spun out of the way of a massive swing, blades flashing. "Heard the lady."
Jasen moved beside him, panting hard. "I've got an idea. See that tanker?"
Across the street, a half-crushed oil tanker lay tilted in the wreckage.
Tony grinned wide. "Oh, you're devious."
They moved together.
Jasen struck the Tyrant with a feint to its lower leg, redirecting its momentum toward the tanker. Tony danced around its flailing limbs, carving deep gashes into the mutant's side.
Finally, with one massive punch, Jasen sent the Tyrant crashing into the side of the tanker, denting the metal.
"Light it up!" Jasen shouted.
Tony drew grenades from his coat.
With a dramatic flick, he embedded them into the Tyrant's burning wounds.
Jasen backed away, sprinting behind cover.
Tony raised his pistols and fired.
"Jackpot."
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion lit up the skyline.
Flames roared upward as the tanker erupted, engulfing the Nemesis-type in an inferno that incinerated everything within half a block. The shockwave blew out windows for hundreds of feet in every direction. Flaming debris rained down.
Silence fell.
Then Tony and Jasen stepped out from the smoke.
Singed, bloody—but alive.
Jasen looked back once, making sure nothing twitched in the fire.
Tony exhaled. "Let's hope that's the last one."
They jogged back toward the hidden tunnel entrance as sirens echoed in the distance and black smoke stretched into the sky.
Inside the tunnel system, civilians were already halfway through the escape route. Marvin, Carlos, Claire, and Leon helped guide the last of the evacuees through, their faces weary but focused.
Jill stood at the entrance, pistol still in hand, eyes locked on the exit.
Then Jasen appeared.
She took a single breath, relief washing over her—then punched him square in the jaw.
He staggered slightly, blinking. "Ow."
"That's for lying to me," Jill snapped, voice trembling. "And for letting me think you were dead."
Before he could respond, she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into a fierce kiss.
The tunnel's tension lifted for a brief moment as their embrace spoke the words they couldn't say before.
She pulled back just enough to whisper, "And that's for coming back and saving us."
Jasen rested his forehead against hers.
"I'm not done yet. We still have to survive the fallout."
Tony leaned against a wall nearby, arms crossed, grinning. "Get a room. Preferably one not about to be nuked."
Jasen turned to him. "Thanks for covering until I got here."
Tony shrugged. "You're the boss remember."
Carlos barked from up ahead, "Let's go! Everyone into the lower chamber! We've got 45 minutes!"
Jasen gave Jill's hand a squeeze.