Life

Murky sunlight, as if stained by Raccoon City's polluted air, filtered through the riddled ruins of buildings and cast mottled shadows across ground littered with rubble, rotten flesh, and dried blood. Yet it could not dispel the gloom hanging over everyone's hearts.

Natasha knelt on one knee on the cracked concrete, her hands trembling slightly beneath her black tactical gloves as she carefully laid the unconscious Wanda flat on a relatively clean slab of cement. Her reddened eyes brimmed with worry and panic, and her breathing had grown rapid. Usually the team's calm and steady presence, she could not conceal her disarray now. She kept adjusting Wanda's position, trying to make her more comfortable, while murmuring, "You have to hold on, Wanda..."

Gwen crouched down, her eyes behind metal-rimmed glasses filled with gravity. She gently pulled aside Wanda's bloodstained clothing and carefully examined the wound, her brow drawn tightly together. Her fingers visibly trembled as they hovered over the edge of the wound. "This wound has been infected by Wesker's mutated power. Ordinary medical treatment is useless. We need a special serum, or something that can neutralize this evil power." Her voice shook slightly, heavy with helplessness. After examining the wound, she quickly rummaged through her backpack for various instruments, trying to gather more information. Sweat kept rolling down her forehead, but she had no time to wipe it away.

Ashley curled up nearby, her arms wrapped around her knees as they trembled slightly, her whole body shaking uncontrollably. She bit her lip, her face pale as paper, her eyes filled with fear and concern. "I remember a large pharmaceutical company on the other side of the city. Maybe they'll have what we need." Her voice trembled badly, but she tried to calm herself, hoping to offer even the slightest chance of saving Wanda. After speaking, she stared fixedly at Wanda and hugged herself even tighter, as though it could give her some sense of security.

Li Stark struggled to his feet. Blood seeped from the torn places in his Protective Suit, every wound reminding him of the brutality of the previous battle. Yet he endured the pain, his voice carrying a young man's rawness and resolve. "Then that's where we're going. But Raccoon City is full of danger now. We have to be careful." He looked at the unconscious Wanda, his eyes full of heartache and self-reproach, silently swearing that he would save her no matter what. This witch, older than him, had long since become the person he most wanted to protect. He clenched his fists until his nails nearly dug into his palms, constantly calculating how to find a way out and save Wanda in the perilous Raccoon City.

After enduring countless hardships, the group was constantly attacked by zombies and Lickers along the way. Natasha's twin pistols barely stopped firing, shell casings raining down around her. Her gaze was cold and focused as she continuously scanned the surroundings, overlooking no threat. Yet during every lull in the fighting, she would find time to look at Wanda, protected in the center of the group, concern flashing in her eyes. Li Stark's Shock Gauntlet smashed into monsters again and again, numbing his arms, while his youthful face remained stubbornly resolute. Every time he took down an enemy, he would glance toward Wanda to check on her, silently praying. Gwen cleverly used her homemade weapons to disrupt the enemies while monitoring Wanda's vital signs. As she operated her instruments, she shouted reminders for everyone to stay safe, her voice tense and urgent. Under everyone's protection, Ashley gradually overcame her fear and could occasionally fire with precision. But her gaze never left Wanda. Whenever she saw Wanda's unresponsive body, fear surged through her heart, terrified that she would never see that powerful yet gentle witch awaken again.

At last, they reached the pharmaceutical company. When they opened the door to the underground laboratory, the pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with the stench of decay rushed over them. All kinds of experimental equipment were still running inside, emitting unsettling hums. Bottles and jars held strange liquids that glimmered with eerie colors beneath the dim lights.

Ada Wong moved swiftly between the lab benches, the hem of her red cheongsam brushing past the equipment. Her gaze was focused and urgent as she searched for medicine that could save Wanda, but she found nothing. Her frown deepened as she kept muttering, "Impossible. There has to be a way..." Li Stark stood beside Wanda, watching her face grow increasingly pale, his heart burning with panic. The young man repeatedly wiped his sweaty palms against his pant legs as beads of sweat rolled down his forehead and dripped onto the floor. His heartbeat grew faster and faster, an unprecedented anxiety rising within him, as though every passing second was taking Wanda's life away. He paced around her without stopping, occasionally taking her hand and feeling its steadily cooling temperature, his heart filled with despair.

Just as everyone fell into despair, the unconscious Wanda suddenly let out a pained groan. Her body began convulsing uncontrollably, her limbs shaking violently as black energy surged madly from her wound like boiling black lava. Natasha rushed over at once, crouched beside Wanda, seized her hand, and shouted, "Wanda! Hold on!" Her voice was full of urgency and encouragement, her eyes brimming with worry and heartache. Gwen quickly moved in as well, using her instruments to examine Wanda's condition. Her face turned even uglier. "It's getting worse too fast. We have to find a solution immediately!" Ashley covered her mouth in fright, tears welling in her eyes as she prayed over and over, "No, Wanda, you can't let anything happen to you..." Li Stark rushed to her side, took her hand, and tried to soothe her, his voice clearly panicked. "Wanda, hold on!" His eyes were full of fear and helplessness as he gripped Wanda's hand tightly, as though he could pass his strength to her that way.

Suddenly, Wanda's eyes flew open. Scarlet Magic flickered within them, colliding with the evil energy at her wound and bursting into a blinding light. She grabbed the back of Li Stark's neck, and the young man had no ability to resist as she pulled him down onto the floor. Everyone was stunned by the sudden turn of events. Natasha's eyes widened and her mouth fell open, unable to believe what she was seeing, her gun nearly dropping from her hand. Gwen pushed up her glasses and stared in utter shock, murmuring, "What... is happening?" Ashley shyly covered her face, peeking through her fingers with her heart pounding. Ada Wong raised an eyebrow slightly, a strange glint flashing through her eyes as she watched with great interest, her arms folded as though pondering something.

Wanda's other hand caught Li Stark's wrists and pinned them hard to the floor, her fingertips pressing deeply into his skin. Her lips were scorching, carrying a faint taste of blood, and her tongue forcefully parted his teeth and entwined with his. At the same time, the Scarlet Magic within Wanda surged into Li Stark's body through their contact like a raging tide, then returned with the energy from within him. Li Stark felt a tremendous force charging wildly through his body, as though countless blades were racing through his veins. He whimpered and tried to struggle, but Wanda pressed him down even harder. "Don't move." Wanda's hot breath washed over his face as her bloodstained thumb roughly pried open his jaw. Her scarlet eyes carried an unquestionable pressure. "Give me all your power." Li Stark looked into the magical light churning in her eyes, then suddenly stopped struggling. Determination appeared in his youthful gaze. He slowly closed his eyes and began actively yielding to her forceful demand, sending out all his energy without reservation.

The air around them began to distort as scarlet light and black energy clashed fiercely, forming vortex after vortex of power. The laboratory equipment shook violently beneath the immense energy fluctuations, and glass containers exploded one after another with piercing crashes. Natasha reacted quickly, raising her gun and watching the surroundings vigilantly to prevent any other danger from approaching. At the same time, her eyes occasionally turned toward the pair, her heart filled with worry and confusion. Gwen focused completely on the energy fluctuations and Wanda's physical condition. As she recorded data, she shouted, "This power is neutralizing the infection! There's hope!" Ashley lowered the hands covering her face, hope shining in her eyes as she clasped her hands tightly and silently prayed for Wanda. Ada Wong frowned slightly, a thoughtful look in her eyes as though she were analyzing the source and effects of this unusual power.

No one knew how long it took, but Wanda finally released Li Stark. Clarity returned to her eyes, while her pale face carried a trace of exhaustion and a faint flush. Her chest rose and fell sharply. Supporting herself against Li Stark's chest, she sat up and ran her fingertips across his swollen lips. Her voice was hoarse with the relief of survival. "Not bad, little one." Li Stark's chest heaved violently, his youthful face so red it seemed ready to drip blood, yet he stubbornly met her gaze and reached out to gently wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth. Natasha let out a breath of relief, a gratified smile appearing on her face as she walked over and lightly patted Wanda's shoulder. "You scared us to death." Gwen smiled as well and pushed up her glasses. "It finally worked." Ashley jumped up excitedly, grateful tears shining in her eyes. "That was incredible!" Ada Wong nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing through her eyes, as though she had gained a new understanding of the two of them.

The group rested briefly at the pharmaceutical company. Sunlight streamed into the room once more, driving away some of the gloom. Although Raccoon City was still in ruins, Wanda's awakening kindled new hope in everyone's hearts. Li Stark secretly glanced at Wanda as she fixed her hair nearby, his heartbeat still racing beyond his control. He knew that after this unusual "treatment," something had quietly changed within him. And the special, passionate bond between them would become the strength that carried them onward. No matter how many hardships lay ahead, he would stand steadfastly by her side.