The tunnel shook with another distant explosion. Dust rained from the cracked ceiling as Ethan ran back toward the estate, his mother's screams echoing behind him.“Turn back,” the Echo urged. “She's buying you time with her life. Don't waste it.”“Negative,” the Academy seal countered. “Returning guarantees host's death. Recommend immediate extraction to surface.”"Shut up!" Ethan snarled at both voices. "Both of you, just shut up!"His chest burned where the Core pulsed with frantic energy. Through the mental link Selene had created, he could feel her presence above ground, focused, deadly, efficient. She was winning her battle. His mother was losing hers.The sound of Lydia's combat grew fainter. Either she was being driven deeper into the tunnels, or…Ethan refused to finish that thought.He rounded a corner and slammed directly into an Abyssal Guard.The impact sent both of them sprawling. Ethan recovered first, his enhanced reflexes snapping him to his feet. The guard was older,