Cal's sinister grin widens as he watches his minions approach the Remaining Podeshire. His sharp canine teeth glint, reflecting his twisted delight. Seeing Oliver covered in blood fills Cal with a perverse sense of hope, causing his smile to grow even more malevolent. His uncontrollable smirk takes hold as he fixes his menacing glare on Oliver.

     Meanwhile, Oliver's breath grows unsteady as he freezes. Beads of sweat trickle down his cheeks. He feels on the verge of crumbling under the mounting pressure. However, when his gaze lands on his son, a shift occurs within Oliver.

     The world around Oliver seems to halt as his focus narrows solely on Jean, momentarily disregarding the surrounding threats. His fear begins to dissolve, replaced by a newfound sense of composure and steadiness. An unfamiliar emotion hastens through him, causing his courage to fluctuate. Gradually, a smile forms on his wounded face as a wholesome memory floods his mind; he remembers that he is now a father.

"...Daddy!" Jean shouted.

     Jean's cry snaps Oliver back to the present, shattering the momentary pause in his mind. His focus sharpens as his gaze locks onto the approaching minions under Cal's command. Oliver tightens his fists and widens his stance, preparing himself for the impending confrontation.

     As one of the minions draws near, an icy shock sweeps through Oliver's veins. Taking a deep breath, he hurls himself forward, colliding with his adversary in a clash of bodies. Their fists meet, exchanging blows with a resounding impact.

     Suddenly, Oliver feels a hand gripping him from behind, attempting to pull him away. He quickly turns his head, catching sight of the other opponent trying to restrain him. Reacting swiftly, Oliver forcefully stomps on the enemy's shoe and delivers a fierce elbow strike to his face, breaking free from the tight grip.

     Love courses through every vigorous movement Oliver makes, infusing him with determination. It grants him the courage to fight, fueling his resilience even in the face of pain and exhaustion. Refusing to surrender, Oliver's forearms rise to block the onslaught of incoming attacks, swiftly followed by his fists retaliating with precision strikes.

     Amidst the intense battle, Oliver lets out a hoarse shout as he pushes forward. Swiftly, he inflicts a devastating blow to the minion's gut, sending the foe hurtling towards the far side of the room. As Oliver glances behind him, he expects an incoming punch from the other adversary. Quickly, he ducks, dodging the attack with ease. Seizing the opportunity, he lunges forward, firmly grasping the minion's body and wrenching the opponent away.

     The excessive force hurls Oliver forward, exacerbating the pain of his wounds. Oliver groans as he clutches his stomach, his eyes wincing in pain. Despite the discomfort, he musters the strength to keep his eyelids open, fixing his gaze upon the fallen minions. Oliver observes his foes regaining their footing, their glares brimming with ferocity.

     As the two minions charge towards him, Oliver's breath quickens, and he quickly shifts his stance backwards. Briefly, doubts flicker in his mind, questioning whether he can overcome two opponents. Yet, he swiftly dismisses his uncertainties, steeling himself for the impending clash.

     With reflexes as fast as lightning, Oliver blocks the first minion's attack using his forearm as a shield. Seizing the opportunity, he retaliates with a forceful punch to the minion's jaw. Before he can fully recover, the second minion leaps towards Oliver. Oliver deftly sidesteps the incoming assault and delivers a swift kick to the foe's knee.

     The rumbling pain in his wounds elicits a pained yell from Oliver with each movement. Groaning, he gathers every ounce of his willpower to reclaim his strength. He fights back with swift strikes, weaving around his foes' incoming attacks.

     Suddenly, a vicious assault blindsides Oliver from behind. He grunts in pain as he hits the ground, but his determination pushes him to rise to his feet. However, before he can fully rise, his opponents forcefully slam him back onto the floor.

     Cal's eyes widen with sadistic delight as he witnesses the unfolding battle. Grinning, sparks of excitement dance in his eyes, causing his hand to tremble. From the side of the room, he revels in the thrill of the fight, giggling with malicious thoughts.

     Cal relishes in the spectacle of the battle, savouring the taste of power and dominance. As he observes Oliver and his minions exchanging deadly blows, a surge of superiority courses through Cal's veins. The belief in his imminent victory swells within him, compelling him to raise his chin.

     In the meantime, Jean struggles against the ropes that bind him. His gaze remains fixed on his wounded father, his eyes widening in disbelief while his mouth hangs open. With each beat, Jean cannot help but feel the pain of his heart pounding against his ribs.

     Like a slithering serpent, Jean tries to wriggle free. However, the knots around his body stubbornly refuse to loosen their grip. With each futile attempt, frustration fuels his grunts as he squirms in a desperate bid for freedom.

     Suddenly, a gentle breeze brushes against the back of Jean's hair, causing him to pause in his struggles. His eyes fixate on the floor, a sense of unease gripping his heart as fear takes hold of his thoughts. Gathering his courage, he slowly lifts his gaze, glancing cautiously over his shoulder.

     Amidst the tense atmosphere, a door creaks open. A gentle, icy wind sweeps into the room, carrying an eerie aura. The doorway stands like a portal to the unknown, with darkness shrouding every corner on the other side, creating an unsettling void.