Aqua stepped into the expansive arena, her eyes carefully scanning the intricately designed stages that lay before her. Lando, captivated by the spectacle, turned his gaze towards Aqua and beamed.
"This place looks amazing!" he exclaimed, his excitement palpable. Aqua met his gaze and returned his smile. "Hey, Lando, no matter what happens, you have to trust me, okay?" she said, her voice filled with a mixture of seriousness and determination. Lando, slightly perplexed but willing to place his faith in Aqua, simply nodded in agreement.
Leaning in closer, Aqua whispered into Lando's ear, urgency lacing her words. "This place is not what it seems. They're not just conducting innocent games here. They've killed children before, and I'm the only survivor from a base they attacked." Lando's eyes widened, oblivious to the sinister mission that had transpired.
Lando's nod indicated his trust. "Okay, I believe you. I'll follow your lead," he replied, his eyes taking on a different shade, dark embers flickering around his gaze.
Aqua noticed the transformation, a confirmation that she had successfully broken the hold of their control, as Ren had informed her.
Aqua couldn't help but be amazed at how quickly Lando had embraced her words. Concern etched on her face, she whispered, "What about your friends?"
Lando turned his attention towards Aqua, determination gleaming in his eyes. "I'll gather them. They trust me," he assured her, casting a glance at Bale and Zander who were approaching. "We need to find a way out of here," Lando urged.
Bale, perplexed by the sudden urgency, questioned, "Why? What's going on?" Lando approached Bale and whispered into his ear, triggering the same transformation in his eyes.
Zander followed suit, his eyes mirroring the change. "We can't let this continue, where is Hana?" Lando whispered, glancing around at their surroundings.
Meanwhile, Ren observed from a hidden vantage point as the lights flickered and malfunctioned, casting the arena into a deep darkness.
A wicked grin crept across her face as she disconnected the power, ensuring that no one could accidentally stumble upon their plans. Gripping a gun tightly in her hand, she whispered to herself, "Today is the day," a twisted smile playing upon her lips.
As Hana entered the scene, Lando swiftly took hold of her hands, a sense of urgency in his grip. "We have to leave, right now," he implored, his voice tinged with desperation. Hana tilted her head, trying to comprehend the gravity of Lando's words.
"They're murdering innocent children out there," he continued, his words causing Hana's eyes to widen as the dark embers mirrored in her gaze. "Damn it, alright," Hana acquiesced, nodding in agreement.
Turning his attention towards Aqua, Lando inquired about their plan.
Aqua met his gaze and gradually revealed the unique pistol she had acquired. "This will be our ticket to escape. We're going to rendezvous with Ren," Aqua whispered, a mischievous grin tugging at the corners of her lips as the sound of echoing bells reverberated throughout the arena.
"Once the bells cease, we make our move," Aqua announced, scanning the arena as various Nephalem users poured in. Attacking them would be troublesome, for they were all children just like Aqua herself.
"Zynkara was involved in the merciless killings as well," she revealed, prompting Lando's eyes to widen in disbelief. "That bastard," Lando sighed, his frustration palpable.
A collection of masks caught Aqua's attention, carefully arranged on small stones. She picked one up and placed it upon her face. "Alright, I'm prepared. If any of you get separated along the way, I promise to find you someday and bring you back," Aqua declared, her voice filled with determination. Lando nodded in agreement and selected his own mask, while the others followed suit, adorning their masks crafted from wood. Other Nephalem users within the vicinity mirrored their actions, preparing for the impending mission.
"Now," Aqua declared with determination, brandishing the gun and deftly flicking off the yellow safety button.
She aimed it precisely at the designated spot on the window. "Ren said to aim right here," she whispered to herself, before squeezing the trigger. In an instant, a powerful beam of pulsating purple energy erupted from the gun, shattering the window and striking the control panel with a destructive force. The controls malfunctioned, causing the doors behind them to spring open.
"Make a run for it!" Aqua shouted, propelling herself forward through the newly opened door. Lando, Bale, Zander, and Hana followed closely behind, their adrenaline surging as they sprinted through the corridors.
The blaring alarms reverberated throughout the facility, a clear indication that their escape had been detected. Ren emerged from her office, observing their hasty retreat. "Is that everyone?" she asked, seeking reassurance. Aqua nodded breathlessly. "I could only convince a few before the bells," she admitted. Ren acknowledged her response with a nod as they continued their mad dash through the labyrinthine halls.
As they navigated their way through the chaotic escape, a guard suddenly charged towards them, fueled by a mix of duty and aggression. Aqua swiftly raised her gun and unleashed a precise shot, ending the guard's life instantly, causing his body to fly backward with a spray of blood. Ren, not one to be outdone, skillfully aimed her rifle and dispatched another guard with a lethal shot to the neck.
"Turn right," Ren instructed in a calm yet urgent tone. Aqua nodded, veering to the right as they pressed onward. However, their progress was abruptly impeded when a guard lunged at Hana, tackling her forcefully to the ground. More guards quickly converged upon them, threatening to overwhelm their small group.
"Go!" Hana shouted, her voice filled with determination as she attempted to fend off the assailants with her kicks. But before she could land a meaningful blow, an excruciating surge of pain coursed through her body, accompanied by a jolt of electricity that overwhelmed her senses. Within moments, Hana succumbed to unconsciousness, temporarily removed from the unfolding chaos.
Meanwhile, Lando swiftly reached the lifeless body of the guard Aqua had previously dispatched, seizing the fallen guard's weapon with a sense of urgency.
With uncanny accuracy, he fired upon the approaching guards, taking them down with deadly precision. Bale, scanning the surroundings, noticed more guards rapidly closing in on their position, their swiftness surpassing that of the children and their rebellious ally, Ren.