Serena approached a corner wall, retrieving a gleaming Swordcase hanging there.
The air around the Sword case seemed to grow colder as her fingers curled around the hilt, and the blade resonated with dark energy, seeming to quiver with excitement.
The entire air grew thick with anticipation as she shifted into an attacking stance.
She closed her eyes, and she slowly pulled the sword out of the sheath. Vendetta..." she whispered, her voice carrying a scary intensity.
"Lend me your power." She stood still, and for a moment, time seemed to stop. To Aaron's eyes, there was a haze around her that seemed to shake and move.
The next instant, the robot dove forward, just centimetres away from Serena's face. Clunk The robot's head just tumbled to the ground, a clean cut.
The haze that was Serena, wasn't in that place, but she had teleported behind the robot.
Her sword had sliced through the air with incomprehensible speed, Serena didn't even glance back at the now pile of metal as it collapsed, and her lips mouthed the word "Cold death slash."
Aaron's eyes widened in awe as he bore witness to the breathtaking display of power and agility from Serena.
It was beyond human capabilities, a display of strength that seemed to defy the laws of nature. The once menacing robot, its red eye now a vacant void, stood frozen for a brief moment. Then, with a resounding crash, its severed head tumbled from its decimated body, hitting the ground with a metallic thud.
Silence descended upon the room, broken only by the faint hum of Serena's blade.
Serena stood amidst the aftermath, her armor still radiating with the otherworldly glow, slowly the dark energy surrounding her drifted away.
Clara's voice interrupted the stillness, "More are approaching us! We have to RUN!"
As Serena sheathed the sword back into its case, Aaron looked at her with awe and curiosity.
"Clara," he began, "what was that? How could she move so fast? Was it because of her suit?"
Clara tilted her head slightly, her holographic form shimmering with a faint glow. "Hmm, what do you mean, Master?" she asked.
"I mean, how could Serena move with such incredible speed? It was like she blinked out of sight," Aaron clarified.
Clara turned her attention towards Serena, who was now kneeling before the body of Dr. Xenon. She floated to Aaron's right shoulder and explained, "Serena moves with extraordinary speed due to her mastery of the arcane art 'Etherflow.'"
"Etherflow?" Aaron repeated, intrigued.
"Yes," Clara continued, "it's an ancient technique that taps into ethereal energies, allowing her to briefly shift outside normal time, becoming faster than the eye can see."
Aaron watched Serena closely as Clara spoke, seeing how she held her necklace and the tears streaming down her face. He felt a pang of empathy, realizing the weight of grief and determination that fueled her abilities.
"But be cautious," Clara warned, "pushing her limits risks exhaustion and unpredictable consequences. Her unyielding determination fuels this incredible ability in her quest for vengeance."
As Aaron approached Serena, he noticed her eyes were closed, her ponytail falling before her face. He saw the tear glistening on her long eyelashes and felt a surge of compassion for her.
Clara's voice chimed urgently, "More are approaching us! We have to RUN!"
Despite Clara's urgency, Aaron didn't rush Serena or interrupt her moment of grief. He understood the gravity of the situation, but he also knew that Serena needed this time to say goodbye to Dr. Xenon. He stood beside her, offering silent support as she knelt before the scientist's lifeless form.
She looked at Dr. Xenon's lifeless form one last time, gently closing his eyes with her hand, and whispered, "Goodbye... Dad"
Slowly, she stood up. She glanced one last time at the lab, which held memories of pain and joy, before leaving.
Clara urgently alerted them to the approaching threat once again, and Serena's instincts kicked into overdrive.
She darted toward a nearby table, her eyes scanning the cluttered surface. Her gaze landed on a small chip among the scattered tools and equipment.
Quickly, she unplugged it, her fingers deftly securing it in her pocket.
"Let's go!" she called out to Aaron.
Side by side, Serena and Aaron stepped through the remnants of the destroyed robot and bricks.
As they made their way out of the underground laboratory through congested stairs, the once dimly lit passageways gradually gave way to a blinding burst of light. As they emerged into the open, a scene of devastation unfolded before them, leaving Serena gasping in horror.
Her eyes beheld a city that was once lively and vibrant, now reduced to chaos and ruin. Buildings that once stood tall and proud now lay in crumbled heaps, engulfed in flames that danced wildly against the darkening sky.
The air was thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning, the remnants of a once bustling metropolis now reduced to a haunting wasteland.
Serena's heart sank as she recognized familiar neighborhoods, places she had called home, now reduced to mere shadows of their former selves. Her eyes welled up with tears as she saw the destruction, the remnants of people's lives scattered amidst the debris.
The sight was overwhelming, and she could hardly bear the weight of the loss and devastation that surrounded her.
Meanwhile, Aaron, though not as familiar with the city, felt the gravity of the situation. He could sense the pain and suffering that permeated the air, his heart pounding in his chest as he witnessed the destruction before him.
It was a sight that struck him to his core, a reminder of the horrors he had experienced in the past.
Clara's concerned voice interrupted the silence, "Are you alright, Master?" she asked, her digital form reflecting genuine worry.
Aaron nodded, trying to steady himself amidst the chaos and despair that enveloped them. His gaze darted around, seeing drones flying overhead, still bombing the already ravaged buildings, adding to the cries of the people and the overwhelming sense of fear and desperation.
Serena covered her nose, trying to shield herself from the nauseating smell of blood and burnt debris, but there was no escaping the grim reality.
"Oh... lord," Serena said.
"More humanoids are approaching We have to hurry before they detect us, I've prepared the escape route, turn left into the narrow alley,"