[Three Days ago]
The weak glow of the forgotten Seraphim ruins, engulfed the surroundings with shimmering shadows above it. Jade, Kira, Lynsithea, and Leo sat around a makeshift table littered with blueprints and holographic projections for the upcoming tournament on air racing. The air itself cracked with tension and urgency-what was in the balance kept reminding people of it.
"All right, pay attention," I said, tapping the holo to bring up a map of the racing circuit. "I'm entering the race. The prize for winning is an Elthernium crystal. We need it in order to unlock the full potential of my Ether Link. However, I can't do that without replacing Dimitri. We have to give him something to do."
Kira leaned forward, furrowing her brow in worry. "But what about the danger? If you are caught."
"I won't get caught," I interjected, feeling a fire in my belly. "We are running out of time. We need to know what Wei's plan is. This race is our only opportunity."
Lynsithea crossed her arms, looking serious. "That is dangerous. What if something goes wrong? You can reveal your identity."
"I'll take that bet," I replied steadily, my voice firm. "But before we do that, we need to get Sasha, Alektos, and Parveen together. They're our leverage in getting some information in, and we can't leave them behind."
Leo nodded slowly. "I can make some calls, see some connections, and discreet inquiries. We need them all in one place. Otherwise, we'll be battling an uphill war."
Jade gave a decisive jump into the fray. "While you're doing that, I'm going to scry the rebels to seek out any anti-Wei elements. Certainly, someone out there must be willing to help us."
Kira looked around the room, determination mixed with fear in her eyes. "I don't know, it's a fantastic plan, but it is just so high risk if Wei finds out about any of this."
I nodded, very much aware of the stakes. "That's why we need to stick together. Everything will be coordinated via the quantum bracelets. Communication is key."
Lynsithea took a deep breath, her gaze snapping onto mine. "You have to be careful, Zane. I know how important this is, but I can't lose you, not after everything."
"I'll be fine," I tried to reassure her, forcing a small smile though my chest felt heavy. "Just keep an eye on Snowy, all right? She'd be our eyes in the sky if anything goes wrong."
As we shared hard, serious looks, the weight of what we were to do settled heavily on me. It was a thin plan, but if I could work well with him, perhaps we stood a chance against Wei and that looming menace in the form of the IRIS Corporation.
---
[Present Day]
I stood next to the wall, scanning through my wrist's quantum bracelet at the crowd below me, waiting for Lynsithea's signal. It was just a few hours before the start of the Air Racing Tournament, and we were in the thick of it. We were most definitely over our heads this time, I thought uneasily.
"Hey, Lynsithea. You there?" I murmured into the bracelet, attempting to sound careless while Kira kept watch.
Her voice cracked to life in my ear. [Yeah, Zane. I'm here, I'm in the middle of the main plaza. There are a lot of guards, though. Might take longer than I thought to find Sasha.]
I turned to Kira, who stood by and watched a few mechanics prepping one of the racing ships. "Keep low," I whispered back. "The IRIS agents are on high alert today. Any luck blending in?"
[Oh, you should see me,] Lynsithea chuckled softly, her tone laced with mischief. [I look like a runaway engineer who's seen better days. I don't think anyone would suspect a princess in these clothes.]
I smirked. "Bet that's a first. Any sign of Sasha?"
[Not yet. I'm tracking her signal, but it's faint. She must be using one of those signal jammers again.]
She hunched forward, and mumbled, [Can we duck out of here incognito? Thin ice here, not exactly part of the décor.] Her gaze swept across the room as if scanning for an open hole to slip through.
I shrugged and fingered the collar of my jacket. "Which is why we need Sasha. She knows this place inside and out. Lynsithea, do you think you can track her down before they give a second glance to the contest entrants?"
[I'll do my best. I have a feeling she's avoiding the major paths.] Lynsithea's voice trailed off, followed by a silence.
"How is Jade and Leo doing?"
"They are on the other side looking for a safe spot for the rebels," I said, following the path to the contestant's entrance. "Leo said they found two pretty empty hangars that might be fine, but nothing's guaranteed as of yet."
Kira gave me a speculative look. "This whole operation is a gamble. And if we get seen—"
"We won't," I cut in, not wanting to waste any more time on risk factors. "We just have to stay one step ahead."
Lynsithea's voice broke in again. [Caught sight of Sasha. She's by the control towers, speaking with some dude holding a tablet. I am going in closer. Should get her coordinates locked down soon.]
I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the task at hand. The race wasn't just a race today; it was our way into Wei's fortress and a fine distraction from the IRIS agents tailing our heels. However, there were simply too many variables in play, and the game was too high-stakes. Dubious, I couldn't help but think.
"Just be careful Lynsithea," I whispered. "The last thing we need is to get split up again."
[Trust me,] she said, more serious now. [I know what's at stake.]
Kira nudged my shoulder and pointed toward the gate. "Looks like the contestants are lining up. We're either in or we're out."
I nodded, taking another glance at the bracelet before turning around to face the sea of people. "Lynsithea, find her and get back to the main entrance. We're going to try and sneak in with the crews. Let us know what's happening."
[Be careful, Zane,] Lynsithea's voice fades into the din of noise surrounding us.
A look was exchanged between Kira and me, and then we began to move toward the gates. We inched along the perimeter of the stadium, staying as concealed as possible. The hum of the android guards patrolling nearby is too close for comfort. I peeked over at Kira, her hood pulled low as she hid her feathered hair. It still caught the light in a way that made her stand out even under the hoodie.
"Think that'll work?" I asked, keeping my gaze fixed on the guards in front of us.
Kira smirked, adjusting her hood. "As long as no one asks me what's under here. I swear, Zane, sometimes I feel like I'm just inviting trouble."
A guard android came around the corner, its red eyes sweeping the space. Kira tensed, her hand dropping to her side. I caught the flash of her dagger under the hoodie.
[Halt,] the android's voice cut through the air, freezing us in place. Kira's hand closed tighter around the dagger's handle, preparing for a strike.
The android stuttered then; its words broke up. [Wait a minute, it's—]
That's when my Nova Watch buzzed to life. I glanced down at the screen, where Jade's name was flashing. I tapped the side to answer, praying she had good news.
[Don't worry, Zane,] Jade's voice came through cool and collected. [I hacked the Android. You're clear. Just keep moving.]
The android's eyes flickered, then it powered down, stepping aside as if we weren't even there. Kira gave me a look. Relief vied with irritation on her face.
"Did Jade just save our skins?" she whispered, sliding the dagger back under her hoodie.
"Yeah," I said, still holding my voice low. "But let's not wait for the encore."
We moved across to the other side, slipping into the narrow alcove behind a supply cart. The android was still frozen, now unaware of us at all. We crouched down and took a few deep breaths.
"That was too close," Kira muttered, her eyes scanning the path ahead. "One wrong move, and we'd be a pile of ash by now."
I nodded, still feeling my pulse race. "Guess that's why we've got Jade. She's got our backs."
"Well, remind me to thank her when we're out of here," Kira said, pushing her hood back up. "For now, let's make this worth the risk."
We wound through the crowded hallways, looking for Dimitri. I tapped my Nova Watch again, reaching Jade. "Jade, you said you found the rebels, right? Any chance we're all still on the same page here?"
Her voice came back steady and reassuring. [I've got it covered. Just stick to the plan, and we're good. Don't worry so much, Zane.]
"Leo's with you, then?" I asked, nodding to Kira. She kept a hawk's eye on the marching crowd, observing any signs of mischief.
[Yeah, he's here,] Jade confirmed. [He is gathering the rebels while talking them through his plan at this moment, so by the time you make your move, we'll have a backup.]
"Okay," I said, feeling some tension in my shoulders. "Just make sure Leo doesn't go off script. The least we need is for this whole operation to blow up before we even get started."
"He's got it under control," Jade assured me, though there was a slight edge to her voice. "You two just focus on finding Dimitri. We'll handle the rest."
"Copy that," I said, cutting the link. I turned to Kira, who was already scanning ahead, her eyes honing in on something down the corridor.
"Zane," she whispered, tugging on my arm. I followed the line of her gaze and felt my heart drop like a stone. Alektos and Parveen were being forced along by their armpits, their hands being dragged behind their backs by broad restraints. Android guards marched on either side of them, taking them off to wherever.
"What the hell?" I whispered, retreating into the shadows. "Where are they taking them?"
Kira's face was tight with worry. "They look like they're being transported. But to where?"
I gritted my teeth, frustration boiling over. "We need to figure this out. They're part of our team, and if they're being hauled off to who knows where, that could mess up everything."
Kira nodded her head, her eyes narrowing. "Let's tag behind them. We'll keep our distance and see if we can't get some answers without getting ourselves caught."
As we trailed behind, I kept my attention on Alektos and Parveen, their footfalls heavy and uncertain. The android guards showed no signs of stopping, and whatever was waiting for them at the end of that path, I had a bad feeling it wasn't anything good.
As I glanced over to Kira, I knew that we thought the same thing: that we needed to do something fast, otherwise the whole mission would go another way totally unexploited.
---
Meanwhile, she caught a glimpse of Sasha running down the alley with a set look on her face. "Sasha!" she called out amid relief washing over her as she ran towards her.
Sasha turned to her, her face alight. "Lynsithea!" She flung herself into Lynsithea's arms, embracing her tightly. "Thank God you're okay. I was worried sick! What about Zane and the others?"
"Zane is looking for Dimitri," Lynsithea explained, stepping back to catch her breath. "He is asking Dimitri to quit the race. It's too deadly. In exchange, Zane will replace him in air racing championships."
"Why?" Sasha furrowed her brow.
Before Lynsithea could say anything, Dimitri stepped out of the shadows. His face was set with a solemn look, and the gun at his side was handled so loose that one could question if he knew he even was holding one.
"Wei wants me to be a god."
Sasha took one step backward, eyes wide open. "You knew, didn't you?"
Dimitri's tone tightened as he said, "You're looking for my mother by ordering around Wei, and then here am I, at the mercy of fate. You try to placate him by speaking these words to me rather than confronting the man himself."
Sasha's breath was caught in her throat. She was brought up short, unable to speak. "So you're Iris's son," Lynsithea injected in a barely audible whisper.
"Yes," Dimitri said, with a flicker of pride and resentment dancing in his eyes. "And actually, I know both of you. Sasha Drasco, leader of the Frost Heart from Borealis Calyx, and Princess Lynsithea De Fleur, the one who assisted Zane in defeating Sentinel during the Aesir incident."
Sasha stepped forward, her voice even but with a pleading quality. "Dimitri, you have to listen. We aren't your enemies, not necessarily. We're trying to stop Wei. He's a danger to Aerathis. You're in the middle of something you cannot even comprehend. You can help us."
Dimitri clenched his jaw, struggling to restrain himself. "And what do you think I can do? I am but a pawn in this game. My mother conquered multiple dimensions. I was raised knowing the power she wields and the chaos it brings. I am supposed to follow in her footsteps, but at what cost?"
"Your mother might have power, but that doesn't mean you have to follow in her footsteps," Lynsithea said, peering into his eyes with a deep-seated search.
"You can choose to fight against this. You can choose to help save this world instead of letting it be destroyed."
"How could I?" Dimitri's voice cracked, and his frustration was clear. "You're asking me to betray everything I've been raised to believe. Wei has been my mentor, and my teacher since I was a child. And my mother—yes, she's done horrible things, killed billions, but she's still my mother. What if all of this, what if you're wrong about it?"
"Then help us discover the truth," Sasha prodded, taking one more step forward. "Together we can confront Wei. We can prove to him that his aspiration for godhead will bring only ruin and desolation. You have a chance to free yourself from under your mother's shadow and become yourself."
Dimitri's face remained conflicted as if the war was still going on inside him. "And what happens if I refuse? What then?"
Lynsithea reached out and set a hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll find another way," she said. "But please, do not let fear choose for you. We need you now more than ever."
"Consider this, Dimitri," Sasha added, softer in her voice. "What kind of world do you want? One ruled by fear and oppression, or one that allows everyone a chance to move forward? We can't do this without you."
The silence was heavy with the weight of their words as Dimitri weighed them. There was some uncertainty flitting through his eyes, where his decision would go either way, and Lynsithea and Sasha hoped that he would decide wisely.
Dimitri looked down, his thoughts swirling as words continued to ring in his mind: to follow in his mother's footsteps, conqueror of worlds Iris Venyamin Vanya.
Was this what I truly wanted? To head down the path of a servant to power, a vague concept built based on control and fear, where meaning was twisted into obligations and servitude?
He thought of all that he had seen the periods, the devastation Iris left behind, and the pain she caused.
How many times had I told myself that I was different? That when it came down to it, I would choose for myself?
And here he was yet again, walking in their shoes. Though, the idea of escape, of making a decision that wasn't coming off as tainted by his family's history hadn't known how much he wanted that until now.
Dimitri's breath was a slow, unsteady exhalation, the tension dissolving in his shoulders as he looked back to Sasha and Lynsithea. In a swift motion, the pistol thudded from his fingers, clattering across the narrow alley. "Okay. You're right," he murmured, to himself.
His shoulders squared, and he faced them directly, his tone now resigned but steady. "They've taken Alektos and Parveen. Wei. he's going to make an example out of 'em-punishment for breaking into his lab. They're being transported to the main facility as we speak. He wants to experiment on 'em maybe even extract their Essence. If he succeeds, there's no saying what kind of power he'll have."
Dimitri shifted his gaze elsewhere, his voice laced with a bitter edge. "Wei has always been obsessed with Essence, but this is different. He believes if he combines the essence of a Sylph with the Elthernium Gem and the Seraphim's Tear, he'll be unstoppable. He'll become the god he's always wanted to become."
He looked back to Sasha as the battle was still visible in his eyes. "Whatever your plan is, it needs more than just me. You're going to have to stop him before those experiments begin. Time's running out... but I can help you get inside undetected."
Sasha nodded her head, her face set into a grim determination. She placed a reassuring hand on the shoulder of Dimitri, silently acknowledging the arduous decision he'd made.
"Thanks, Dimitri," she whispered. "We're going to save them. And we're going to stop Wei."
---
I crouched beside Kira, our breaths shallow as we peered through the crowd, watching as Alektos and Parveen were herded away by a pair of towering android guards. My heart raced at the sight of them, but before I could voice my concern, the familiar chime of my quantum bracelet interrupted my thoughts.
[Zane! Alektos and Parveen—they—] Lynsithea's voice crackled through the connection, urgency palpable in her tone.
"I know! We saw them being transported somewhere," I interrupted, not wanting to waste a moment. "Do you have any idea where they're headed?"
[They're being taken to Wei's lab or somewhere close,] she replied, her words tumbling out as she continued to run. I could almost picture her determination, a force of nature.
Just then, I caught a glimpse of Snowy, Lynsithea's snowy owl, soaring above us. She flapped her wings energetically as if she knew the way. "It looks like Snowy might lead you there," I said, the glimmer of hope stirring within me.
[We'll handle rescuing those two idiots. You need to focus on your side,] Sasha urged, her voice steady despite the chaos. [Dimitri's with us, so you'd better have another plan.]
"Okay, got it," I replied, my resolve hardening. As I ended the call, I turned to Kira, who was scanning the area, eyes sharp. "We need to find a vacant air racing ship. If we can join the race, it might be our best shot at getting in undetected."
"Right," Kira said, her expression shifting to determination. "Let's move. The longer we wait, the less time we have."
We ducked behind a nearby stack of crates, our hearts pounding in unison. "Just keep your head down, and if anyone asks, we're just two more racers looking for a thrill," I whispered, sharing a smirk with her.
Kira chuckled softly. "With my luck, I'll just end up in the back of the pack."
"Let's make sure we're not there for long," I said, gritting my teeth as we prepared to slip into the thrumming chaos of the air racing event. Every second counted, and I couldn't shake the feeling that everything depended on us making this work.
As we threaded through the crowd of competitors and their flashy air-racing ships, my eyes fixed on a sleek vehicle at the far end of the hangar. Most racers had their custom designs, but this was something else, a motorcycle-like airship with an aerodynamic body that glistened under harsh lights.
"I guess we have no choice," I muttered, pointing it out to Kira. "That's our ride."
Kira raised an eyebrow and a smirk crept onto her face. "It looks like it could barely get us off the ground. Are you sure it's fast enough?"
I tried to laugh it off, but my heart started racing when there was so much to lose. "Fast enough to win the Elthernium. And if we do, we can use it to help free Alektos and Parveen."
"Right," she said, moving closer to him, inspecting the airship. "We'll have to pull off some very big tricks if we're going to get an edge. Prestige is not just about prestige. It is about power. And if Wei gets his hand on that Elthernium, we don't know what he could do."
"Exactly," I said, a sense of urgency settling over me. "This isn't just a race; it's a fight for our future. If we win, we could use the Elthernium against Wei, maybe even use it to save this world"
Kira nodded, determination flickering in her eyes. "Then let's make sure we take this seriously, okay?" she said. "We'll have to strategize on the way. Do you know how to pilot one of these things?"
"Not really," I admitted, feeling a rush of anxiety. "But how hard can it be?"
"Famous last words," she joked, but her smile faded as she looked around at the crowded masses.
As Kira and I climbed onto the air-motorcycle, I felt that the cockpit was tight, almost claustrophobic. Nervously adjusting the controls, I attempted to get a feel for the strange machine. The hum of revving engines filled the air, with excited chatter of the crowd surrounding the racing grounds.
"Hold on tight!" I shouted to Kira, who buckled her harness with a determined nod. "I hope this thing has some speed!"
Right then, a powerful voice sounded through the arena. [Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Aerathis Air Racing Tournament! We have an electrifying lineup today, featuring some of the best pilots from across the Aerathis!]
Kira looked at me and grinned; knots twisted in my belly, but I couldn't help feel ecstatic about this. "Let's show them what we've got!"
"Yeah, let's do this!" I yelled back, my fingers tightening around the handlebars as the announcer continued, [Get ready for the race of a lifetime! Competitors, start your engines!]
The air snapped with electricity as I locked eyes with some of the other racers, their ships gleaming under the bright lights of the stadium. I drew breath deep into my lungs, flooding them with oxygen and adrenaline flowing through me.
[On your marks…] the announcer's voice boomed, and my pulse began to pick up. I adjusted the throttle, and air-motorcycle responded beneath me.
"Just remember, Zane," Kira said, her voice steadying, "we're not just racing for glory. We're racing for the sake of this world."
"Right!" I nodded, a decided amount of determination flooding my system. "We will win this and get them back!"
[Get set…]
Every second I added weight to the anticipation. I could see the starting line ahead, a mix of colored flags fluttering in the wind.
[Go!] The voice of the announcer exploded through the speakers, cutting through the noise of the crowd.
Without really thinking, I twisted the throttle, and the air-motorcycle roared to life, surging forward with a shock of speed. The world blurred around as we shot past the starting line, leaving other contestants well behind in a cloud of dust.
"Hold on!" I yelled out over the wind as we wove past other racers on the track. Adrenaline pumped through my veins like it was molten lava; I barely believed we were doing this.
"Watch out!" Kira shouted, shouting at me to move since another competitor was veering close. I veered hard to the left, avoiding yet another collision as we took a sharp turn; my heart rocketed around in my chest.
Kira smiled and grinned gleefully. "Just wait till you see my tricks!"
We tore down the track, wind whipping past us as the air-motorcycle sped along, twisting and turning, pushing my senses to the edge. Then suddenly the overhead speakers crackled to life.
[Wait a second, folks!] The announcer's voice came through the din of racing, loud and electrified.
[Is that.? It is! One of Wei's most wanted bounties, right here on the track! Looks like our little tournament just got a lot more interesting!]
My jaw set as I looked up to the huge screens above, at my face flashing across them. The crowd exploded, vibrating the entire arena with excitement. Beside me, Kira looked back at me, her face set in tension, all business.
"This just got a whole lot more complicated," she said, her eyes sharp and scanning the track ahead.
"Yeah, I saw that," I mumbled, holding the handlebars harder.
To our left, one of the racers pulled up alongside us, yelling over the roar of engines, "Hey! If I catch you, Wei's gonna make me rich!"
Kira had no hesitation. She leaned forward, her voice low and steel-like. "Stay focused, Zane. We are in real danger here."
The racer sneered, revving his engine. "You are finished! Wei has eyes and ears everywhere; you won't even make it to the line!"
I looked at him, doing the math. He drifted a little too close to the side of the track, and a plan developed in my head.
"Kira, hold on tight!" I cut sharply in front of him, forcing him to swerve to avoid me, to veer so close to the side wall that he almost lost control, his face twisted in anger.
Kira's face softened not even a little. She met my gaze, her expression stubborn. "That was crazy, Zane. We can't keep making plays like that."
"We're not backing down now," I said, setting my jaw. "We've got to finish this."
She steadied herself, holding onto the bike with a life-gripping hold on the side. "Fine, but let's not get any luckier. We need that Elthernium, and we need to live through this."
Again, the announcer's voice roared through, feeding the chaos. [Oh-ho! The new guy is keeping up, but with all these pros chasing him down, will he make it to the end?]
I scanned my surroundings, catching the set expressions of the other racers. They wanted the reward, and they wanted it badly. Kira's grip on my shoulder was tightening as she leaned in closer, her serious gaze locked forward.
"Stay focused. No mistakes," she said, her voice a steadying anchor amidst the chaos. "If we're getting through this, we're doing it right."
The roar of the crowd is deafening, a wave crashing over us as the motorcycle hurtles down the track. But they weren't cheering for the finish line- they wanted a chase; they wanted to hunt.
I glanced back. I could feel the lens of each competitor honing in on me, their bikes threatening to veer off the course as they attempted to cut across or get close enough to snap a shot. Racing? It was no longer a race. It was a full-blown pursuit.
She tightened her grip on my shoulder and bent close so that I could feel her breath against my ear. "Zane, they are not here to win only. They are out for blood."
"Ah, yes," I mumbled, my pulse pounding. The sparkle of determination must've shown in their eyes because, seemingly out of the blue, they began moving upwards, cutting off any avenue of retreat. And then, as if the day hadn't been sucking enough already, I heard the definite buzz of drones coming our way. I chanced a swift glance up and, dominating the skyline was a horizon littered with them, bare and lethal.
One of the other racers hollered over the din, his voice dripping with vicious glee. "You're done for, bounty boy! We'll take that prize and the money!"
My jaw set. They no longer cared about the race. Wei must have put a bounty on us that was too big to pass up. "Those drones," I whispered, more to myself than to Kira, "they're hunting us. Wei's going all in."
Kira's voice was steady but urgent. "We can't outrun them all. We need to think smarter, not harder."
She was right. No way we could overtake those contestants and those drones. I banked sharply to the left, under a bridge, hoping that they had to alter course and give us a few seconds. But they were smart, easily following every twist and turn we made. They were built for this. We were just two people on an air-motorcycle, up against a storm.
My mind whirred, doing arithmetic. "If we can get to the tunnel maybe we can shake them loose. The interference from the signal will scramble the drones."
Kira looked at me, and her face was as grave as I had ever seen it. "And what do you think about the racers? They'll also come in on our tail."
"Let them," I said squinting.
"Once we hit the tunnel it's our turf. We can use it to pick them off one by one." I floored the bike, feeding it its precious gasoline as the entrance to the tunnel presented itself. "Hold on Kira. This isn't gonna be pretty."
She didn't need to hesitate; she clutched the bike hard. "I'm with you. Whatever this turns out to be, we go with the plan"
The crowd's cheering could be heard long before we stepped into the tunnel, growing louder and louder with every passing moment, for they sensed danger and chaos. This was what they came for carnage and chaos. But they didn't know us. They didn't know how far we'd go.
"Okay," I whispered, my voice a low growl. "Let's show them something they'll never forget."
We were consumed by the tunnel in shadows; our air-motorcycle made racing sounds by bouncing off the walls as we launched ourselves down the length of it. I cranked the throttle hard; the speed climbed fast, and felt the machine straining beneath us. The tunnel wasn't forgiving-low ceilings, jagged walls, tight turns I knew we could use that to our advantage.
I could feel Kira's tension building behind me, her fingers digging into my waist as we approached the first vicious corner. "Zane, you're not going to slow down, are you?" She sounded more accusatory than fearful.
I grinned, adrenaline coursing through my veins. "You're right. I'm not."
At the last instant, I yanked the bike into a fierce lean, steering us into the sharp turn. Kira readied herself, our steps in step, shifting her weight just enough to keep us balanced as we skimmed the corner. I reached for my gun blade, my hand wrapping around the hilt securely and I carved in with one, single powerful slash into the wall, debris cascading down behind us like a semi-solid wave in its wake. A barricade.
Metal crashing echoed through the tunnel as one of the pursuers rammed into the barrier and spun out. Others veered and dodged as I could determine this maneuver had saved us some seconds.
"Nice move!" Kira yelled with a thrill in her voice I hadn't heard before. "But there's more coming!"
I floored it, with the narrow passage sliding past my door, my head bent in anticipation of collision with the end of the tunnel. My heart thudded as one with the beat of the engine and yet could hardly hear anything above the roar that filled my ears. Then I picked up some of the announcer's excited shouting coming from the loudspeakers outside the tunnel.
[Incredible! Wei's most wanted is conducting a troupe of racers through the tunnel! This is no race, folks; this is all-out war!]
We shot toward the tunnel's exit, catching sight of daylight ahead. Closing in on us, the drones stretched their shadows across the walls of the tunnel with every desperate lunge to tighten their pursuit. With one final surge of speed, we hit the open, the crowd erupting as they watched us fly out of the tunnel.
Kira leaned closer. "You think that barricade slowed them down enough?"
The adrenaline still pulsating through my veins, I cracked up a cheesy smile. "If that didn't scare him straight, then there's more where that came from."
The announcer's voice boomed with excitement as he called out through the stadium, [Ladies and gentlemen, we have never seen a move like that in all of racing history! Zane has just raised the stakes, and it looks like he's intent on crossing that finish line!]
We burst out of the tunnel with a hail of bullets. Drones, dozens of them, buzzed in formation, aiming their firepower right at me. I tried to zigzag but there were too many, and shots were closing in too fast. A sharp clip across my shoulder sent me gritting my teeth as I pushed the bike even harder.
And then, without warning, Kira whipped off her coat, unfurling her wings with a fierce sweep. I could feel the gust as she angled them in front of us, forming a shield against the barrage. Bullets pinged off her feathers, but they did not break. I could sense the strain in her, but she held steady, protecting us both as I kept us moving.
The voice of the announcer pierced the noise, amplified and astonishing. [Incredible! We have a surprise contender-an Avian! Believed to be one of the creatures in the world that no longer had life, here she is, defending Wei's most wanted!]
The crowd gasped, then erupted into a mixture of awe and astonishment. I threw a glance at Kira. Her concentration was laser-like; her gaze was that of an unyielding plate of steel, barely flickering as she held her ground against the hail of bullets. She looked like a mythical warrior, carved from myth and brought to life.
"Get us closer to them, Zane!" she yelled above the din of battle, her voice edged with resolve.
I nodded, veering toward the closest cluster of drones. Kira's wings flexed, and then she was pulling out handfuls of feathers. They emitted a faint glow, charged with her very essence, and flung them like a volley of arrows through the air. They sliced into drones. The impact was explosive: sparks and metal fragments rained down as the drones shattered and crashed, one by one.
The announcer was losing it now, his voice a frantic blur of excitement. [She's not just blocking—she's taking them down! What a comeback! This race has turned into a spectacle beyond anything we've seen!]
Kira folded her wings back, breathing heavily but still fierce, her eyes locked on the path ahead. "Those won't be the last," she said, almost to herself, but I caught the words.
"No," I said, the engine revving. But that just means more targets. I leaned forward, giving us every bit of speed the air-bike could give, our path now strewn with pieces of crashed drones. The race had gotten far beyond a contest of speed; it was now life and death.