With the teleporter key securely in hand, Sam and the group made their way toward the portal, eager to finally reunite with Sara, Masha, and Alan. The air was tense with anticipation, but there was a sense of accomplishment that had settled over the group, buoyed by Sam's earlier victory.
As they approached the portal, its swirling energy pulsed with an almost hypnotic rhythm, casting eerie shadows across the ground. Sam could feel the pull of the portal, like an invisible force beckoning them forward. He turned to Lyla and the others, offering a reassuring nod. "This is it. Once we step through, we'll be one step closer to getting out of this place."
Lyla nodded, though there was an undercurrent of anxiety in her eyes. She had seen too much of the Void to trust anything that seemed too easy. But Sam's confidence was infectious, and she found herself hoping that this time, things would go smoothly.
Sam stepped forward, holding the key out in front of him as he approached the portal. The key seemed to resonate with the portal's energy, glowing faintly as it neared the swirling vortex. But just as Sam was about to insert the key, something unexpected happened.
A hand shot up from the ground, its fingers wrapping around Sam's wrist with a cold, vice-like grip. Sam barely had time to react before the hand yanked the key out of his grasp, pulling it down into the earth. The key disappeared into the ground with a faint metallic crunch, followed by the sound of something breaking.
Sam's eyes widened in shock, his heart skipping a beat as he realized what had just happened. "What the—?!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a voice echoed from behind them, dripping with amusement. "Well, well, what do we have here?"
The voice was low and smooth, with a hint of mocking curiosity. Sam spun around, sword at the ready, his eyes scanning the area for the source of the voice. The others quickly followed suit, their previous sense of victory replaced by a growing unease.
From the shadows emerged a figure, tall and imposing, with an air of authority that demanded attention. His uniform was unlike any they had seen before, a mix of dark colors that blended into the Void's ominous landscape. His face was partially obscured by a hood, but the glint of his eyes shone with a cold, calculating intelligence.
Lyla's face drained of color as she recognized the figure. Her voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "Sam… that's the vice captain of Squad 11."
Sam's brow furrowed in confusion. "Wait, Squad 11? I thought there were only five squads."
Lyla shook her head, her voice barely more than a whisper. "It was long ago… before the other squads were disbanded or merged. Squad 11 was one of the most feared, known for their ruthless efficiency and unmatched power. If he's here, it means we're in serious trouble."
The vice captain stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the group with a mixture of disdain and amusement. "I must say, I didn't expect to find anyone so… bold… here in the Void. Most who come here are either desperate or foolish. Which one are you?"
Sam's grip on his sword tightened, his eyes narrowing as he stared down the newcomer. "I don't know who you are, but you've got about five seconds to give back that key before I make you regret it."
The vice captain chuckled softly, a sound that sent chills down their spines. "Regret? Oh, I'm afraid it's you who will be regretting this little escapade. You see, the Void doesn't take kindly to intruders. And neither do I."
Sam's mind raced as he tried to assess the situation. This man—this vice captain—was clearly dangerous, more dangerous than anyone they had faced so far. But Sam wasn't about to back down. Not now.
"What do you want?" Sam demanded, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
The vice captain's smile widened slightly, though it never reached his eyes. "What do I want? I want to see if the rumors are true… if you're really as powerful as they say. After all, it's been a long time since I've had a proper challenge."
Lyla took a step closer to Sam, her voice urgent. "Sam, be careful. He's not like the others. He's… he's one of the best."
Sam glanced at her, then back at the vice captain. "I've faced worse. Trust me."
The vice captain raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Sam's confidence. "Is that so? Well then, let's see if your blade is as sharp as your tongue."
With that, the ground beneath them began to tremble, cracks spidering out from where the key had been pulled into the earth. The air grew thick with a dark energy that seemed to seep into their very bones, making it hard to breathe.
Sam braced himself, his sword raised as he prepared for whatever was coming next. But before he could make a move, the ground exploded upward, sending debris flying in all directions. From the center of the blast, a massive hand of dark energy emerged, its fingers clawing at the air as it reached for Sam.
Without hesitation, Sam leapt back, narrowly avoiding the hand as it slammed into the ground where he had been standing moments before. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the air, nearly knocking him off balance.
The vice captain watched with a twisted smile, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Come now, don't disappoint me. Show me what you're made of."
Sam's eyes blazed with determination as he tightened his grip on his sword. He could feel Valkor stirring within, ready to be unleashed. But he knew that this wasn't just about power—it was about strategy, about outsmarting an opponent who had clearly been playing this game far longer than he had.
As the vice captain's hand of dark energy rose again, Sam took a deep breath, his mind racing as he prepared to meet the challenge head-on. This wasn't going to be easy, but if there was one thing Sam knew, it was that he wouldn't back down—not now, not ever.