[Ascendance: The Journey to Type 7. Ch_025]
After 1/5 Universal Hour.
In the dim chamber, Thors stood alone amidst the chaos. Flames flickered, consuming the room's furnishings, yet the black steel walls and ceiling held firm.
The red glow illuminated Thors, casting long shadows as he focused intently on the delicate silver necklace in his hand. On the pendant, a name was engraved: "Kael Ashvale."
His eyes softened, his fingers tracing the letters. [Crackle of flames, embers popping in the background]
"My grandson," he murmured to himself, almost reverent. "Who would've thought you'd come back after all these years, and turned out like this."
He paused, memories flooding back, feeling the weight of the necklace. [The fire's glow reflects in his eyes, his expression a mix of nostalgia and regret]
Meanwhile, in the winding corridors, Kael sprinted, alarms blaring and red emergency lights flashing. He moved quickly, the urgency clear in his gaze as he navigated the maze-like halls, dodging shadows cast by the pulsing lights.
[The echo of his footsteps against the steel floor reverberates]
"Dammit," Kael muttered under his breath, glancing at the locked-down security doors ahead. "What the hell happened back there? "
The alarm continued, loud and unrelenting. He tapped his earpiece, connecting with the crew.
"Kael, the whole prison's going haywire!" Mirae's voice crackled over the comm, filled with tension.
"I'm almost there," he replied, his voice calm, though his heartbeat pounded. "Stay where you are. We'll move together."
Alaric's voice joined the line, laced with urgency. "we're boxed in here. If you don't get to us soon…"
"I'm coming," Kael interrupted firmly. "Hold your ground."
As he neared the holding area, Kael spotted Zyra and Voss waiting by the door, their weapons drawn, their faces reflecting both relief and resolve as they saw him.
"The place is in Chaos!" Voss said, gripping his weapon tightly. "The guards are scrambling, and we're pinned."
"Do you know what caused this?" Zyra demanded, her eyes sharp.
Kael shook his head, glancing down the corridor. "No time for details. Let's focus on getting out."
Suddenly, the walls rumbled, lights flickering as a low tremor moved through the prison. The three exchanged glances, the sense of urgency tightening around them.
Just then, a new voice crackled in Kael's earpiece, sinister and taunting.
"Kael Ashvale," it sneered. "Do you really think you can escape the Eternal Prison?"
Kael's face hardened. "Stop me, If you can."
A low, chilling chuckle echoed through the static. "Good. Run. It'll make your capture all the more… entertaining."
The transmission cut off just as Kael entered the room where the crew was, leaving only the steady hum of the alarm in its wake.
Kael turned to his crew, meeting their eyes with fierce resolve. "Let's go. Stay close, stay sharp, and follow me."
[With focused breaths and silent nods, they readied themselves and moved forward, determined and unyielding as they advanced into the unknown.]
1/5 universal hour earlier.
Thors watched Kael intently, his posture relaxed but his gaze piercing, calculating. He tilted his head slightly, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"I know why you're here, Kael," he said, a mocking edge to his words. "You've come to free Rax, haven't you?"
Kael's eyes narrowed, and without a word, he began to channel his energy, a silent, growing blue light gathering in his fist. His heart pounded as he charged his Eternal Fist, its power pulsing with a relentless intensity. He waited, ready to strike.
But Thors saw the shift, his lips curling into a dark, almost gleeful smirk.
"Do you really think I'd let some nobody like you steal my prey?" he sneered. Without warning, Thors lunged forward, his movement fast and fierce.
[A rush of air and the thunderous sound of his foot hitting the ground]
In that instant, Kael unleashed his attack, his system chiming:
[Activating Skill: ETERNAL FIST]
A brilliant blue aura exploded from Kael's chest, surging down his arm until it enveloped his fist. The energy solidified, taking the form of a fearsome dragon coiling around his hand, its scales gleaming with raw power.
The dragon let out a roar that shook the room. [A piercing, ethereal roar filled the space, reverberating off the steel walls]
Thors' eyes widened briefly at the sight, but his reaction was immediate. He raised his hand, summoning an orange aura that rippled and condensed into a translucent shield.
"Think that can touch me?" Thors scoffed, his voice low and filled with dark confidence.
As Kael's dragon launched forward, the blue aura blazing, it collided with Thors' shield in a blinding flash of blue and orange light.
[BOOM!]
The clash sent shockwaves through the room, reducing everything around them to smoldering fragments.
Cracks spread through the furniture and scattered debris, dust filling the air, but the walls and ceiling of black steel stood firm, unaffected by the destruction below.
Thors' shield held against the dragon's assault, yet he staggered. He looked down at his shimmering shield with a flicker of respect, muttering under his breath.
"Not bad… not bad at all."
But as he steadied himself and looked back up, Kael was already gone. [The faint echo of hurried footsteps disappearing into the hallway]
At that moment, the blaring alarm rang out through the prison. [Screeching sirens filled the space, casting a harsh red light that pulsed across the steel walls]
Thors clenched his fists, his gaze darkening. "You think you can get away, Kael?" he growled, his voice filled with rage as he turned towards the exit, shadows flickering across his face as the alarm's light pulsed around him.
Thors paused, his furious gaze softening. He closed his eyes for a moment, exhaling slowly, letting his clenched fists relax. A quiet, almost gentle smile crept onto his face as he reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a small silver necklace.
The faint glint of metal caught the crimson glow of the alarm lights, illuminating the name delicately engraved on its surface: Kael Ashvale.
Turning the necklace in his hand, he murmured, almost to himself, "I'm proud of you… as a grandfather."
For a moment, his voice softened further, the words barely escaping his lips as he looked down at the pendant, a quiet reverence in his eyes. Then he slipped it back into his pocket, his face once again set with steely determination.
"But, Kael," he said, his voice hardening, "I can't let you run wild—not here."
A cold smile curled on his lips as he turned, summoning a guard with a mere gesture. The guard approached swiftly, awaiting his command.
"Alert every sector of the Eternal Prison. Our guest…" he paused, a shadow of pride flickering in his eyes, "…is making his way to the lower chambers. Prepare accordingly."
The sirens continued to wail, casting the prison in a pulsating red hue, as Thors strode forward, his steps echoing with purpose.
Back To present
The dimly lit corridors of the Eternal Prison were silent except for the soft [echoing footsteps] of Kael and his crew, cutting through the shadows like phantoms, While Kael Explained What's going on.
Their faces were hardened, all too aware of the stakes. Kael led the remaining team forward, his expression calm but focused.
In the back of his mind, Kael couldn't shake a smirk. "I expected things to go wild around here, but this is… beyond expectation," he thought, glancing down at his clenched fist. "Still, no problem. I've got an ace up my sleeve."
Meanwhile, 5 People of Crew, The Pilots and Intelligence Officers, Astrid, Cronan & Orion and Osiris & Icarus, moved towards Astral Vanguard.
he could hear Astrid's voice through the comm-link as her group moved toward the Astral Vanguard. "Kael," she whispered, her voice laced with tension. "We're heading back to the Vanguard. You'd better not take any crazy risks."
Kael chuckled softly, replying with a low murmur, "Since when do I take crazy risks, Astrid?"
"Since… always?" Osiris cut in, his tone dry yet edged with worry. "I mean, you realize we're about to break into one of the most secure places under the King, right?"
"I'm well aware," Kael replied, his tone steady. "Just follow your end of the plan. We'll get Rax and be back before Thors even knows what's hit him."
Cronan, keeping a close eye on the perimeter of their path, muttered under his breath, "The Captain's always been insane. But if anyone can pull this off…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "I just hope we make it back to the Vanguard in one piece."
Orion, nearby, added quietly, "Maybe, but if Kael's got a plan, you can bet he's already three moves ahead."
Kael's team, now separated, moved closer toward the holding cells. He took a steadying breath, feeling the weight of his responsibility, not just as a captain but as someone who had always led his team into the wildest missions and brought them home.
On the other end, Icarus's voice came in, calm yet intense. "Kael, once we're in the Vanguard, we'll prep the stealth systems for extraction. Make it quick, and watch yourself."
"Roger that." Kael felt a warmth at their trust in him, though he masked it beneath his usual bravado. "You all just get that ship ready. We'll bring Rax back—no wild detours."
As he closed the comm, Kael glanced back at his crew, his gaze steady. "Alright, team. This isn't just about a rescue. It's about proving we're untouchable. Let's show them what we've got."
With a unified nod, Kael and his team moved forward, navigating the complex corridors with a silent determination that spoke louder than words, his crew's confidence bolstered by their captain's unwavering resolve.
In the shadowy corridors outside Rax's cell, Kael and his remaining crew stood amidst a sea of hostile faces. Prisoners from neighboring cells were jeering, rattling their bars, their expressions filled with anger and desperation.
Guards were already advancing from behind, the [thudding of their boots] echoing ominously down the corridor.
The Vanguard's crew—Osiris, Orion, Cronan, Astrid, and Icarus—reached the Astral Vanguard, swiftly boarding and launching from the Eternal Prison's vessel. They blasted their way into open space, and reach the cell in which Rax was, from Outer Space.
Astrid's voice crackled through the comm, steady and composed. "Alright, everyone, activate your Astro Bracelets. We're cutting through the cell wall from the outside, but you've got about eight minutes until we can reach you. Brace yourselves."
[Astro Bracelets : After activating an Astro Bracelet, One Can Survive In Outer Space for 30 Minutes without Space Suit.]
Kael nodded, glancing down at his wrist as his Astro Bracelet hummed to life, a faint glow emitting from it. He turned to Rax, who looked worn but alert, a spark of defiance in his eyes.
"Rax," Kael said quickly, his voice low but urgent, "we're getting you out, but it's going to take a few more minutes. Keep calm, and stick close. Things are about to get… interesting."
Rax, "How did you end up in Eternal prison of all the places in the Universe......"
Rax's mouth curved into a tired grin, but his eyes held a spark of determination. "Well, Didn't think my last stand would be in a place like this," he muttered. "But I'll follow your lead, Captain."
Meanwhile, outside the Eternal Prison, Astrid was focused on her console aboard the Astral Vanguard. [Blips on her radar showed small fight pods incoming, closing in fast].
Orion's voice cut through the tense silence. "Astrid, they're deploying pods! I count six incoming… no, make that eight. They're not wasting any time."
Astrid narrowed her eyes, gripping the controls. [A flicker of determination in her gaze]. "Alright, weapons team, keep those pods off our backs. We need those eight minutes. Icarus, keep cutting the cell wall, steady as she goes."
Osiris, manning one of the turrets, was already firing at the approaching pods. [The turret cannon whirred], and he let out a low growl of frustration. "These things are faster than they look. Stay sharp, everyone!"
Back inside the prison, the crew huddled close to Rax. Guards were closing in, and Kael's team held their ground, creating a defensive perimeter.
Cronan swung his blaster rifle, positioning himself to intercept the incoming guards. "Osiris, Icarus, we've got company, and they don't look too friendly."
Icarus clenched his jaw, giving Cronan a nod. "Osiris and I'll Hold them off as long as we can. We just need a few more minutes." He could feel the hum of tension in the air, the adrenaline of the crew as they steeled themselves for the fight ahead.
Inside Eternal Prison, Near Rax's Cell.
One of the guards sneered as he approached, weapon raised. "You think you can break someone out of here? You're all dead."
Without hesitation, Kael launched forward, his eyes glinting with fierce resolve. "You'd be surprised what we're capable of."
[Sounds of blaster fire erupted] as Kael and his team engaged with the guards, fighting fiercely to keep them at bay. Behind him, Rax's expression shifted from astonishment to respect as he watched Kael and the crew fend off the relentless guards.
In the midst of the chaos, Astrid's voice came through again, slightly strained. "Just hold on, everyone. We're almost through. Six more minutes."
Indra grinned as he took down another guard, his voice filled with exhilaration. "I don't know how you do it, Captain, but this is the best jailbreak I've ever been part of."
Kael managed a quick grin in response, feeling the same thrill amid the danger. "You'd better get used to it. We're just getting started." [Smirked]
Above them, the Astral Vanguard's lasers continued their steady work, inching closer to completing the escape route, while the crew braced for what was bound to be a daring last-minute getaway.
TO BE CONTINUED.