The cold, damp cell felt like a tomb. Aidan sat on the hard bench, his back against the unyielding wall, his mind racing. The weight of the mind probe loomed over him like a specter. If they used it, his system—his greatest secret and his only hope for revenge—would be exposed. Worse, the probe could leave him a hollow shell of his former self. Escape wasn't just an option; it was a necessity.
The faint hum of the energy field sealing his cell was a constant reminder of his confinement. Aidan's eyes scanned the room, noting every detail. The walls were reinforced with a strange black alloy, smooth and seamless. The only break in the monotony was the energy barrier at the front and a small, circular vent high above the wall opposite him. The vent was too small for him to fit through, but it was a potential point of interaction.
A sudden flicker in the energy field caught his attention. The faint shimmer destabilized for a split second before returning to normal. Aidan's heart raced. Was it a malfunction, or had someone tampered with it?
[System Notice: Energy Field Integrity at 96%]
The system's voice was calm, almost clinical, but it sparked hope in Aidan. "System, can you analyze the energy field further?"
[Analysis Complete. Energy Field Weakness Detected. Probability of Forced Deactivation: 37%. External Assistance Recommended.]
Aidan frowned. External assistance? Who could possibly help him in this fortress? His mind turned to Varn. The grizzled man had been dragged to the dungeons, but Aidan doubted he'd remain idle. Varn was a survivor, and survivors always had a plan.
---
Hours passed in oppressive silence. The rhythmic clinking of boots against metal floors echoed through the corridor. Aidan's ears perked up. The guards were making their rounds. He closed his eyes, feigning sleep, as two figures approached his cell.
"The kid looks scrawny. Doubt he'll last long after the probe," one guard muttered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Doesn't matter," the other replied. "The council's more interested in what he knows. After that, he's expendable."
Their footsteps faded, leaving Aidan alone once more. The guards' words confirmed his fears. Time was running out.
Suddenly, he heard two thuds, followed by silence.
Aidan's eyes widened. When he looked outside the cell, he saw Varn approaching, a small laser gun in his hand.
"Kid, you still breathing?" Varn's gruff voice broke the tension.
Relief flooded Aidan's chest. "Barely. What's the plan?"
"Listen carefully," Varn said, his tone low and urgent. "There's a maintenance hatch near your cell. It leads to the lower levels. I've… convinced a friend to create a distraction. When the time comes, you'll have a short window to escape."
"What about the energy field?"
"I've got that covered." Varn pulled out a sleek device with glowing nodes. "This is a Disruptor Pulse Generator. It'll knock out the field temporarily. Be ready."
He pressed a button, and a silent pulse rippled outward. The energy field surrounding the cell flickered and died.
The lights in the corridor flickered once, twice, and then went out entirely. Darkness swallowed the cell block, broken only by the faint glow of emergency lights.
"If I still had some strength I would have been able to open this gate after its energy died out but for now you have to go around the way. Just hurry, don't be late. It won't be long before the security room alerts others." saying that Varn made a run in a different direction.
Aidan had some questions about how did he got this device but he refrained from asking for now as he knew that the time was of the essence.
Without wasting anytime. He darted to the cell door, his heart pounding in his chest. The maintenance hatch Varn mentioned was just a few steps away. He dropped to his knees, prying it open with trembling fingers. The hatch creaked, revealing a narrow, dimly lit tunnel.
[System Alert: Nearby Hostiles Detected]
Aidan froze. The system's warning was accompanied by a faint map overlay, highlighting two red dots moving toward his location. The guards were coming here probably due to the noise.
He slipped into the tunnel, pulling the hatch closed behind him just as the sound of hurried footsteps reached his ears. The cramped space forced him to crawl, his palms scraping against the rough surface. The tunnel reeked of oil and decay, but Aidan pushed forward, guided by the system's faint map.
The tunnel opened into a larger maintenance shaft, dimly illuminated by flickering lights. Varn was waiting, his face a mask of determination.
"You're late," Varn grunted, extending a hand to help Aidan up.
"Had to dodge a couple of guards," Aidan replied, his voice tight with adrenaline.
"No time for chatter," Varn said, leading the way. "The distraction won't hold them for long."
They moved quickly, navigating the labyrinthine underbelly of the fortress. The system's map was invaluable, highlighting paths and marking potential threats. As they approached a service elevator, a deafening alarm blared, its piercing wail echoing through the corridors.
"They know we're loose," Varn muttered. "We need to move faster."
The elevator doors slid open with a hiss, revealing a sleek, cylindrical pod. Varn stepped inside, motioning for Aidan to follow. The elevator lurched upwards, the G-forces pressing them against the cold, metal walls. Aidan felt a wave of nausea wash over him, his vision blurring.
The alarm growing fainter with each passing second.
When the doors opened, they were greeted by the cool night air. The fortress's landing pad stretched out before them, and beyond that, the vast expanse of the crimson-hued forest.
A sleek, black hovercraft waited, its engines humming softly. Varn gestured for Aidan to board. "Get in. We're not out of this yet."
Before they could take a step forward, a commanding voice boomed from behind.
"STOP!"
The sheer force of the shout made Aidan's body freeze in place, his limbs refusing to obey. Varn fared slightly better but still struggled to move.
Aidan turned his head, panic etched on his face, as the system chimed:
[System Scan: Target Identified]
[Name: Kael Dravik]
[Cultivation: Orange Stage - Initial]
[Affiliation: Aeloria Branch Family]
[Role: Warden of the Darnath Prime and Elite Enforcer]
[Additional Information: Mastery of energy manipulation and tactical combat.]
The warden, an imposing figure with an aura of raw power, advanced toward them, his expression a mix of rage and authority. Just as the warden raised his hand, preparing to unleash an attack, another figure darted in from the side, intercepting the blow.
The tension hung in the air as Aidan's mind raced. Who was this newcomer, and why were they stopping the warden?