Starfania let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding, relief washing over her.
" Thanks, " she said, eyes still locked on the other guards. Aeron blinked in surprise, catching his breath. " I didn't think that would actually work. "
Lyam, ever cool under pressure, gave a small shrug. " Didn't have much of a choice. "
Without missing a beat, Lyam turned his gaze toward the lone remaining guard. His steps were measured, confident, his expression unreadable. He tilted his head slightly and asked, almost casually, " So… what do you think we should do with you? "
The guard glanced at his unconscious comrade sprawled on the floor, then at the control panel, now fully disabled. His eyes flicked to Starfania, still poised with her blade at the ready. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
" I…I'm just following orders, " he said. " I didn't know they were planning to release something like that. The toxin… "
His voice trailed off, his earlier bravado now replaced with uncertainty. Aeron narrowed his eyes. " You stood there and laughed about it. Doesn't sound like someone who's just blindly following orders. "
The soldiers lowered his head, shame flickering across his features. " I didn't believe it would actually be used. We were told it was only a deterrent–just a warning to keep the dragons away… "
Starfania stepped forward, her voice quiet but firm. " That warning would've killed innocent creatures. Do you think fear justifies destruction? "
He didn't answer. Instead, he slowly raised both hands and took a step back from his weapon, a silent surrender. Lyam exchanged a glance with Aeron, then turned to Starfania. " What do you want to do with him? "
The question caught her off guard? Her? She looked at the guard–he wasn't a monster. Just a man swept up in something far bigger than himself. Her father once told her, " True leadership lies not in how you wield your power, but how you spare it. "
After a pause, she lowered her blade. " We tie him up and leave him here. No killing. We're not like them. "
The guard's shoulders slumped in what might have been relief. Aeron nodded approvingly. " That's the right call. "
Lyam only shrugged again, though she caught the hint of respect in his eyes. " Fine. But if he so much as twitches wrong, I won't hesitate. "
Starfania watched as they secured the guard and dragged the unconscious one into the corner. The rooms were theirs now. But the clock was still ticking. The toxin released had been delayed, not destroyed.
They slipped out of the control room under the veil of silence, each step calculated to whisper against the stone floor. The path ahead led to the launch site–the heart of the deadly operation. Every breath they took was a stolen moment, every heartbeat a ticking clock. Cloaked in shadows, they moved with practiced precision, weaving between pillars and hugging the walls to avoid the patrols. At last, they reached the launch bay–a towering chamber riddled with pipes and machinery, humming with barely restrained energy. They ducked behind a stack of metal crates, the reek of chemical and smoke stinging their nostrils. Starfania exchanged a look with Aeron, and Lyam now bound and anxious. The urgency pressed on like a weight.
We somehow need to put this antidote into that rocket before the guards realize we disabled their shields. " Starfania whispered, pointing towards the machine in the middle. " The control panel might be in charge of the shield, but one thing about VulcanFire they have multiple ways of starting it. "
But before she could explain further, a sharp, metallic clang echoed above them. They froze. Footsteps. Then voices. Dozens. As they slowly turned their heads, dread pickled down their spines. Emerging from the shadows and descending from the upper levels, guards closed in–armor clinking, weapons drawn, eyes locked on them like predators scenting prey. They were surrounded. Aeron tensed beside Starfania, reaching instinctively for his blade, but the odds were insurmountable.
" This wasn't part of the plan, " Lyam muttered under his breath. Starfania took a slow breath, locking eyes with one soldier, now stepping forward with a grin. " Let me guess, this is the part where you foil our efforts to stop the launch, is that it? "
The soldier gave a slow, smug nod. His men followed suit, lifting their weapons in chilling unison. " Indeed. You had your chance to run. Now you'll witness the future you tried to prevent. "
They glanced at each other, boxed in by steel and stone. Every path was sealed. Every option is cut off.