"So... That's how it all began," Chiro asked Meloc, who had recounted the origins of the shadows with a mix of reverence and cynicism.
"That's right," Meloc replied, adjusting his glasses as he looked at the young humanoid hamster with a calculating expression. "According to what I've been instructed since joining this team, and based on the story told by the seven members of the Shadow Council, it was Urugas who lifted us from our misery." He paused, as if savoring each word before continuing. "Of course, I've summarized some parts, but in essence, that's how it happened: with our help, Lord Urugas will return from his prison. All of this occurred because of Avocios and their guardians, who locked him away after an epic battle to free this world. Though we won the war, our lord remains imprisoned, waiting for the moment to return and reveal his true self. We all eagerly await that day."
Chiro frowned, processing the information. Then, with a hesitant tone, he asked, "But then, why do you want to destroy Tejod? If you're all servants of the shadows and the same master..."
Meloc let out a dry laugh, laced with disdain. "Tejod is incompetent. He has grown weak over time. That's why Tertrol wants to become the new sovereign of the shadows." His voice took on a more venomous tone as he continued: "And personally, I loathe that egotistical fool, Tejod. He crushes us and sends us out as cannon fodder. With Lord Tertrol, everything would be different. Besides..." Meloc paused dramatically, gazing toward the horizon as if recalling something painful. "It was Tejod who caused us to be transformed into these so-called 'humans.' Before, we were just a peaceful community of rodents, living in harmony, until he turned us into this nightmare."
Chiro nodded slowly, though he still wasn't sure if betraying Tejod would be the right decision. "I think I understand your point and your anger towards Tejod," he responded, trying to hide his nervousness.
Meloc stared at him intently, his eyes gleaming with a mix of threat and warning. "Think carefully about your next moves, boy. You'll have to decide which side you belong to when the time comes, but don't take too long. The winds of change are already approaching, and you wouldn't want to be on the wrong side." His voice was low but charged with intent, and his malevolent gaze seemed to pierce through Chiro's soul.
"Yes," Chiro replied, swallowing hard as he returned to work, feeling the weight of the situation grow heavier on his shoulders.
Finally, they arrived at the place where the Treelion grew, a magical plant whose particles were essential for their plans. They collected samples from the soil, making sure to leave no trace of their presence. Fortunately, they managed to avoid encountering our heroes who were in the area, although Paltio's team came dangerously close to being discovered several times.
As they climbed into the tank and exited the forest, Chiro assumed they would return directly to the realm of Hassdalia. However, Meloc had other plans. "We're not going back yet. There are things to do," he said in an authoritative tone, pointing to an alternate route.
They descended into a valley shrouded in thick mist, where a kind of opening in the ground revealed itself before them. It was an underground passage that opened automatically, as if it had been waiting for them. They entered the place, stopping in a sort of underground parking area illuminated by dim, dark red lights.
Meloc, Chiro, and a handful of soldiers disembarked from the tank, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous space. As they stepped down, they encountered a figure clad in gleaming dark armor, with a silver insignia on his shoulder and a dark cape billowing behind him. When he removed his helmet, he revealed the face of a humanoid squirrel, his sharp eyes scanning every movement of the newcomers.
"Well, well... If it isn't Meloc. I thought you were out of commission," said the squirrel, his fiery red hair catching the dim light, his voice dripping with a mix of surprise and mockery.
"Ah, don't jump to conclusions, my dear Ribras. I'm still alive, and today more than ever," Meloc replied with a forced smile, adjusting his glasses while trying to mask his discomfort.
"So it seems," Ribras retorted, crossing his arms and looking at Meloc with an expression laden with sarcasm.
"Who is that man?" Chiro whispered, leaning toward Meloc.
"Ah! He's one of the commanders and the lead scientist of one of the factions of the Black Shadow," Meloc explained without taking his eyes off Ribras.
"Hey, and who's that next to you? Your new bodyguard, perhaps?" Ribras asked with a mocking smile, pointing at Chiro while raising an eyebrow.
Meloc let out a forced laugh, trying to disguise his unease at Ribras' biting comment. "No, he's not my bodyguard," Meloc responded dryly, adjusting his glasses as if to buy time to think of a more assertive reply. "Uh, this young man is my new right-hand assistant. His name is Chiro," Meloc quickly interjected, as if trying to preempt Ribras.
Chiro, nervous, extended a trembling hand toward Ribras and said in an uncertain voice, "Pleased to meet you, sir."
Ribras looked him up and down and responded with a tone dripping in irony: "Good luck, kid." His words seemed to hang in the air, leaving an uncomfortable sensation among those present.
"Enough of this nonsense. It's time to get to work," Meloc interrupted impatiently, abruptly changing the subject. "Tell me, how is our guest?"
"Our guest is fine. And yes, he's under our custody. He's sleeping peacefully thanks to us suppressing his powers," Ribras replied, his tone now more serious.
"That's what I thought. Naturally, my inventions are highly sophisticated and top-notch, the best in this world. Not like that foolishness called RUBY," Meloc declared arrogantly.
"Ah! Well, you mean 'ours.' I helped too," Ribras pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes… Whatever," Meloc dismissed, downplaying Ribras' contribution.
"And speaking of that artificial intelligence, RUBY... You're right, that thing was recently destroyed. Poor Green Shadows; they thought themselves scholars and ended up losing everything by putting their faith in a machine," Ribras mocked, letting out a dry laugh.
"Yes, those fools should have disappeared long ago," Meloc added, sharing a conspiratorial glance with Ribras.
Meanwhile, Chiro was lost in thought. He didn't fully understand what this pair were talking about or who the prisoner they referred to be. However, his scientific curiosity was beginning to take over. He wanted to know who was trapped and what lay behind that giant door Ribras had just pointed out.
"Alright, follow me," Ribras ordered, turning around and entering through a monumental door that opened with a metallic screech.
Meloc approached Chiro, lowering his voice so only he could hear. "I think you're dying to know what's behind that door, huh, boy? Well, if you want to find out, you need to answer the question I asked you earlier: are you going to be part of the new order of shadows? Let me give you even more incentive: the other shadow factions are also planning to betray Tejod. That's why I'm working with Ribras, of course, but everything has to stay under the radar. Tejod might suspect something."
Then, Meloc fixed his gaze on Chiro, his tone now severe and direct. "So, are you with us?"
Chiro felt his heart pounding. He thought he'd have more time to decide, but now he realized there was no escape. Besides, curiosity was getting the better of him. He wanted to know what was behind that door, like any scientist driven to uncover new knowledge.
The young man paused for a moment, his face pale as he tried to find the right words. His mind was a whirlwind of doubts and fears. He knew that whatever decision he made would place him in a dangerous position, but he couldn't turn back now.
"Come on, boy, time's running out... Tic, tac, tic, tac..." Meloc said impatiently, mimicking the sound of a clock with his fingers while staring intently at Chiro. Each "tic" seemed to echo like a ripple in the young humanoid hamster's mind.
Chiro took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts. What should I do? If I say yes, I'll be betraying Tejod, and if anything goes wrong, I'll be punished with death. But on the other hand, if I don't, Tertrol will punish me too, and if he manages to take Tejod's place, he'll kill me anyway. However... I want to know what's behind that door.
Scientific curiosity battled against the fear of consequences. His hands trembled slightly, and his breathing quickened as he felt the weight of the situation crushing him.
"Well then, boy, there's just one answer: yes? Or no?" Meloc said firmly, leaning toward him as if trying to read every one of his thoughts.
Without further hesitation, Chiro blurted out the words before he could second-guess himself. A loud "Yes!" escaped his lips, resonating in the tense silence of the place.
"Good, then follow me," Meloc replied with a satisfied smile, turning toward the door that was already beginning to open slowly in front of them. The metallic creak of the hinges reverberated through the air, creating an atmosphere charged with anticipation.