The sirens screamed across the Neno Lens headquarters, echoing like a war cry. Red lights flashed violently as automated shutters sealed the hallways one by one. Ka-nar sprinted beside the Protector, their shadows stretched thin under the alarm's crimson glow.
"Keep moving!" the Protector barked. His voice cut through the chaos with calm authority.
Ka-nar's lungs burned. Every step felt heavier, but the Lens in his eye pulsed with warning signals. Multiple drones detected. Lethal grade.
Suddenly, with a bone-shaking clang, a massive iron gate dropped between them. Ka-nar stumbled back, just inches from being crushed. Sparks flew as the gate locked into place.
"Protector!" Ka-nar shouted, slamming his fists against the barrier.
Through the narrow gap, he saw the masked man turn, his golden aura flickering faintly. "Stay alive, Ka-nar. That's an order!"
Then he vanished into the smoke-filled corridor.
Ka-nar's chest tightened. Alone again. But before he could think, the Lens flared red—
Warning: Auto-Defense Drone Approaching.
From the ceiling, a bullet gun drone descended, its rotating barrels glowing with lethal heat. Its sensors clicked, scanning the area. Ka-nar ducked behind a metal crate, his heartbeat thunderous.
The drone's turret spun up with a whirring hiss. It fired—metal tore into the walls around him, sparks showering across the floor.
Ka-nar pressed his palms over his ears, trembling. His breath came too fast, too loud.
I can't… I can't do this. I'll die here.
The Lens flickered, displaying faint words as though whispering to him:
> "Fear blinds. Focus, or perish."
Ka-nar clenched his fists. His eyes darted to the floor—scraps of broken pipes and wiring scattered near his feet. He noticed something… the drone's sensors weren't locking on him when he held his breath.
It tracks sound.
Swallowing his fear, Ka-nar removed his shoes, stepping barefoot onto the cold floor. He moved slowly, silently, each step measured. The drone drifted left, confused, barrels twitching.
Ka-nar bent down, picked up a shard of scrap metal, and tossed it to the far side of the corridor.
CLANG!
The sound echoed, and the drone immediately swiveled, opening fire in a relentless barrage. The wall exploded with holes, smoke filling the air.
Now.
Ka-nar sprinted forward, silent as shadow, sliding under the drone. He grabbed another metal rod, jammed it upward with all his strength into the drone's underbelly—
BZZZT! Sparks erupted. The drone let out a mechanical screech before exploding, crashing to the floor in flames.
Ka-nar stumbled back, panting. His hands shook, but for the first time, his fear didn't control him.
"I… I did it…" he whispered, half in disbelief.
As if in response, the iron gate groaned, gears unlocking. The heavy barrier slowly lifted, revealing the other side.
And there stood the Protector, cloak torn, aura still burning faintly. Behind him, more drones swarmed the corridor.
"You learned faster than I expected," the Protector said, stepping forward. He extended a hand. "But you're not done yet."
Before Ka-nar could answer, the Protector slashed through the nearest drone with blinding speed, sparks raining down. He pulled Ka-nar close and shouted,
"Run. Now!"
The two plunged deeper into the labyrinth of the building as the swarm closed in, their path lit only by red alarms and the fire of broken machines.