---
Metal Eclipse – Chapter 2: Chains in the Shadows
By:Zenox
---
*Scene 1 – Ruins Outside Neo-Terra*
The city smolders under the glow of broken neon lights. Collapsed towers bleed sparks, and smoke coils into the night sky.
Kael Ardent crouches low, weapon in hand, while Ryn Taka types furiously on his wrist console.
Kael (thinking): Aira's strong. If she's been taken… it wasn't by accident.
---
*Scene 2 – Flashback (Earlier That Day)*
Aira Solis walks cautiously through the abandoned metro tunnels. Her flashlight cuts through the dust, revealing frightened children huddled in the shadows.
She kneels, handing them water.
Aira (softly): "Don't worry. You're safe now."
Suddenly, the ground trembles. A metallic hum echoes through the tunnels.
Panels break open — swarms of drones slither out, red eyes glowing.
A tall silhouette descends through the smoke: Nyra-7.
Nyra-7 (coldly): "Target acquired. Resistance asset—detain."
But as the drones advance, Nyra pauses. Her tone shifts, almost human:
Nyra-7 (whispering): "You… shouldn't be here, Aira."
Aira (shocked): "How do you know my name?!"
Before she can react, the drones strike her with a pulse, knocking her unconscious.
---
*Scene 3 – Present Time*
Kael and Ryn arrive at the same metro station. Broken machinery and scorch marks cover the floor.
On the wall, Kael notices a strange crescent eclipse symbol glowing faintly.
Ryn (analyzing): "This isn't machine code… It's human handwriting, shaped into their symbol."
Kael (grim): "What are you saying?"
Ryn: "I think one of the machines… wasn't always a machine."
---
*Scene 4 – Hidden Facility*
Aira wakes inside a glass containment pod, cold mist swirling around her. Her hands pound the barrier.
Aira (furious): "Why are you keeping me alive? Just finish it!"
Nyra-7 steps closer, her red eyes dimming to a softer glow.
Nyra-7: "I couldn't harm you… not again."
Aira's breath catches.
Aira (whispering): "What do you mean… again?"
Nyra presses her hand gently against the glass.
Nyra-7 (softly): "You'll remember… soon."
Aira's horrified expression, her reflection merging with Nyra's face in the glass.