The quartet staggered to their feet as the light gently fell upon their eyelids. They carefully surveyed their surroundings.
It wasn't like Marthadon, nor was it Earth. The skies weren't purple like those of Marthadon, yet the land wasn't typical of Earth either. The atmosphere felt alien, unlike anything they had ever experienced. They realized they weren't in another dimension. Whatever this place was, it felt close to their own world, but it wasn't another dimension.
Ely: So... where are we now?
Ryan: I hate situations like this.
Iriel: You're not the only one who feels that way.
Alicia: Seems like that creep sent us into the middle of nowhere.
The four cautiously took a few steps forward.
Moments later, something resembling an asteroid came hurtling toward them. It streaked through the sky like a blazing comet.
It crashed into the ground with tremendous force, creating a powerful shockwave that shook the entire area. After a moment, the dust settled.
To their horror, the object had transformed into four strange beings. Their physiques were human-like, but organic weapons were embedded in their chests.
Ely: This is why I always hate being teleported to places without any warning.
Alicia: What do we do?
The mysterious beings began advancing toward them, and the quartet instinctively stepped backward like prey cornered by relentless hunters.
Ryan: What we've always been doing.
Iriel: Run!
No one needed to tell them twice. Without their powers, they were practically helpless against these creatures. Running was their only option... but how long could they keep it up?
Immediately, they turned and fled, with the creatures chasing close behind.
What shocked them most was the incredible speed of the beings. Within moments, they realized they couldn't outrun them.
After running for a while, they came to an abrupt stop.
Before them stretched a massive valley of unbelievable depth. It looked like the very jaws of death waiting to swallow them whole.
The four stared into the endless abyss.
Alicia: We jump.
Ely: What?!
Ryan: She's right. It's either them... or this.
Ely looked back at the approaching creatures, then down into the valley.
Ely: This is better.
Ryan: We're going in pairs.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Iriel's hand.
The moment their hands touched, Iriel's heart skipped a beat. Butterflies fluttered through her chest.
Ryan, however, felt nothing. To him, this was simply about survival.
Ryan: Ready?
Iriel: Ready.
The two tightened their grip on each other's hands...
...and jumped into the open air.
Alicia's eyes widened.
Alicia: Are you ready?
Ely: Moment of truth.
He closed his eyes as Alicia grabbed him and leaped with him.
The two landed on their backs.
Meanwhile, Iriel landed on top of Ryan. She was briefly dazed, but Ryan gently tapped her shoulder, bringing her back to her senses.
The other two landed separately and slowly got back to their feet.
Ely: I thought we were going to die... but here we are.
Iriel was still holding Ryan tightly when Alicia and Ely walked over. The shock of the jump had left her terrified.
Alicia: Is everyone okay?
As she spoke, she noticed Ryan and Iriel were still holding each other. Embarrassed, Iriel immediately let go, her face turning slightly red.
Iriel: Yeah... we're okay.
Ely: Same here.
Ryan: So... where are we now?
Alicia carefully examined their surroundings.
They had landed inside a valley. Gigantic rock walls surrounded them on every side. The ground beneath their feet was rough and rocky. The atmosphere still carried the same eerie feeling as the place they had escaped from.
Fortunately, thanks to their suits, they weren't hurt.
Ryan: Now what do we do from here?
The moment he finished speaking, the strange creatures landed around them.
Now the situation wasn't interesting anymore. Jumping into the valley had only delayed the inevitable.
This time, there was nowhere left to run.
Ryan: It looks like we have no choice. Either we fight... or we die here.
Those words sent fear through everyone's hearts. None of them wanted their journey to end there, but these creatures didn't look like they had come to play. They were apex predators, and the quartet stood at the very bottom of the food chain.
Iriel: We fight.
The strange creatures continued advancing toward them.
Ely: I just hope these suits can do something.
Iriel: At the very least, these suits should protect us from their attacks.
Alicia: I hope this wasn't a bad idea.
Ryan: It doesn't matter anymore. This isn't an adventure anymore.
The situation had become deadly. They had lost their powers, Alvarox had trapped them, and everything was only getting worse. This wasn't Marthadon anymore. They were fighting for their lives.
The four steadied themselves, clenched their fists, and prepared for battle.
Iriel: I'm sure it's connected to the Prolectile in their chests.
Ely: Then we find a way to destroy it.
Iriel: Right.
Ryan: Come on!
They charged forward, and the battle began.
It was less like a battle and more like surviving a relentless assault. They spent most of their time defending themselves, barely finding any opportunity to attack. Their only target was the Prolectile embedded in the monsters' chests.
They dodged again and again, but the creatures were incredibly fast. Whenever they found an opening, the monsters slashed at them. Fortunately, their suits protected them from fatal injuries, though they still felt the painful impact of every strike.They still felt the painful impact of every strike.
The four regrouped.
Ryan: What now?
Alicia: Why is it so difficult to land a hit on those things?
Suddenly, the monsters' bodies began glowing, as though they were charging up.
The four immediately stepped back.
The creatures opened their mouths.
A powerful green blast erupted from them, crashing into the quartet.
The attack was far more painful than anything they had experienced before. They cried out in agony as the blast continued for several moments. Their suits were powerless against this attack.
Finally, the monsters stopped and stood silently before them, as though waiting for their next move.
Then, they grabbed the quartet by the necks and slammed them onto the hard, rocky ground with incredible speed.
Their suits absorbed part of the impact, but the force still felt like being struck repeatedly by giant hammers.
After a while, it became clear that the monsters were not trying to kill them—they wanted to torture them. The quartet lay beside one another, groaning in pain as the creatures slowly drained every bit of their strength until they were too weak to fight or even dodge.
The monsters charged another blast.
This time, the pain was unbearable.
The four screamed louder than before. Every cell in their bodies felt as though it were being torn apart. Death itself seemed to be reaching for them.
Then, an idea flashed through Ryan's mind—what seemed like his last chance to save their lives.
The monsters paused briefly before charging another attack.
Ryan staggered to his feet and turned to his friends.
Ryan: Guys... I think we have the solution.
Hazel said we only have about ten percent of our energy left.
Ryan: I think we still have a chance. If we can shrink them...
It was almost as if he was muttering to himself rather than explaining a plan.
The monsters began charging another blast and slowly moved closer.
Suddenly, Ryan's senses awakened.
Blue energy erupted from his body. His eyes glowed brightly as his power surged once again.
He stepped forward and blocked the incoming blast with his own energy.
The impact forced him backward.
Ryan: They're too strong! I need help over here, guys!
The others immediately struggled to their feet and joined him.
Although they were still weak, bleeding, and exhausted from the earlier attacks, they gathered what little strength remained and combined their energy with Ryan's.
The monsters increased the power of their blast, having sensed their resistance.
So did the quartet.
Iriel: They're too strong!
Ely: We just have to keep going!
The four poured every last bit of energy they had into the attack. It would only be moments before they exhausted even their life energy.
Moments passed, and the battle was still raging. Suddenly, the monsters' bodies began to crack.
Large fractures spread outward from the Prolectiles embedded in their chests.
Alicia: I think it's working! Keep going!
The cracks spread across the monsters' bodies. The Prolectiles embedded in their chests finally shattered.
Almost instantly, a massive explosion erupted, shaking the entire pocket dimension.
Ryan was blasted backward by the overwhelming power surge. He grunted in pain as everything around them fell silent and was swallowed by darkness.
The quartet lost consciousness almost instantly.
Meanwhile, back at the Fortress...
The situation had become desperate.
Hazel and Kylock searched frantically through every system and every monitored dimension, trying to locate the quartet.
Kylock slammed his fist onto the projection table in frustration.
Kylock: It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left them there.
Hazel: It's not your fault. I was the one who created the Enlapser. You don't need to blame yourself.
Kylock: Then whose fault is it? You? Me? These kids shouldn't be going through this. I'm their captain!
His fists trembled with anger as guilt consumed him.
Hazel: We both knew they were strong. If anyone could survive something like this, it's them. We just have to believe in them.
Although she sounded calm, deep inside, she was terrified.
Kylock: Let's hope they're safe. (His voice shook slightly.)
Hazel continued working on the control device.
Suddenly, a signal appeared on the screen.
Hazel: It's... an energy surge!
Kylock: An energy blast? (surprised)
Hazel: Or it might be something else.
Kylock looked at her knowingly. They both understood what it meant.
Kylock: They're the only ones capable of producing that kind of energy surge.
Hazel: Then...
Kylock: Come on. We have to move fast. They must be trying to send us a signal.