Kylock: The plan is simple. I cover you guys while you find a way to get to the core.
Alicia: You know you can't fight this alone.
Kylock: I know, but it's our only chance. We planned for this already.
His gaze was stern as the beast moved closer. Every step it took shook the ground beneath them.
Kylock: We don't have much time. Go!
He stepped out from behind the rock and struck the beast with his electric powers. The attack hit it directly, but not even a scratch appeared on its body.
Kylock had expected that. He wasn't trying to hurt it. He was only creating a distraction.
The beast slowly advanced, raising its massive hands as it tried to crush him. Kylock quickly moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding the attack.
The four trembled as they tried to stay out of the beast's sight. They hurried away, feeling the impact of every attack behind them. They didn't know whether Kylock was still okay.
They couldn't look back.
The fate of Marthadon, the fate of this dimension, and their own fate were now ahead of them.
Thunder continued to strike throughout Navan, flashing across the dark sky and illuminating the path ahead.
The farther they ran, the darker it became. It felt as though they were running directly into the eye of a storm.
After covering some distance, they stopped.
Ahead of them were a set of narrow steps that seemed to lead upward toward a cave. The thunderous blasts were even more intense there, but there was no reason to be afraid of them.
They were holograms.
Even though they looked real, they couldn't actually hurt them.
The four exchanged long glances before taking a deep breath.
Ryan: Here goes nothing, guys.
Alicia: Okay. It depends on us now.
Iriel: Come on.
They stepped onto the first step.
A sudden shiver ran through their bodies. It wasn't caused by the steps themselves. Their systems were reacting to the immense energy surrounding them.
They took another step.
Then another.
Soon, they were inside the force field.
They continued climbing together, one step at a time.
Meanwhile, Kylock wasn't winning.
Of course he wasn't. The Great Sage was nearly five times his size. His speed allowed him to dodge its attacks and keep it distracted, but how long could he really last?
The beast suddenly released a mighty roar.
The sound shook the entire area, sending a powerful wave of wind toward Kylock.
He was thrown off his feet.
The beast had finally gotten its chance.
It grabbed him in its enormous hand, holding him like a tiny object. Then it began slamming him around, determined to crush his resistance.
Inside the force field, the others couldn't feel any of this.
The world outside seemed completely dormant.
They finally reached the top of the stairs and entered a huge, glowing cave.
The pressure inside was overwhelming.
They could feel the immense energy surrounding them, and the aura of the place alone was enough to tell them how powerful it was.
They stepped forward cautiously.
In the center of the cave was something that looked like a small pond, but instead of water, it was filled with countless glowing lights that resembled flowers.
The devices attached to their chests suddenly began vibrating.
They were reacting to the core.
The four surrounded it.
Ryan: It depends on us now.
He could feel the energy moving through his body.
They reached for one another and held hands.
Suddenly, Ryan felt different.
It was as if there were people standing around him.
A familiar presence.
He gave a slight gasp as memories flashed through his mind. They had been through everything together—the pain, the battles, the fear, and the moments when they thought they wouldn't survive.
He could feel their presence as something deeper than friendship.
A connection.
A connection between their souls.
Suddenly, they began floating into the air.
The glowing lights surrounded them tightly. They closed their eyes as the energy engulfed their bodies.
Then they opened them.
They were no longer inside the cave.
They were standing on what looked like a high hill surrounded by a violent storm. They were incredibly close to the dark, thundering clouds, and the entire environment was overflowing with energy.
But something was strange.
They knew they were inside their subconscious.
Ely: Seems like we're in our minds.
Alicia: Yeah, but where are we?
Iriel: Our bodies must still be out there, draining the energy, right?
She looked doubtful.
Ryan: I'm sure we're not dead yet.
Suddenly, voices echoed through the clouds.
Voices: Welcome, Mart Force.
Alicia: Are you sure we're in our subconscious?
Voices: We mean no harm.
The voices travelled peacefully through the clouds, somehow ripping through the atmosphere without disturbing it.
Iriel: Then who are you?
Voices: We are the Firstlings, whose powers you carry.
The voices sounded slightly possessive.
Ryan: So you're the first Mart Force?
Voices: Correct, child.
Ely: Then why are we here?
Voices: We brought you here.
Alicia: Why?
Voices: To create the bond.
Iriel: Bond?
Voices: The bond that was supposed to be formed when our DNA merged with yours. The consciousness you were meant to bear within you.
Ryan: What?
Voices: Because we were unbounded, you were able to lose energy easily. Our consciousness and our energies were supposed to fall into sync. That is the only way to recover what you have lost.
A small sense of hope returned to them.
Iriel: Then how do we do this? We don't have much time before something happens to Marthadon or to us.
Voices: You bear our being. We will release our energy directly into you, creating a direct and conscious bond between us.
Ryan: Then let's get started already, if it will save our lives.
Voices: It will hurt a little.
Iriel: We didn't come all this way expecting things to be peaceful. We're ready for anything.
Voices: good young warriors.
Immediately, the entire sphere began to storm.
White rays of light engulfed them.
It was happening.
They could feel it.
The bond of light pressed against them, squeezing their bodies and spirits tightly. It felt as though their souls were being pulled apart, only to be merged with something far greater.
They tried to hold themselves together.
This was the first time since arriving in Navan that they had experienced something this intense.
They wanted to run.
But then they remembered their lives.
They remembered the people depending on them.
They remembered Marthadon.
They remembered everyone whose lives were connected to theirs.
And they remained where they were.
Voices: Stop holding back, warriors. Release your spirits. Mart Force, keep the flow and merge.
The voices remained audible in their minds despite the overwhelming pain.
They finally understood.
They had to release their spirits and allow the bond to form.
Slowly, the pressure began to ease.
Their souls were no longer trying to escape.
They were merging with something that felt like a greater source of power.
Suddenly, the energy surged.
They remained there for several moments.
Then the rays of light disappeared.
The storm calmed.
Everything became still.
The voices spoke again.
Voices: You did well, Mart Force. Now you will be able to access our powers and skills. When we speak, your hearts shall listen.
Ryan: You mean our powers are back?
Voices: Yes, but much greater than before.
Eply: So fast? Seems easy.
Voices: Mart Force, you need to be prepared for what is coming.
Ryan Vins.
Iriel Les.
Ely Crueger.
Alicia Taylor.
Whatever happens, you must stay together.
Doom is looming.
Be ready for anything.
And always remember to keep fighting.
They were slightly shocked by how the voices knew their names, but after everything that had happened to them over the past few months, what could possibly seem normal anymore?
Ely: We are.
His humorous response slightly loosened the tension.
Voices: You need to go. The core won't hold much longer.
Remember...
Let the faintest light evaporate your greatest darkness.
Meanwhile, Kylock was still fighting the Great Sage.
Of course, he was giving it everything he had, but his speed and attacks didn't even scratch the beast.
It punched him, threw him around, and slammed him onto the hard ground.
Yet he still stood.
He had to fight.
Even if it cost him his life, he refused to give up.
He was no longer the coward he had been twenty years ago.
This time, he was ready to sacrifice himself.
As he slowly got back up, Kylock noticed something.
The core's force field was cracking.
His heart stopped for a moment as fear gripped him.
He knew what was about to happen.
It was about to explode.
Before he could react, a powerful force rushed toward him and sent him flying.
The beast attacked again, striking him and sending him crashing to the ground.
He lay there in pain, his body struggling to recover.
But his mind was somewhere else.
His thoughts became blurry.
Dark thoughts began taking over.
It was his fault again.
He couldn't protect them despite being their captain.
Just like twenty years ago.
He had never been there for anyone.
He had always been a coward who allowed others to sacrifice themselves for him.
Then
The core exploded.
Kylock: Nooooo!
A tear fell from his eye.
Behind him, the Great Sage was already coming at full force, ready to finish what it had started.
Kylock knew this was death.
He could feel it in his heart.
For a moment, the world seemed to pause
Author's Note ⚔️
Thank you for sticking with The Mart Force! The journey is only getting started, and the greatest battles are still ahead. If you enjoyed this chapter, don't forget to vote, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support keeps this story alive. See you on Thursday 🔥❤️