The world paused for a bit, but in a flash, nothing happened.
Ely: Are you okay?
Kylock: He realized it.
He recognized that voice. Ely. His heart leaped. He turned his body.
This time, it wasn't the same Ely he knew.
His energy had changed. From the shoulders down, fine rocky armor covered his entire body. It was a powerful upgrade, and the proof was that Ely had just stopped the beast's punch.
Kylock managed to nod.
Ely: You shouldn't have messed with our captain, you baboon.
The last word was accompanied by a powerful punch that sent the beast staggering backward.
Kylock was stunned. Did he just see that? The beast had almost lost its stance from a single punch from Ely.
Then, from the shadows, Alicia's blades came slashing toward the beast, piercing it. They had become stronger and longer, and the way they pierced the creature was incredibly fast and sharp.
Instead of five blades, there were now eight.
Strangely, they were glowing as they pierced its flesh. After hurting the Sage Beast for a while, Alicia combined the blades into something resembling a large saber and chopped off the beast's arm.
It roared in pain.
Immediately, two other blades intertwined around the beast's leg, hooking it down.
Alicia: [Telepathically to Kylock] Are you okay, Cap?
The shock hit Kylock even harder.
She was telepathic now.
It was Iriel's turn to join the party.
She replicated herself around the beast, attacking it with her cosmic blasts. But it wasn't just her hands anymore. She now had cosmic lasers shooting from her eyes and hands, and they seemed even stronger than before.
The barrage overwhelmed the beast.
Iriel's replicas blasted it repeatedly, forcing it to move frantically around the area.
It moved closer to Iriel.
She flipped over the creature, flying into the sky before landing behind it. She gathered all her replicas together and delivered one final combined strike.
The Sage Beast was sent flying.
But it wasn't dead.
It was strong.
Really Strong
Now it was Ryan's turn to join the party.
[I'm sure you guys want to know Ryan's power-up, right? Let's see what it is.]
Then, from the skies, Ryan came flying down.
He had black, bluish-flaming wings.
He gave the beast a powerful slash, then paused for a moment before beginning to circle around it in the air.
As he moved, a typhoon began forming around the beast.
The Sage Beast roared in tremendous pain, as if the storm itself were piercing through its body.
Ryan stopped.
This was when Kylock noticed something else.
Ryan's flamethrower had doubled.
He now had one in each hand.
Kylock: What the heck is happening?
Ryan moved closer to the falling beast and delivered the finishing stab, driving his weapon deeply into it.
The Sage Beast released a deathly roar that shook the entire place before finally vanishing.
Ryan landed, his wings still visible.
They all gathered around him in silence.
Ryan: Are you okay, Cap?
[He gave Kylock a headshot.]
Ely: We are getting better.
Kylock: Am...
He was short of words.
Ely: We are better, aren't we?
Kylock managed a nod.
Suddenly, Iriel's vision changed.
She began seeing visions of hounds with dark frames and hellish eyes.
She immediately knew it wasn't just a vision.
Something was coming.
Iriel: They're coming.
Alicia: Who?
Iriel: I don't know.
They suddenly began hearing footsteps approaching them.
Then they saw them.
Hellhounds.
There were plenty of them.
Kylock: Seems like your vision kicked in. Hellhounds.
Ely: How did you see they were coming?
Iriel: I don't know.
Ryan: There are plenty of them.
Alicia: We have to go, guys.
Ryan and Ely assisted Kylock, placing his arms over their shoulders.
The others started running.
They definitely knew they couldn't outrun these things.
They needed something to hold them back.
Alicia: They will catch up soon.
Kylock: We don't have much time to fight.
They all knew he was already weak.
Ryan: We won't wait, but we will hold them off.
Kylock's arms, which were resting on their shoulders, were lifted.
And Kylock leaned on Ely and Ryan walked forward with his weapon.
His body began flaming.
He stabbed his weapon into the ground.
Immediately, a sudden storm erupted, creating a blue-fire wall that barricaded them from the hellhounds.
They were mesmerized and pleased at the same time.
The breeze made Ryan's hair fall across his face, and his weapon disappeared again.
Iriel: Nice.(Stunned)
Ryan: Thanks.
He noticed their surprised expressions. Even Kylock's alien face reflected his shock.
Ryan: I don't know. I just did it.(Answering their looks)
Alicia: Yeah, yeah.
Ryan: And I don't know how long that can hold.
He tried to bring them back to reality.
It worked.
They regained their senses and resumed running.
It was more like instinct.
Their new powers worked as if they already knew how to use them, more like their instincts. It was because of the bond.
They saw the jet coming toward them.
It stopped in front of them.
Immediately, a step extended from the jet.
They rushed inside.
Kylock landed in a seat immediately.
Ely ripped the device from his chest.
They all gave him a questioning look.
Ely: What ,we won't be needing them again.
Kylock made a short sound of agreement.
The jet roared to life and lifted off the ground.
The journey back, however, was fast and silent, almost as if it were the same as when they had arrived, inhaling the lifetime victory
Back at the fortress, the silence was slowly broken.
They told Hazel what had happened, and she hugged them like a mother who had just seen her children after a very long time, beaming with smiles, and Kylock was on something that looked like a projected chair,he seemed to a lot better and less tensed a black bandage was on his arms.
They had just escaped the deadliest place in Marthadon for the second time.
Hazel: [Releasing Alicia from her grip.] I was scared to death.
Ely: [Teasing] I thought the Mart Force don't die easily.
She chuckled in response.
Hazel: So now, Ely, you are five times stronger than before.
Ely nodded.
Hazel: Alicia, your blades are eight now, and you are telepathic.
Alicia: It takes a bit of concentration.
Hazel: Great! Iriel, you have strong blasts with the lasers, and you could have the greatest vision.
Iriel: I can see the whole of Marthadon if I keep my focus.
She said it with a little drop of pride.
Hazel: Wow. And Ryan, you have wings. Flaming wings. You could even replicate your blade.
Ryan nodded.
Hazel: You guys seem stronger. You met the First Generation.
Ely: And they said they would speak with us, and we would listen with our hearts.
Kylock: I can notice their skills in you guys.
Ryan: Seems like we are ready for him.(With assurance)
Kylock: I hope (a bit tense)
Alicia: Alvarox won't know what hit him.
Hazel: Actually, when you guys were gone, I have been looking for ways to stop this being...
Suddenly, the signal on the screen changed.
Alvarox appeared.
He was streaming a message.
Ryan: Speaking of the devil.
Alvarox: I knew you guys were too special to be wasted.
[He paused.]
Alvarox: I can see you got your energies back.
Alicia: How in the world do you even know we had our powers back?
Alvarox: You guys were not willing to keep it from me.
Iriel: Yeah, at least not for long. We are coming for you next.
Alvarox: I know. Actually, this message isn't for everybody.
My favorite.
[Ryan's eyes narrowed.]
Alvarox: Ryan Vins.
Ryan: What do you want?
[With a stern look, Ryan stared at the screen.]
Alvarox: I thought you would want to see this.
That was when they noticed the flaming background behind Alvarox.
Ryan recognized the place immediately.
His uncle's barn,it struck him
The others noticed the uneasy silence that took over Ryan's expression.
His eyes were flaming with fury.
That was enough of a response.
Ryan: My uncle's barn.
Alvarox: You could still save him if you are fast enough.
With something resembling lightning speed, Ryan was already inside the teleportation device.
Immediately, he disappeared from the fortress.
Kylock: [Snapping] Follow him!
Alvarox had stopped the stream.
He had shown them exactly what he wanted them to see.
And the result was already happening.
Ryan was on his way.
Kylock: It's a trap
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 Sunday 🔥❤️