The brave person is good, but reckless bravery sometimes leads to destruction. Julian knew deep down that what he was doing would have consequences, but he didn't stop. He didn't think about the consequences; he simply decided and acted. The truth is, he wasn't doing it to save the world or even to save himself. No, that wasn't the reason. His only goal was Kyla. He wouldn't let anything harm her; she was the only person who had brought him back to life, the only one who had given meaning to his life. That was what drove him to take risks, or rather, what made him see something he never imagined he would see.
Julian had followed the person who went down to the basement, and there was a large door. The person pushed it open, and a white light burst through that he couldn't look at directly. He raised his arm to shield his eyes from the intense light. After a moment, the light faded, and Julian sneaked into the room where the biggest surprise awaited him: the hall was enormous, bigger than a baseball field, and filled to the brim with people inside glass barrels filled with blue liquid.
He hid under a black desk near the door and sat observing. The scene was terrifying. Suddenly, the second person entered the hall and said:
Hey FOX2, have you completed the inspection?
The second person replied:
Yes, FOX1, the inspection is done. Everyone is in good condition except for the last model, which had an issue.
FOX1 said:
Good, very good. I'll inform Shay of the final results. The mission is almost complete.
FOX2 replied:
Yes, we've been waiting for this moment for a long time.
As they were leaving the hall, Julian noticed numbers above their heads, and that the glasses weren't really glasses—they were their eyes, attached directly to their heads. At that moment, fear nearly made Julian collapse, but he held himself together. He remembered the words of the old man at the clothing shop:
Do not follow the darkness; it devours everything in this city.
Julian felt that this was extremely dangerous, but what could he do? He took some photos and decided he had to get out. He pushed the door and tried to leave, but he heard a sound coming directly toward him. He froze and thought, " This is the end, my cover is blown. Fortunately, it was shown.
Shon said:
Man, where have you been?
Julian said:
You have to do something. This is dangerous! We have to act. Let's go inside and destroy those barrels. I have to do it now!
He tried to go back and smash the barrels, but Sean grabbed him and said:
We will, but not now. We have to return to our cover, and then we can act. Otherwise, we'll end up inside those barrels.
Julian asked:
Did you know about this?
Shon replied:
x23389.
Julian asked:
What is that?
Shon said:
It's the code for the barrel that contains my father.
At that moment, Julian couldn't hold himself and collapsed to the ground. It was a second shock, hitting him all at once. It was too much for him, even though he pretended to be strong; he couldn't handle it.
Shon said:
Listen, my friend, you have to gather your strength. There is something we must do. Come on, get up, please.
Julian replied:
No, it's too late.
Shon said:
Listen to me, we have to get out now. I have a plan, and we will win this battle. Do you want Kyla to see you like this?
Those words were strong, and they made our friend gather his strength and stand up suddenly. Marcus appeared and said:
What happened here?
Shon said:
Marcus, what are you doing? I told you to watch the guards!
Marcus said:
You guys are late. I thought something bad had happened.
Shon said:
Come help me!
Marcus helped carry Julian, supported him on his feet, and they left the isolated area, heading to the garden, from where they went through the tunnel and entered the academy ten minutes before the countdown ended.
Immediately after the countdown, Julian went to the bathroom, took out the phone he had hidden there, and sent a message to Kyla saying:
You need to call me as soon as possible. There is something you need to know.
The morning arrived, and back at the academy, events were accelerating. Shay was giving a lecture on the importance of the subject. The lecture captivated the students, and they admired Shay's way of teaching. He was a beloved professor among all students, also known for giving a tough question at the end of class and rewarding whoever answered it correctly. His phone rang, but he was so absorbed with the students that he didn't notice.
A short while later, he opened the classroom, and an elderly man wearing black clothes and black shoes entered. When Shay saw him, he said to everyone:
Stand up!
Everyone rose from their seats, and Shay added:
At the end of class, everyone leaves.
The man replied:
No need, stay in your seats.
The students sat, and the man said:
I introduce myself. I am Gaby, the director of the academy. Welcome, students, study well.
The director rarely leaves the administration office, and his entering Shay's classroom meant something serious had happened.
Then he whispered to Shay:
We will launch the experiment today.
Shay's face showed great shock, and he said:
Sir, the project is not ready; there are still some issues.
Gaby replied:
Listen, that is your problem. The council decided, and I received the call. The experiment will start today at 22:30. Everything must be ready and precise. You know the consequences of failure, Shay.
Shay replied:
Understood, sir.