Chapter 31: You're insane
Several floors beneath the main prison blocks, a single figure pushed a cleaning cart down a dim hallway.
A janitor.
His uniform looked worn.
His cart rattled softly as he moved between the reinforced cells.
The air down here was different.
Heavy.
Dark.
The kind of place where silence felt alive.
Behind each thick metal door…
Something dangerous breathed.
The janitor kept his head low.
He slowly mopped the floor as he moved through the corridor.
Every now and then he glanced toward the cell numbers.
Searching.
Finally he stopped.
Cell D-17.
He looked around quietly.
No guards nearby.
No cameras facing directly toward the door.
Perfect.
The janitor casually knelt down and pretended to scrub the floor near the cell's feeding slot.
Then…
SLIP!
He slipped his hand through the small opening.
Tiny sparks flickered between his fingers.
Soft.
Almost invisible.
The sparks floated slowly through the darkness of the cell.
Inside the room, the sparks rearranged themselves into glowing words.
"WE WILL BUST YOU OUT."
For a moment the corridor stayed silent.
Then—
BRRTLE!
A faint sound crackled inside the cell.
Electricity.
The glowing sparks suddenly began twitching.
Then—
ZZZTTT!
A burst of electricity surged through the room.
The sparks disintegrated instantly.
Gone.
Not a trace left.
Inside the darkness of the cell, a pair of glowing eyes opened.
The prisoner slowly smiled.
That prisoner was Monday Valhalla.
His fingers sparked faintly with electricity as he leaned back against the wall.
"…Took you long enough."
Behind the janitor...a heavy voice spoke.
"You there."
The janitor froze.
A large prison guard stood behind him.
Arms crossed.
Watching carefully.
"…You finished cleaning down here?"
The janitor quickly nodded.
"Yes sir."
The guard jerked his head toward the staircase.
"Then get out."
He sounded impatient.
"Special Forces are arriving soon."
The janitor blinked.
"Special Forces?"
The guard grunted.
"Emergency transfer protocol."
He began walking up the corridor toward the upper cells.
"Something big is happening in the city."
The janitor pushed his cart slowly back toward the exit.
The guard continued speaking while checking security locks.
"Orders came directly from command."
"Several inmates are being moved tonight."
The janitor kept his head down as he walked away.
But a small smile formed on his face.
Because far above the prison…
The chaos in Gregor Naught was growing exactly as planned.
* * *
Outside the towering walls of Iron Bastion, the night air felt strangely calm compared to the chaos inside the city.
A tired janitor stepped out through the staff gate.
His shift had just ended.
He stretched his arms like someone exhausted from hours of work.
Then he casually looked toward the rooftops of Gregor Naught.
For a brief second…
He raised his thumb.
A silent signal.
Several blocks away, hidden on the roof of an abandoned watchtower, Fah-Jin peered through the scope of her long sniper rifle.
The crosshair rested perfectly on the janitor.
She saw the signal.
Thumb up.
Her lips curled into a small smile.
She pressed the communicator in her ear.
"The message was delivered."
A short pause.
Then she added calmly.
"It's time for Phase Two."
In the darkness behind her, several members of the team listened quietly.
The plan was moving exactly as intended.
Back at Iron Bastion…
The rumble of engines echoed through the prison courtyard.
A convoy of armored vehicles rolled through the gates.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Nearly ten massive Savage-upgraded SUVs surrounded a single central transport vehicle.
Their engines growled like mechanical beasts.
Each vehicle carried reinforced plating, suppression emitters, and anti-Savage weapon systems.
These were not normal prison transports.
These were war machines.
VRRRMM!
The vehicles stopped near the main entrance.
The rear door of the central transport slowly opened.
A man stepped out.
Sharp black suit.
Long coat swaying slightly in the wind.
Red glasses glinting beneath the prison lights.
The guards immediately froze.
Then—
SWOOSH!
Every single one of them bowed their heads.
It was the kind of respect normally reserved for a president.
Or someone even more dangerous.
This man was Director Cassian Vanderbi.
The one who oversaw Special Savage Containment Operations.
A man known throughout Gregor Naught as someone who treated Savages like weapons… or animals.
Cassian adjusted his red glasses slowly.
His expression remained cold.
"Stand up," he said casually.
The guards obeyed immediately.
He walked past them without another glance.
Straight toward the prison interior.
His voice echoed calmly down the corridor.
"Bring the Special Units with me."
Minutes later…
Fwoo...
Cassian stepped into the lower containment level.
The atmosphere was darker here.
More oppressive.
The cells lining the corridor held the most dangerous prisoners in the Bastion.
Savages whose abilities could destroy entire districts.
Cassian walked slowly past the doors.
His footsteps echoed sharply.
Then he spoke loudly enough for every prisoner to hear.
"Well…"
He sighed.
"Looks like tonight is your lucky night."
His voice carried a mocking tone.
"It's time you walking disasters were moved."
A few prisoners inside their cells laughed quietly.
Others remained silent.
Cassian suddenly stopped in front of one of the reinforced doors.
Without warning—
BANG!
He kicked the door hard.
BANG!
Again.
BANG!
A third time.
"ANYONE GOT A PROBLEM WITH THAT?!"
His voice boomed through the corridor.
The prison went silent.
No one answered.
Cassian smirked slightly.
"Good."
He turned his head toward the Special Forces soldiers behind him.
"Well?"
He snapped his fingers.
"Get them the hell out."
Immediately the soldiers moved.
Heavy locking mechanisms disengaged.
GLING!
GLING!
GLING!
Reinforced doors slowly opened.
One by one the prisoners stepped out.
Each Savage was wrapped tightly in white suppression binders from neck to toe.
Power-dampening restraints covered their bodies.
Even their fingers were locked down.
Chains hung from their wrists and ankles.
But despite the restraints…
The aura of danger around them was undeniable.
Yet something strange happened.
None of them resisted.
Not a single one.
They simply walked forward under guard escort.
Cassian watched with mild boredom.
"See?"
He muttered.
"They behave when properly trained."
* * *
The prisoners were escorted out of the Bastion and loaded into the convoy SUVs waiting outside.
One vehicle after another filled with restrained Savages.
Among the Special Forces soldiers…one of them stood quietly.
Helmet down, armor hiding his face....he moved naturally with the others, no one questioned him.
No one noticed.
Because that soldier…Was actually Daito Greyhell.
Disguised perfectly within the transport team, he kept his head lowered as the prisoners were loaded into vehicles.
Then he saw him, Monday Valhalla.
Monday walked forward slowly.
His body completely wrapped in suppression binders.
RATTLE–RATTLE!
Chains dragged behind his feet.
Even his neck was locked inside a reinforced restraint collar.
Buzz...
Electricity faintly crackled across the metal bindings.
Yet his eyes still carried a wild spark.
Two soldiers pushed him toward one of the transport vehicles.
Monday glanced briefly at the surrounding guards.
Then he stepped inside the SUV.
Daito quietly followed.
He climbed into the same vehicle.
SLAM!
The doors slammed shut.
Outside the convoy engines roared to life.
One by one the armored SUVs began rolling away from Iron Bastion.
The prison gates slowly opened.
The convoy exited into the dark roads of Gregor Naught.
Inside the vehicle…
Monday sat chained to the metal floor.
Across from him…
The disguised soldier sat quietly.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Monday's eyes slowly shifted toward him.
A small electric spark flickered across his restraints.
And Monday smiled slightly.
Because somehow…
He already knew.
The escape had begun.
The convoy rolled through the midnight streets of Gregor Naught.
Ten armored vehicles moved in a tight formation.
Two in front.
Two in the back.
The rest forming a steel cage around the prisoner transports.
The engines roared through the quiet districts as emergency lights cut through the darkness.
Inside one of the reinforced transport SUVs…
The atmosphere was tense.
Chains rattled with every bump in the road.
Several restrained Savages sat across from each other.
Each wrapped in suppression binders from neck to toe.
Collars around their throats.
Power dampeners across their chests.
But even with all those restraints…
Their presence still felt dangerous.
Like sitting beside sleeping volcanoes.
Among the armed guards sat Daito Greyhell, disguised in Special Forces armor.
His helmet hid his face.
His posture was calm.
Silent.
Across from him sat Monday Valhalla.
Monday's entire body was wrapped in white restraint cloth.
Only his eyes remained visible.
Sharp.
Wild.
Electric sparks occasionally flickered across the metal collar around his neck.
The SUV shook as it turned onto a long road leaving the Bastion district.
No one spoke.
Until Monday tilted his head slightly.
His voice came out low.
"…You're not one of them."
The guards in the vehicle didn't react.
They assumed he was just muttering nonsense.
But the disguised soldier sitting across from him remained still.
Monday smiled behind the cloth bindings.
"You smell different."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And you breathe slower than the others."
Silence.
Then the disguised soldier spoke quietly.
"You notice a lot for someone tied up."
Monday's eyes lit up instantly.
"…There it is."
The voice.
Calm.
Measured.
Not a soldier's tone.
Monday chuckled.
Buzz....
Electric sparks flickered along the restraints.
"You're the one who sent the sparks."
Daito slowly lifted his head.
Their eyes met.
Monday's grin widened.
"So…"
He leaned back against the metal wall of the SUV.
"You're the lunatic trying to break me out."
Daito answered calmly.
"I prefer strategist."
Monday laughed softly.
"You attacked half the city just to reach one prisoner."
He tilted his head.
"That's either bravery… or stupidity."
Daito remained calm.
"Depends on who you ask."
BUMP!
The vehicle hit another bump in the road.
RATTLE!
Monday's chains rattled loudly.
He looked around the SUV.
Several armed soldiers sat beside them, unaware of the quiet conversation.
Monday lowered his voice again.
"So tell me something…"
His eyes glowed faintly with suppressed electricity.
"…Why me?"
Daito didn't hesitate.
"Because you're a Rebel."
Monday raised an eyebrow.
"…That's a big word."
Daito continued quietly.
"You were arrested without a charge."
"You destroyed three execution squads during your capture."
"You refused to join the Savages who rule this city."
Monday chuckled.
"So you did your homework."
Daito leaned slightly closer.
"And you hate cages."
Monday's smile slowly disappeared.
For a moment the wild electricity in his eyes dimmed.
"…Yeah."
He muttered.
"I do."
Then he looked back at Daito.
"So what's your big plan?"
"You break me out…"
"Then what?"
Daito's answer came calmly.
"We build something."
Monday blinked.
"…What?"
Daito's voice stayed steady.
"A group."
"A rebellion."
"People who won't bow to monsters."
Monday stared at him.
Then suddenly burst into quiet laughter.
"You're insane."
Rattle–Rattle....
His chains rattled again.
"You realize who you're talking to?"
Electric sparks danced across his restraints again.
"I'm not exactly the team player type."
Daito didn't look worried.
"That's fine."
Monday narrowed his eyes.
"…Why?"
Daito leaned back slightly.
"Because chaos is useful."
Monday grinned again.
"…Now I like you."
But before they could continue, the SUV suddenly jerked violently.
SCREEEEEECH!
Brakes screamed.
The entire convoy slowed abruptly.
Soldiers inside the vehicle grabbed their weapons.
"What the hell?!"
The driver shouted through the comms.
"Convoy halt!"
"Road obstruction ahead!"
Monday's eyes lit up.
Daito remained calm.
Outside the armored window…
* * *
The convoy had stopped inside the abandoned Execution District.
A broken section of road had collapsed ahead.
Massive rubble blocked the route.
The lead vehicles halted.
Drivers shouted through their radios.
"Command, the road is blocked!"
"What are the orders?!"
A voice crackled through the convoy communication.
It was Director Cassian Vanderbi.
His voice sounded mildly annoyed.
"…Clear the path."
"Move the debris."
"Convoy continues."
Several soldiers exited the vehicles to inspect the rubble.
Inside the transport SUV…
Monday leaned slightly toward Daito.
His eyes sparkled.
"…Is this where the fun starts?"
Daito's voice stayed calm.
"Almost."
Above them…
Hidden beneath the broken streets of the Execution District…
Several figures waited in the darkness of underground tunnels.
Among them stood Zachia, Wei-Wan, and Avenor.
The convoy had arrived exactly where Daito's plan predicted.
Zachia flexed his arms.
Wei-Wan watched the vehicles above through a small opening in the tunnel ceiling.
Avenor's camouflage ability shimmered faintly around them.
Wei-Wan whispered calmly.
"Target convoy confirmed."
Zachia grinned.
"…About time."
Above them, the soldiers continued clearing rubble from the road.
Completely unaware of what waited below.
And inside the SUV…
Monday Vanderbi smiled wider.
Because for the first time in months…
Freedom was only seconds away.
To be continued.....