Orea let out a painful hiss as her back crashed against the steel lab counter, though she managed to dodge the electrified rod aimed at her. She glared at her attackers, grey eyes burning with anger as a trio slowly circled her while the rest lay unconscious on the floor.
Around them, the lab was a wreck. Glass doors were half-shattered, their broken pieces scattered across the tiled floor, while equipment lay damaged about haphazardly.
"Just give this up," one of the men said, clutching his previously struck arm. "You're not going to win this. None of you are. Save your strength and give in"
Orea exhaled. Her curly hair lay in disarray as she shook her head. "I'm so done with this," she muttered, stepping toward them.
They exchanged confused looks, wondering what her plan was—until a violent current of wind slammed into them, hurling their bodies against the walls and floor. They groaned in pain upon impact.
Orea made a sharp U-turn, striding toward the Council's untouched machine setup. She studied the stacked equipment as an idea formed. Quickly, she yanked out a loose plug and, using a shard of glass, cut away its protective coating, leaving the bare wires exposed. She dropped it onto the ground and turned back to the men.
They remained sprawled across the floor, still reeling from her attack.
"You gave me a choice, so I'll do the same," she said. "I'm not leaving without setting this room ablaze—and everything in it." She paused, letting the words sink in.
"You can either save yourselves while you still can, or sacrifice yourselves for the Council's interests. Your choice."
Almost immediately, one of the men scrambled to his feet and bolted through what remained of the door, leaving two behind.
One of them spoke between ragged breaths. "There's no way you'd set this place ablaze while you're still in it."
Orea scoffed. "You have no idea what I'd do to win this war."
She drew her palms downward toward the naked wire.
The men looked up as a sharp crackle tore through the air, racing down from the sky.
"No—wait!" they shouted in unison.
Lightning speared into the exposed wire.
The explosion thundered through the lab, throwing everyone to the ground.
..................
Malcolm sat still on the hard bed, his head resting against the plain white wall. His gaze drifted around his cell room, which looked more like an office space, complete with a small desk and reading lamp. At least the Council's hearts weren't as toxic as their minds.
He shut his eyes, recalling the first time he had stepped into this room—almost five days ago now.
The sound of marching boots pulled his attention to the door. Almost immediately, the locks clicked open.
The next sight was the last thing he expected.
Two fully armed officers barged in, yanking him to his feet without caution.
"What's happening?" Malcolm asked, glancing between them, but he received no reply.
His confusion deepened as they dragged him into the corridor, where a troop of heavily armed men waited by the entrance.
"What is going on?" he repeated, his voice tense. Still, no answer.
Then fire erupted from the far end of the hall.
The soldiers rushed into position, metal shields snapping up in defence as Malcolm froze in place, his heart slamming against his ribs.
Could it be…?
His question was answered when Valtor emerged through the flames, engulfed in a burning barrier.
Gunfire exploded from every direction.
"No!" Malcolm shouted as he was hauled backward. "Please, stop—he's just a kid!"
His cries fell on deaf ears as he was dragged away, disappearing from the scene.
Valtor seethed at the number of people blocking his path. He sighed.
"I'm only here to commit one felony. Don't make me attempt another."
"Stand down. By order of the Council, and your father won't be harmed," they retorted.
Valtor frowned.
They're all so stubborn, he thought, before launching another attack.
Valtor moved amidst the smoke searching for openings, his barrier down for a moment when suddenly a soldier broke from formation.
He was fast.
Before Valtor could react, the man slid across the floor and drove the butt of his rifle straight into Valtor's ribs.
The impact knocked the air from his lungs.
Valtor staggered back, eyes blazing as the soldier raised his weapon once more.
Flames roared back to life.
A burst of heat hurled the soldier off his feet, slamming him into the wall as Valtor steadied himself, jaw clenched, breathing uneven—but standing.
"Nice try", he muttered, a flicker of irritation forming across his face.
Malcolm was dragged into an armored vehicle. His two captors sat beside him while another officer took the driver's seat. The engine roared to life as the vehicle began to turn—
Then a wall of flames crashed down in front of them.
The driver slammed the brakes, shielding his face instinctively.
"Keep moving!" one of Malcolm's captors shouted—
But the door beside him was suddenly ripped open.
Before the man could react, a hand yanked him to the ground. Fire landed towards him which was followed by loud, panicked screams.
The remaining soldier fired a shot, but it shattered harmlessly against a wall of flames. Valtor struck back instantly, forcing him down.
The driver scrambled out of the vehicle and ran.
Valtor jumped into the driver's seat and swerved the car out of the prison grounds while Malcolm sat frozen, stunned by everything he had just seen.
"Hey, Dad," Valtor said between ragged breaths, eyes locked on the road.
"Valtor…" Malcolm whispered. "How? When?—mostly how?"
Valtor let out a small chuckle. "I'm sorry it took us so long to get to you. I'll explain later, I promise. This is all coordinated by President Zha'rik and his aides."
He tapped his wristband. "Now we just need to meet up with Orea."
It rang.
No answer.
He tried again.
Nothing.
"She's not responding," he said, worry creeping into his voice. "Something's gone wrong, I have to find her."
Valtor pulled the car to a stop and rushed out towards his father's side.
"What's the plan?" Malcolm asked, taking in his battered state.
"You can't be seen out here. Drive somewhere safe and stay hidden in the car. I'll get to the lab, find Orea, and signal where to pick us up. Then we'll meet the others."
"I've got you," Malcolm said, moving into the driver's seat.
Valtor nodded and sprinted away.
"Good luck, son!" Malcolm called after him.