After what felt like an eternity, Rinporter emerged from the portal, now wearing a lab coat. He also carried some for Keiro and Grovan. “Okay, it was a success,” he announced with a sense of relief in his voice. “And there are only a few people inside. I think we can navigate through without getting caught.” He handed the lab coats to them and an ID to Grovan. “Wear these to blend in.” Once they were all dressed appropriately, he created another portal.
“Are we all ready?” Keiro asked. “Remember to keep your earpieces on and stay in constant communication. We need to be alert and coordinated.”
With a collective nod, they stepped through the portal and found themselves inside a louvered closet filled with lab coats.
“Why the hell would you take us here?” Grovan muttered.
Rinporter shot him a sharp look and whispered, “I’m just being cautious.”
Keiro quickly intervened, his tone calm and composed. “Quiet, please. It’s better to err on the side of caution than to risk everything by exposing ourselves. Now, let’s go.”
The trio set out to explore the expansive facility, with their main objective being to locate Dr. Johnson. They observed the well-lit laboratories, each equipped with specialized workstations. The glass walls of the facility proudly showcased a sleek decal bearing the name ARCANE LABORATORIES in the center. Discreetly, they glanced at the researchers’ IDs, hoping to see Dr. Johnson’s name.
Rinporter successfully utilized his portal to gain entry into any lab. Meanwhile, Keiro found himself in a precarious situation when a woman hurriedly approached the male researcher he was following. Fortunately, he managed to think quickly and hide, avoiding detection. The woman informed her colleague that Dr. Johnson was looking for him. Keiro trailed the man until he reached a door resembling the facility’s main entrance. Realizing the significance of this discovery, he promptly relayed the information to the rest of the group, providing them with clear directions to join him immediately. Rinporter was the first to arrive.
“Grovan, do you copy? Where are you? Come here now,” Keiro communicated urgently through the earpiece, but he remained unresponsive no matter how many times they tried to reach him.
“Did he get into trouble already?” Rinporter questioned, a tinge of concern in his voice as he let out a sigh.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice echoed through the hallway from the ceiling speakers. “You, the two men standing by the door, I have your friend. Stay where you are if you want to see him again.”
The door before them slid open, revealing the alarming sight of Grovan being cuffed and restrained by a humanoid robot with piercing cyan eyes. “Sorry,” he managed to say, accompanied by an awkward chuckle that betrayed his unease.
The two exchanged determined glances, silently communicating their plan of action. Without hesitation, Rinporter delivered a powerful kick to the robot, while Keiro swiftly activated his strings to wrap Grovan’s body and pull him away. The robot remained rooted in place, seemingly unaffected by the situation.
Rinporter unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks to it. But no matter how hard he struck, it remained unscathed and motionless.
“That’s enough! We need to get out of here!” Keiro urged.
Rinporter nodded and tried to summon a portal by drawing a circle in the air, but to no avail. “I can’t access my powers!”
“What? But you were able to use them earlier!” Keiro attempted to activate his strings. “I can’t use mine either!”
“Billy, you can move now,” the woman’s voice commanded, and the robot obediently turned its body toward the curly-haired blonde scientist approaching.
“Thank you, Master. What do you want me to do?”
She reached Billy and stood next to it. “Wait for my instructions.”
“That’s Dr. Johnson,” Grovan whispered to Rinporter. “I got caught by her robot when I tried sneaking around the main lab. I didn’t even get a chance to use my electric batons.”
“I never expected her to be a wo— no, that’s not the point. We told you to be careful!”
As Dr. Johnson approached, she instructed Billy to bring the three intruders inside. Without resistance, the trio willingly allowed themselves to be escorted in.
In the center of the main lab, their attention was immediately drawn to a large glass cylinder container, akin to a masterpiece of artistry, brimming with a mesmerizing display of shimmering purple powder. Adjacent to the cylinder, a smaller rectangular glass apparatus was connected to its base, facilitating the transformation of the powder into a liquid form.
The lab itself was bathed in a soft glow emitted by the mesmerizing purple hue of the LED lights. This lighting created an atmosphere that felt both futuristic and otherworldly.
On one side of the lab, shelves stood in perfect order, showcasing rows of meticulously arranged test tubes containing samples of a mysterious purple syrup. On the other side was Dr. Johnson’s workspace. Her desk was equipped with all the essential tools for research and analysis. A microscope stood ready for close examination, while pens and notebooks lay scattered, filled with the scribbled thoughts and observations of a dedicated scientist.
A computer hummed softly, its screen displaying intricate data and research findings. Adjacent to it, a large monitor showcased real-time camera footage capturing the entirety of the facility.
“What? But I never saw any security cameras anywhere,” Rinporter mumbled.
“The cameras must be incredibly small, practically invisible,” Keiro speculated.
Grovan let out a deep sigh. “Now you see, so don’t blame me if I got caught.”
Their attention shifted to Dr. Johnson as she began, “You can’t simply waltz in here and expect there to be no consequences. The activation of Elthier Essence throughout the facility means that you won’t be able to use your powers. So, I’m afraid escaping without my permission is out of the question.” She glanced over her shoulder and instructed her colleague to leave. Once he did, she turned her attention back to the trio and posed a question, “Now, who exactly are you?”
“We are intruders,” Grovan said with sarcasm. His comment earned him disapproving glares from the other two. “But it’s the truth. We are intruders, and so are they! How can they establish a government-owned facility in our territory?”
The other two played along, feigning anger. Grovan had a knack for handling unexpected situations with ease. He could always come up with quick responses to get out of a difficult situation.
Rinporter cleared his throat. “A-absolutely! Eldam City belongs to us!”
“Oh, so you’re admitting to being part of the Black Marzec?”
“Yes! We, the Black Marzec, will not allow the creation of such dangerous technology that could potentially harm us!”
She chuckled. “Oh, really? Well then, I’m afraid you won’t be leaving this place alive.” She glanced at her robot companion with a sinister smile. “Billy, feel free to do whatever you please with them.”
“Yes, Master,” it replied obediently. Billy moved forward slowly and deliberately. It taunted the three, motioning with its finger for them to come at it.
Keiro exchanged glances with Rinporter and then turned to Grovan. “Stay behind us.”
Grovan groaned. “Just because I’m handcuffed doesn’t mean I can’t fight. I still have my feet.”
Keiro ignored him and swiftly charged at the robot, delivering powerful strikes to its metallic frame. However, the robot quickly adapted, replicating his moves with unsettling accuracy. Meanwhile, Rinporter retrieved a short iron rod from the back of his suit, which extended into a sleek black baton. He skillfully swung it, creating a rhythmic dance of metal against metal. Yet, the robot analyzed his pattern and effortlessly used Keiro’s moves against him.
The two struggled against Billy without their powers. Their opponent not only could copy their fighting styles but also surpassed them in terms of raw strength.
Grovan, despite his handcuffs, relied on his combat instincts, throwing kicks in an attempt to fend off the relentless machine. His restricted movements didn’t dampen his determination, but the robot flawlessly thwarted his efforts.
As the battle unfolded, their exhaustion became evident. The robot, undeterred and calculating, seized the opportunity to exploit their weariness. In a final coordinated attack, the humanoid machine overwhelmed them with a combination of their own moves. In the end, they were defeated and unconscious. When they woke up, they were all seated in restraining chairs, their arms and legs locked in irons. Keiro couldn’t help but resist, asking, “What are you planning to do with us?”
Dr. Johnson laughed. “Don’t waste your energy. You won’t be able to break free.” Her blue eyes glinted with excitement. “But don’t worry, I will release two of you, and one will remain.”
Confused, Rinporter questioned, “What do you mean? If you’re releasing two of us, why not release all of us? Why keep one behind?”
Leaning forward, Dr. Johnson held his face, examining him closely, side by side. Rinporter was the youngest member of the Veilbreakers, a thirty-year-old man with captivating green eyes, vibrant ginger hair, and pale skin. His youthful features made him stand out in a crowd. “You may be handsome, but you’re not my type. So, you won’t be staying.”
She then moved on to Keiro, repeating the process. “You know, I’m already busy enough. I can’t waste my time staring at your face.” She clicked her tongue and shook her head. Although Keiro was already forty-seven years old, he still possessed a striking appearance. He had warm brown eyes, blond hair, porcelain skin, and a chiseled jawline, leaving a lasting impression on those he met. “Too handsome.”
She approached Grovan and inched closer, bringing her face closer to his. He was in his late 30s, with dark eyes and hair. His skin was tan, and he had a masculine face highlighted by a stubble on his chin. “Hmm. Just right. Not ugly, not handsome. Just right. I’ll keep you.”
Grovan scoffed. “Me? Just right? Are you blind? I am the most handsome among us!”
Rinporter chimed in, “Really? That’s your main concern? She just said she’s keeping you here. Shouldn’t you be more worried about that?”
Dr. Johnson laughed, finding the banter amusing. She turned her attention back to Grovan. “What is your name, darling?”
“It’s Jovan, my darling.”
“Dr. Johnson,” Keiro interjected. “Keep me. As the leader of the group, I hold more value.”
The other two looked at him with disbelief. Grovan retorted, “That was quite offensive. Aren’t Rin and I valuable enough?”
Rinporter interjected, “Wait . . . why does it feel like we’re competing to see who gets to stay? Don’t we all want to make it out of here alive?”
Dr. Johnson burst into another fit of laughter, clutching her stomach. “Ha! You three are truly entertaining. I haven’t laughed this hard in a long time.” She wiped away a tear. “From what I’ve observed, none of you pose a threat. So, I’ll release the two of you, but Jovan will remain.”
“No, I won’t allow it!” Keiro insisted.
Grovan chuckled. “Jealous because you weren’t chosen?”
Keiro shot him a piercing glare, while Rinporter said, “Are you serious? Oh, yeah. I guess he is. I think he’s actually relieved. Just let him be. Let him stay here.”
“Absolutely! Don’t worry about me, my darling will take excellent care of me. Right, darling?” He turned to Dr. Johnson, awaiting her response.
“Of course, darling. I’ll be by your side twenty-four-seven.”