Kyrena
"You ready?" Lynx asked as they pushed through the entrance.
Their eyes glowed simultaneously, hands stretching out in defence, bodies braced for whatever waited inside.
They paused.
Their hands dropped as they stepped into an open terrain running metres wide. Polished metal walls surrounded the space, looming high into the sky and curving at the corners, giving the terrain a rounded enclosure.
Rowynn glanced around in awe, taking in the open sky above, the cool rush of air striking the metal and echoing faintly around them. Her boots sank into the soft grass beneath her feet.
The space was empty.
She turned to Lynx. "I don't see any aliens."
"They've got to be here somewhere," Lynx replied, moving farther in, his eyes darting around for any sign of the monsters.
He slowed, then stopped.
Ahead, a single ray of light reflected sharply off a surface.
A box-cornered compartment came into view, spanning wide metres. Plated with the same polished metal as the surrounding walls, it sat secluded, almost hidden from sight.
"I think I've found something," Lynx called out, his gaze fixed on the structure.
Rowynn hurried over. "What'd you find?"
"The aliens," he said, turning to her. "They're probably locked away in that vault." He pointed.
"Oh," Rowynn murmured, staring. "I didn't see that there…"
A sudden crack rang out above them.
They both looked up as the walls began to shift—continuous layers of metal grew out, sliding and stacking atop one another. Slowly, relentlessly, the open sky disappeared. With every grinding sound, the fortress grew darker.
They exchanged a glance, understanding passing between them instantly.
"They know we're in," Lynx muttered.
Rowynn stayed silent, a hint of fear flashing through her eyes beneath the last ray of sunlight as the terrain sealed shut, plunging the duo into darkness.
"Heh—!" Rowynn flinched as Lynx's arm suddenly gripped hers.
"It's me," he said quickly. He flicked through his wristband until its screen lit up with a soft white glow, granting them a sliver of sight.
"Rowynn."
She looked at him.
"It's okay." He rested a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We're going to end this mission successfully and make it out safely. I promise."
A faint smile crossed her face as she nodded.
A crackle cut through the silence, followed by an amplified voice.
"Mr. Orion. Miss Kiran. This is Superintendent Jeremy."
They exchanged irritated glances.
"You've had enough fun," the voice continued. "Now you have two options. Come out peacefully, hands in the air… or be dragged out by force. The choice is yours."
"You old bastard!" Lynx snarled, brows knotting. "I haven't forgotten what you did. I'll make sure you pay for it— I swear on my mum's death."
Silence.
"Very well," the superintendent replied calmly. "I see you've made your choice. Force it is."
A heavy thud echoed through the chamber, vibrations rippling beneath their feet. Rowynn snapped her flashlight on as they raised their arms, staring into the distance.
The vault ahead shuddered. Its metal doors began to slide open.
Rowynn's eyes widened as she turned to Lynx.
"They're letting them out," he said before she could.
"What… what do we do?" she asked, anxiety tightening her voice.
"Follow the plan. Stand and fight," he replied, firm.
"I know that's the plan, but how do we fight monsters we can barely see?" she pressed.
Unsure of a response, Lynx stayed silent as the vault finally slid open. Loud roars erupted, echoing through the chamber as the aliens slowly crept out, the darkness amplifying the horror of their appearance.
Lynx turned to Rowynn. "We'll find a way around it. For now, stay focused."
His eyes flashed blue as he frosted a shield around her before moving ahead, his wristband casting a narrow beam through the darkness.
Rowynn stood frozen in place as loud screeches and icy shrills rang out around her. She shut her eyes, breathing deeply.
"You've got this," she muttered.
Slowly, she stepped out of the ice shield, her flashlight bouncing wildly as she moved. The beam landed on a jagged spike of ice, its surface reflecting the light onto another point, slightly brightening it.
"That's it".
"Lynx!" she called out.
Holding off multiple alien strikes with a single barrier, he turned. "Rowynn, are you okay?"
"Shoot your ice at the ground. I need several spikes at random places" she said quickly.
"Why?",
"Just do it," she insisted.
Ice burst across the dark floor, spikes erupting in every direction.
Satisfied, Rowynn placed her wristband against one spike, letting its light catch and reflect. The glow bounced from ice to ice, spreading outward until a wide portion of the chamber shimmered in a transparent bluish glow—revealing the terrifying number of monsters lurking nearby.
"That's genius," Lynx breathed, surging forward into battle.
Now ready, Rowynn spread her palms downward. The ground quaked in response as each leafy tendril slithered to life, awaiting her command.