SeventhSight sprints through the underground tunnel alongside Erebus and the two Kairoses carrying Arin’s limp body. Behind them, the lab trembles – Malakar’s Chinese-made missiles will hit in mere minutes. The air is thick with tension and the stench of damp earth.
Erebus leads them swiftly through the narrow passage. Suddenly, the tunnel shakes violently – a missile hits above. Debris falls everywhere. They barely avoid getting crushed. SeventhSight bursts out of the tunnel exit near the perimeter fence, lab exploding behind them. A black SUV screeches to a halt beside them – Victor behind the wheel. His Louisiana drawl calm amidst chaos, “Y’all coming with me, I presume?”
Victor speeds away from the inferno, the SUV’s tires screeching as he navigates a sharp turn. SeventhSight and the others barely catch their breath, still reeling from their narrow escape. The lab’s destruction behind them casts a golden orange glow over the landscape like a dying sunset. Victor’s eyes remain fixed on the road ahead, his expression calm and focused. The soft sound of Jelly Roll’s haunting voice fills the vehicle. His song “Save Me” was a stark contrast to their desperate situation.
Erebus leans forward, his intense blue eyes blazing with urgency. “Destination: General McArthur US Air Base, 10 minutes out,” Victor announces calmly, his Louisiana drawl smooth as honey. Erebus nods, then Victor’s hands move swiftly, dialing on his phone. “Alerting base commander now, sir. Extraction team for Palawan will be ready.”
Erebus’ gaze shifts, locking onto SeventhSight’s face, his expression grave. “We’re after the Tesseract artifact on Palawan island. Ancient technology hidden within the Tabon Caves – technology that will power our Weather Control Machines. We’ll unleash storms of biblical proportions to drown Malakar’s forces in Clark Base. Ultimately decimating their strongholds in the Mindanao battles.”
SeventhSight’s eyes widen in astonishment. “Weather Control Machines? I thought that was myth, Erebus – a rumor spread to intimidate Malakar’s forces!”
Erebus’ expression remains grim.
Victor interrupts, voice low and smooth, “Approaching General McArthur Air Base now, sir. Extraction team assembled, awaiting orders.” Erebus responded, “Take care of Arin for me, please?” The SUV slows, passing through the base’s security gates as guards salute Victor.
Erebus turns to SeventhSight. “Briefing room, now. We leave for Palawan in 30 minutes – underwater expedition to Tabon Caves. Tesseract retrieval, then storm deployment against Malakar.”
In the briefing room, SeventhSight listens intently as Erebus outlines the plan. Suddenly, Victor’s radio crackles – dive team leader, Captain Ortega, reports in from Palawan waters.
“Dive complete, Erebus sir. Caves accessed – but we’ve lost three soldiers. Giant octopus guarding Tesseract… hyper-intelligent, sir. It toyed with them before killing. We’re retreating – mission failed.”
Erebus slams fist on table. SeventhSight looks shocked.
Erebus’s eyes narrow. “Get me Captain Ortega back on radio, Victor. I want details on that octopus’s behavior.”
Victor nods, reestablishes connection. Captain Ortega’s voice comes through, laced with fear.
“Sir, it… it spoke to us telepathically. Claimed their ancestors built underwater empires, and they wiped out by divine punishment for their pride. Now, the Octopus contemplates Good and Evil… but something dark possesses it. It showed us visions – evil deeds we’d done, sir. Then… it made us see our own deaths. Oxygen hoses disconnected in our minds… we suffocated willingly.”
SeventhSight looks horrified. Erebus turns pale.
Suddenly, Captain Ortega whispers, “Sir… it called itself ‘Zha’thik’ – servant of Oblivion.”
No. Erebus’ eyes widen in dread.
“Oblivion… the ancient evil entity I thought was banished millennia ago. Zha’thik confirms my worst fear – Oblivion returns, spreading darkness across realms.”
SeventhSight looks stunned. “Realms, Erebus? I thought this was Malakar versus us?”
Erebus leans in, voice low and grave. “This conflict merely masks Oblivion’s resurgence. Malakar likely serves Oblivion unknowingly… or willingly.”
SeventhSight stands silent, mind reeling from the revelation. Erebus continues,
“Zha’thik guards the Tesseract – Oblivion prevents us from weaponizing against Malakar. We must defeat Zha’thik, claim the Tesseract… or surrender to darkness.”
Victor breaks the silence, “Sir, Captain Ortega requests orders. His team is still in Palawan waters.”
Erebus thinks for a moment then says, “Tell Captain Ortega: retreat to base, regroup and gear up. SeventhSight and I will join them in Palawan – we dive against Zha’thik tomorrow at dawn.”
Victor relays orders, then turns to Erebus. “Sir, your gear and SeventhSight’s are already packed – diving and combat equipment loaded on plane waiting on runway.”
Erebus nods approvingly. “SeventhSight, let’s move. Zha’thik and Oblivion won’t wait for us.”
They board the plane, flying west into sunset towards Palawan. Upon landing, Erebus briefs Captain Ortega and team at beachside base camp.
At dawn, SeventhSight gears up beside Erebus – oxygen tank, wetsuit, and…
- Psychic Inhibitor Gauntlets on hands to suppress Zha’thik’s mind control
- Grey Magic Amplifier (GMA) implant on forearm – Erebus-designed tech boosting SeventhSight’s psychic powers
Erebus briefs him, “GMA implant will increase your grey magic strength threefold. Use them wisely, SeventhSight.”
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