Deep within the palace's lower laboratories, where the scent of sulfur and static electricity hung heavy in the air, Miron and Mers were slipping between the massive pipes feeding the "Black Heart Stone." The corridors were narrow, illuminated by a faint purple light, and the silence was broken only by the hum of the generators
While Miron was attempting to inspect a side control panel, he froze in place upon hearing the crunch of military boots behind him. He turned slowly to find a massive Royal Guard, clad in heavy armor and wielding a strange weapon that glowed blue.
The Guard (in a booming voice that filled the corridor):
"Freeze! Who are you? And how dare you enter the restricted 'Level Four' zone? Only authorized scientists enter this area."
Miron panicked for a moment but gathered his courage, attempting to use his gift of gab, while Mers stood behind him on high alert, his hand inching toward his hidden dagger.
Miron (in a trembling, feigned tone):
"Oh, Sir Guard! We apologize deeply. We are merely explorers from the town of 'Arso.' We lost our way while trying to find the emergency exit. We were told this corridor leads to the outer courtyard."
The Guard (narrowing his eyes suspiciously): "From Arso? At this late hour? And in clothes that look nothing like workers' gear? Show me your transit permit."
Miron: "The permit... yes, my colleague left it at the reception desk.. isn't that right, Mers?"
The guard began to be slightly convinced and stepped forward to inspect their faces. At that moment, however, a cold draft blew from a ventilation shaft, slightly shifting the scarf Mers was wearing. From beneath it, an embroidered emblem emerged clearly: a red star with a green plant in the center—the emblem of the Liberation Army.
The Guard (his tone shifting to pure rage):
"Traitors! The Liberation Army in the heart of the lab? I will annihilate you here!"
The Brutal Fight: A Struggle for Survival
Before the guard could raise his weapon, Mers lunged like a panther in a suicidal charge.
Mers (shouting): "Miron, get back! I'll handle him!"
Mers engaged the guard in a violent hand-to-hand struggle. The guard used his steel fists to crush bone, while Mers used his agility to dodge and deliver precise kicks to the joints. The guard fell to his knees for a moment, but he grabbed Mers by the neck and hoisted him into the air.
The Guard: "You're going to die, you rat!"
At that moment, Miron drew a glowing crystal knife he had taken before their journey and rushed toward the guard, his eyes partially closed in terror.
Miron (shouting): "Let him go!"
Miron plunged the crystal knife with all his might into the massive guard's wrist. The guard let out a thunderous cry as the crystal began to tear through his armor and flesh, forcing him to release Mers. Despite his bleeding hand, the guard retreated and drew his electromagnetic weapon.
Destructive Blasts.. and the Decision to Sacrifice
The guard began firing bursts of electromagnetic energy. Every shot that hit the wall left a charred crater. Miron and Mers leaped behind iron pillars as sparks flew over their heads.
The Guard (maniacally): "You won't leave here alive! The security door closes automatically when fire is exchanged!"
The laboratory's massive steel door began to descend slowly with a terrifying mechanical sound. Mers realized the distance was short and there wasn't enough time for both to escape together, especially with the guard's continuous fire pinning them down.
Mers (looking at Miron with a resolute gaze): "Miron, listen to me! You must take the data we gathered and return to the companions. Ortinus needs it!"
Miron (in a panic): "What are you saying? I won't leave you here! We can jump together!"
Mers: "There's no time! The guard will hit us if we move together."
Suddenly, with a swift movement, Mers shoved Miron with all his strength toward the remaining gap of the closing door. Miron tumbled onto the other side in the outer corridor, while Mers remained inside to face the guard's explosive fury.
The Last Look.. and the Mystery
Miron slid across the floor and turned quickly, trying to shove his hand under the door to stop it, but the door had fully descended. Through the final narrow gap—no more than centimeters—the eyes of the two friends met.
Miron (screaming in a breakdown): "Merrrrrs! Noooooo!"
Mers's final look was calm, full of trust and farewell, as if telling him that the mission was more important than his life. The steel door sealed shut with a thunderous metallic clang, and visual contact was severed.
Silence reigned for a single second, then suddenly, from behind the door, Miron heard rapid, successive electromagnetic shots.. "Bam! Bam! Bam!".. followed by a muffled cry, then dead silence.
Miron stood behind the door, pounding his fists against the cold iron, tears streaming down his face.
Miron (in a choked voice): "Mers.. answer me.. Mers!"
There was no reply. He didn't know if Mers had been killed at that moment, or captured, or if he was still fighting inside. Miron remembered the data he carried and that the sacrifice must not be in vain. He stood up, trembling, and headed toward the headquarters, leaving his friend behind in the heart of the battle.