Episode 25: Lust and Steel
Hidden Tech Den – Southern Africa
Bane Mugabe and Oftentse Zwane moved quickly. The two South African powerhouses had tracked down the escaped madmen from the Half-Seal. In a ruined warehouse, they faced Poison and Khaos Hyde.
"We're not here to fight," Bane said, his Technology Glimmer interfacing with nearby drones for backup. "Nathan Moya is an old friend. The Rampager's crew is falling apart. We need your chaos."
Khaos Hyde grinned with too many teeth. "Chaos for the Pillar? I'm in."
Poison tilted his faceless head. "As long as we get to break things… and people."
Oftentse nodded. "Welcome to the resistance."
The Blank – Torture Wing
Screams echoed through the sterile halls.
Wyatt was strapped to a metal table, electricity coursing through his body. Devonte was forced to watch while holding a heavily sedated Lil Micah, who whimpered weakly. Sasha lay nearby, her wounds reopened and bleeding as cultists interrogated them about the Guardians of Destiny and Kevin's weaknesses.
"Tell us where the others are!" a torturer snarled.
Wyatt spat blood. "Go to hell."
North Korean Border Mountains
Nathan's team was ambushed again. Araya Chailai spun through the air like a tornado, her Bicycle Spin Kicks smashing Derek's lightning constructs. Camile Hoxha's X-Ray Vision pierced every illusion Nathan threw at them.
"Give up!" Araya laughed, landing a devastating spinning heel kick on Ferrum's iron chest.
Koa shifted into full Rhino form and charged, while Tiago used Past Sight to predict Camile's shots. Derek chained electricity between the enemies. Nathan created dozens of false vehicles and duplicates to confuse them.
The battle was fierce, but Nathan suddenly shouted, "We're outnumbered here! Retreat!"
He wove a massive illusion of exploding trees and drove their reinforced van into the forest. Araya and Camile pursued in black pursuit cars.
The Blank – Execution Chamber
R. Dogder stood over the broken body of Laughter, who was still giggling weakly.
"You failed to kill the illusionist," R. Dogder said coldly. Violet Mega Blaster energy gathered in his palm. "You are no longer useful."
Laughter's eyes widened. "B-but it was so fu—"
A blinding blast incinerated him. Garcia Fernandez watched from the shadows, claws clenched. "He was one of us…" he muttered, fury building inside.
R. Dogder turned. "Barloff Hanson. Step forward."
A new figure entered — Barloff Hanson, a tall, broad man from norway with silver hair and cold blue eyes. His body shimmered with metallic skin. Steel Dominion — the power to control, create, and animate steel at will.
"Welcome to the Big Five," R. Dogder said. "No.5."
Garcia stormed forward. "You replace a living man so quickly?! He fought for you!"
R. Dogder ignored him. "Weakness is not tolerated."
Pillar of Lust – Vera's Domain
Peter, Kent, and Steve were dragged into a lavish, crimson-lit palace filled with silk, incense, and moaning echoes.
A half-naked incubus with elegant horns and smooth skin approached. Rona, Vera's younger brother and second-in-command. "How are you, gentlemen?"
Vera emerged from her chambers — a breathtaking succubus, the Queen of Lust. Her presence alone made the air heavy with desire. "Brother, pick the one you want."
Rona's eyes locked on Peter. "Him. The durable one looks fun."
Hell-Guards dragged Peter away despite his struggles. "Be strong, kids!" he shouted back.
Kent stood firm. "You disgust me," he growled at Vera.
Steve trembled, memories of past trauma flooding back. "Not again…"
Vera smiled seductively and removed her clothes. A thousand illusory men appeared, all screaming in lust and tearing at their own garments. "Whoever kills the strong one gets me," she purred.
The men attacked Kent. Kent roared and tore through them with super strength. Steve, sweating and terrified, remembered their middle school days — how Kent was the only one who understood him when no one else did. He stood up, activated superspeed, and began running through the crowd, killing the illusions one by one.
Rona's Private Chamber
Rona circled Peter. "It is time for you to bend over, Daddy."
Peter's eyes widened. "WHAT?!"
Rona blinked. "I thought you were gay?"
"No!"
Rona sighed dramatically. "Awww, this sucks. No good gay men these days." He put his clothes back on.
Peter exhaled. "Can you get out of Hell?"
"Yeah, I can."
Peter hesitated, then said quietly, "If I… have sex with you… will you help me escape?"
Rona smirked. "Yes."
Peter thought to himself, Hope I don't regret this.
North Korean Mountains – Car Chase
Nathan drove like a madman through the forest, branches smacking Ferrum and Derek in the face. Tiago leaned out the window with a shotgun, firing at the pursuing cars.
He hit Camile's tire perfectly. Her car swerved violently, slammed into a tree, and exploded in a fireball.
Araya screamed from her vehicle, "CAMILE!!!! NOOO!!!"
Nathan spotted a passing freight train. "Koa! The train!"
Koa shifted into Impala form for agility. Nathan veered sharply, launching the van toward the tracks. The group leaped onto the moving train in a desperate, epic escape as Araya's car roared behind them.
To Be Continued…