Achlys glanced around every corner. She was amazed to see that so many cartridge holders and hybrids slipped out of her grasp back at PISTOL. Still, her mission wasn’t focused on them anymore. She did what she could in that department.99Please respect copyright.PENANAnOh43T1yVG
There was only one choice left. To destroy the world.99Please respect copyright.PENANAc40qWfgCHb
If she could manage keeping her allies safe, they might be able to bring back humanity while remaining off Kronos’ radar. Still, there were no guarantees. World destruction was a tricky situation. If Abyss and the others stayed at the hotel, they might hold out long enough to move them somewhere underground.99Please respect copyright.PENANA7tqfYASQhL
Achlys shook the sentimental thoughts away. She had to focus. There was too much at risk to be distracted. She had to get Helios’ power no matter the cost.99Please respect copyright.PENANAopRTbqsldO
Achlys quickly slipped behind a dumpster and peaked around it cautiously. Was that a rosork? No, this has got to be too soon. Is this our fault?99Please respect copyright.PENANAKbPYqZI5oY
That’s when it dawned on her.99Please respect copyright.PENANAm0Co0u9U0v
They released Kronos’s army when they destroyed PISTOL. They’d unwittingly moved Kronos ages ahead in his process.99Please respect copyright.PENANA9wdwwH2fXu
She had to move faster if she wanted a chance to so much as stall Kronos’ plans.99Please respect copyright.PENANAusEGAH9qeO
Project: Disaster is in full swing starting with this mission, but am I too late?99Please respect copyright.PENANADZm6nq8cMH
Achlys felt the weight of the world on her shoulders as she carefully navigated, he way to the Palace. No more detours, no more taking your time. Get it together Achlys or Kronos will be able to drain the life of every planet in the Milky Way like chocolate cow juice. Khaos, I sound like a child.99Please respect copyright.PENANAGN1LokaxCP
Achlys was back to the hotel in 11 days. The guards, Rosork, and rampant power wielders gave Achlys more trouble than she expected. She had dragged the queen through the sewers, which proved to be a more difficult task than Achlys had hoped.99Please respect copyright.PENANAIHIbIGc1zz
In Ember’s desperate attempts to escape, she released a flurry of flames. Most of Achlys’ own abilities would either blow up in her face or be negated by the flashes of light Ember’s fire triggered. This is what I get for taking a nap before mission complete.99Please respect copyright.PENANAaKiPg0FYb9
Achlys’ laughing gas had worn off before she woke up. That’s what a week of no sleep will do to you. Nodding off at the most inconvenient times. Achlys was lucky only a portion of her hair was singed. If it weren’t for the cuffs Achlys stole from the dungeon guards, Ember could have been finished with Achlys and made an escape.99Please respect copyright.PENANAt77mmWJJoa
If only the queen understood that her kidnappinh and the destruction of the world was for the betterment of many.99Please respect copyright.PENANAJFSZMTgSUq
* * *
Despite Achlys’ best efforts to hurry back, she was too slow. Achlys surfaced, but she left the queen bound in the sewers.99Please respect copyright.PENANAlBKvxezKW4
The hotel appeared normal at first, but once Achlys got to the suite, everything was wrecked.99Please respect copyright.PENANAMWHwy9CkH9
A handful of hotel workers were cleaning the lobby when Achlys arrived. They stared at her in surprise and terror.99Please respect copyright.PENANAUYCnsBjwzI
“It’s her!” One of them whispered loudly. “Do any of you have Commander H’s card?”99Please respect copyright.PENANAdFGEeM9YoX
Someone else fumbled with a slip of paper. Achlys rushed towards them and snatched the card, stuffing it into her pocket.99Please respect copyright.PENANAESECcKC3rk
“You’re lucky I don’t snap your neck. I’m not here for trouble. What happened to the others?99Please respect copyright.PENANA7nrx8GG6uL
“P-P-PISTOL came,” the scrawny man stammered. “They said they would leave peacefully if we turned over the people renting the residential suite. We had no choice! They came with dozens of soldiers!”99Please respect copyright.PENANALU9xpo2e87
“Excuses from weaklings!” Achlys exclaimed.99Please respect copyright.PENANAwNmjAo0GgJ
Nobody was killed,” one of them spoke up in defense. “A man and his son were taken.”99Please respect copyright.PENANAhlgNhGVBvh
Son? What in Kronos’ name? Achlys paused in confusion.99Please respect copyright.PENANAwCIHzUoyFH
...Do they mean Corder and Antonio? That might mean...99Please respect copyright.PENANAjpSesQj062
Achlys turned and snapped at the other workers. “All of you, out, now!”99Please respect copyright.PENANAjhKDMWrfxA
The man she was talking to tried to hurry out, but Achlys grabbed him by his shirt collar. The man yelped.99Please respect copyright.PENANAEnrTqFypPg
“Not you. I still have questions. How long ago was this?”99Please respect copyright.PENANALVmVP9OlYY
“This morning,” he blurted out.99Please respect copyright.PENANA85I0dBl8SI
“Did PISTOL say where they were going?”99Please respect copyright.PENANAvEiwijYRPp
“N-no, but there’s a new rebel base a little way south. I-I-I wouldn’t go there though! It’s in the middle of-of a warzone!”99Please respect copyright.PENANAtFnP9nbHaE
Achlys let out a frustrated growl and shoved the man into the elevator just before it closed.99Please respect copyright.PENANA4Qs8DU926v
* * *
“It's safe! The rest of you come out if you’re still here!”99Please respect copyright.PENANAQNDLT4R9y5
It took a moment, but slowly Lucy came out from a large bush that certainly wasn’t so full before.99Please respect copyright.PENANAGVbmcPqBs1
Water flowed overhead as a pitcher emptied as if gravity reversed. A cup followed suit, and water came through the crack beneath the bathroom door. The water reformed into Vivian.99Please respect copyright.PENANAKRcGB9uHk1
Achlys waited another beat which turned into 5 minutes of silence. She glared at Vivian. “Where is Abyss?” Her tone was steady and laced with poison.99Please respect copyright.PENANAIrG53iODvS
“He left days ago,” Lucy answered.99Please respect copyright.PENANAsUSI4YGgV6
“What?! Where did he go?!” Achlys stepped menacingly toward Lucy. The older girl was in a panicked outrage. He can’t be gone. Anyone but Abyss.99Please respect copyright.PENANAScWgYS6cMJ
“He never said. We tried to stop him. He was in a hurry,” Vivian answered quickly to redirect Achlys’ attention from Lucy.99Please respect copyright.PENANAOkSiiT0oK4
“We need to find him,” Achlys said firmly. “He’s the only thing that matters now... He’s essential to the plan!”
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