Underground Tension

The underground bunker was quieter than William had imagined. Despite being filled with advanced devices and scientific instruments that constantly buzzed, an unspoken tension lingered in the air. Everyone was busy with their respective tasks, yet no one could completely ignore the looming threat. Their time was running out, forcing quick reactions.

---

William stood in a corner of the bunker, staring at a digital map projected on a large screen. The scientists and researchers gathered in the room appeared anxious, whispering about their next move. None of them seemed confident, all swept up in a tide of doubt.

“What’s our next step, Khadija?” William asked in a low voice, approaching the woman who was deep in discussion with Alya.

Khadija turned her gaze from the screen, her expression serious. “We need to activate the energy diversion system to transfer the Black Luminaris to a safer location. But we need more time to verify the system. If we make a mistake, we might hasten their attack rather than deter it.”

Alya, standing beside Khadija, glanced at William impatiently. “They’re already at the border. We don’t have much time.”

William locked eyes with Alya, his gaze sharp. “We can’t keep waiting. If they attack within the next few hours, we need to be ready.”

Khadija nodded, but her face betrayed deep concern. “Using the Black Luminaris now carries the risk of destroying this entire bunker. The energy contained within it is far more powerful than we imagined.”

William fully understood the dangers of this decision. Yet, there was no other choice. If they delayed any longer, the Luminaris could fall into enemy hands, which would spell disaster for the entire continent.

Sometimes, sacrificing something small to save something greater is necessary.

---

Minutes later, a young scientist responsible for monitoring enemy movements stepped forward, his face pale. “Your Majesty, we’ve detected a larger force than we anticipated. They’re using heavily armored vehicles to breach our perimeter,” he reported.

Khadija swiftly turned, her expression growing graver. “How much time do we have?”

“About an hour, maybe less,” the scientist replied, his voice barely audible.

Apparently, there was no room for relaxation.

“Prepare the energy diversion system now,” Khadija commanded, her tone firm but tense. “We don’t have any more time.”

---

Meanwhile, William remained near one of the control panels, his eyes scanning a screen showing the enemy’s movements. They were close—too close. The increasing number of large vehicles made it clear: the enemy wasn’t just after the Luminaris but also intent on destroying El-Mahra.

Yes, the city of El-Mahra was in danger!

“We need to accelerate our plans,” William told Khadija. “They’ll arrive sooner than we estimated.”

Khadija nodded and hurried to the main panel in the room, with Alya following closely behind. The two worked swiftly, inputting codes and issuing rapid instructions. Other scientists and technicians busied themselves with their instruments, ensuring everything functioned properly.

One thing William noticed was how calm Khadija remained amidst the chaos. Despite the immense pressure bearing down on them, she led with determination. Noble blood, indeed, carries its weight. However, William also saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes—a doubt that could not be concealed forever.

The heavy burden of noble blood.

---

Moments later, the Black Luminaris energy diversion system began connecting. A bright, pale blue light illuminated the room, reflecting off the crystal-lined walls and floors. William could feel a powerful vibration in the air—a massive surge of energy, as if something ancient was awakening. The energy’s pressure was palpable.

Alya approached, her eyes fixed on the screen. “We need to secure these transfer points immediately. I’ll lead a team to delay the enemy and buy us more time.”

Khadija stared at Alya intently. “Be careful. We don’t know what they’ll bring here. I don’t want to lose anything—or anyone, including you!”

Alya was momentarily taken aback by Khadija’s words. But she simply nodded without hesitation. “I know, Your Majesty. But we don’t have much choice.”

---

Watching this, William felt increasingly uneasy. It was as though he was trapped in the middle of a conflict far larger than himself. As an explorer, he typically avoided involvement in battles of this scale. Yet, for reasons he couldn’t fully comprehend, this time, he felt like part of an inescapable fate. This current was dragging him mercilessly.

“Don’t just stand there. Let’s go,” Khadija said, breaking his reverie. “You can help us plan evacuation routes. If everything fails, we need to be ready to escape. Always prepare for the next possibility.”

William nodded, sensing their dwindling time. Together with other scientists, he began mapping evacuation routes on the digital map, preparing for the worst.

---

As the pale blue light from the Black Luminaris grew brighter, the tension in the room became more suffocating. William could feel the movements outside the bunker drawing nearer. Every second pushed them closer to the brink, and there was only one thing they could do: hold on.

Then, the heavy rumble of approaching vehicles became unmistakable. The sound of enemy troops drawing near was clear. The end loomed before them, leaving no room for retreat.

“Our time is almost up,” Khadija said, her eyes fixed on the screen. “Prepare yourselves!”