Chapter 56 - Escape (1)

A voice, distant and threatening, rises from the darkness. Muffled footsteps echo on the floor, getting closer and closer. Suddenly, shadows stretch out, taking shape until they reveal their forms. An entire army of guards accompanies the emperor.

_ Emperor: " Well, look who it is, Mister Blaike. That was what... five years ago? “

_ Ayden: " There was a second entrance right across from us?? "

_ Blaike: " Shut it. I've got my men back, and I fully intend to get out of here. "

_ Emperor: " Haha, try if you want, but if you take your usual route, you're going to have a nice welcoming committee. "

_ Radja: " Damn it, we're trapped! "

_ Emperor: " Hmm? "

Pupils look in my direction.

_ Emperor: " Who would have thought you would be in cahoots with a criminal. After all the care we gave you, is this how you thank me? "

_ Ayden: " At least this 'criminal' has a minimum of regard for human beings. "

_ Emperor: " Hahaha, know that your action, yours and your little girlfriend's, will be punished. You will all disappear without your little companions ever knowing. "

He pivots on himself, the mean smile.

_ Emperor: " Who knows, once they reach maturity, they'll make good test subjects, don't you think? "

_ Ayden: " Bastard! "

_ Emperor: " Pat, eliminate them, down to the last one. "

_ Pat: " Right away, Sir. "

The elite guard strides forward confidently, clay emerging from his own skin.

_ Radja: " So, this is the wielder! "

My gaze scans the space, searching for an emergency exit.

_ Ayden: " We have neither the skill nor the numbers, we absolutely must flee! "

_ Rider: " What are the orders, Chief? "

_ Blaike: " Push through aggressively, but don't do anything reckless. I want to preserve every member of my team. "

_ Rider: " Understood. You heard him? To arms!! "

The assault launched, each side charges forward, brandishing their respective weapons. The inevitable battle ongoing, I continue to scan around me, with no visible escape. Then, a clear and sharp voice pulls me from my observation.

_ Kaya: “ Ayden, over here! ”

Located a few meters away, I run to join her, then my eyebrows rise.

_ Ayden: " The sewers? "

_ Kaya: " While you were pushing the rudder, I looked for another emergency exit. "

_ Ayden: " We don't know where it leads, but given the circumstances, we'll make do with it. "

The lid gives way under Kaya's effort, revealing a barely visible ladder. Without a word, she plunges in, pulling me into her wake.

_ Blaike: “ Good job, kid. “

A laugh erupts.

_ Blaike: “ ? “

_ Pat: “ What a bunch of idiots. They don't have the slightest clue what they're doing. “

_ Blaike: “ Spit it out. “

_ Pat: " All I can say is that the sewer is a very dangerous place. Thanks to that, they make our job easier. "

_ Blaike: " Worry about yourself first. "

_ Pat: " With pleasure! "

We descend the ladder. Our feet placed on the flat surface, we face a damp and slippery underground labyrinth. The air is foul, filled with nauseating smells and putrid gases. The brick walls, covered in greenish mold, are pierced with small openings through which hungry rats creep in. The only audible sound is that of trickling water, creating a dreary melody.

_ Ayden: " That smell... It's the same one I felt when I met Blaike. "

After walking just a few meters, a dozen corpses lie on the ground. The unbearable smell makes us cover our noses.

_ Ayden: " Probably the failed prototypes. Everything makes sense now. "

_ Kaya: " Look over there. " she said, pointing.

Among the corpses, some are partially eaten. Parts of their skin as well as their limbs are torn, a very disturbing sight that one would have gladly done without.

_ Ayden: “ It's probably the work of an animal. Let's remain very vigilant. “

Cautiously, we step over the corpses and move forward slowly, desperately searching for an exit.

Near an intersection, I hear a suspicious noise out of my field of vision. With a hand gesture, I signal to Kaya to be quiet.

I hug the wall to get as close as possible and make out that noise. With a part of my face visible, I watch in horror as a human being devours the flesh of a corpse. His whole jaw and mouth are dripping with blood.

Adjusting herself properly, Kaya observed my disturbed face.

_ Kaya: “ Did you see something? “

Regaining my composure quite quickly, I continue.

_ Ayden : “ A cannibal stands in our path. ”

_ Kaya : “ What?? ”

Then, I look at her.

_ Ayden: “ The good news is that there is a ladder leading to the exit at the end of the sewer. “

Swallowing this news without a real choice, she continues to stare at me, her expression serious.

_ Kaya: “ We’re going to need to create a diversion. ”

_ Ayden: “ Yes, and I already have a plan. ”

_ Kaya: “ Spit it out. ”

_ Ayden: " You see that dead rat next to you? I'm going to throw it in front of us. From its perspective, it will see something fly off to its left. That will certainly grab its attention, thus giving us the opportunity to cross. "

Convinced by my idea, she prepares to run.

_ Kaya: " Whenever you want. "

So, I take the rodent in question, throw it with all my might, hoping the strategy works. Immediately, the sound of footsteps intensifies. The cannibal emerges into our line of sight, his back turned to his new prey.

The opportunity unveiled, I launch the signal for a slow and meticulous approach, thus minimizing any attempt at failure. This passage, however brief, seems endless to us because of the incessant grinding of the assailant near us on their victim.

A few kilometers behind him, the path finally seemed clear and serene. Analyzing the situation, a quick glance backward was executed, an action that revealed a chilling scene to me: the assailant, motionless like a statue, was staring at us with an unrelenting gaze. Quickly understanding the critical situation, I fixed my gaze on Kaya.

_ Ayden: " RUN!! "

The cannibal charges with disconcerting speed, drastically closing the distance between us. The top of the ladder, a promise of deliverance, attracts us like a magnet. Our steps on the ladder quicken, frantic, toward the objective. Every passing second feels like an eternity. Arriving at the lid, I rushed to unlatch it, but a slight catch prevented the opening.

_ Kaya: “ HURRY!! “

Several meters away, the cannibal dashes forward and springs like a wild beast, a spectacular and terrifying leap, clinging to Kaya's leg.