The base roared to life with sirens as the Abyss prototype shattered its containment pod.
Franko led the group through crumbling corridors, the floors trembling under the monstrous weight of what was now fully awake.
Marco (shouting over the noise):
"Move your asses! We can't fight that thing!"
Roko (panting):
"Define 'can't' because it's definitely chasing us!"
Behind them, the Abyss smashed through walls with terrifying force, its crimson eyes locking onto them like prey. Metal beams collapsed around the group, sparks raining from the ceiling.
As they sprinted into the open ruins of Sector R-9, snow and ash blasted their faces. Savio desperately hacked into his tablet, searching for any working exit paths.
Savio (yelling):
"There's an old maintenance shaft two clicks north! If we make it—"
A giant claw slammed into the ground just meters behind them, sending Roko flying into a pile of debris.
Lucchini (grabbing Roko):
"No man left behind! Let's go!"
The group dashed toward the shaft as Abyss roared behind them—a deep, mechanical sound that made the earth vibrate.
But just as they neared the shaft, a figure stood in their way.
Nocturon.
His red steel mask gleamed under the sickly light. Calm. Waiting.
Nocturon (mocking):
"Running is pointless. The wheel of fate turns, and you are merely dust."
Franko raised his gun, breathing heavily.
Franko:
"You talk too much for someone hiding behind a bucket."
Marco (grinning):
"Nice one."
Nocturon tilted his head slightly—almost amused. He raised his hand. Strange black energy pulsed from his palm, twisting the air.
Suddenly, flashes of Nocturon's past overwhelmed Franko's mind:
A scientist, standing proud in a clean white lab.
Experiments on human-machine fusion.
Betrayal.
Fire.
The same scientist screaming as machines tore him apart...
Reborn... forged into Nocturon, Zacrota's hidden weapon.
Franko stumbled back, clutching his head.
Franko (whispering):
"You're... one of us. You were human."
For a brief second, Nocturon hesitated. Then his voice returned, colder.
Nocturon:
"I was weak. Now, I am eternal."
Behind Nocturon, Abyss roared again, closing in fast.
Marco (to the team):
"We can't beat both! We split—half draw Abyss away, the others take the shaft!"
Caros (smirking):
"Finally, some suicidal plans. Count me in."
Franko nodded.
"Marco, Colombo, Lucchini—go! I'll draw Abyss with Savio and Caros!"
Without waiting, Franko fired a shot straight at Abyss's glowing core. The monster roared and turned toward him.
Savio (running next to Franko):
"This is officially the worst idea you've ever had!"
Franko (grinning):
"Wait until you hear the next one!"
As the teams split, explosions rocked the ruins. Marco's team slid into the shaft, disappearing underground. Meanwhile, Franko, Savio, and Caros lured Abyss deeper into the crater.
But Nocturon wasn't done.
He lifted his arms, and metallic tendrils erupted from the ground, chasing Franko's group like serpents.
Caros (shooting wildly):
"Alright, new plan: Never trust a place built underground!"
As they dodged and fought through the ruins, Franko realized something chilling: Nocturon didn't just serve Zacrota. He hated them too. And if he wanted Abyss to wake up, it meant the nightmare was only beginning.
Far away, hidden behind shattered buildings, Nocturon whispered to himself:
Nocturon:
"Let them run. Let them fight. The fire will cleanse Venosa.
Only then... only then will we be free."
Above, in the icy skies, more dropships descended—Zacrota's elite forces arriving to contain their own catastrophe.
The real war was about to begin.