Episode 12: Under Pressure

  Border Battlefield: Russia-Ukraine

  Amidst an open field scarred by mysterious energy burns, two masters of the supernatural stood facing each other. Their respective military forces held their positions, awaiting orders. The atmosphere was so still the only sound was the wind whistling through the ruins.

  “Are you exhausted already?” the Ukrainian master asked mockingly, though his eyes held a glimmer of respect.

  “Wait...” the Russian master replied calmly. “I can feel surveillance drones from both our sides heading this way. I think we should end this here. Otherwise, our powers won't be a secret anymore... You wouldn't want those financiers or the puppet masters behind the curtain seeing more than they need to, would you?”

  The young Ukrainian master paused, then lowered his hands and gave a small bow. “It was an honor to duel with you... Master.”

  The Russian master looked at his former student and gave a faint, affectionate smile. “It’s a shame. I wanted to see how much you’ve progressed under your new teacher... but our time is up. I must go.”

  In an instant, the Russian master’s form blurred and vanished, moving faster than the naked eye could track.

  Gray dust kicked up by the master's sudden departure swirled in the air. The young Ukrainian stood like a statue in the silent killing field, his eyes filled with confusion and unspoken questions.

  “Why... why did Master choose the wrong side?” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

  In a world divided by borders and politics, his "right" was facing the invader. But for his Master, who had seen more of the world and knew of the ancient powers awakening, "right" might mean "damage control" to prevent the world from total collapse.

  He closed his eyes, shaking off the confusion, before his body blurred and vanished into the wind, leaving behind a hollow battlefield for the drones to record a destruction they could never explain.

  Military Quarters, Yamantau Base

  Victor sat hunched over his keyboard. In his mind, he imagined drifting among the stars beside Yuri. But as he looked away from the screen at the sleeping girl, he caught sight of Chris lying still on the opposite bed. Hands over forehead, eyes wide open in the shadows.

  “You’re awake... I know what you’re planning, Chris,” Victor said without looking back, continuing to manage the suit’s structure files.

  Chris sat up abruptly, staring at Victor’s back with shock and caution. “You know... what I’m thinking?”

  “Anyone could see it, kid,” Victor smiled, a hint of bitterness in his voice. “The determination is practically leaking out of your face.”

  “I... uh... I mean...” Chris was tongue-tied. He hadn't expected his playful friend to read him so clearly.

  “You’re thinking about how to escape this base without getting caught, aren't you?” Victor turned to face him seriously. “I bet that Great-Grandmaster god won’t just let you walk out. And we don't even know what kind of security this place has—if it’s as strict as Area 51...”

  Victor went quiet. “Truth is, Chris... I want to go back to my mother, too. I understand how you feel.”

  “Then escape with me!” Chris offered hopefully. “And we can go our separate ways once we’re out.”

  Victor let out a sad, hollow laugh. “I can’t go back to her, Chris. To the outside world, I’ve been dead for a long time. I don't exist anymore.”

  Chris frowned. “Why go that far? Why throw away a normal life?”

  “To fulfill the dream for my parents...” Victor looked at the screen full of complex code. “There was no way an ordinary guy like me could step into Area 51 to find the truth. I had to trade everything. Nowadays, I only watch her through the 'Eyes of God' system I built. Seeing she’s okay through a satellite lens... that’s enough to keep me going.”

  Victor sighed and returned to his typing. Chris sat on the bed, overwhelmed. He realized Victor’s playfulness was just a "mask" to hide the loneliness of a non-existent man.

  Chris’s suspicion vanished, replaced by deep respect. His escape plan wasn't just about himself anymore; it was about carrying the hope of a "dead man" like Victor.

  Flashback: USA

  Under a gray sky, a simple funeral took place at a military cemetery. Only a few family members and high-ranking officials in full uniform attended.

  Victor’s mother trembled, her grief piercing the hearts of those watching. Her withered hands gripped the closed casket, trying to hold onto her only son as long as possible before "Victor" was lowered into the ground.

  “It was a lab accident, but he served his country truly. He was both an excellent soldier and the best scientist I’ve ever met. I’m very proud of him, ma'am.”

  A high-ranking officer offered condolences with a practiced, stoic face. He patted her shoulder as she sobbed silently amidst the sound of dirt hitting the coffin lid. She never knew that at that same moment, her son’s identity was being erased to begin a new life as a "shadow" of Area 51.

  Operations Briefing Room, Yamantau Base

  Early morning in Oon’s office was thick with tension. Several generals hurried to the long table. Nikolai entered last, looking uneasy.

  As the chairman’s chair spun around, the generals froze. Some instinctively reached for their sidearms.

  “Is this a bad joke? Who is sitting in Master Oon’s seat? Who is this boy!” a general barked.

  “Everyone... this is...” Nikolai tried to explain, but his voice was drowned out by a presence.

  “It is I... Oon, in a new form.”

  The deep, commanding voice vibrated through the room. The battle-hardened generals felt their skin crawl. The young man before them had eyes far deeper than any human could possess.

  “Apologies for the lack of notice,” Oon said with a faint smile. “I’d like to introduce two more family members... whom you might have seen in the capsules. You two, come out.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  The heavy doors opened. Two figures stepped out with grace and calm. They looked youthful and powerful, just like the new Oon. The room's atmosphere shifted; the ancient energy radiating from the three made even the arrogant generals bow their heads.

  The woman was beautiful beyond words, her skin glowing and her eyes full of mercy and mystery, like a goddess from myth.

  “This is my wife and my son... whom I was separated from for so long,” Oon said with pride. “Meia, my wife, and Ren, my son.”

  Nikolai was the only one who stayed calm. He watched his colleagues' shock and smiled internally. He knew this wonder was just the "beginning" of the world-changing events to come.

  “One more thing I must emphasize...” Oon gestured to his son. “Besides Ren playing a major role from now on...”

  He paused, his sharp eyes reading the room.

  “I’ve received reports—and I can feel it—that the group traveling with Chris, both Kurin and Victor, are planning to escape this base. Officially... I declare that I 'Do Not' permit them to leave, citing maximum base security.”

  The generals nodded in agreement. But Oon’s next sentence made them stop.

  “But on the other hand... deep down, I want them to go. So, listen carefully: you are all to play a part. You must make it look as though they escaped using their own skill as realistically as possible. Do you understand?”

  Nikolai and the generals were stunned. Oon’s plan was to "release the birds," making them think they were clever enough to escape on their own, so Chris would head to the destination with no doubts.

  “They might use whatever trick. I know you are all experienced enough to read their games easily... but I order you to pretend you didn't see it coming.”

  “Why not just let them go?” Nikolai asked.

  “I don't want the opposition—be it the Hoto or other powers—to think they are on our side,” Oon explained. “We must show the world we tried our best to hold them. This reduces political pressure on Chris. I will send Ren to follow them discreetly. The other side must think we are still unaware... I want to know his teacher and that sacred place, but there are other, more important plans hidden.”

  Training Room, Yamantau Base

  Later that morning, the training room went silent as the young, noble Oon led Meia and Ren inside. Oon officially introduced his family. The goddess-like beauty of Meia and the calm power of Ren left the young gifted students in awe.

  “These are Victor, Yuri, and Chris... people who will be vital to the future,” Oon introduced his top students to his family.

  Once the formalities were over, Oon left the youth to get to know each other. The tension melted away. Kids began sharing techniques—some calling forth small flames, others shaping water into dragons or sparks of electricity. Ren offered pointers with vastly superior skill, while Oon and Meia watched with smiles.

  Victor, however, felt a sudden hollowness. Looking at himself, he saw only a human with no powers. No spells, no destruction. The only thing allowing him to stand beside them was the V Sonic suit and his own brain.

  He saw Yuri laughing and excited by the other kids' tricks. Victor felt stifled. He wanted to do something "cool" to impress her, but what? Show off his coding or satellite hacking among sorcerers?

  Chris was also a target of attention. His handsome features drew many girls, but he remained polite and humble, hiding his massive power. This made him look even more charming and mysterious, causing Victor to feel even more inadequate.

  Suddenly, the mood was interrupted by a figure about 180 cm tall. Clad in a hooded cloak, he walked through the crowd toward Chris, Victor, and Yuri. Beneath the hood, glowing red eyes glared at them.

  Chris and Victor instinctively stepped back. The cloaked figure blurred, reaching for a metal hilt at his waist. He pressed a button.

  Vrrrrmmm!!!

  A blood-red Lightsaber erupted from the hilt, looking like it was straight out of a sci-fi movie. The mysterious man spun the blade with the speed of wind. Yuri wasn't scared; she smiled and turned to a shy, 12-year-old boy behind her.

  “Give me that carrot!”

  The boy focused, using telekinesis to hover a carrot in front of the cloaked man. The man sliced it into two perfect pieces with the laser, leaving a faint burn on the surface.

  The children cheered. The high-tech show broke the tension.

  Yuri laughed and pulled off the man’s hood, revealing an 18-year-old Russian youth, handsome enough to be a model.

  “Let me introduce everyone... the Sith Lord of Yamantau, Alexei!” Yuri announced.

  The girls screamed for the "bad boy" vibe. Yuri whispered to him, “Don’t your eyes hurt, Alex? Those glowing contacts are so thick.”

  Chris and Victor stood with their mouths open. “Are we in a Star Wars set?” Victor muttered.

  “I’m not a Jedi... I’m a Sith! Can’t you see the red blade?” Alexei joked, turning off the saber and removing the red contacts. He stuffed his props into his jeans, revealing a normal teen in a white t-shirt with natural light brown eyes.

  “Just didn't want the training to be boring,” he smiled.

  “Alexei built that lightsaber himself. He’s brilliant. But he can't control objects or use lightning like the movie yet,” Yuri explained. “But the girls love him... he’s handsome. Even I like him.”

  The "Even I like him" hit the 35-year-old Victor like a freight train. He turned pale. The age gap and the boy’s charisma made him feel like an old uncle lost in a youth club.

  As Oon and his family left to inspect other rooms, Chris stepped in to refocus everyone.

  “Let’s go to the tailoring room... let’s see the prototype suit Victor designed. Let’s see if the craftsmen here got it right,” Chris said firmly, implying that Victor had a unique "expertise" that was second to none.

  “Right! I want to try it on!” Yuri said excitedly.

  “But finishing the seamless tailoring will take nearly two days,” Yuri said, grabbing Chris and Victor’s hands and floating them toward the tailoring room, even though it was within walking distance.

  Victor’s gloom vanished, replaced by a wide grin. He felt proud "flying" in front of the kids and Alexei.

  “Sigh... when will I be able to fly like that?” Alexei muttered, watching them go.

  Mount Kailash Pilgrimage Route (The Great Kora), Tibet

  One kilometer from the sacred peak, five Indian "God-Soldiers" descended from the sky. They looked like they stepped out of the Puranas. As they landed, the Indian infantry nearby dropped their guns and bowed at their feet in worship.

  The five soldiers held their heads high, arrogant as incarnated gods. Showing their power before commoners was normal in their army; deep-rooted faith meant no soldier would ever leak the secret.

  “The Americans are only good at barking orders... for life-threatening work like this, not one shows their face,” an ordinary soldier whispered. “They must be too weak for Kailash, needing our gods like this.”

  Longka Secret Base, India

  “It’s better the Americans aren't in the way. We can show the world the power of India’s God-Army,” an Indian General said with pride.

  “And what did the Master say?” another asked.

  “Master said... Lord Vishnu has commanded us to follow the American request for now. Use them as a ladder, and He will guide our next move.”

  “I wish to see Lord Vishnu with my own eyes once,” the General sighed.

  “Do you want to die!” a senior snapped. “We are but humans. We do not dare look upon the face of God. Our duty is to follow the command... Remember, He is everywhere. He might be listening now. Bow and apologize!”

  The generals abandoned their military stoicism and hurried to the altar in the corner, bowing in fear amidst satellite signals and whispered prayers.

  Mount Kailash Perimeter

  Indian command was scanning frantically. Their screens showed nothing. Where did the Chinese troops that were here before go?

  Even drones and satellites found no trace. They concluded it was a golden opportunity and deployed. Hundreds of soldiers in white camo dug into the snow, blending perfectly with the environment.

  “That Liberator kid... Master said he’s coming,” a Lieutenant whispered. “Does he think he can just trespass here? No human should disturb our gods!”

  They waited... patiently for Chris.

  One of the God-Soldiers glanced at the infantry mocking the Americans but said nothing. He focused on his drone feed.

  “Why are we using these stupid drones? Why not just fly in and see for ourselves?” one God-Soldier grumbled.

  “Stop that... we follow the Master’s orders,” a senior warned. “Don’t let your focus waver. The Master sees anomalies we don't... arrogance is what angers the Great God. Just follow the orders.”

  At the mention of the "Master" and his terrifying punishments, the arrogance vanished.

  “Yes, sir!”

  Tailoring Room, Yamantau Base

  The doors opened as the three landed. In the center of the room stood three mannequins clad in the new suits.

  The suits were Matte Black, designed to absorb light. Victor’s design merged with the base’s technology perfectly. The helmets were sleek with copper-tinted visors coated against cosmic radiation, far more advanced than Victor's Area 51 gear.

  “Want to try them on?” a female official asked proudly.

  They didn't answer with words. Chris grabbed a pair of nano-material gloves; they felt like a second skin.

  “Victor... is the software ready to link?” Chris whispered as he put on the chest plate.

  “More than ready, brother,” Victor replied, zipping up. “The moment I put on the helmet, the V Sonic system will sync with my brainwaves. Now... I’ll show them that human technology can make gods jump, too!”

  Yuri put on her suit last, shaking out her hair before donning the helmet. A soft Beep! signaled the HUD (Heads-Up Display) coming to life inside the visor.

  “Beautiful, cool, and powerful!” Yuri exclaimed through the comms.

  ———————————————————————————— Ruth VT-Hin ——————