Ian and his squad huddled in the shadows, the stolen keys glinting faintly in his grip. Demon guards still prowled the chamber, their heavy footsteps echoing through the prison. Freeing the captives now would be suicide.
Ian turned to Olive, hoping—praying—she had a plan. But for once, she looked lost.
“Olive?” he whispered. “Any ideas?”
“I… I don’t know,” she admitted, frustration lacing her voice.
Ian’s stomach dropped. Olive was always the strategist. If she was out of options… then what?
That was when a divine voice filled their minds.
“You must lure the guards into a single location,” Legend said, his tone steady. “Once gathered, I will smite them with God’s Wrath.”
Jen blurted before thinking: “Wait, really? You can do that?” She clamped her hands over her mouth.
“I cannot fight Raven directly,” Legend replied. “But I can assist from afar. Bring the demons together—that is your task.”
Ian’s mind spun. Easier said than done. The guards were spread across every corner of the prison.
“How do we get them to leave their posts?” he muttered.
Olive suddenly snapped her fingers, her confidence returning.
“I’ve got it. Here’s the plan—”
Her idea was simple, but dangerous.
Jen and Ian would sneak into the food storage and start a fire.
Zack and Olive would rattle chains and open empty cells, faking escape routes.
Once the demons panicked, Ian would lead them into the courtyard.
There, Legend would unleash his divine judgment.
Ian hesitated. “Are we sure this works?”
“If we do it right,” Olive said, eyes sharp, “it has to.”
They moved fast.
Jen struck a match, sending crates ablaze. Smoke curled upward.
Zack and Olive slammed Prison doors, chains rattling like thunder.
Ian whistled sharply, mimicking a prisoner’s cry.
“The prisoners are escaping!” a demon bellowed. “Get them!”
The guards stormed after Ian, who bolted down the corridor, heart pounding. He reached the open courtyard, chest heaving.
“Alright, Legend—they’re all here!”
The ground shook. A golden radiance engulfed the courtyard, heat searing the air.
“God’s Wrath!”
A pillar of divine energy descended, vaporizing the demons in an instant. Their screams vanished with them, leaving only silence.
Ian shielded his eyes. When the glow faded, the prison was empty. Not a single guard remained.
“Whoa…” Zack breathed.
“Insane,” Olive muttered.
Legend’s voice echoed.
“Well done. Now—free them.”
The team rushed to the cells, unlocking iron bars one after another. Zack moved swiftly, healing the weakest as they stumbled out.
“You’re free,” Ian told them.
Tears streaked the prisoners’ faces. Some had been trapped for years.
“You are our saviors,” one whispered, bowing.
“No time for that,” Olive cut in. “There are more levels.”
A scarred young man stepped forward, his voice low and rough.
“There are five levels in this prison. The strongest are below. Free them—and you’ll have soldiers.”
Ian turned to his squad. “Ready?”
They nodded.
He exhaled, clutching his camera. “Then let’s move.”
Level Two
The stairway led to a reinforced steel door, guarded by bulkier demons. Their eyes glowed with cruel intelligence. Keys hung from a hook on the wall behind them.
Patrick, the scarred man, walked beside Jen.
“I was captured five years ago,” he said. “My planet, Yumeria, was destroyed by the Vampire Family.”
The group froze.
“Sorry to hear that” Jen whispered.
Patrick gave a weary smile. “I’ve mourned enough. Now, I want to fight. I can’t do much, but I’ll help however I can.”
Ian studied the demons. “We can’t trick them the same way.”
“No,” Olive agreed. “They’re sharper. They won’t bite twice.”
Legend’s voice flowed through their minds.
“Bring them together again, and I will strike.”
Ian clenched his fists. “Alright. New plan.”
Patrick and a few prisoners would draw attention, pretending to escape.
Zack and Olive would spread confusion with chains and shadows.
Ian would grab the keys and free the captives.
Once gathered, Legend would obliterate the guards.
Patrick cracked his knuckles. “Guess I’ll see if I can still run.”
They sprang into motion.
Patrick and two others shouted as they bolted down a corridor. The demons roared and gave chase. Olive and Zack amplified the illusion—rattling chains, throwing echoes into the shadows.
“Escapees! Spread out!” one demon barked.
The moment the hallway cleared, Ian slipped forward, pulse hammering. He snatched the keys, rushed to the cells, and began unlocking them.
“You’re free!”
Prisoners stumbled out, some collapsing, others snatching up debris as makeshift weapons. Zack healed as fast as he could, rejuvenating the frail.
But just as Ian freed the last cell—
“Wait…” A demon turned, eyes flaring red. “Intruders!”
The pack stormed back toward them.
“Legend!” Ian shouted. “They’re all here!”
The air trembled. Light burned brighter than fire.
“God’s Wrath!”
A divine column swallowed the demons whole. Screams echoed for a heartbeat before silence claimed the chamber.
Ian slumped with relief, sweat dripping.
“That was close,” Zack muttered.
Patrick barked a laugh. “You’re insane—but I like it.”
Jen smirked. “That means you’re one of us now.”
Ian adjusted his camera—then froze.
A woman in tattered magician robes slumped in a corner. Her violet cloak was shredded, her hand trembling as she reached out.
“Help…” she whispered before collapsing.
Ian lunged, catching her. Her body trembled with weakness as she clung to him, resting her head against his shoulder.
“M–my prince…” she murmured faintly. “You must be my prince who rescued me…”
Ian’s face went pale.
“Uh—what?!”
He scrambled, calling for Zack.
“Heal her! Heal everyone!”
Zack hurried, energy glowing in his palms as he restored the prisoners’ strength. Some straightened instantly, eyes blazing with renewed fire.
“Thank you!” one said, gripping a shard of metal like a blade. “If we had weapons, we could fight for real!”