Jim and Naomi ran through the dimly lit corridors of the stronghold, their footsteps echoing against the metal flooring.
The air was thick with the scent of burnt machinery and plasma residue from the ongoing battle outside. Naomi’s tablet flickered with energy signatures, guiding them through the labyrinthine structure.
"They're just ahead," Naomi said, determination in her voice. "But there’s something strange. The readings are unstable."
Jim tightened his grip on the Solun Lance. "Be ready for anything."
As they reached a heavily reinforced chamber, Naomi accessed the nearby panel, overriding its security.
The doors hissed open, revealing a massive prison block. Rows of containment cells lined the walls, each filled with people bearing signs of malnourishment and abuse. Among them, Naomi quickly spotted familiar faces — her friends.
"Naomi!" a young woman with short orange hair cried out, pressing against the cell’s transparent barrier. Her voice was shaky, but her relief was evident.
"Sarah!" Naomi rushed forward, her hands trembling. "I’m getting you out."
Jim stepped forward, thrusting his lance into the cell’s control system. A surge of silver energy flowed through it, causing the barriers to flicker before shattering entirely. One by one, the cells unlocked, and the prisoners stumbled free.
"You're safe now," Jim said firmly to the captives, his presence bringing them comfort.
Naomi embraced Sarah tightly, tears streaming down her face. "I’m so sorry it took this long. I should've—"
"You’re here now. That’s what matters," Sarah interrupted, her voice filled with gratitude.
However, just as the relief settled in, a deep, guttural laugh echoed through the chamber.
The air grew cold, and a looming figure stepped from the shadows. It was Grimfang, one of the most notorious outlaw leaders in Arcis.
His hulking frame was adorned with scarred battle armor, and his eyes gleamed with malice.
"Thought you could sneak in and take what’s mine?" Grimfang growled, his jagged teeth bared. "Edward's brat and Soluna’s warrior. What a prize. By the way, I am Grimfang who has the duty to supervise these cells.You guys can entertain me a bit."
The prisoners including Naomi's friends trembled in fear holding each other and huddling near Jim and Naomi desperately.
They whispered to Jim.
"Please... save us."
"Or... they will punish us... like before."
Another one showed deep scars on his back crying. "I received enough punishment... please...let...it be the end."
Jim was almost trying to hold himself from vomiting looking at their conditions.
But Naomi stepped for the prisoners giving them courage. "You all, just try to believe in us... this once... we promise to take you to a safer place."
The prisoners seemed to flinch at her words as if not expecting them to exist.
Jim couldn't help but give a faint smile impressed with her.
He accordingly stepped forward protectively in front of them, his lance glowing with Solun energy. "You're done, Grimfang. The people of Arcis are no longer your prisoners."
Grimfang snarled. "We'll see about that."
With a roar, he charged at Jim, wielding a massive spiked warhammer.
Jim blocked the attack, the sheer force sending shockwaves through the chamber. The two clashed fiercely, their weapons sparking with every strike.
Naomi quickly took the prisoners away from the battle, her mind racing for a solution. "Come on, Jim, you can do this," she whispered, her heart pounding.
Jim’s focus sharpened. He channeled both his Solar and Lunar energies, his lance glowing brighter with each swing. "Solun Explosion!" A powerful wave of silver energy burst forth, sending Grimfang crashing into the wall.
But Grimfang wasn’t finished. With a growl, he stood once more, blood dripping from his mouth. "You think that’s enough to stop me?"
Before Jim could respond, the chamber shook violently.
An explosion echoed from the west — Tim and Rei’s distraction had escalated. The outlaws outside were now in a frenzy, trying to hold back the forces.
Jim glared at Grimfang. "You’ve lost. Surrender, and maybe you’ll live."
Grimfang spat at the ground, his pride refusing to yield. "This isn't over." With that, he activated a hidden escape mechanism, vanishing into the shadows as the wall behind him collapsed.
Naomi ran to Jim, her voice trembling. "We have to get out of here!"
Jim nodded as he went to the prisoners. "Everyone, follow us!"
He led the group through the crumbling stronghold, the sounds of battle still raging outside.
Just as they reached the outer gates, Tim and Rei arrived, both slightly bruised but victorious.
"You did it!" Tim grinned, his Solar Saber glowing faintly.
"We all did," Jim corrected, glancing at Naomi.
Naomi’s friends—a mixed group of boys and girls near her age—embraced her tightly, their gratitude overwhelming.
Despite the destruction around them, a sense of hope lingered.
Jeromy’s ship hovered above, ready to extract them. As they boarded, Jim cast one final glance at the ruined stronghold.
The memories of loss and pain still weighed heavily, but this rescue — this victory — was a step toward healing.
"We’re taking you all to Soluna," Naomi assured her friends. "A place where you’ll finally be safe."
The prisoners gave surprised reactions.
"Soluna... Is it heaven?"
"Am I dreaming?"
"Finally... freedom."
Jim remained silent, but a spark of warmth flickered within him.
_ _ _
For minutes, Jim and Naomi stood at the edge of the desolate landscape of Arcis.
The harsh winds carried the stench of burnt metal and ash, and the remnants of destroyed buildings scattered the ground.
Behind them, Jeromy’s ship stood, carrying Naomi’s rescued friends and the other liberated prisoners in the Justice Vanguard for safety.
However, Naomi’s mind lingered on one thing.
"There’s something I have to retrieve before we leave," she said, determination flickering in her eyes.
Jim turned to her, concern in his voice. "What is it?"
Naomi gripped her tablet tightly. "My robots. They’re all I have left. I poured years into creating them to help others, not just for combat but for making life easier.
And... there are memories stored in them of my father. They provided me company when I was alone. My father also used to interact with them like they are living beings. And they became a part of my family."
Jim’s expression softened. "Then we’ll get them back."
Jim told Jeromy to wait for them.
Tim tried to go but Rei stopped him hinting that Jim should be given a chance deal with this.
"But my house might not even be standing," Naomi admitted. "After everything, it’s probably destroyed."
Jim's resolve remained firm. "We’ll find out."
With that they set out.
_ _ _
Their path was treacherous. They walked for hours through the ruins of Arcis. Crumbled buildings and scorched vehicles lined the cracked roads.
The distant echoes of conflict from the ongoing battles resonated around them.
As they moved deeper into the ruined city, Jim’s eyes remained vigilant. His Solun Lance shimmered with faint energy, ready to strike at any moment. Outlaws lurked in the shadows — scavengers searching for scraps of value.
Suddenly, a group of five rugged outlaws emerged from behind a collapsed structure, their twisted weapons gleaming under the dim sky.
"Look what we have here," one of them sneered, a scar running across his face. "A celebrity Warrior and Edward’s little girl. There’s a bounty on your head, sweetheart."
Jim stepped forward, his protective instincts flaring. "Touch her, and you’ll regret it."
The scarred outlaw laughed. "You think we’re scared of one Grey Warrior?"
Jim's expression darkened. "You should be."
With a swift motion, he spun the Solun Lance, channeling both Solar and Lunar energy.
A silver pulse erupted from the weapon, sending a shockwave that knocked the outlaws off their feet. Before they could recover, Jim dashed forward, his movements precise and calculated.
One by one, he disarmed them, his lance glowing with fierce energy. Within moments, the outlaws lay defeated, groaning in pain.
Naomi watched in awe. Despite his overwhelming strength, Jim never killed. He fought with control, ensuring none of them suffered more than necessary.
"Let’s keep moving," Jim said, his voice steady.