Malakai hid his excitement and focused.
’I can reach 150 meters if I’m focused in a single direction.’ He noted and moved to test it, changing directions one after the other.
It was awkward at first, as he would have to discard all other directions first for it to work. But eventually, he got the hang of it.
Now, though it took him a second to change directions, he could see 150 meters away in one direction.
Malakai didn’t let this go to waste.
"Two enemies incoming. They’ll step into this hallway before we can reach the end. Both node formation. I’ll handle the one on the right. Handle the left. Don’t kill him."
Malakai glanced at Viga who had narrowed his eyes. He was clearly stronger than Malakai, but hadn’t sensed any incoming threats, especially that far out. He was a bit skeptical.
But as Malakai increased his pace, he was forced to do the same, keeping up with him.
’Was he lying?’ Just as Viga began to wonder, two figures suddenly entered their hallway up ahead. Sanguines. Viga couldn’t hide his shock.
He fought down his shock and exploded forward with intense speed. As a Stalkborn, it was his specialty.
But he couldn’t help but go through another wave of shock as he saw Malakai keeping up just behind him.
He was ahead of Malakai, but the fact that he hadn’t left Malakai in the dust was what shocked him.
’How can this child...?’
He began to wonder when blurs of crimson whizzed past him. Viga turned to see a projectile hit the Sanguine on the right at the knee, shattering it.
The man fell to his knees and was about to scream when another hit his throat.
Sound left the man. And he gasped for breath, clutching his neck as he struggled to breathe.
Viga snapped out of his shock the moment he saw his target notice him. The Sanguine man was about to scream when he blurred forward and hit the man at the back of his neck.
As a node formation, the man couldn’t react to Viga’s speed.
Viga turned to the side to see the other man slumping to the ground. Malakai had gotten to him.
Before he could speak, Malakai suddenly raised the man’s head, ripped out his tongue, before severing his limbs. He repeated the same thing to Viga’s target. He gathered the spilled blood with blood manipulation.
Viga was shocked at the brutality. The fact that Malakai’s eyes didn’t even shake made him feel uneasy.
But Malakai ignored his baffled look and got to work. He hardened the blood on the severed limbs and mouth, stopping the bleeding, and then turned to Viga.
"Have them carry them. We can’t afford to leave them here."
The longer they remained undetected, the better their chances. Viga shook off his shock and nodded. After handing their severed remains to the others, he returned to Malakai and gave a firm nod.
They began moving again, running through the hallway. Viga kept his eyes on Malakai, observing the boy.
He was a leader of a Stalkborn squad. He’d been scouting for a long time now, and had met many outsiders, but had never been more curious about anyone before.
And from the intense stare Lina was giving him, he could surmise that she felt the same way.
They took on a few more groups on their way. Malakai found and warned them of every threat ahead of time, and he along with Viga were able to take care of all of them.
Soon enough they reached the control room and entered. Malakai was glad to find the men he’d defeated earlier still out of it. Though the same couldn’t be said for the others.
Viga said, standing in front of the battered synergy stage evolved. Though he was limbless, Viga could feel his power. He was just as strong as him.
Viga felt a shudder run through him the moment Malakai answered. Luna and Lina were no different.
As the Gor’Mekhai entered the room, Malakai approached the hole he’d entered the base from and spoke.
"This is the way out. Well, the way I used to enter the base. I’ll take my leave now."
Malakai turned towards Lina, who clenched her fist and bit her tongue, clearly wanting to say something.
"Please, let me come with you."
Malakai narrowed his eyes. "No."
Lina’s expression sank, but she clenched her fist and took a step forward. "Please, I beg you. More of our people are imprisoned and being tortured. We have to save them."
"I told you." Malakai’s voice was cold. "I’m only going to lead you here. I’m here to save Renlo, no one else."
"We have to save them. Please—" Tears began streaming from Lina’s eyes, but Malakai didn’t seem to care, already walking out of the room.
The sudden sound made him pause and he turned to see Luna and Viga get on their knees.
"Please take us with you." Viga said, bowing. "All we ask is to come with you. You don’t have to protect us."
"Please Malakai." Luna also pleaded. Soon enough, the other synergy stage warriors joined in and knelt, each one begging Malakai to take them.
A frown had appeared on Malakai’s face and he stared at the kneeling Gor’Mekhai’s with a cold gaze.
’They could come in useful.’
He could refuse them, but he didn’t doubt that their presence could also be a good thing. He finally nodded.
"Alright. But only a few can go, and you have to listen to my orders."
Viga nodded firmly and began selecting the ones who will go and stay. After some minutes they stood by the door, watching as Lina hugged Luna.
"Be careful." Luna whispered.
"I will. You too." She hugged back before separating the next moment and moving to stand by Malakai.
Luna gave Malakai a firm nod and mouthed a thank you before turning and joining the other Gor’Mekhai in leaving through the small hole.
"Ready?" Malakai glanced at the ones coming with him. They were Lina, Viga, and two other synergy stage evolved.
As they nodded, Malakai turned and left the control room.