Chapter 6, The Not So Great Escape Part 1

"Are you fucking kidding me?!"Dwayne snarled his fist slamming against the wall of the elevator, leaving a dent. The damn elevator was stuck due to the earthquake that drowned the city below sea level, which he still had a hard time believing.

"No human, I am not." The Voice said with neutrality. "As we speak, New York is being dragged below to the ocean floor."

"If they're planning to kill us, what was the point of-"

"Kill you?" The voice sounded confused, after a while it understood what Dwayne meant. "We know of your species' need for oxygen, they will not suffocate if that's what you're worried about."

"Oh there's plenty of things I'm worried about!" Dwayne snapped. "Why the hell are they sinking the city?!"

"To avoid this planet's Guardians from intruding on our experiment, we're using the city as a testing ground for human behavior."

"Unless I missed the day when Superman suddenly needed glasses, the Justice Leauge will fucking notice an entire city missing!"

"Not possible, Kryptonians possess marvelous eyesight-"

"Sarcasm damn it, SARCASM!" Dwayne roared. The voice went silent, waiting patiently for Dwayne to calm himself then responded casually.

"We've constructed another version of your city created via hard light materials, then strategically placed it above the original."

Dwayne's brain cells ceased the production line, unable to process the nonsense this voice was spewing from it's invisible mouth. Once his brain went through a major reboot, he engaged the voice again.

"I'm going to need some more context than that, Voice." Dwayne rubbed his temples. "Do you know how stupid that sounds, how can a city that can inhabit millions of people be built in a day? Get real!"

"I believe I've said this before fleshsack, but I'm happy to repeat myself once more. We are leagues above your primitive minds." The Voice sniped. "Do you truly consider human architecture perplexing to us? We've witnessed creatures smaller than you build huts that were harder to replicate."

Another hard left hook that sent humanity on the ropes, Dwayne marked it as a tally much to his dismay. "So what, you guys are able to build skyscrapers like they were legos."

"I do not have knowledge of these legos,if I may look through your memories-"

"Not happening, " Dwayne shut that down, "this is the last time I'm going to tell you to stay away from my head!" Dwayne narrowed his eyes, having an alien in your head was bad enough, Having said alien burrowing through your memories had him on edge.

"What can you possibly do to harm me, Human? The best you can do is bang your head against a wall, and that'll work both ways."

"Big talk for an alien parasite!" Dwayne snapped. "Didn't Luxon say you're a newborn or something like that? You're basically the world's most intelligent man-child...or alien-child?"

"Human..." The voice sounded beyond it's years when it released a tired groan. "It will take me an abundance of time to lecture you on the basics of our birthing process, it will take even longer to explain how humanity is such an evolutionary failure compared to other species. However, there are more critical concerns to be focus on."

"R-Right." Dwayne shook his head, remembering his initial question. "Are you forgetting there's twenty million people living here? Imagine someone coming home from vacation and seeing their families along with a hundred percent of the population had vanished. The capes will be knocking down doors so fast your heads will spin."

"Trust me when I say this human, your planet isn't the first we've infiltrated, and it won't be the last. Your heroes will find us only if we allow them too." The Voice said with a scary amount of confidence that made Dwayne have second thoughts. To his knowledge the JLA hadn't come across an alien threat before. Martian Manhunter might be experienced but wouldn't that be stereotypical to assume? He came to a conclusion that New York is the only place being targeted, if they're going through such lengths to keep this discreet. Dwayne knew the heroes would find out eventually, they always do considering the shitload of resources they have, there is also the possibility that New York's population will already be dead by the time they arrive. That couldn't happen not on his watch, his family was still in the city and he plans to free them, he'll leave the rest up to the capes when he tells them.

"Let me get this straight, these genocidal bastards want us on our hands and knees al for an experiment?! What are they testing for, the loudest a person can scream after being torn apart by a fucking sword?!"

"I see you've met Wnight."

"Stop changing the subject and answer my damn question!"

"Simple, we wish to evaluate the limits of humanity." The Voice answered, when Dwayne gesture for a continuation the voice obliged. "They say when the smallest animal is cornered it will fight with tooth and claw to escape it's inevitable demise or if they're trapped they'll mutilate themselves in order to escape. At what point will a human get consumed by their bestial instincts and revert to a primal state in hopes to survive? As your species struggle against our endless supply of toy soldiers, their resources dwindle leaving them vulnerable to our might. It will only take two Praedons to show humans how outclassed they truly are, how easily Praedons can crush their spirits. Their illusion of hope will shatter forcing them into docile primates, submissive to our commands and willing to obey just to keep themselves alive." The sadistic Voice sounded intoxicated making Dwayne horribly ill, the voice was literally getting it's high off imagining the domination of humanity . Dwayne was afraid to ask the Voice another question not wanting to dive further in it's crazed fantasies, but he had to know.

"T-that's fucked up," His voice faltered at the beginning. "how can your death cult sit there and watch people suffer like that—"

"To us, you're inferior." The Voice interrupted swiftly. "Tell me, you humans slaughter other sentient creatures for nourishment or sport. Scientist take advantage of lab rats to run experiments, isn't that not the same thing we're doing?"

"That's different!"Dwayne was quick on draw for a retort. "Because...because..." He trailed off, knowing that the answer he'll give will only prove the Voice's point.

"Were you going to say 'because they are animals'?" The Voice happily finished his sentence for him. "You humans use lesser life forms to serve yourselves, it's normal for the strong to triumph over the weak, It's evolution at it's finest. We certainly praise you humans for at least understanding that common concept, you'd move sea and sky to achieve your goals and that's fine. Here's a proper lesson for you, Dwayne and I trust you'll remember it..there's always something higher on the food chain, no matter how far up you go."

"If your so confident that we'll fail why are you helping me?" Dwayne said, it didn't make any god damn sense still. This Voice obviously took strong pride in what it's kin did, it could've easily stayed silent and let Praedons have their fun, yet it wanted to aid him. "And don't give me that cryptic bullshit!"

"Why tell you now?" The Voice laughed sending shivers down his spine. "I can feel it you know...when you're terrified. The adrenaline pumping in our body, you're anxious to see the outcome of your life and death battle. You wonder if I'm truly on your side or if I'm playing with you for my own entertainment."

"Shut up." Dwayne growled in warning. The glowing jewel in his chest shimmered slightly, sparking with electricity unseen by Dwayne.

"I thought you wanted me to answer? Are you afraid of abandoning blissful ignorance for a hellish truth?"

"Shut the fuck up.." The orange electricity now courses through his clenched fist. "I'm not afraid you, If you're planning on making yourself at home in my head, then you're fucking delusional!"

"You're under the assumption that I want to be apart of you?" The laughter became deafening causing Dwayne to grit his teeth."You already heard my view on humans, where in that hilarious little mind of yours made you think this was going to be permanent stay? I could be leading you straight into the arms of a Praedon, waiting to discipline you for your rebellious actions—"

"Fuck off!" Dwayne exploded , his voice becoming distorted and unnatural, the electricity surging through his body became wild. Without conscious effort he discharged a pulse of electricity that shook the elevator hard enough to free it. The elevator began to safely descend in the deeper levels of the stronghold. Dwayne's eyes drifted down to his hands where electricity courses through his fingertips.

"Hmm...interesting." The Voice sounded impress. "Fitting that your need for survival triggers your Bestowed."

"My what?" Dwayne's eyes were glued to his hands as he channeled the electricity to his palms. That familiar strength returned to his body as the jewel glimmered slightly.

"The Golden Queen's gift to her 'loyal' followers, drawn from her own unlimited source of power and it can manifest in different ways." The Voice explained. "I was curious on how you would draw it out."

"You goaded me. I let a psychotic sadist get to me, I seriously need to get it together." Dwayne mentally slapped himself for being gullible, he should've known that the Voice would try to manipulate him into doing what it wanted, there will be plenty of that in future .

"Have you calmed down, human?" The voice taunted rubbing Dwayne the wrong way. "Good, the elevator should be taking us to a private hangar bay, where a Voidrider awaits our arrival."

"A what?" Dwayne couldn't help but to instantly imagine a flying saucer loaded with abducted cows or shit like that. "I know this is a life or death situation and all but I prefer to ride out of here with some originality than cliche." The voice didn't try to comprehend what went through Dwayne's human mind, instead, it took the time to analyze current events. The Voice was suspicious that no obstructions were met on their trip to the hangar bay, they should've engaged an enemy Server or Praedon, the ladder being able to effortlessly butcher them without much exertion, the Voice knew they stood no chance against an actual Praedon at the level they are now, Darkfalls included. The only opponents in their tier are the Servers but the Voice wasn't too sure of the human's combat capabilities to estimate the outcome, through his memories the Voice was able to decide that Dwayne is a decent fighter at best, his father taught him basic martial arts to use in defense but schoolyard ruffians didn't compare to murderous androids. This will be a trial by fire for both of them.

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Luxon was amused as he looked down at the broken Server droid in the operating chamber. The newborn Darkfall thought he had escaped 'without anyone noticing', which is completely false. Oh no...Luxon was aware of the Human's intentions to escape, did he really think they weren't? How Naive, the boy can't possibly understand who he is defying. After the human had so rudely destroyed his Server Droid, it automatically sent a distress signal to the Prime currently in charge of the Server fleet, the signal was then transferred over to his holo-screen. The Prime predictably needed  his instructions in order to proceed, a Server's purpose is to obey the Praedon Hierarchy which consisted of, Black Knights, Silver Lords,  White Paladins, and more importantly the Golden Queen. It was obvious where Darkfalls stood on that scale, lacking the pure-blood of a Praedon. The war machines were only subservient to their creators, built to overwhelm their foes in an unrelenting storm of metal.

Luxon observed the human through the surveillance system with a keen eye, it would've been easy to dispatch a Lesser Praedon to incapacitate him, he is still just a youngling having yet to discover his talents and encountering an experienced Darkfall like himself would be a one-sided battle. However, the Darkfall was too lost in it's own curiosity to take action against the human,  he knew 'how' the hybrid escaped but the question is...why? 

The Descent ritual should've cleansed his mind of impurities, unveiling the magnificence of the Golden Queen much like a bride on her wedding day. The thought brought him back to his own Descension, one short glance into the golden light and he found his psyche traversing a holy land,  he realized how pathetic his own species was before being eradicated, he didn't remember why he was scorned by her deeds, it was necessary to drive lifeforms  to extinction if they failed recognizing perfection, He considered those filthy animals to be mongrels not worthy of life.  Imagine being blind your whole life,unable to see the beauties of the world you inhabit then for the first time you see a sight beyond your dreams, you start to admire the wonders around you better than any person born with sight, all it took was  accepting the Goddess in your heart. So why did the human not see it? He stared into the golden abyss longer than he did, then turned away from its excellence.

Impossible.

One did not look away light and follow the darkness, the Darkfalls are hybrids falling into an immeasurable black pit while the light shined above them like the gates of Heaven. But this Darkfall would rather take a nosedive into oblivion. This human is an enigma that  must be detained and studied , Wnight would likely kill the boy before he becomes an obstacle. Luxon pulled up his holo-screen, a holographic screen hovered in front of him and he sent his orders to Prime, the Servers should be capable enough to capture the Darkfall specimen, if not, he would handle the situation himself and—

"Come to me..."

Luxon halted mid-way out the door then sighed in frustration. Wnight summons him again to translate, this wasn't anything new to the elder Darkfall, Speaking another language aside from their own was the ultimate taboo. The Queen described it to be drinking a flask of potent venom, Praedons aren't known for stepping off their high horse and into a pile of dung, they forced their servants to do such a degrading task. The yellow Darkfall sighed knowing he would have to rely on the droids, Wnight will remain in the dark on this matter and besides...Darkfalls look after Darkfalls.

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Dwayne sat down while his back was propped against the elevator's walls, he watched his fingertips channel lightning, a question came to mind if he could dispel it in a chosen direction. How exactly was he doing this anyways? The lightning needed a power source to be generated, unless these aliens were freaking wizards, it wouldn't be the most surprising thing to happen today. This brought his query to the glowing jewel buried in his chest, his mind flashed back to when Luxon approached him with his own. The jewel was clearly nuclear powered if he had to guess, enough to make a person grow a second head, he strangely felt connected to it like the rock is the reason  he lived. Dwayne would question the Voice about it later, for now he had to plan his next move.

"Human, there's danger ahead." The Voice's words shocked him better than any fire alarm, he was on his feet before the voice could continue, Rizer already jutting free from his wrist. He was oddly surprised he summoned it so easily now, like it had been apart of him for centuries rather than a day.

"Where?!" Dwayne carefully stepped away from the doors in case they abruptly exploded in his face, he didn't need his soul scared out of his body. "There's gotta be a way to avoid them-"

"No, they are not Praedons, human." The Voice announced confidently. "If they were, there be no point in fighting or running, your fate would end in death." Dwayne felt something crawling in his stomach at that doubtless declaration, terror intermingled with trepidation. Are these Praedons really that strong, he hadn't seen the full extent of their capabilities but considering that White one was able to cut down a fully grown man like he was made from paper and move faster than a sniper's bullet.

He wouldn't dare challenge that guy, he could have the entire Justice League standing in front of him and still be standing a mile away in the back. When he was in the foster home the older kids there liked to participate in a game we like to call 'Chicken'. The objective of the game was simple, two players engage in a high stakes competition that will surely cost them their lives, but they neglect the intellectual choice to get away, Instead they stayed in death's path. until one of them yielded and be deemed a 'chicken', Dwayne didn't know if it was pride keeping them there or the rush but play chicken long enough, you eventually fry.

Dwayne hated the idiots in his orphanage.

"Servers then." Dwayne summarized. "What are my chances against a Server?"

"Depends," The Voice said, he can imagine the voice shrugging. "They vary in shape and size, there's a likelihood of you facing Brutes and droids." Dwayne made an educated guess of the Brute being fucking huge as their name suggested, Droids play the role of the foot soldiers which made up ninety percent of any squadron.

"Can you tell how many?"

"Twenty in total," The Voice said, Dwayne wanted to question how he knew that, but he knew the creature would keep him in the dark until their free. Dwayne didn't mind actually, why invest time in telling someone,who could die at any moment, about what's going on within them. "We have ten seconds, I would think about a strategy fast."

"Im guessing you're not helping?" Dwayne deadpanned when the Voice went silent, how was he gonna help anyway? To Deayne's knowledge he was in control and the Voice is a ride-along, a snarky one. Dwayne thoroughly examined his surroundings, the elevator was large and had a golden circular platform with yellow neon lights, it felt like the platform was going down a long tube, it wasn't normal in human standards but it has the qualities of a regular one. Dwayne knew a robot army would be waiting outside that door when he reached his destination, once those doors spread open they'll unload everything they have, maybe he could climb his way up the elevator didn't exactly have a roof, just a platform. The height didn't look so bad, even though he couldn't see the top.

What if he fell?

Dwayne wouldn't take that chance and he swore in the deepest regions of his mind The Voice was calling him a 'pussy'. Dwayne imagined forming a mental knife and stabbing the Voice several times. Shit, he had four seconds left, he needed to think fast to keep himself from being swarmed with bullets. The sound of electricity crackling on his fingers attracted his attention, he looked down at his sparking hands and an idea popped into existence.

"Perfect."