Chapter 59: A Rescued Chronicle

Aiden and Elara had been driven by a relentless desire to uncover the truth about Aiden's mother. The revelations within the Dezmen's archive room had led them to Lucas, a captive who held potentially vital information regarding her disappearance.

Their hearts raced as they navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the Dezmen's secret compound. The urgency of their mission pressed upon them like a leaden weight, propelling them forward. The cold, oppressive atmosphere within the underground passages seemed to intensify their resolve.

Finally, they arrived at the prison cells, each one a testament to the ruthless nature of the Dezmen. Among them, they found a cell labeled "Lucas." Inside, a dispirited figure with a portly frame sat in a hunched position, the weight of captivity clearly evident in his posture.

Aiden approached the cell cautiously, his voice barely rising above a whisper. "Lucas, we're here to rescue you. We need your help. Time is running out."

Lucas blinked in surprise, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes. He leaned closer to the bars, his voice equally subdued. "You came for me? How...?"

Aiden extended his index finger, and a slender, glowing tendril of Neo light emerged from its tip. With incredible precision, he manipulated the Neo light's intense heat to slice through the cell's iron bars. The process was akin to wielding a miniature blowtorch, and within moments, the bars crumbled like paper.

Elara, agile and strong, stepped into the cell, helping Lucas to his feet. At first, Lucas hesitated, unsure of their motives, but Aiden's unwavering determination reassured him.

"Time is of the essence," Aiden reiterated, emphasizing the urgency of their predicament.

With Lucas now safely on Elara's back, they exited the prison cell and embarked on their escape. Their Neo light-infused steps were noiseless, allowing them to remain undetected by the Dezmen's guards. The shroud of night concealed their departure, but they understood that their respite would be short-lived.

Once they had put a significant distance between themselves and the Dezmen's stronghold, they gently set Lucas down. The effects of his captivity still lingered, but he was slowly regaining his composure.

"We need any information you might have about my mother," Aiden implored, a blend of hope and anxiety etched across his features. "Anything that could help us find her or uncover the truth."

Lucas, now more cooperative, nodded in understanding. "I do have some records about a woman who matches her description entering the city several years ago. But... there's no record of her leaving."

Aiden's heart sank at the confirmation of his worst fears. The absence of his mother had left a void in his life, and despite his relentless search, answers had remained tantalizingly out of reach.

Elara placed a comforting hand on Aiden's shoulder. "We won't give up, Aiden. We'll find a way to uncover the truth, no matter the challenges."

Lucas shared what little information he possessed about the enigmatic woman. Her name, her last known location within the city, and the circumstances surrounding her arrival were fragments of a puzzle they hoped to solve.

As they retraced their steps toward the city, Aiden's determination remained unwavering. The revelation of his mother's last known whereabouts had reignited the spark of hope within him, and he was prepared to pursue the truth relentlessly, regardless of the hurdles they would face.

Their journey was far from over, and the shadows of the Dezmen continued to loom menacingly. Yet, with Lucas now standing with them, they had gained a valuable ally in their quest to unveil the mysteries of Aiden's past. Together, they would confront the challenges that lay ahead and steadfastly pursue the elusive truth.