The shadows of resistance

Location: somewhere in space.

In the command center of the spaceship called eclipse moving in space.

The command center was bathed in the soft glow of holographic screens, displaying star maps, mission parameters, and real-time data from the ship's systems. The air was thick with tension, the hum of the engines a constant reminder of the perilous journey ahead.

In that room some people could been seen sitting around a table while listening to some people.

The team—**Erynn**, **Garrick**, **Sylvia**, and **Rook**—focus attentively at a large holographic display. The image of **Commander Veyra**, a high-ranking official from Altier, flickered into view. Her stern expression and piercing gaze immediately commanded the room's attention.

"As you all know," Veyra began, her voice crisp and authoritative, "this is not just a mission. It is a reckoning. The mission is to save our tomorrow that was taken through a hostile infiltration by the PAIRESE—that is the children that was ripped from their homes and families—and forced into a prison they call Hell Paradise, a prison planet designed to break the strongest of wills and turn them to a slave that will follow their bidding. You are here because you volunteered for this mission, knowing full well the dangers involved. For that, you have my respect."

She paused, her eyes scanning each member of the team. "But respect alone won't get the job done. Hell Paradise is a fortress, guarded by some of the most powerful PAIRESE ever seen so far. The planet itself is a death trap, with unpredictable weather, deadly wildlife, and a security system that rivals our own. If we are to succeed, we must be precise, disciplined, and, above all, united."

Erynn stepped forward, her silver hair catching the light as she addressed the team. "Commander Veyra is right. This mission is dangerous, but it's also necessary. Our people are suffering, and we are their only hope. If we have any chance of coming out of this alive—and bringing them home—we need to stick to the plan. So, listen carefully....

Erynn activated the holographic map of Eldris, the prison planet's jagged, obsidian-like surface rotating slowly in the air. "Our target is Sector 7, where hell paradise is located and most of our people are being held. The prison is heavily guarded, but we've identified a window of opportunity. Every 12 hours, there's a shift change, during which the high-level Awakeners are off-duty. That's when we strike."

Garrick, his arms crossed and his scarred face grim, nodded. "The guards on duty during the shift change are mostly iron and silver-level Awakeners. They're strong, but not unbeatable. If we move quickly and quietly, we can infiltrate the prison, rescue our people, and get out before the heavy hitters return."

Sylvia, her fingers already dancing across a holographic keyboard, added, "I've hacked into their security systems and disabled the cameras in Sector 7, even though my ability make it more easy, their security was still very hard to hack into. But we'll only have a 10-minute window before the system reboots. If we're not out by then, we're dead."

Rook, his shadowy figure leaning against the wall, spoke up. His voice was calm, almost detached, but there was an edge to it that sent a chill through the room. "I'll handle the guards. My Shadow Step ability will let me move through the prison undetected. I can take them out before they even know what hit them.

Erynn zoomed in on the holographic map, highlighting the various hazards of the prison planet. "Eldrid isn't just a planet that hold hell's paradise—it's a death world. The atmosphere is beautiful, but that is for only the atmosphere. The thing we should be careful of are the creatures inhabiting the planet. So we have to where protective suit and be well guided until we're inside the prison. The terrain is treacherous, with sinkholes, and unpredictable sandstorms. And then there's the wildlife. The planet is home to creatures that make our worst nightmares look tame. The planet itself could kill a gold rank awakener without the awakener even knowing how he/she die.

Garrick grunted. "And let's not forget the powerful PAIRESE. If we run into one of the high-level guards, we're in trouble. Seraph, the Flameweaver, can incinerate us with a single blast. Malkai, the Voidcaller, can send us to another dimension. We need to avoid them at all costs."

Sylvia pulled up a list of known high-level Awakeners, their faces and abilities displayed on the holographic screen. "These are the ones we need to watch out for. If any of them show up, we abort the mission and get

out of there. No heroics."

Commander Veyra's hologram flickered back into view. "This mission is not just about rescuing our people. It's about sending a message. The PAIRESE thinks they can take from us with impunity. They think we are weak, divided, and afraid. We will show them otherwise. But remember, the cost of failure is not just your lives—it's the lives of everyone counting on you."

Erynn stepped forward again, her voice steady but filled with determination. "We all know the risks. We've trained for this. We've prepared for this. And we've chosen to be here because we believe in what we're fighting for. Our people are counting on us. So let's bring them home."

The team spent the next hour going over the plan in detail, reviewing the layout of the planet Eldris and the prison Hell Paradise, and discussing contingency plans. They checked their gear—environmental suits, weapons, and communication devices—and ran through simulations of the mission.

As they worked, the weight of what they were about to do hung heavy in the air. This wasn't just a mission—it was a leap into the unknown, a fight against impossible odds. But they were ready. They had to be.

The Eclipse hurtled through the void of space, its engines humming steadily as it carried its crew toward Eldris. Inside the ship's command center, the team was in the final stages of preparation. The holographic map of Eldris dominated the room, its jagged, obsidian-like surface rotating slowly in the air. The prison planet loomed large in their minds, a symbol of oppression and suffering.

Erynn stood at the center of the room, her silver hair tied back in a tight braid and her piercing blue eyes scanning the map. She was the leader of this mission, and the weight of that responsibility was evident in her every movement. Beside her stood "Garrick", his massive frame and scarred face a testament to the battles he had fought. His connection to the elements of Earth and Fire made him a formidable force, but even he seemed uneasy as he studied the map.

Sylvia, the team's tech expert, was busy at her console, her fingers flying across the holographic keyboard. Her sharp features were focused, her mind already working through the countless variables of the mission. Completing the group was Rook, the shadowy assassin who leaned against the wall, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. His abilities as an Awakener—connected to Darkness and Wind—made him the perfect infiltrator, but his silence often left the others guessing at his thoughts.

As the team continued their preparations, the conversation turned to their personal reasons for joining the mission. Erynn's voice softened as she spoke. "My sister was taken six months ago. She's in Sector 7. I don't know if she's still alive, but I have to try."

Garrick's jaw tightened. "I lost my entire unit to Hell Paradise. They were good soldiers, good people. I have to save our people on that god forsaken hell in order to pay respect for my friends and comrade sacrifice."

Sylvia's eyes flickered with emotion. "My brother was taken when he was just a kid. He's been there for years. I don't even know if he'll recognize me."

Rook remained silent, but the others could see the pain in his eyes. He didn't need to say anything—they all knew that he was here because of one of the reasons.