Chapter 112: Trapping the Traitor

Day PoV

We walked through the bustling factory world, the sights and sounds of industry all around us. The Titanos soldiers in mechas continued to patrol, their presence a constant reminder of the world's recent turmoil.

Yusan led us to a large metal building, its imposing structure a testament to the advanced technology of this world. We entered a spacious room filled with monitors and control panels, where a group of technicians worked diligently.

"Welcome to our command center," Yusan said, his voice laced with pride. "This is where we oversee conquest efforts."

Wilneth nodded, her expression respectful. "Impressive setup, Yusan. We're here to help in any way we can."

Yusan's eyes narrowed. "Say, how did you know about my take over of this world?"

Wilneth crossed her arms. Zepheria told me you were heading to Quadra. I tried finding you there so we can work together to take over Retra, but it seems you had other plans. Once I heard Sotes-3 got cut off from the rest of the worlds, I figured it was your doing."

He snickered, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "As observant as ever, Wilneth."

As the two Titanos commanders continued their conversation, I could feel my anger bubbling beneath the surface. This was the man responsible for so much pain in my life, and now he stood here, gloating about his conquests.

I glanced around the command center, noting the positions of the technicians and the guards. My hand instinctively went to the small knife hidden in my sleeve. I had a small window to act, but the risk was immense. One wrong move, and our entire mission could be compromised.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. Arare's words echoed in my mind: "Trust Wilneth. Stay calm." I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me, not now.

Wilneth's voice brought me back to the present. "Yusan, we need to discuss our next steps. The situation on Retra is critical, and we can't afford any delays."

Yusan nodded, his attention shifting back to Wilneth. "Agreed. Let's move to the strategy room."

As they began to walk towards a side door, I saw my chance. With practiced ease, I slipped the knife into my palm, keeping it hidden from view. My heart pounded in my chest as I weighed the consequences of my actions.

But just as I was about to make my move, Arare subtly stepped beside me, his presence a calm anchor. He gave me a barely perceptible shake of his head, reminding me of the bigger picture.

I clenched my jaw, reluctantly slipping the knife back into its hidden sheath. There would be another time, another opportunity. For now, I had to trust in Wilneth and our mission.

We followed Yusan and Wilneth into the strategy room, a smaller, more secure area filled with holographic displays and tactical maps. The air was tense, every movement calculated and precise.

"Here's the current situation," Yusan began, activating a holographic map of the region. "Our forces have secured key positions, but there are still pockets of resistance. We need to neutralize them before we can fully consolidate our control."

Wilneth nodded, studying the map. "Agreed. We'll need to coordinate our efforts to ensure maximum efficiency. However, I will be taking over."

Ret stood up and lurched at Yusan.

I brandished my knife as well.

Yusan snickered, unfazed.

Yusan's skin hardened into a black, impenetrable scales. His greenish eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and disdain as he effortlessly stopped both Ret and me in our tracks.

"I knew it," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.

I gasped, feeling the futility of our initial assault. Ret glared at Yusan, his rage palpable. "I'm taking you down, traitor!"

Yusan scoffed, his grip like iron. "Traitor? The one working with the rebels is you."

He eyed me and snickered, his amusement only fueling my anger. I growled and jumped back, drawing my sword. Arare, quick on his feet, threw a sharp throwing disk at Yusan, but it bounced off his hardened skin with little effect.

"Goerld, Tessa, Roan, Lia, Misara, guard the door," Prince Huitlo commanded as he stood up, his gaze locked onto Yusan. "Don't make this more difficult than it has to be. Turn yourself in, and we may spare your miserable life."

Yusan chuckled darkly. "My, my, the prince bares his fangs. But I've yet to bare mine."

Tira and Zairus moved to flank their prince, their expressions resolute. We needed to act in unison, coordinating our attacks to overwhelm Yusan.

"Now!" I shouted, lunging forward with my sword. Arare followed suit, his movements swift and precise as he aimed for Yusan's weak spots. Ret, Tira, and Zairus attacked from different angles, their strikes aimed to exploit any opening.

Yusan moved with surprising agility, his hardened skin deflecting most of our attacks. He parried my sword with ease, his strength sending me stumbling back. Arare's throwing disks and quick jabs had little effect, merely glancing off his blackened skin.

Ret, however, seemed to be the only one giving Yusan any real challenge. His relentless assault forced Yusan to focus more on defense, his movements less fluid as he countered Ret's powerful strikes and plasma beams.

"You're stronger than I thought, Ret," Yusan admitted, a hint of respect in his voice. "But it won't be enough."

Ret's eyes blazed with determination. "I'll make it enough!"

Prince Huitlo seized the moment, launching a flurry of energy blasts from his gauntlets. The blasts struck Yusan, causing him to stagger but not fall. Tira and Zairus pressed the advantage, their coordinated attacks aimed at Yusan's joints and weak points.

Despite our combined efforts, Yusan handled us with relative ease. His hardened skin acted as a near-impenetrable shield, deflecting most of our attacks. Only Ret's sheer power and determination seemed to make any significant impact.

Yusan smirked, his confidence unshaken. "You think you can defeat me with brute force and numbers? Pathetic."

He lashed out with a powerful kick, sending Tira crashing into a console. Zairus tried to capitalize on the opening, but Yusan caught his blade mid-swing, twisting it out of his hand and throwing him aside.

Arare, ever the strategist, attempted to flank Yusan from behind, but Yusan anticipated the move, spinning around and delivering a bone-crushing punch to Arare's midsection. Arare crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Arare!" Lia yelled, running toward him.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to give up. "We can't let him win!"

Ret, bloodied but undeterred, charged at Yusan with a roar. Their clash was fierce, the room shaking with the force of their blows. For a moment, it seemed like Ret might break through Yusan's defenses.

But Yusan's experience and power proved too much. With a swift, brutal move, he disarmed Ret and sent him sprawling to the ground.

Yusan stood over us, his expression one of cold triumph. "This is the end for you."

Desperation clawed at me, but I refused to let it take hold. We had to think, to find a way to turn the tide. Our mission, our lives, depended on it.

"Everyone, regroup!" I shouted, trying to rally the others. "We need to find his weakness!"

Wilneth, who had been observing the fight with a calculating gaze, stepped forward. "Yusan, you may be strong, but you're not invincible."

Yusan's eyes narrowed. "And what do you propose to do about it, Wilneth?"

Wilneth smirked, her confidence unwavering. Her claws glowed with the strange energy the Titanos used. The air seemed to crackle with the intensity of her power.

Yusan's eyes narrowed, his amusement fading into a steely resolve. "You really think you can win?"

Wilneth's smirk widened. "Maybe not alone."

Ret smiled and stood up. The two commanders charged at Yusan.

Goerld and the rest of our Uto allies meanwhile helped us up. But we all found outselves knocked unto the floor as a shockwave ripped through the building.

Tears formed in my eyes. It was hard to breath. Was this the end of the road?