Chapter 33: Freedom at Arrow's Point

A new wave of despair washed over Da Vinci's group as the massive iron portcullis slid down, blocking their path, accompanied by the crimson glow of dozens of detection sensors focusing on them like prey about to be slaughtered. Eagle's mocking voice still echoed in their memories: "This game... is far from over... And the exit you were so happy to find... is merely another board I prepared for you to walk on."

"Don't lose hope yet!" Kiana shouted, her voice trembling slightly but still resolute. "As long as we're still breathing, there's always a way out!" She looked at Da Vinci, her eyes filled with a mixture of expectation and pressure. "Do you see anything, Da Vinci? The mechanism of this trap... does it have any weaknesses? We have to do something!"

Da Vinci nodded slowly. He was still severely weakened from exhausting the brush's power; the brush in his hand had become a mere pitch-black metal rod, devoid of any light. But the genius's mind never stopped working. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to clear the fear and confusion from his mind. Images of this underground hall's structure, the schematics he vaguely remembered from the secret chamber, and the sensors' working principles were quickly pulled up and analyzed. He opened his eyes again, a spark of analysis flaring within them.

"I... I'm thinking..." Da Vinci said, his voice hoarse but clear. "Those sensors... they seem to be a combined heat and motion detection system. But their installation in an ancient area like this must have 'blind spots' due to the hall's original structure, and a 'delay time' in processing data if there's simultaneous interference at multiple points. As for that iron portcullis... although it's clearly reinforced with Nebula technology, judging by the welds and added control panels, its core structure is still an ancient mechanism relying on counterweights and large bolts. The connection point between old and new technology is often the most vulnerable. If we can inflict 'localized damage' or 'disrupt the control system' of the Nebula-installed parts, while applying enough force to the 'weak points' of the original ancient mechanism... maybe..."

He looked at the blue, glowing crystals embedded in the hall's walls. "And the light from those crystals... I suspect it might have properties to 'refract' or 'interfere' with certain types of energy waves. If we can find a way to utilize it..."

"I have a plan," Da Vinci finally said. "But it's very risky... and requires perfect teamwork from all of us. Every movement must be precise and synchronized, like cogs in a machine."

Da Vinci's plan was complex and required precise timing. It began with Kiana trying to use her not-yet-fully-controlled fire power to create a "Heat Decoy" in a distant spot to divert the attention of most sensors. "A sudden surge of high heat will make most sensors focus on that point, giving us a brief window to move," Da Vinci explained.

"I'll try," Kiana responded, her eyes filled with determination mixed with concern. "I've practiced a bit, but... it might be hard to control. Everyone, be careful!" She took a deep breath, trying to concentrate and "communicate" with the raging fire within her. Crimson flames began to blaze from her palms. They were still unstable, with some flames flaring and whipping violently, but she managed to direct them towards the corner of the room Da Vinci indicated. The intense heat from the decoy flame made most sensors immediately turn their red beams towards that spot! Several red lights swiveled around in confusion!

"Now!" Da Vinci shouted. Ryu and Raven, with their high agility, quickly and silently moved through the blind spots of the remaining sensors, following the path Da Vinci had precisely calculated and indicated beforehand. They used "thin metal sheets" Da Vinci had noticed lying around (which might have come off ancient mechanisms and possessed some reflective or energy-absorbing properties from the crystals – he theorized the metal's surface might be able to 'scatter' or 'absorb' the sensors' detection waves to some extent if used at the correct angle) to temporarily "block" or "refract" the beams of the sensors guarding the gate, successfully, just as Da Vinci had predicted! Those sensors emitted soft "beeps," indicating a momentary malfunction!

With the sensors disrupted, Raven didn't hesitate. She aimed her twin pistols at a "small control panel" that seemed to be the part Nebula had added to the iron gate. "That's the electronic control box Nebula used to reinforce the original mechanism. If we can destroy it, Eagle's remote control over the gate might be compromised!" Da Vinci shouted the information he had just analyzed. Then Raven pulled the triggers! Special bullets (which she might have customized to create a small electromagnetic pulse upon impact) shot towards the target with precision, creating sparks and a soft shorting sound! The control panel emitted a little smoke, and its status light went out!

Simultaneously, Kiana, whose fire power was weakening but still present, directed the remaining controllable flames towards the "hinges" or "main bolts" of the gate, which Da Vinci had pointed out as being made of a weaker metal. "The ancient alloy at that point, though strong, is not as resistant to high heat as the new alloy Nebula used for other reinforcements!" Da Vinci added. The intense heat began to turn the metal in that area red-hot and slightly soften it! The sound of creaking metal was heard!

"Bacchus! Taurus! Now! Where the metal is softened and the electronic control system is damaged! Apply simultaneous impact from both directions to destroy the remaining bolt mechanism!" Da Vinci signaled.

The two mighty warriors roared, throwing all their strength against the iron gate. Bacchus slammed his Earthen Hammer onto the spot weakened by Kiana's heat, the sound of twisting metal echoing loudly. Taurus rammed it with his shoulder and pushed with both hands with all his might! Their muscles visibly bulged with explosive power!

The tension reached its peak. A faint alarm might have sounded from Eagle's hidden system, or some sensors might have started to reactivate after the temporary disruption, but the team ignored it. They threw everything they had into opening that gate!

And then! With a horrifying creak and the sound of tearing metal, the formidable iron portcullis began to pry open, bit by bit! A gap appeared, revealing a dark, steep ramp leading upwards! Faint light and the scent of outside air seeped in!

"Go, quickly!" Kiana shouted. Everyone scrambled through the opening. It was an old, narrow emergency exit tunnel, but the scent of "outside air" and the "faint light" from the end gave the team a renewed surge of spirit. They helped each other, supporting the weakest, Da Vinci, and tried to move forward as fast as possible.

Finally! After struggling through darkness and confinement for a long time, the team managed to escape the Athenaeum's underground system! They emerged from an old ventilation shaft hidden among the ruins of the outer wall. The last light of the setting twin suns bathed their exhausted bodies. Feeling the sunlight and fresh air again made everyone feel reborn. They collapsed onto the dry grass, exhausted, but smiles of relief appeared on their faces for the first time in many hours.

"We... we made it..." Ryu murmured, almost in disbelief.

But their relief was short-lived...

After only a brief moment to catch their breath, Da Vinci, whose senses remained sharp despite his fatigue, began to notice the abnormality of their surroundings. They were in a narrow valley flanked by steep cliffs on both sides. The area was littered with large boulders and the scattered ruins of ancient structures. It was an open terrain but with plenty of hiding spots... a perfect hunting ground for a long-range archer.

"Why does it seem... too quiet?" Kiana murmured, a sense of unease rapidly growing in her heart. Her warrior instincts screamed that something was wrong.

Da Vinci looked around, his expression tense and filled with worry. "An escape that seemed too 'easy' after we destroyed the gate's control system... it's abnormal," he said softly, but everyone heard him clearly. "He might have 'anticipated' or 'allowed' us to come out into this area intentionally... This place... is his chosen hunting ground!"

Suddenly! Whoosh!

A pitch-black arrow shot down from the top of a steep cliff! It wasn't aimed to kill anyone but embedded itself in the ground just a few inches from Kiana's feet! The arrowhead quivered as if mocking them!

Everyone in the team immediately took cover! Hearts that had just relaxed began to pound again with terror!

And then... on the highest cliff in the area, the figure of a man slowly appeared. He stood there calmly, the last light of day illuminating his figure, revealing a tall, elegant, yet deadly silhouette. "Eagle" himself!

He stood with his arms crossed, his amber mechanical eyes staring down at Da Vinci's group, who were now like cornered rabbits. His gaze was still, cold, and unreadable, but the brutal aura emanating from him was so intense and oppressive it made the surrounding atmosphere heavy. He said nothing, but his appearance in such an advantageous position was clearer than any words.

The warm-up game was over... and now... the real hunt was about to begin!

Eagle slowly picked up his beloved bow. His movements were graceful yet filled with deadly menace. He drew the bowstring... aiming directly at the survivors who now had nowhere to run...

[End of Chapter 33]