BLOOD AND FIRE - ESCAPE FROM RAVASNA

UNDERGROUND COMBAT ZONE — 04:39 AM

Red lights pulsed like a warning heartbeat.

The walls trembled. Dust fell like ash.

Broxtler stepped forward.

Shyblance stood beside him—wounded, but unyielding.

Across the dim chamber, Netanyavu cracked his neck.

Angela spun her energy bow, its hum growing louder.

"You've come this far," Netanyavu said flatly.

"Now die like a warrior."

Broxtler didn't answer.

He took a step—

And the room erupted into motion.

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THE BATTLE BEGINS — 04:40 AM

Angela fired first.

The arrow zipped like lightning—

Broxtler deflected it with his metal gauntlet.

A burst of sparks flared.

Netanyavu lunged with twin plasma blades.

Broxtler blocked, metal clashing with plasma, echoing like thunder.

Shyblance ducked under the chaos.

Bruised but determined, she grabbed a steel pipe—and swung.

With a fierce cry, she struck Angela's ribs.

Angela staggered back—

Then retaliated, slamming Shyblance into the wall.

Blood splattered.

Broxtler countered a vertical slash, spun mid-air, elbowed Netanyavu's throat—

But he didn't flinch.

"You think pain will stop me?"

He headbutted Broxtler.

Both staggered back. Both growled.

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TWO VS TWO — 04:42 AM

Angela twirled and unleashed three arrows.

Broxtler rolled, pulling Shyblance with him.

The arrows hit the wall—then exploded.

Shrapnel scattered.

Netanyavu jumped through the smoke, striking from above—

Broxtler met him mid-air.

Weapons clashed, sparks danced along the corridor.

Shyblance crawled forward, clutching her side.

Angela aimed again.

Shyblance yanked a steel rod from the debris—

And hurled it.

The rod flew like a spear—

KRAKK!

Angela's bow snapped.

She cried out in pain.

"Nice throw," Broxtler muttered.

Shyblance wiped the blood from her lips.

"Next one goes through her heart."

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THE FINAL CLASH — 04:45 AM

Netanyavu shifted.

His plasma blades flared—unstable.

He charged again—

Broxtler ducked, rolled, countered—

But Netanyavu kicked him into a pillar.

Stone cracked.

Angela slammed Shyblance to the floor.

They scratched, bit, screamed.

Shyblance headbutted—then punched twice.

Angela shrieked—

And flung her across the room.

Broxtler staggered up.

Netanyavu advanced slowly, blades spinning.

"This is where your myth ends."

"No," Broxtler replied.

He pressed two buttons on his gauntlet.

> MAXIMUM POWER MODE: ENGAGED.

Metal roared.

Broxtler surged forward—faster than before—

Deflected the first strike, parried the second

Then punched Netanyavu in the chest with full force

BOOM!!

The armor shattered.

Netanyavu crashed into the wall.

Down.

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VICTORY OR DECEPTION? — 04:48 AM

Angela, bruised and gasping, stared from the floor.

Shyblance limped closer, eyes blazing.

"I told you—I'm no prisoner."

She kicked Angela back.

Broxtler aimed his gauntlet at her head.

"Last warning."

Angela closed her eyes.

"Then do it."

Silence.

Broxtler lowered his hand.

"Not today."

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THE COLLAPSE — 04:50 AM

The whole structure shook.

A mechanical voice echoed from above:

> [ CORE DETONATION IN 10 MINUTES. ]

Broxtler grabbed Shyblance's hand.

They ran.

Smoke. Fire. Alarms. Blood.

Behind them—Angela crawled to Netanyavu's unconscious body.

Ahead—a lift shaft to the surface.

Freedom.

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THE SURFACE ESCAPE — WAR ABOVE GROUND

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EMERGENCY LIFT SHAFT — 04:51 AM

Broxtler pressed his hand against the old panel.

The emergency lift wasn't fully stable—but enough for one final ascent.

Shyblance held her bleeding arm. Her breathing was heavy. But her eyes still burned—not with fear, but with undying resolve.

> If we go up now... they'll be waiting.

"They will," Broxtler nodded.

"But we're out of time. That core's going off in nine minutes."

Zzzzz—CLANK.

The lift rose, cutting through the layers of the underground structure.

Shyblance looked at him.

"We're not making it out alive if it's just the two of us."

Broxtler gave a faint smile.

"Good thing we're not just two people—we're two shadows... and light can't catch us."

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RAVASNA SURFACE — COMMAND TOWER COURTYARD — 04:55 AM

The lift doors slammed open.

The sky had begun to pale. The sun hadn't risen—

But bullets and smoke welcomed the morning first.

Two assault drones zipped overhead.

Ravasna's elite forces stood ready—guns aimed.

BRAAATT!!

Broxtler pulled Shyblance behind rubble.

"They were ready. This isn't an escape anymore...

This is an open war."

Shyblance glanced west.

"There's an old rail line on the west side. We can use it—but we'll have to break through that barricade."

"You ready?"

"No.

But I never run from choices."

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OLD RAILWAY LINE — 04:58 AM

They ran.

The drones unleashed laser fire—slicing concrete and asphalt.

Broxtler returned fire—not to destroy, but to distract.

Shyblance ducked low, tossing a smoke grenade from her belt.

PUFF!

Thick smoke veiled the area.

They slipped through the ruins of an ancient nuclear evacuation line. Forgotten. Silent.

But then, a voice emerged from an old speaker crackling back to life:

> [ Broxtler… You think saving one person will change the world?

This world isn't saved.

It's reforged—

In blood. — Benito Mussolina ]

Shyblance spat at the ground.

"His speeches get worse every day."

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EXIT TUNNEL — 05:03 AM

The final gate—solid steel leading out of the city—was locked.

Broxtler planted a mini charge.

"We're getting out—or dying right here."

Shyblance nodded.

"Whatever happens... I have no regrets."

BOOM!

The gate blew open.

Morning light greeted them.

But just as they took their first step out—

CRACK!!

A sniper's shot pierced Broxtler's shoulder.

He dropped to his knee.

Shyblance screamed, firing back—

The sniper fell from the tower.

"Broxtler!!"

Broxtler gritted his teeth, rising again.

Blood spilled—but his will was harder than any bullet.

"We're not done yet."

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OUTSIDE RAVASNA — 05:09 AM

They made it out.

But it wasn't victory.

It was only the beginning.

Shyblance wrapped Broxtler's wound.

They sat on a cliffside, staring at the city still burning behind them.

"They're going to come after us again."

Broxtler watched the flames.

"Let them."

"We need backup."

"We need a plan. And time."

"And... a safe place?"

"There's no such thing.

But there is a place... where we can start hitting back."

Shyblance smiled.

"Then let's start counting their blood debt."

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