Chapter 27: All hell broke loose

The room vibrated intensely, the shadow of the knight demon flickering from the sudden surge of energy bursting before him.

Then came the shockwave that shook the entire mountain around the Greywell.

A beast emerged, its jagged claws and massive chest towering ten meters high. It overshadowed the knight demon, a colossal creature radiating such intense heat that it seemed to steal the very air from one's lungs.

A creature of doom and destruction formed before the knight demon, but he stood firm, unflinching in the face of such terror. 

Channeling his abyssal flame, his horns glowed and unleashed a concentrated beam of darkness at the colossal giant. The beam struck the creature's heart, engulfing it in shadow, yet the knight demon pressed on. His swords blazed with dark flames forged in the abyss, and he poured all his energy into them. With a final strike, he hurled the dark flames into the engulfing shadows. The impact triggered an explosion so massive it consumed the entire room, reducing the 666th chamber to ruins. 

....................

The static hum of radio sounds echoed down the hallway.

The team that set out to investigate the earthquake received a message to return immediately.

"What... the situation is Code: Black. Let's head back quickly."

On their way back, they encountered the Welder from Unit 731, and together they retraced their steps to the Military base.

One of the team members who had gone to check the earthquake asked, "The drone team mentioned that the walls cracked in 731. Is that true?"

The welder team, still trembling with fear, muttered, "Yeah, no idea what kind of abomination was kept there, but that monster definitely needs to stay locked inside Site 0."

The investigating team sighed heavily. "Now that Site 0 has been breached, is anything even safe anymore?"

A voice called out from behind, "Nowhere."

The maintenance team turned around in horror and saw a man in a lieutenant's uniform glaring at them.

"Lieutenant Jaden!!!"

Jaden smiled. "Yes, I am still a lieutenant."

"Where are you guys headed?"

The maintenance team glanced at each other. "We're heading back to the maintenance bay. There's been a breach, and Code Black has been declared."

Jaden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I see, so that's where they are."

Someone from the maintenance team asked nervously, "What do you mean, sir? Didn't you get the alert?"

Jaden smiled, "No, the communication network is down. But I'm sure the Captain has already contacted Army command to request reinforcements."

Turning to the maintenance team, he said, "Let's move. Whatever creature wrecked the communication department might still be lurking around."

"Yes, sir."

The maintenance team turned, retracing their steps, while behind them, Jaden's smile twisted unnaturally.

.........................

Silia wandered through the hallway, the effects of the mental attack gradually fading.

"Ugh... What have I done? How could I do that?"

It was a bitter and painful realization. The captain had not only abandoned her duty but also the very people serving within the military complex. Because of her actions, the lives of everyone there were now in jeopardy.

Soon, drifting through the hallway, she noticed a group of people approaching. They wore uniforms smeared with grease and oil, and the air carried the strong scent of metal and machinery as they passed. It was the maintenance team, and behind them was a military officer bearing the rank of lieutenant. His disheveled black hair and piercing black eyes made him unmistakable—it was Jaden Prolev.

There was something strange about Jaden; Silia could feel it in her gut.

The maintenance unit froze at the sight of an unknown figure ahead.

"Who are you? Identify yourself," they demanded, slowly backing away and attempting to clear a path for Jaden.

Silia stepped out of the shadows, facing them.

"Captain Silia!" one of the members exclaimed upon seeing her.

"We deeply apologize, Captain."

Jaden said, "Captain, thank goodness we found you. What's going on?"

Silia didn't answer for a few seconds. "There has been a breach. Site 0 might be locked by Emily, but room 0 has been unlocked. The monster inside has been released. It's only a matter of time before he escapes from site 0."

Jaden, in his usual tone, asked, "Who or what is inside Room 0?" 

Silia remained silent, but before Jaden or any other member of the maintenance team could press further,

"Abyss-born, the only one of his kind that we know of. His name is Orion," she scoffed. "What an irony!"

She continued, 

"He's not like the others. He doesn't eat, doesn't sleep, doesn't respond to sedation, acid, or isolation. Containment Field Omega collapsed when he simply looked at it. Just a look. The entire facility had to change and adopt new rules when he arrived. A monster of the abyss—I happened to glance at him, and he was despair itself. He looked like a pale kid with white hair; no one would even suspect he's alive."

She struggled to recall more, but before she could respond, Jaden interrupted, "How did he escape?"

"It was Malo. He had more than one ability, and one of them was passive." She scoffed. "He can create an energy field around him." Her expression grew serious. "And nobody even reported that? No way the evaluation team would miss something like that." A dark look crossed her face. "Someone planned this, and they are very powerful."

Silia glanced down at Jaden's shoes.

"Well, that's my best guess."

Jaden's shoes were wet, which was strange since there was no way rain could reach inside the complex. His clothes were damp too, as if he'd been in a steam room.

Silia glanced up, her Aether swirling around her as she asked, "Where have you been all this time?"

Jaden gave a grin to his Captain. "Obviously, I was in the Buffer Zone."

Silia narrowed her eyes, the crimson dome already taking shape, "What were you doing in the Buffer zone?"

Suddenly, Jaden burst into maniacal laughter, his voice echoing down the corridor. The maintenance team, terrified, hurried toward Silia, but it was already too late.