Ancient Warriors: Heroes of Light (Repost)

Chapter 4: Backstabber

While Cass and Chris engage in a heartfelt conversation, Ryan, Jyan, and Kay eavesdrop from the hallway, their concern palpable. Ryan voices his unease, a trace of suspicion coloring his words. "I can't shake this feeling, guys. Taking down Chris seemed almost too easy." Jyan attempts to allay Ryan's growing paranoia, urging him to give their reunion a chance. "Dude, ease up. Let them have their moment. We need to trust Cass's judgment," he insists before their attention is abruptly diverted by the blaring sound of the alarms. An urgent message flashes across the screen, indicating a menacing Monster attacking the eastern part of Alyan. Without hesitation, Kay, Cass, and Jyan rush towards the garage, mounting their vehicles, ready to confront the threat head-on. Meanwhile, Ryan, his mind clouded with suspicion, retreats to his secluded lab, locking himself inside, contemplating the unsettling turn of events. 

As the doors shut in his face, Chris takes a deep breath and focuses his energy. His eyes glow with an eerie purple light as he places his hand on the door, using his newfound powers to pass through it effortlessly. His heart pounding, he follows Ryan down the hidden passageway, his gaze fixed on a mysterious prototype suit encased in a tube. Before he can comprehend the situation, tension fills the air as Ryan confronts him with a mix of surprise and aggression. "What are you doing in here?" Ryan demands, his voice laced with suspicion.

Chris remains silent, his eyes still aglow with the unsettling purple aura. Without warning, he launches an attack on Ryan, his movements swift and precise. Ryan manages to catch one of Chris's punches and counters by hurling him to the ground. But as Ryan regains his composure, a menacing presence emerges—the Wolf Warrior Armor materializes behind Ryan, grabbing him and hurtling him into a nearby wall.

Determined to defend himself and confront the dual threat, Ryan rises to his feet, ready to face both Chris and the Wolf Warrior Armor head-on. However, before he can make a move, shadowy vines slither across the room, entwining around Ryan and pinning him to the wall. A portal materializes, and out steps the Shadow Queen herself, her presence casting an ominous shadow over the room.

"Well, well, well. Excellent work, my dear. You've captured your prey. Now, finish him off," the Queen says with a sinister tone. Chris, under her influence, approaches Ryan with lethal intent. Sensing the urgency, Ryan musters his remaining strength and shouts, "Activate Mark 0!" The glass tube housing the suit shatters, and the newly unleashed Mark 0 suit leaps into action, engaging Chris in a fierce battle.

Seizing the momentary distraction, Ryan manages to break free from the grip of the shadowy vines. The Shadow Queen retreats through the portal, leaving the two adversaries to their showdown. Ryan swiftly dons the Mark 0 suit, empowering himself for the fight. He clashes with Chris, who remains encased in the formidable Wolf Warrior Armor. Their conflict spills out from the stairwell into the living room, an intense exchange of punches and kicks that reverberates through the base.

Meanwhile, the rest of the team returns from their battle with the Monster, their faces marked with exhaustion. Cass, catching a glimpse of her brother adorned in the infamous Wolf Warrior armor, stands frozen in disbelief. Seizing the opportunity, Chris teleports behind her, seizing her before she can react, and vanishes into the depths of the Shadow Realm. Ryan, desperate to save his friend, tries to pursue them, but it is too late—the portal closes, leaving him with a sense of deep loss and determination to rescue Cass from the clutches of the Shadow Queen.

"See! I fucking told you! He wanted to be defeated so he could infiltrate our base," Ryan exclaims, frustration evident in his voice as he points towards the spot where the portal once stood. Jyan steps forward, trying to diffuse the tension. "Dude, calm down! We'll figure out a way to rescue Cass," he reassures Ryan, his voice firm and resolute. Kay interjects, curiosity piqued, "By the way, where the hell did you get that suit?" Ryan leads them to his hidden room within the lab, revealing his secret stash.

In the depths of the Shadow Realm, Cass finds herself chained in a cold, dank cell. Chris and the Shadow Queen approach, a wicked smile adorning the Queen's face. In her hand, she holds a collar. "Now, my dear Cass, you will serve me," the Queen says, her voice dripping with malice. Cass is compelled to meet her gaze, her eyes gradually taking on a haunting shade of purple. The Queen fastens the collar around Cass's neck, announcing her new identity. "You are now my Shadow Huntress, bound to return to your home and eliminate your friends." Cass, her voice devoid of emotion, obediently replies, "Yes, my Queen." With that, she steps through the portal, preparing to carry out her dark orders on Terra.