Saving the Nexus

Into the shadows

The air was cold and damp as Sonia, Mariel, and Jermaih stood at the edge of the training chamber's hidden passage. The entrance was disguised as part of the stone wall, barely noticeable unless you knew where to look. Jermaih ran his fingers along the edges, searching for the latch.

"It should be here," he muttered.

Mariel was pacing, her body tense with barely restrained energy. "We're wasting time. Venus could be—"

"She's alive," Sonia interrupted firmly, her voice steady. "We'll find her, Mariel."

Jermaih found the latch and pulled. The hidden door groaned open, revealing a dark, narrow tunnel that sloped downward. The air inside was thick with the smell of mildew and something faintly metallic.

"Stay close," Jermaih said, stepping inside.

Sonia followed, the water within her stirring uneasily. She could feel the oppressive weight of the tunnels, like they were closing in around her. Behind her, Mariel's presence burned like a bright, anxious flame.

The tunnels were a maze, twisting and turning in ways that made Sonia's head spin. Jermaih led the way, his sharp senses guiding them through the darkness. Sonia kept her hand near the walls, letting her power stretch out into the damp stone, searching for any sign of water—or life.

"Do you feel anything?" Mariel whispered, her voice tight with urgency.

Sonia hesitated, then nodded. "There's water nearby. It's faint, but it's moving."

"That could mean an exit," Jermaih said. "Or a trap."

Mariel's jaw tightened. "We're not turning back."

They pressed on, the silence broken only by their footsteps and the distant drip of water. Sonia's unease grew with every step. The tunnels seemed alive, the shadows shifting in ways that made her skin crawl.

Then, they heard it—a faint, muffled sound. A voice.

Mariel froze, her eyes wide. "That's her."

Jermaih held up a hand, motioning for them to stay quiet. He crept forward, his movements silent, until they reached a fork in the tunnel. The sound was coming from the left.

"Careful," Jermaih whispered. "We don't know what's waiting for us."

Mariel ignored him, breaking into a run.

"Mariel, wait!" Sonia hissed, but it was too late.

They followed her, the muffled voice growing louder. Sonia's heart pounded as they rounded the corner and entered a small chamber.

Venus was there, bound to a chair in the center of the room. Her eyes widened as she saw them, but she shook her head urgently, her voice muffled by a gag.

"Venus!" Mariel cried, rushing toward her.

"Stop!" Jermaih shouted, but it was too late.

The floor beneath Mariel erupted in flames, forcing her back. Phionex stepped out of the shadows, fire swirling around her hands.

"Bold of you to come here," Phionex said, her voice calm but laced with menace. "But I expected no less."

Sonia stepped forward, her hands glowing with the shimmer of water. "Let her go, Phionex. This isn't about her."

Phionex tilted her head, smirking. "Oh, but it is. Venus was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She saw something she shouldn't have. Isn't that right, Venus?"

Venus glared at her, her dragon-like eyes blazing with fury.

Jermaih moved to block Mariel, who was trying to push past him. "Don't," he warned. "She wants you to attack."

Phionex's smile widened. "Smart boy. But it won't save you."

She thrust her hands forward, and a wave of fire roared toward them. Sonia reacted instantly, pulling water from the air to form a barrier. The fire hissed and evaporated on contact, filling the chamber with steam.

Through the haze, Sonia saw another figure step into the room. Neptune.

"This ends now," Neptune said, her voice cold and commanding.

Sonia's stomach twisted. The two of them together were more than she, Jermaih, and Mariel could handle.

"You don't have to do this," Sonia said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Whatever you're planning, it's not worth this."

Neptune's gaze locked on her, icy and unyielding. "You don't understand, Sonia. This isn't about power—it's about survival. The Nexus fears us because they know what we're capable of. They'll destroy us unless we strike first."

"By hurting innocent people?" Sonia countered.

"Innocence is a luxury we can't afford," Neptune said.

Phionex raised her hand, flames sparking at her fingertips. "Enough talking."

The room exploded into chaos. Fire and water clashed, steam filling the air as Sonia and Phionex fought. Jermaih darted toward Venus, using his enhanced speed to avoid Neptune's attacks. Mariel stayed close to Sonia, her energy radiating with fury.

Sonia felt the power inside her surge as she fought Phionex, the water bending to her will with an intensity she hadn't felt before. But Phionex was relentless, her flames burning hotter with every strike.

"Is this all you've got?" Phionex taunted, her voice ringing through the steam.

Sonia didn't answer. She focused her energy, pulling water from the very walls of the tunnel, until it formed a massive wave. She sent it crashing toward Phionex, extinguishing her flames and knocking her to the ground.

At the same time, Jermaih freed Venus, who immediately tore off her gag and lunged toward Neptune.

"Get out of here!" Venus shouted to Mariel, her voice raw.

But Neptune was faster. With a flick of her wrist, she sent a wave of icy energy toward Venus, freezing her in place.

"No!" Mariel screamed, her voice breaking.

Phionex staggered to her feet, flames reigniting around her. "This isn't over," she hissed, her eyes blazing with fury.

Neptune grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the exit. "We're done here."

Before anyone could stop them, the two disappeared into the shadows, leaving the chamber in silence.

Venus was alive but weak, her body trembling as Mariel held her close. Sonia stood back, her chest heaving, the weight of what had just happened settling over her.

"They're planning something big," Jermaih said, his voice grim. "And they're not going to stop until they get what they want."

Sonia nodded, her jaw tight. "Then we'll have to stop them first."

But even as she spoke, she couldn't shake the fear gnawing at the edges of her mind. Neptune and Phionex were dangerous on their own. Together, they were unstoppable.

And Sonia wasn't sure if she was strong enough to face them.