Michele said firmly to Choy, "Come with me. We're going to find where that guy Maos is hiding. Maybe we can do something about him." Her voice was resolute, but a flicker of concern lingered in her eyes. "I don't know exactly where he'll be, but I'll find him. That man was the one who manipulated those controlled kids. Because of him, my uncle went into shock."
Choy looked at her hesitantly, but before he could respond, a deep, metallic voice echoed through the air: "You want to go after that person? I can help you."
Everyone quickly turned toward the source of the voice. Emerging from the shadows stood the imposing silhouette of Tron, a robot whose blinking lights emitted a faint hum. At first, the group recoiled in fear. "It's a robot!" some exclaimed, their voices tense.
"Calm down," Melisa interjected soothingly, raising her hands in a gesture of peace. "That robot is the one who cleared the way for us to get in here, don't you remember?" Her reassuring tone managed to ease the tension, and slowly, the others lowered their guard.
Michele stepped forward, facing the robot with a mix of curiosity and determination. "Can you really help me with this?" she asked, pointing toward the horizon where they suspected Maos might be hiding.
"Yes, certainly," replied Tron in a mechanical yet kind tone. "My name is Tron. And as for why I would do it…" He paused briefly, as if processing his own words. "Based on my algorithms, that individual is responsible for most of the problems here. He's the one keeping this place isolated and controlling the robots. So, logically, I can lead you to him."
"How awesome!" Philip exclaimed, thrilled at the prospect of solving the mystery.
"But… how come you didn't shut down when the wolf howled?" Creg asked skeptically, narrowing his eyes as he scrutinized the robot.
Tron tilted his metallic head slightly, as if reflecting. "Some of my functions were deactivated, but I'm also analog. The energy from that howl affects digital systems, like modern devices, but not me."
"Fascinating," Professor Kile murmured, captivated. "And who built you?"
The robot hesitated for a moment before responding: "My creator is the leader of Unit C, Agent C. I cannot disclose their name due to privacy protocols."
"Ah... I see," said the professor, trying to mask his disappointment. Though he admired Tron's design, he felt a pang of sadness at not being able to learn about the genius behind such a masterpiece.
Suddenly, Ian, who lay wounded on the ground, spoke weakly but with conviction: "Tron, your friends won't need your help."
"I disagree. They are strong and will overcome anything," Tron replied confidently, though his lights flickered momentarily, betraying a hint of doubt.
"Fine, then it's settled. You're coming with us," Michele declared decisively, tugging Choy by the shirt. He barely had time to protest before she dragged him forward.
"I think I'll join you as well," Kile added, adjusting his glasses with a thoughtful gesture. His tone was calm, but a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes betrayed his excitement at the prospect of uncovering something new.
Philip, without a second thought, hurried to join the group. It was clear he didn't want to be left behind. With a nervous smile, he murmured, "Of course I'm going. Besides, without Professor Kile, how am I supposed to get the credits I need for university? This is practically a golden opportunity."
His words drew a muffled chuckle from Michele, who glanced at him sideways as she walked ahead. "So that's it, huh? Don't worry, Philip. If we manage to sort all this out, you'll have enough stories to fill a book… and who knows, maybe even a few scholarships."
Kile, for his part, raised an eyebrow with mock seriousness. "Don't get too excited, kid. You still have to prove you can handle the pressure. This isn't going to be a walk in the park."
Philip swallowed hard, though his determination didn't waver. "I know, Professor. But I'd rather face whatever comes than stay here waiting."
"Alright, we'll stay," Melisa said, crossing her arms. "Ian can't move right now. Besides, someone has to look after him."
Tron approached Ian and, with surgical precision, began cauterizing his wound. Then, he retrieved a bottle of water and some capsules from a compartment in his chest. "Take these pills. They'll help you recover faster," he instructed, handing the supplies to Melisa.
Before leaving, Michele stopped in front of Melisa and gave her a sincere smile. "Good luck. We'll see you soon."
Melisa returned the smile, though her eyes reflected concern. "Of course. If not, who's going to get us out of here?"
There was a moment of shared laughter, a brief reprieve amid the tension. Then, the group led by Michele moved off into the distance, leaving Melisa and Ian behind. The two remained silent, watching as their figures disappeared into the horizon.
Meanwhile, Megumi and Akira pressed forward with determination toward their objective: finding the switch that would stop the murderous machines. These relentless devices had begun cornering all those humans who had consumed products from Radar, a brand that had infiltrated the market under the guise of another company. It was a diabolical backup plan in case the strategy involving the "controlled" failed.
"Poor people," Megumi murmured with a heavy sigh as she leaped onto a platform of earth she had just created. "First the controlled, and now these killer machines. Doesn't humanity ever get a moment's rest?"
Akira simply nodded his head up and down, silent as always. His silence was palpable, as if he carried an invisible weight on his shoulders.
"Hey, why don't you talk?" Megumi said, turning to him with a teasing smile. "When you wore that suit, you were quite the chatterbox, but now you don't even say 'A.' What's going on with you, kid?"
Akira averted his gaze, visibly uncomfortable. "Well… I'm introverted. Only when I hide my face can I be someone else."
"Wow, you've got some issues, kid," Megumi replied, feigning a dramatic tone as she crossed her arms. "Why don't you like showing your face? If you're nice, you don't need to hide."
The boy blushed deeply, lowering his eyes to the ground. "I don't like drawing attention to myself, that's all."
Megumi let out a soft chuckle at seeing him so flustered. "Alright, alright, don't make fun of me," Akira protested, though without much conviction in his voice.
"It's fine, it's fine," she responded, winking at him before pointing ahead. "But keep moving. Use the radar that fool Rafael gave you." At the mention of him, a fleeting memory crossed her mind: Rafael, moments before they parted, had told Megumi in his usual authoritative tone, "Take it yourself. I think you'll know how to use it better than my apprentice."
"Why don't you get along with Rafael?" Megumi asked, curious, as she adjusted her pace while creating the tunnel ahead.
"Well…" he began, hesitating as if searching for the right words. "Adrian asked him to be my teacher because he saw my potential. I wanted Adrian to teach me himself, but he's always busy. Rafael is always bossing me around, and I… well, I don't listen to him much. I sneak off to do my own thing, and he says I'm a spoiled, stubborn kid."
"Hmm…" Megumi reflected thoughtfully. "But the truth is, you'd rather have someone else teaching you, right?"
"Yes," Akira admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "Miss Galea, she's superb. She's patient, not like Rafael, who's so strict."
"You mean the second-in-command after Rafael?" Megumi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, she's the best," Akira said with enthusiasm, but he quickly stopped himself, realizing he was talking too much. He blushed even more and looked down.
"Wow, you get all nervous when you talk about her," Megumi teased, grinning mischievously.
"Megumi, I can call you that, right?"
"Of course," she replied with a warm smile. "We're teammates and friends, aren't we?"
Akira nodded quickly, but his blush deepened. Suddenly, he wobbled slightly and grabbed onto the edge of the earthen platform Megumi had created to steady himself.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned. "You look really red."
"Yeah, I'm fine," he stammered, though his legs trembled faintly. With effort, he pulled away from Megumi's waist and knelt on the ground, clinging to the earthen platform as if it were his only lifeline.
"Well, if you say so," Megumi said, though her tone suggested she wasn't entirely convinced. "Look, I don't think Rafael acts that way out of malice. Though you do act up around him… and even when he's not around, for that matter. You two are like squabbling siblings."
Akira frowned, clearly annoyed. "Fine, I'll try," he muttered finally. "But I hope he meets me halfway."
Megumi smiled broadly and ruffled his hair affectionately. "That's the spirit, my little orange buddy. Let's keep moving."
Akira slowly got to his feet, still a bit unsteady but regaining his composure. "Whatever…" he murmured, resigned, as they pressed onward, following the radar signal with renewed determination.
High above the battlefield, the air thrummed with electric tension. The roar of the wind mingled with the distant echo of explosions, while a metallic voice crackled through the earpiece Milo wore.
"Sir... are you there? Mr. Zeus," Maos called from the other end of the line.
"What do you want, Maos?" Milo responded in a sinister tone that slithered like a shadow over the conversation. His smile was cold, almost inhuman, as he raised both hands toward the sky. In an instant, his arms blazed with a dazzling golden glow, transforming into two massive columns of pure energy. Lightning coalesced, becoming extensions of his power. With a swift and precise motion, he hurled both bolts at the Galactic Wolf as if slicing through cake. The impact was devastating, splitting the beast in half with overwhelming force. The thunderous roar echoed like an apocalyptic storm, and the shattered body of the wolf hit the ground with a dull thud that shook the air.
"Now I really think he killed it," Billy murmured in a trembling voice, clinging to Elena and Maria for comfort. His knuckles were white from tension, and his eyes reflected both terror and deep compassion for the fallen creature. The echo of the impact still vibrated in the air, leaving behind a heavy, unsettling silence.
"Poor little wolf," Benjamin whispered, gazing from afar at the great fallen animal. Despite his apparent fragility, his voice carried a firm tone as he added, "Don't worry, stay behind me. I'll protect you if that thing comes near." Riota, always ready to assume a heroic role, stepped forward with determination, though his posture revealed more bravery than genuine confidence.
Gat let out a mocking laugh, crossing his arms. "You? Protect him? You wouldn't even be able to get close to that thing without being reduced to ashes."
"Bah!" Riota shot back with a snort, pointing at Gat disdainfully. "At least I lasted longer against Aragon than you did."
"That was because it caught me off guard!" Gat protested, throwing up his hands in indignation. His face flushed, and his exaggerated gestures made his frustration evident. The argument began to heat up the atmosphere, but before they could continue, a calm and authoritative voice interrupted the squabble.
"Calm down, don't fight," Aragon interjected, appearing suddenly beside them. His imposing presence made both Gat and Riota flinch, startled by his silent arrival. Aragon surveyed the scene attentively, his eyes fixed on the shattered body of the Galactic Wolf and then on Milo, who now radiated an intimidating aura.
"That thing looks incredibly strong," Aragon remarked seriously, his voice laced with concern. "It's the same size as the Galactic Wolf. Taking it down will be complicated."
Milo, who had been enjoying the spectacle from a distance, slowly turned toward them with a Machiavellian smile etched across his face. His eyes gleamed with a mix of arrogance and cruelty as he delivered words that resonated like an icy echo, cutting through the air with their chilling finality:
"Now it's your turn."