"Meloc, Meloc! Come back to us, you fool, snap out of this trance already!" shouted Tertrol, impatiently stomping the ground with his metallic boot. His voice echoed through the room like a metallic ripple, saturating the air with tension.
"Everything's fine, sir," Opal replied, trying to mask her nervousness as she fiddled with the controls of the machine Meloc had left behind in one of the ancient dungeon cells. Her fingers trembled slightly over the dials, but she didn't stop. Beside her, Milok stood silently, arms crossed, his face shadowed by uncertainty beneath his dark blue armor.
"I'm just a dungeon guard captain… What am I even doing here?" Milok thought, overwhelmed by the situation. He was a burly man, imposing in his Shadow Blue armor, designed to conceal any trace of identity except to the Supreme Leader or those authorized, like Tertrol. His mind swirled with doubt as he watched them struggle to bring the mad scientist back.
"So who can bring him out of it?" Tertrol exclaimed, visibly irritated. "I've already sent the Spelectrums after that damn Prince Paltio for the mess he caused, but they still haven't found him."
At that moment, the amulet hanging from his neck began to glow with a sinister light. Tertrol glared at it, barely containing his fury. "This means those useless fools have been defeated! That prince is too strong, or he has someone powerful on his side," he muttered through gritted teeth, clenching his fists in rage. Frustration crackled in every word, charging the air with electricity.
Tertrol turned sharply to those present, his voice slicing through the room like a blade. "Find someone who can free Meloc from this trance! And if you do, I'll reward you handsomely." He locked eyes with Milok. "Go, Milok, search the realm. Don't come back until you have a solution."
"Yes, sir!" Milok responded instantly, retreating quickly. He knew there was no time to waste, and no excuses would hold water with Tertrol.
For days, Milok scoured the realm in search of someone capable of helping Meloc. Finally, they found a young, novice scientist named Chiro. He was a humanoid hamster with a nervous demeanor, round glasses perched on his nose, and clothes worn thin from constant use. Despite his inexperience, he assured them he could cure Meloc.
Tertrol confronted him with a mix of threat and hope. "Listen carefully, boy. If you manage to bring Meloc back, you'll be rewarded and promoted. But if you fail…" He paused dramatically, letting his words hang in the air like an invisible guillotine. "... I'll end you immediately."
Chiro swallowed hard, feeling the crushing weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He had only five days to recover Meloc's mind. Five days to save his own life.
The process was grueling. Chiro worked day and night, surrounded by dusty books, scribbled notes, and humming machines. In one of Meloc's writings, he discovered a possible solution. Following the instructions almost to the letter, he activated the last available protocol. The machine's screen flickered before displaying a cryptic message. Then, something changed.
Meloc jolted awake, breathing heavily, his eyes wide and wild. He began repeating a name over and over: "Paltio… Paltio…" Each time he uttered that name, his voice grew sharper, more frantic. Finally, he shouted, "Where is that damn prince?"
Chiro, though exhausted, felt a flash of relief as he realized the process had worked. Quickly, he sent for Tertrol, who arrived with firm steps and a satisfied smile on his face.
"Well done, boy," said Tertrol, placing a heavy hand on Chiro's shoulder. "You'll now join Meloc's special team in the search for the secret weapon. Be proud—you'll be working with a true genius."
Meloc, now recovered, rose from the bed with slow but determined movements. He looked at Chiro with a calculating expression. "Welcome to the team, kid," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Chiro swallowed again, forcing a weak smile. "Thank you so much," he replied, though inside him, only one question echoed: What have I gotten myself into?
Meloc quickly changed into his full scientist attire, including a flawlessly pressed white lab coat. With an authoritative air, he guided his new assistant, Chiro, toward what appeared to be an abandoned barn. However, upon crossing the threshold, the place was empty except for a rusted lever in one corner.
With a theatrical gesture, Meloc pulled the lever. The ground trembled slightly as a platform descended, revealing a hidden entrance. Lights burst on suddenly, illuminated by torches lining the perimeter, their red, dancing flames casting restless shadows on the walls. In the center of the space, three enormous objects covered with white sheets stood out like slumbering giants.
"I've been working on these marvels," Meloc announced with overflowing pride, spreading his arms as if presenting a masterpiece. "Soon they'll be ready, and no one will be able to stop us. Realms will fall at our feet, and our lord Tertrol will rule without rival."
"You mean… Lord Tejod?" Chiro asked timidly, his voice barely audible.
"Foolish child!" Meloc retorted with disdain, approaching him with long, threatening strides. "In this place, Tejod holds no power. Soon we'll dispose of that useless badger who doesn't understand the bigger picture like Lord Tertrol does."
"I see…" Chiro murmured, though his hesitant words made it clear he still had doubts.
"But… how do you plan to get rid of Lord Tejod? With these things under those huge sheets?" Chiro asked, pointing at the mysterious shapes.
"Of course not, boy," Meloc replied, smirking with smug satisfaction as he pulled back the sheets to reveal what lay beneath. "These are vehicles—war tanks designed to take us to the next level. They're key tools for finding what we need."
Chiro's eyes widened in astonishment as he beheld the metallic beasts before him. The central tank was colossal, as large as a two-story building, while the other two were slightly smaller but equally intimidating. Their surfaces gleamed with a dark, metallic sheen, reflecting the torchlight like living creatures.
"And where is this source?" Chiro asked, trying to maintain his composure despite the growing pressure in his chest. "I apologize for asking so many questions, sir."
"Calm down, boy," Meloc said, surprisingly relaxed. "Ask whatever you want. After all, it was you who brought me back to this world. And because of that, my thirst for revenge against that little prince has returned stronger than ever."
"I see…" Chiro sighed, feeling the weight of the situation crush him. There was something in Meloc's gaze that made him deeply uneasy, as if he were caught in a spider's web from which there was no escape.
"Come on, boy, there's a lot you need to learn," Meloc continued, heading toward the central tank. "Let's get into these machines and set out to find that source. It'll be the end of the old era and the beginning of a new one."
At that moment, a soldier ran up to Meloc. "Sir, we've already located the site of the plant called Treelion."
"And what are you waiting for? An invitation?" Meloc responded with an evil grin, his teeth glinting under the reddish light. "It's time to move out."
Both scientists climbed into the central tank, accompanied by a group of heavily armed soldiers. The engines roared like awakening beasts, and the massive machines slowly advanced toward a giant door that opened with a metallic screech. They emerged into the open, heading straight for the location of the Treelion.
As the vehicle moved forward, Chiro sank deep into his thoughts. "I can't believe I'm leaving this place where I've been trapped for years," he murmured to himself. "But I never imagined I'd end up joining these madmen who want to overthrow the current regime of the Red Shadows—Tejod—and make Tertrol the supreme leader of all shadows. What's going to happen to me? I should have stayed home, like everyone else. My father was right when he warned me about joining a faction of the Shadows. I should have stayed in the capital, in my hometown of Tehtra. These Blue Shadows are the worst. What am I going to do? What will become of my life?"
His mind was a whirlwind of doubts and fears, but he knew there was no turning back now.