(Void Prison Arc)
After a few hours, when Aiden regained consciousness—
"(Eyes open) W-Where am I—A-A... (shocked) prison?"
Aiden was in the Void Prison—created by Void to trap his energy-based enemies.
Aiden was on Level 0. The Void Prison had 5 main levels: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and a guard level on top. It was located in the Universe Evnoid.
Aiden got up and looked outside his cell. He saw many injured and depressed prisoners trapped in theirs.
He noticed his hands were handcuffed, and the cuffs were absorbing his energy.
"UV, what's the damage?" Aiden asked.
"Low. Before this, I activated the backup energy, which powered your suit and healed your body. But now, that backup is depleted, and the poison is affecting you too."
"Poison...? What poison?"
"It was Flin. He injected this prison with a toxin that limits your ability to regain power to a certain extent—and I can't communicate with anyone outside either."
(Aiden suddenly realized)"Fiona's not here… (Worried) Where is Fiona!?" he asked.
"In her home planet. She's been captured," UV replied.
(Tensed) "This is going to be difficult... but I have to do it. I promised to save her—and I will."
Aiden broke the handcuffs and tried to purge the poison. As he did, dizziness overtook him, and he collapsed to the ground.
"Boy... these cells are made of Eirite. It's known for its energy-absorbing properties. We've all tried to escape—but we failed," said a man from the cell opposite Aiden's.
Aiden stood up and said,"But I have to go. I will go. First, I'll save Fiona, and then..." (angrily) "that Void—he won't exist anymore…"
"Fio—Fiona?! Hey—are you talking about the princess?"A man about the same age as Flin, in the next cell to Aiden's right, asked with a panicked voice.
"But how do you know her?" Aiden asked.
"Why wouldn't I? (sadly) I was one of the generals in her army... How is she? Is she alright?"
"I don't know. She was with me—I fought, I won, and I let my guard down. That coward took advantage, captured her, and threw me in here. But I will save her—no matter what." (he said passionately)
"Even if you escape, you can't defeat Void. You're just a child," said the man in the cell opposite Aiden.
"Yes, it's impossible!" echoed a wave of voices from other cells.
"Shut up! You all stay here and accept this life—But I'm Aiden! I will not live like this!"
Aiden tried to summon his sword, but he couldn't.He was shocked.
"W-Where's Ren?!"
"Aiden, calm down. You need to do something about the poison first. I blocked your sword—it would worsen the poison. Handle that first," said UV.
Aiden was struggling. He sat down with his back against the wall.
"Boy! What happened? Are you okay?" asked the man in the opposite cell.
"Poison… Some kind of poison is draining my energy…"
"Poison? It might be Eirite—it can be forged into weapons. If you're cut with such a blade, the poison will affect you. It's serious. I know someone on Level 2 who can treat it. But for now, you need to remove some of the poisoned blood to slow it down."
"UV, you heard him. Summon the sword—I won't hold back."
"Okay then…" UV said.
Aiden summoned Ren.He first used it like a knife to cut and remove the poisoned blood.Then, he used the sword to break the prison cell.
Aiden escaped the poisoned cell.
"It's strange... there's no security here," he thought.
"Aiden, release me! I will go too—the princess is still my responsibility. I'll go with you," said Lyris.
"I'm releasing all of you—You can all decide what you want to do."
Aiden released everyone on Level 0.There were 20 people.
Five of them volunteered to fight alongside Aiden.The rest—commoners—would follow and escape when they had the chance.
The five chosen warriors were:Kedric, Vyxen, Aeryn, Lyris, and Voranth.
"So, Aiden, what's the plan?" asked Lyris.
"First, I'll go to Level 2 and get cured. Then, I'll go rescue Fiona."
"Okay," said Lyris.
"Boy... if we go straight, we'll encounter the Level 0 Guard. As we move higher, the difficulty will only increase… Are you sure about this?" asked Kedric.
"Yes. I'm sure," said Aiden.
"Everyone listen up," Aiden commanded,"Aeryn, Kedric, and Voranth—you'll stay in the rear.Vyxen and Lyris—you're in the center.I'll take the front."
The others would follow, and when they found an opening—they'd flee.
Together, they followed Aiden, rising toward the battle that lay ahead.