ZETA CORE ROOM — 09:18 AM
The ZETA system was now fully active, its lights pulsing like the heartbeat of a new machine. A booming voice echoed from above.
> "You think this is the end?"
Heavy footsteps clanged down the iron stairs. From the mist of machinery emerged Benito Mussolina, clad in next-gen armor with energy boosters on his back and twin plasma weapons fused to both arms.
He stared down Broxtler and Shyblance—both breathing heavily, battered, bleeding, nearly spent.
Benito gave a wicked smile.
> "Shadows acting like heroes. You resurrect a dead system and think that means life? It's just a death bell for your little illusion."
Shyblance stepped forward, wobbling but firm.
"We don't need to be heroes. We just want to destroy what made people believe they had no choice."
Benito raised one hand. His plasma energy flared.
> "Then let me leave you with one last truth: idealism dies when the ammo runs out."
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FINAL BATTLE BEGINS — 09:20 AM
Benito struck first. Broxtler blocked the energy blast with his magnetic gauntlet but was flung against the wall. Shyblance tried a side strike, but Benito grabbed her mid-motion and slammed her to the floor.
"You're finished," Benito growled. "Your ZETA is just a candle flickering in the storm of my power."
Broxtler rose, blood dripping from his temple. "You... can't own... a world that refuses to be tamed."
Benito leaped, aiming to finish them both.
> "Enough."
A calm but commanding voice cut through.
A pulse round exploded between them—brilliant light scattering Benito's focus.
From behind shattered steel doors stepped Vladimir Lenan, flanked by his soldiers. Not with heavy guns, but wearing only kevlar and carrying a simple command staff.
Benito burst out laughing.
> "Look who's here! The peace puppet steps onto the stage. Here to negotiate, Lenan? In a world I've already burned?"
Lenan looked him dead in the eyes, then turned to Broxtler and Shyblance.
"I'm here... to finish what I once left undone."
Shyblance stood still.
Broxtler narrowed his gaze. "What do you mean?"
Lenan spoke slowly.
> "I once believed peace came from compromise. I was wrong. Because truth doesn't stay silent. Today, I'm not here as a president. I'm here... as a man."
Benito charged toward them.
"Then I'll kill all your fake morality in one blast."
Broxtler glanced at Shyblance. "Now. You and me. One last mission."
Lenan nodded. "And I'll make sure the world sees it."
The battle erupted—not just between two sides, but three visions of the world: absolute power, nameless rebellion, and justice reborn.
In that room, the future wasn't just fought for.
It was carved.
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ZETA CORE ROOM — 09:23 AM
Three forces clashed in one space: Benito Mussolina wielding twin plasma cannons and impenetrable armor; Broxtler and Shyblance, bleeding but unyielding; and Vladimir Lenan, firm with his staff and unshaken resolve.
"You think words and good intentions can stop me, Lenan?" Benito roared.
Lenan stepped forward. "Not good intentions... but because it's time the world stopped negotiating with tyrants."
Benito fired at Lenan. Broxtler tackled from the side, redirecting the blast. It hit a support pillar.
The fight escalated.
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09:25 AM — TRIANGLE OF STRIKES
Shyblance attacked from the back, rage-fueled and fast. Her energy blade struck Benito's armor joints, sparking. Benito retaliated, punching her into the wall.
Broxtler lunged, his fists slamming Benito's helmet. But the armor held. Benito countered, smashing Broxtler into the ground.
Lenan seized an opening, swinging his electric staff at Benito's head. Sparks flew. Benito snarled, then punched Lenan down to his knees.
"Three-on-one... and you still can't beat me," Benito shouted.
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09:27 AM — BLOOD AND RESOLVE
Shyblance crawled toward Broxtler.
"We can't beat him with strength... only with direction."
Broxtler nodded. "His power source. Back plate. The reactor."
"We disable that, he falls."
Lenan heard. "I'll stall him. You do the rest."
Lenan rushed Benito, taking two hits, then jammed his staff into the chestplate. Sparks exploded. Benito screamed.
Shyblance ran right. Broxtler left. Broxtler leaped and stabbed his magnetic knife into Benito's back, over the reactor.
"Now!"
Shyblance fired a plasma shot directly at the embedded blade.
BOOM!!
Benito's armor cracked. He was hurled away, smoldering, bleeding—still breathing.
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09:30 AM — FALL OF A MONSTER
Benito rose slowly. His face bloodied, helmet half-destroyed.
"You... shadows... win today... but tomorrow, you'll be dust."
Lenan stepped forward. "Tomorrow may come. But today is ours."
He struck Benito once more.
Benito fell.
And this time... he didn't rise.
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AFTERMATH — 09:32 AM
Lenan's forces entered ZETA Core. Some helped lift Shyblance and Broxtler to their feet.
Lenan looked at them.
"I'm sorry... for letting you fight alone."
Broxtler said nothing.
Shyblance replied, "We don't need regret. We need courage that doesn't show up late."
Lenan nodded.
And that morning...
They didn't celebrate victory.
They honored the courage to never let truth be silenced again.
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