Chapter 60: A Mother's Embrace!

Chapter 60: A Mother's Embrace!

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Nyala, Nymff, Adrian, and Ecdy pushed deeper into the underground labyrinth of the SSG base, their mission far from complete.

The group reached the experimental lab. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, casting an eerie glow over the tables and strange equipment. The guards stationed here were more confident than most, unaware of Andrew Marshall's death.

Nyala didn't waste time. She spun her spear with precision and speed—human, but well-trained. The agents guarding the lab barely had time to react before Nyala dashed forward, her spear spinning in her hands like a blur, knocking one agent off his feet before he could even raise his gun.

Ecdy charged forward, slamming his shoulder into another agent, using pure brute force to send him crashing into the metal equipment.

"Not bad for a human, right?" Ecdy boasted, flexing his arm. Nymff rolled her eyes as she dodged another guard's attack, her movements quick and efficient. Without Luna's full blessing, they fought with the strength of elite warriors, but nothing beyond that.

Adrian watched from the side, his alien eyes scanning for more threats. "You guys doing okay over there? I could jump in, you know," he teased, leaning casually against a table.

"You can stay there looking pretty," Nyala shot back, smirking. She finished off the last guard with a swift jab of her spear.

With the lab cleared, they pushed past the next checkpoint, moving stealthily to avoid more confrontation. Nymff had a playful smile as she spun her spear in hand, "This is fun, I wish we could tour out that lab later, that place looks crazy sleek"

"Save the smiles for later, Nymff. We've got a cell block to clear," Nyala reminded her. Thanks to Tessa's help, the local's now know the human language better, much better.

The group advanced quickly, taking out checkpoint guards who had yet to hear the grim fate of Andrew Marshall.

Finally, they arrived at the prison section. By the time they reached the prison section, two guards stood ready.

The Two guards at the entrance sprang into action, but Nyala was quicker. Her spear twirled in her hands as if she had no dominant side, swinging with lethal precision.

She attacked with the practical grace of a seasoned warrior. The first guard lunged at her, but she sidestepped, delivering a sharp blow to his helmet, leaving him dazed and stumbling back, his vision clouded, while the second one dropped his weapon, trembling.

"Now...open the cell," Nyala commanded, her voice low and sharp like the edge of her spear.

The terrified guard fumbled with the keys, nearly dropping them in his haste. The click of the lock opening echoed through the cold, damp cell block.

Emerging from the dimly lit cells were Mr. Thompson, Mr. Joel, and Ms. Caldwell. Relief washed over their faces when they spotted Adrian.

"Adrian! Thank heavens!" Ms. Caldwell rushed over, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Where is Tessa?"

Adrian chuckled softly, bowing slightly. "I'll take you to her now." He motioned toward the rest of the group, introducing them one by one. "This is Nyala, Nymff, and Ecdy—the very best of the Rhemonic warriors, devoted to the moon goddess."

Ms. Caldwell blinked, trying to process the information. "The moon goddess? Rhemonic... what?" Her voice trailed off, too tired and too confused to ask further. She just wanted to see her daughter.

As they prepared to leave, a voice came from one of the cells at the far end.

"Hey! Hey! Don't leave us here!" It was Mr. Rudbick, his face pressed against the bars, with James Rudbick beside him, looking equally desperate. "Let us out, too!"

Ecdy glanced at them and then exchanged a quick look with Adrian, who shrugged.

Ecdy, with a mischievous grin, sauntered over to the cell door. He pretended to examine the lock but then, in a swift motion, kicked the door with a loud clang, ensuring the lock stays firm to keep them in.

"Trash stays in the trashbin," he said with a grin, dusting his hands off.

James groaned. "Come on! That was uncalled for. Not cool, man!!"

Nymff spoke with the shake of her head and a chuckle, "Adrian is a bad influence on you."

Nyala stifled a laugh, nudging Adrian. "Well, that's a great student you got there!"

Adrian gave a playful bow, smirking. "Ecdy does have a point."

The group marched out, leaving Mr. Rudbick and James behind, their protests fading as Nyala led the way toward Tessa.

The SSG base, once a fortress of power, was now crumbling from within.

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The group emerged from the dimly lit corridors of the prison, with Mr. Thompson still cradling Ms. Caldwell like a precious egg. His eyes darted suspiciously around, his arms rigid, as if expecting an ambush from the shadows at any moment.

"Mr. Thompson, you can relax now, I promise no SSG agent is going to jump out and grab her like she's a secret recipe for chicken soup," Ecdy chimed in with a cheeky grin.

Adrian burst into laughter, shaking his head. "Ecdy, easy there. They're my teachers, you know. You've got to show a little respect."

"Respect?!" Ecdy said with mock disbelief. "The man's holding her like she's made of glass! Next thing you know, he'll be wrapping her in bubble wrap!"

Ms. Caldwell tried to suppress a smile while Mr. Thompson shot Ecdy a playfully stern look, though his arms still hadn't moved.

The banter was cut short by the sound of soft footsteps. Tessa came into view at the far end of the corridor, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight streaming through a high window. Time seemed to slow, and the air between them thickened with emotion. Tessa's steps faltered, her heart hammering in her chest as her eyes locked onto Ms. Caldwell's.

For a moment, the entire world felt like it had hit pause. The laughter faded. The Rhemonic warriors, the SSG captives—everyone—held their breath. Even the rats scurrying through the vents seemed to stop and watch.

Tessa's lips quivered as her eyes welled with tears. She blinked them away quickly but couldn't hide the emotion overwhelming her. In a flash, she broke into a run. Ms. Caldwell, now released from Mr. Thompson's protective clutch, opened her arms wide just as Tessa crashed into her embrace.

"Mom!" Tessa sobbed, gripping Ms. Caldwell as if she was afraid she might vanish into thin air.

"I've missed you, Mom... I'll never let you go again," she whispered into her shoulder, her words trembling with raw emotion.

Ms. Caldwell stroked Tessa's hair gently, her own tears flowing now. "Oh, Tessa, my brave girl... I've been so worried."

Around them, the atmosphere softened. Even the Rhemonic warriors, hardened by battle, found themselves swallowing lumps in their throats. Ecdy rubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand, muttering, "It's just dust. Stupid dust." Adrian raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, simply placing a hand on Ecdy's shoulder.

Meanwhile, one of the captured SSG agents sniffled audibly. "This... this is beautiful," he choked out, drawing glances from his fellow captives, who were now also caught up in the emotional wave.

"Who knew soldiers could be such crybabies," Nymff muttered under her breath, but even she had a small tear escaping.

Tessa's grip tightened as if she needed to physically reassure herself that her mother was real, right there, and not a figment of her desperation. The rest of the group stood by, silent, allowing the moment to play out.

Ecdy, however, couldn't help himself. "Well, this is great and all, but if we keep this up, we might end up having to throw a wedding banquet, and I didn't exactly bring my dancing shoes."

Adrian shot him a look. "Ecdy... seriously?"

Ms. Caldwell, who had been holding Tessa tightly, finally smiled. She whispered, "Ecdy's right. We still have work to do, don't we?"

Tessa wiped her tears, a shy smile breaking through her emotional haze. "Yeah... we do."

They stood for a moment longer, locked in an embrace that had been long overdue. Then, with a shared breath of resolve, they turned back to the mission at hand.

"Alright," Mr. Thompson said, stepping forward and flexing his arms with a newfound sense of bravery. "Let's go home."

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