Chapter 31: Pressure

Once the battle started, Wendy and Purgus find the Demon's Speed and power to be too much for them to handle. Maylithe reveled in toying with Purgus and Wendy, her every move calculated to inflict maximum pain and despair. She danced effortlessly around them, her attacks precise and devastating. Each blow that she landed with a force that sent them staggering, their bodies already very weakened by the absence of their Neos energy.

"You see, mortals..,I am the Demon of Malice, and in my presence, hope dwindles and despair flourishes. Your futile attempts to resist me only bring you closer to your ultimate defeat."

Wendy gritted her teeth, her body aching from Maylithe's attacks. Despite the odds stacked against her, she refused to surrender. "We may be without our Neos energy, but we won't give up," she declared, summoning the last remnants of her strength. "We will find a way to overcome you, Maylithe!"

Maylithe's laughter echoed through the battlefield, a chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines. "Oh, how amusing. Your resilience is commendable, but it means nothing in the face of my power. I am darkness incarnate, and no amount of effort can save you from your inevitable demise."

In the midst of the battle, as Maylithe's laughter echoed in their ears, Purgus found himself lost in a vivid flashback, his mind recalling a conversation he had with his cellmates yesterday. He remembered speaking passionately trying to hold on to a glimmer of hope.

"I've been thinking,. There must be more to these bracelets and our power suppression than meets the eye. I've heard rumors about the towers surrounding this prison, each housing a neos energy stone that empowers them and could possibly be draining our own energy. If we can find a way to destroy the towers, we may have a chance at breaking free."

His cellmates exchanged cautious glances, unsure of the risks involved. But Purgus continued.

"Not gonna lie, this is a dangerous plan. But we've spent far too long trapped within these walls, stripped of our freedom. Some of us didn't even do anything wrong. We need to take a stand, to fight for our right to live on our own terms."

Jim, the monster who had taken a humanoid form, stepped forward, coming to visit Purgus once again after having fulfilled his duties. His gaze piercing yet filled with a profound understanding. He had observed Wendy and Purgus closely, recognizing the injustice that had befallen them.

"You're right, Purgus," Jim said. Everyone looked back to see that he had already entered the Cell "The world can be a cruel place, and the powerful will do whatever it takes to maintain their control. But there is strength in unity, in standing up against oppression. Wendy's presence in this prison is a testament to the injustice that plagues our society. Even so, I can't directly involve myself in this. I prefer not to cast any more problems that would have the potential to bring an uprising to my kind waging war against the Neospacians."

Purgus nodded, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes as he turns back to his Celllmates. "So, will you join me? Will you risk everything for the chance at freedom?"

The cellmates exchanged glances before turning back to Purgus. "We're with you, Brother man," one of them spoke, echoing the sentiments of the group. "We may not have the power of Neos, but if we work together and outsmart those Celeston bastards, I think we can pull this off. Let's give it a shot."

As Purgus snapped back to the present, he found renewed strength within himself. He locked eyes with Wendy, a flicker of determination passing between them.

"(We just have to hold out against them long enough)"

Purgus takes to the front, throwing wild blows towards Maylithe, each one missing the mark. Maylithe counter attacks with a Vicious onslaught of blows. It was during this time that In the midst of the intense battle, as Purgus fought against Maylithe's relentless onslaught, another flashback invaded his thoughts. This time, it was of Dr. Kozaky, who had taken a risk to meet him again after receiving his urgent message.

Purgus recalled the moment he saw Dr. Kozaky approaching his cell, worry etched on her face. She had worked tirelessly throughout the night, creating the keys that could potentially unlock their freedom. Purgus couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude and admiration for her.

As he delved into the memory, Purgus remembered the moment Dr. Kozaky arrived, her exhaustion evident. She stood before him guarded with a hopeful glimmer in her eyes.

"Dr. Kozaky," Purgus greeted, unable to hide the gratitude in his voice. "I-I didn't expect you to come tonight! Thank you for risking so much for us."

Dr. Kozaky huffed, attempting to maintain her composure despite the weariness that lingered beneath her eyes. She crossed her arms, feigning indifference as she responded.

"Don't get the wrong idea," she muttered, "I only came because I couldn't stand the thought of you idiots ruining my grand plan to get us out of here. Besides, it's my scientific duty to ensure that my experiments don't go down the drain."

Purgus couldn't help but smile at her. He knew her actions spoke louder than her words. She had risked her own safety to provide them with the means to escape.

"I appreciate your help, Dr. Kozaky," Purgus said sincerely. "You've shown us that you're not just a brilliant scientist, but also a caring person."

Dr. Kozaky's cheeks flushed slightly, and she averted her gaze, "Well, don't get too used to it," she mumbled with embarrassment, "I'm just doing what needs to be done."

After the flashback dissipated, Purgus glanced towards Dr. Kozaky, who stood on the sidelines, watching the battle unfold with worry. He knew he could count on her, not just for her intellect and resourcefulness, but for her unwavering support.

Meanwhile, Purgus's cellmates found themselves in the company of the girls who had encountered Wendy in the showers, surprise and curiosity filled the air. It had been a while since they had interacted with women, and their attention momentarily wavered at the sight before them.

The women unlike them quickly broke the silence. they spoke with a sense of urgency.

"Are you trying to escape too?" they asked, their eyes searching for any signs of shared motivation.

Purgus's cellmates exchanged glances, a flicker of excitement and hope appearing in their eyes. They had grown tired of their confinement, longing for freedom and a chance to reclaim their lives.

One of the cellmates, the Tall man with a rugged appearance, cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, we are, We've had enough of being locked up like animals for years when we didn't do anything serious! We want to fight for our freedom."

The women smiled, a shared understanding forming between them. They, too, had experienced the oppressive walls of the prison, longing for a taste of liberty.

"Then let's work together," one of the women declared, "If we combine our strengths and support one another, we stand a better chance of escaping this place."

The cellmates, their initial distraction fading, focused their attention on the women, recognizing the resolve within them. They knew that together, they could overcome the obstacles that stood in their way.

Purgus's cellmates shared their stories with the women, the realization dawned upon them that their motivations aligned with Wendy's message. They listened intently transitioning from curiosity to understanding.

"It's incredible," one of the women remarked, "Wendy told us the same thing. She spoke of fighting for freedom and exposing the corruption within the Celeston Family. We were hesitant at first, unsure if we could trust her, but seeing that look in your eyes, hearing your stories... it gives us hope."

The cellmates nodded, a sense of hope building between them and the women. They recognized the power in their shared goals and the strength that came from unity.

The group approached the first of five towering structures, its ominous presence casting a shadow over them. They knew that their every move had to be calculated. The tower was equipped with sensors designed to detect any unauthorized presence. One wrong step could jeopardize their entire plan.

One of Purgus's cellmates, Jake, a tall guy stepped forward, his mind racing with ideas. "I have an idea," he whispered to the others. "We can use Dr. Kozaky's titanium keys to create a diversion. If we can trick the system into detecting us, it might buy us enough time to unlock the tower without setting off any alarms, but that means one of us is going to have to get zapped and distract the guards with one of these keys..."

The women listened gaining confidence upon hearing their words.

"I'll do it," One of the Women with an orange Afro named Lisa declared with excitement in her speech. "I'll be the distraction! I'll take the zap from the tower and divert the guards' attention! While they're focused on me, you guys can make your move."

Her companions exchanged glances, concern etched on their faces. They knew the risk involved, but Lisa's bravery was undeniable. They nodded, silently acknowledging her sacrifice and the importance of her role in their escape.

With the titanium key held high, Lisa approached the tower, her heart pounding in her chest. The tower's sensors detected the presence of the key, and in an instant, the alarms blared to life, piercing the air with their ear-splitting sound.

Electricity crackled through the tower's energy field, ready to unleash a powerful zap upon contact. Lisa steeled herself. She knew the pain would be intense, but she was willing to endure it for the sake of their freedom.

The guards scrambled to respond to the triggered alarm, their attention fixated on Lisa. She stood firm. The electricity surged, coursing through her body, causing her muscles to convulse. The pain was excruciating, threatening to overwhelm her, but she refused to back down.

Her sacrifice had achieved its intended effect. The guards, focused on neutralizing the perceived threat Lisa posed, were momentarily distracted from the others. It was the opportunity they needed to advance towards the tower and fulfill their mission.

Through gritted teeth, Lisa endured the pain, holding her ground until the guards were fully engaged with her. She knew that her selfless act would buy her companions the time they needed to enter the tower and disable its security measures.

As her vision blurred and her body trembled under the onslaught of electricity, Lisa never wavered. She had made a promise to herself and to her fellow prisoners, and she intended to see it through.

With each passing second, the guards became more consumed with dealing with Lisa, their attention diverted from the real threat. It was a small victory, but one that could make all the difference in their fight for freedom.

As her strength diminished and her body threatened to collapse, Lisa held on. She had done her part, and now it was up to her comrades to seize the opportunity and forge ahead.

With one final surge of energy, Lisa's body jolted, and then the current dissipated. She stood there, battered and bruised, but a triumphant smile crossed her lips. She had succeeded in her mission.

The Guards suddently notice the Key in Lisa's Hand:

"Hold on a minute! That key... She's got the titanium key! She must have stolen it!"

"You're right! That's the key we've been searching for. Don't let her escape!"

"Damn it! How did she get her hands on it? We can't let her get away with this! "

Lisa maintained her composure despite the pain coursing through her body. She managed to stand her ground even while guards surrounded her. They all had accusatory glares fixed upon her.

"Stolen? No, you've got it all wrong! This key... it was given to me by a Celeston! Just ask them!"

"Save your lies for someone who cares, little bitch! We know the truth. That key belongs to the Celestial Prison, and you're trying to use it to your advantage."

"Hand it over now, and maybe we'll consider showing you just a little bit of mercy."

Lisa, knowing that revealing the true origin of the key would only further complicate matters, decided to play along, hoping to divert their attention from her comrades

The guards focused their attention on retrieving the key. This allowed the other prisoners to take advantage of the distraction, slipping away unnoticed towards the tower. Lisa's sacrifice had bought them precious time, and they intended to make the most of it. They began to use one of the Titanium Keys crafted by Dr.Kozaky in order to open the door to the Tower and managed to find one that fits the door. The Titanium Keys worked out for them allowing them to enter and press foward.

The group pressed forward inside the tower. Things seemed to be going well for them until their progress came to an abrupt halt. They bumped into Yenza Celeston! Yenza Celestion stood before them in his elaborate battle dress. The cellmates and women exchanged surprised glances being unable to hide their astonishment at Yenza's appearance.

Yenza clenched his fists tightly while struggling to contain the anger that simmered within him. He couldn't let his emotions overpower him this time. His mother's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the consequences of failure this time. He had to complete his mission, no matter the cost:

"So, you've come.. just like Mother said you would. I may have failed my mission in the past, mother, but this time, things will be different. I won't let my emotions cloud my judgment!"

" This is SO not what I was expecting.."