Chapter 13: The Gamble

Jax's lungs burned, each breath ragged as he tore through the endless maze of cells, his boots thudding against the cold metal floor. He could hear the hum of the plasma cannon charging behind him, the shrill whir growing louder as the drone prepared to fire again. Every corner he turned was an attempt to buy just a little more time, to get one more second ahead of his pursuers.

The drone hovered ahead of the Necrolythian, always closer to Jax, its red scanner locked onto his every move. The skeletal figure behind it moved with a frightening, deliberate speed, its long, metallic limbs clattering with each step. The Necrolythian was relentless—its hollow eyes glowing faintly as it pursued him through the prison. Jax could feel it closing in with every passing second, but it was the drone's plasma cannon that worried him most.

He had already dodged several blasts by the narrowest of margins, each shot leaving scorch marks on the walls and floor, but he knew this wouldn't last forever. The drone's aim was improving, and Jax's body was slowing under the strain of the chase.

As Jax rounded yet another corner, his boots skidding on the slick surface, he risked a glance over his shoulder. The drone was still there, hovering just a few meters behind, its red scanner flickering as it tracked his movements. Jax's mind raced. The drone's plasma cannon needed about two seconds to fully charge before firing, and the next shot was coming soon.

No more running, he thought. This is the time to act.

Instead of turning away, Jax made a split-second decision. He stopped abruptly, his heart pounding in his chest as his hand flew to his holster. He could feel the familiar grip of his laser pistol, though it was now nothing more than an empty husk without the battery he had given to Vissi. Still, it could serve one last purpose.

With a quick motion, Jax spun around and hurled the empty pistol at the drone. His aim was sharp, and the pistol flew through the air with precision. Time seemed to slow as the weapon collided with the drone's plasma cannon with a sharp, metallic clang. The impact knocked the cannon clean off the drone, sending the smoldering piece of metal clattering to the floor.

"Yes!" Jax hissed, a surge of triumph flooding his body. But the victory was short-lived.

Though the drone's plasma cannon was gone, it still hovered in front of him, its propulsion systems intact and its red scanner focused on him. The small machine buzzed, continuing to track him, but without the cannon, it was no longer a direct threat. Unfortunately Jax's relief was short-lived. The Necrolythian, seeing its drone disarmed, let out a low, guttural growl and surged forward, its long limbs clattering as it closed the distance.

"Shit," Jax muttered, cursing under his breath. The chase was far from over.

Without wasting a second, Jax turned and sprinted again, dodging between rows of cells, his legs burning with the effort of keeping up his pace. His lungs screamed for air, and every step felt heavier than the last. The Necrolythian's footsteps echoed louder behind him, gaining with terrifying speed. Jax didn't have to look back to know how close it was—he could feel the cold, mechanical presence bearing down on him.

He ducked around another corner, narrowly avoiding a swipe from the Necrolythian's outstretched arm. The skeletal creature was fast—faster than he had expected—and it was relentless. Every turn he made only seemed to drive it forward with more fury. The cold, metallic clank of its limbs echoed through the chamber, growing louder with each passing moment.

Jax's heart raced as he calculated his next move. The drone was now little more than an annoyance, but the Necrolythian was the real threat, its sheer size and strength overwhelming. He needed something—anything—to turn the tide.

As Jax turned another sharp corner, something caught his eye—a glint of metal on the floor. His pulse quickened when he realized what it was: the plasma cannon he had knocked off the drone. It lay just a few meters ahead, partially hidden in the shadow of a row of cells, still intact.

Without breaking stride, Jax dropped into a slide, skidding across the slick floor and scooping up the plasma cannon as he went. The cold metal felt heavy in his hands, but it was a weapon—his only hope of turning the fight in his favor.

This could work. This had to work.

But before he could even think about how to use it, the Necrolythian was on him.

The skeletal creature closed the distance in a matter of seconds, its long, clawed hand reaching out to grab Jax. He could feel the cold, mechanical fingers brushing against his jacket as he scrambled to his feet, the plasma cannon clutched tightly in his grip.

Jax's mind raced, but there wasn't enough time. The Necrolythian was too close—he had no space or time to think. The creature's cold, hollow eyes locked onto his as it prepared to strike.

With the plasma cannon in hand, Jax came to an abrupt halt, his heart hammering in his chest. His breath was ragged, his body trembling with exhaustion. He turned around abruptly and…raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. 

The Necrolythian, clearly caught off guard by the sudden shift in behavior, paused, staring at Jax as if trying to understand why he had stopped. 

The Necrolythian stepped forward, its skeletal form towering over Jax. Its cold, metal-plated fingers curled around his neck, squeezing with a crushing force that made him gasp for air. Jax's vision blurred as his lungs screamed for oxygen, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Choking me out?" Jax rasped, his voice barely audible. "Real original."

The Necrolythian's other hand reached for the plasma cannon still clutched in Jax's grip. With a yank, it tore the weapon from his hand, the metal sparking as pieces broke off during the struggle. The cannon was now little more than a useless hunk of metal in the creature's grip.

Jax felt the pressure on his neck increase as the Necrolythian dragged him back toward the cells, its grip tightening with every step. His feet barely touched the ground as he was hauled along, his body limp, his vision swimming from the lack of air.

But as the Necrolythian continued its slow march, Jax allowed himself the smallest of smiles.

Because the creature had no idea what he had planned next.