The first light of Venosa's crimson sun bathed the ruins in a fiery glow as Franko and the others emerged from the tunnel. Before them stood the Red Spire — a towering monolith of rusted iron and glowing red panels, stabbing into the clouds like the claw of some ancient beast. The fortress had once been a central hub of communication and defense during the Old Tech War, but now it served a darker purpose. It was where Zacrota's grip on Venosa pulsed strongest.
Franko tightened the strap of his armor and adjusted the sheath of his blade. The closer they got, the heavier the air felt — like something old and angry was watching.
Irena (surveying):
"Looks like they've doubled security since Lucino escaped. That front gate's a meat grinder."
Marco:
"There's a side route through the drainage tunnels. It's narrow, but it gets us inside — assuming it hasn't collapsed in the last ten years."
Caros (grinning):
"If it has, I'm blaming Marco for my claustrophobia."
Lucino:
"Save the jokes. Once we're in, everything changes."
They moved under cover of debris and burnt-out vehicles, staying low and out of sight. Franko took the lead, scanning for motion with the help of an old, half-functioning drone that hovered over his shoulder. It flickered and buzzed, struggling to keep a signal.
The entrance to the drainage system was half-buried under concrete and metal slabs. Irena and Savio worked together to clear it quietly. The tunnel was dark, damp, and smelled of old oil and decay.
Savio (grumbling):
"Wonderful. Mold, rats, and death. My three favorite things."
Franko (smirking):
"At least it's not battery acid tea."
They descended into the dark, their footsteps echoing through the iron tunnels like ghosts of the past. It was a long and silent walk, broken only by distant mechanical whirring.
Then — a click.
Lucino (alarmed):
"Tripwire!"
But it was too late.
A sudden explosion shook the tunnel behind them, sealing their exit with a cascade of rubble. Dust filled the air, making them cough.
Caros:
"Well, looks like we're committed now."
Marco (serious):
"Everyone stay sharp. This path leads to the old generator wing. From there, we split — I'll take Lucino to the crown vault. The rest of you cover our path."
Franko:
"No. I'm going with you."
Marco (pausing):
"Are you sure?"
Franko:
"I need to see it. I need to know what we're fighting for."
Marco nodded.
Marco:
"Then let's finish this."
---
Inside the Red Spire
The group breached the lower levels of the Spire. It was a maze of red-lit corridors, echoing with the faint hum of ancient machinery. Security bots hovered overhead, their glowing eyes scanning for intruders.
Irena led a distraction team, planting charges and creating false movement on the west wing, while Caros and Savio disabled systems in the east.
Franko, Marco, and Lucino headed deeper underground.
They passed dozens of old experiments — twisted combinations of machine and man, floating in glass chambers, long forgotten. Franko stared, disturbed.
Franko:
"What… what is this?"
Lucino (grimly):
"Zacrota's real face. They weren't always just about control. They wanted to rewrite life itself."
Marco stopped at a sealed door. He placed his hand against the scanner. Surprisingly, it opened.
Marco:
"They never changed the codes. Arrogance."
Beyond the door was a narrow staircase, spiraling downward into a chamber that glowed with golden circuitry. At the center was a pedestal — and on it sat the Black Crown.
It looked ancient, yet impossibly advanced. A black metal ring, etched with symbols that shifted as they stared. Tiny circuits pulsed across its surface like veins.
Franko (in awe):
"This is it…"
Lucino:
"The Crown isn't just symbolic. It's an interface. Whoever wears it can control the dormant army hidden beneath Venosa. The original robots — the ones from the Pre-Sky War."
Franko:
"You mean… Napol is after this because—"
Marco:
"He wants to command what Zacrota buried. With the Crown, he could erase all of Venosa in hours."
Franko stepped forward, hand trembling. The Crown pulsed in response — like it recognized him.
He reached out… but suddenly—
Voice (cold):
"Step away from it."
The team turned, eyes wide.
Savio stood at the entrance, gun drawn. His eyes were not his own — cold, robotic, unnatural.
Franko (shocked):
"Savio?!"
Lucino (angrily):
"No… that's not Savio anymore."
Savio (in monotone):
"Unit #45 has been integrated. Host serves the will of Zacrota."
A moment of silence.
Then chaos.
Savio opened fire. Marco tackled Franko to the ground as bullets ricocheted off the walls. Lucino dove for cover behind the pedestal. Marco drew his sword and engaged Savio, metal against metal.
Franko (shouting):
"Savio, fight it! You're stronger than them!"
For a flicker — a single breath — Savio's eyes blinked back to normal.
Savio (gasping):
"Franko… run…"
But it was too late.
Marco struck the final blow, knocking Savio out cold.
The team was shaken.
Lucino (kneeling beside Savio):
"We can reverse this… maybe. But we need the core protocols."
Franko:
"We'll get them."
He turned back to the Crown.
This time, when he placed his hand on it — it accepted him.
A beam of light shot upward, activating the systems below. The chamber began to shift and rumble. The army was awakening.
Marco (eyes wide):
"You've done it. You're the new King."
Franko didn't smile.
Franko (softly):
"Then it's time I learned how to win this game."