Side Story: Pressure Resistance

  The water around them was steadily rising, the heat from the boiling depths of the Mandaue Subway system pressing in on them. The air was thick with the scent of decay and moisture, the water glistening with a faint, almost unnatural glow. Adrian glanced at his team, all of them heavily suited in their newly acquired environmental gear. Despite the high-tech protections they wore, the rising temperature was almost unbearable. But this was no time for hesitation. They had come this far, and the first Sub-Core was just ahead.

  The urgency in Adrian’s chest wasn’t only driven by the physical discomfort of the boiling water. He could feel the weight of their mission. The Sub-Core, hidden deep beneath the flooded city, was the key to their survival. It would stabilize the energy grid, securing their path toward defeating the System’s chokehold on the world.

  “Let’s move,” Adrian said, his voice cutting through the thick air. “We need to get there before the water pressure gets any worse.”

  Mike, always the first to dive into action, gave a grunt of agreement. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starting to feel like I’m walking through a damn sauna.”

  “I’m with you on that,” Sarah muttered, glancing at her device. “The temperature's rising faster than I anticipated. The System’s grid is affecting the local pressure levels. It’s like the deeper we go, the more it pushes back.”

  Eva, who had been walking quietly beside them, gave a concerned glance toward the boiling water at their feet. “This feels wrong,” she said, her voice barely audible above the rush of the water. “The water’s too hot, and the pressure’s increasing. If we don’t get out soon, the risk of collapse is high.”

  Adrian met her gaze, the same worry gnawing at him. "We'll manage it. Just stay focused. The Core is close. If we don’t secure it now, everything we’ve fought for will fall apart."

  Despite the words of encouragement, the air felt suffocating as they waded deeper into the submerged tunnels. The weight of their mission hung over them like an invisible force, and the closer they got to the Core’s location, the more Adrian felt that sense of dread intensifying.

  After what felt like hours, Sarah finally stopped and pulled up a map of the energy readings on her device. "We're here," she said, pointing ahead. "The Sub-Core is just beyond this junction. We need to make sure the siphoning mechanism is disabled before we access the Core."

  Adrian nodded. "How much time do we have before the water pressure makes it impossible to reach?"

  Sarah’s fingers flew across her device. "We’ve got about 20 minutes, maybe less. The deeper we go, the more unstable the area becomes. The pressure’s increasing exponentially."

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  “Great,” Mike grumbled. “More reasons to hurry, right?”

  Adrian motioned for them to continue. “Let’s go.”

  As they made their way to the next junction, the pressure in the water grew more oppressive. The force of it was palpable, like the world itself was trying to crush them beneath the weight of the corrupted energy they were fighting against.

  “We need to stay steady,” Adrian said. “The more we fight the pressure, the harder it gets to move. Just stay calm and follow my lead.”

  The team pressed on, their suits keeping them insulated from the boiling water, but the weight of the atmosphere pressed in. The walls of the tunnels were slick with moisture, and every few steps, the ground trembled beneath their feet. It was as if the very system around them was coming to life, responding to their intrusion.

  Then, from the shadows ahead, a low growl echoed, followed by a rumble in the water. Adrian’s instincts flared immediately.

  “Get ready,” he warned, signaling for the team to stop.

  From the depths of the tunnel, a massive shape emerged—a long, serpent-like creature that glided through the boiling water with horrifying ease. Its scales glistened with a slick, oily sheen, its body rippling like liquid steel. Its face, a grotesque fusion of eel and Aswang, opened its mouth wide, revealing jagged teeth that glimmered with acidic venom.

  The Aswang Eel. It had been waiting for them.

  Mike moved first, charging at the creature with his hammer-like weapon drawn. He swung it toward the eel’s head, but the creature was faster, its sleek body darting through the water, avoiding the blow with terrifying precision. It retaliated by lashing its tail toward Mike, knocking him back into the murky water.

  “Mike!” Eva shouted, moving forward to help.

  Adrian wasted no time. He raised his hand, his Genesis Ring glowing with power. The creature’s massive body slowed as he manipulated gravity, but it was much stronger than the other creatures they’d encountered. It twisted and snapped, trying to break free of his control.

  “Eva, now!” Adrian shouted.

  Eva focused all of her radiant energy into one intense burst, releasing a blinding beam of light that struck the Aswang Eel’s body. The creature screeched in pain, its slimy, corrosive flesh burning under the heat of Eva’s radiation.

  But the eel wasn’t done. With a violent thrash, it snapped its body back, and a barrage of acidic venom shot toward them. The water around them bubbled and foamed as the venom collided with the ground, turning it to a sickly black sludge.

  “Move, now!” Adrian yelled, as the team scrambled to avoid the attack.

  Mike, recovering from the blow, charged at the eel once again, this time forcing his way into its path, using his strength to block its movements. “I’ve got this! Hold it down, Adrian!”

  Adrian’s mind raced as he directed another surge of gravity, slamming the creature’s body into the ground. The eel screeched, but its resistance was weakening.

  “Eva, keep the pressure up!” Adrian ordered.

  Eva’s hands flared with radiant light again, and the eel’s body began to disintegrate under the heat. With one final, powerful strike, Adrian collapsed the tunnel ceiling directly above the creature, sending rubble crashing down onto it. The Aswang Eel let out a final screech as the weight of the debris crushed its body.

  The water around them began to settle, and Adrian let out a heavy breath. “It’s done. Let’s keep moving.”

  ---

  The team made their way to the junction Sarah had pointed out earlier, where the Sub-Core’s energy signature pulsed stronger than ever. The walls of the tunnel were covered in a strange, bioluminescent moss, casting an eerie glow over the area. As they entered the final stretch, the sound of the water pressing against them grew louder. Every footstep felt heavier, every breath seemed more difficult. The pressure was mounting.

  “We’re almost there,” Sarah said, her voice filled with a sense of urgency. “Just ahead, in the heart of the tunnel, is where we need to be.”

  Adrian nodded, his gaze locked ahead. The Sub-Core was close, but the journey had already taken its toll on them. The pressure was unlike anything they had experienced before.

  As they reached the end of the tunnel, Adrian saw it—the Sub-Core, glowing softly, its energy pulsating with an unnatural rhythm. But the moment they stepped forward, the walls around them seemed to shift, vibrating with an energy they couldn’t comprehend.

  “We’re not alone,” Adrian muttered, his eyes narrowing. “Prepare for anything.”

  Sarah’s device beeped, and a message flashed across her screen. “It’s drawing energy from the deep. Whatever’s in this chamber, we need to act fast.”

  Adrian raised his weapon, ready for the next challenge. They had come so far—but the final test awaited them.

  Next Chapter Coming Soon...