Vorden woke abruptly to the sensation of firm hands shaking him awake, consciousness arriving in fragmented pieces before finally merging into a clear picture. He jerked upright, eyes briefly wild with confusion as he instinctively reached for a weapon that wasn't there.
"Relax," Raten chuckled dryly, stepping back to give his brother space. "You're safe, military man. Just orbiting our new moon hideout."
Vorden blinked rapidly, memory swiftly catching up to reality. With a slight grunt of acknowledgment, he rubbed his face vigorously, casting off the lingering remnants of sleep. His heartbeat steadied as clarity returned, chasing away any disorientation. Rising swiftly, he stretched stiff muscles before following Raten into the command center.
Sil stood near the holographic projection controls, his figure bathed in the cool illumination of glowing screens that wrapped around him. The ship, quiet and humming gently with the thrum of idling engines, had taken on a solemn tone. Vorden joined his brothers, eyes immediately drawn to the moon's stark, crater-pocked surface displayed before them, shrouded in inky darkness punctuated by distant starlight.
"We're just out of visual detection behind the moon," Sil said calmly, voice measured, gaze intensely focused. "This is Morvidk's last known location. Remember what I warned you about her abilities—manipulative illusions, and powerful psychic assaults."
Vorden nodded grimly, arms folded tight across his chest as he absorbed the gravity of Sil's words. Beside him, Raten manipulated the controls, pulling detailed images onto the main ship's screen. A large, imposing structure etched into a cliff appeared, daunting and formidable. Upon rotation the view shifted, revealing tunnels sprawled out like arteries through stone flesh, winding into shadowy oblivion.
"Looks like a labyrinth," Vorden muttered, eyes scanning the twisted web of tunnels. "How in the hell are we going to find them in that maze?"
Raten smirked knowingly, the hint of triumph sparking in his eyes. "Looks worse than it is, actually. Most tunnels are collapsed, see?" He zoomed in, the image enhancing and revealing dense, impenetrable layers of fallen rock. "Only a few remain open. These connect in loops around a central tunnel—just a couple branch out into smaller cave systems."
Vorden felt a small surge of relief. "Still," he mused aloud, rubbing his chin, "we could spend ages searching quietly enough not to tip anybody off."
"Hold on," Raten interrupted with a self-assured grin. "I wasn't finished yet."
With deft fingers, he manipulated the screen again, switching between infrared, X-ray, thermal imaging, and finally energy signature scans. A patch of darkness, previously indistinct, lit up vibrantly with a potent, concentrated energy signal, brilliant against the dull backdrop.
"Got 'em," Raten declared with victorious satisfaction. "This solid-looking rock is actually hiding something significant. High energy concentration, roughly human-sized."
Vorden stared, a satisfied smirk forming. "Well done, Raten."
Sil nodded thoughtfully, arms folded. "Whatever material he's fortified this bunker with is undoubtedly chosen for shielding or camouflage properties."
"We did the same at Blade complex," Vorden added.
"True," Sil agreed. "Still, be mindful—Morvidk might be enhancing it with their ability. We should gear up with beast gear. I have some high tear pieces with mental fortification and extra protection from mental attacks."
All three nodded solemnly.
Sil activated another projection, conjuring a luminous globe of the planet spinning gently mid-air. Life signatures appeared as warm orange and yellow clusters, predominantly scattered on the opposite hemisphere, with the largest settlement positioned safely away from their target.
"Good," Vorden murmured, studying the data.
"Makes sense," Sil's voice shifted to a somber tone, eyes distant, lost briefly in memories. The change drew both brothers' attention, Vorden exchanging a quick, concerned glance with Raten.
"What do you mean?" Vorden asked softly.
Sil sighed deeply, turning eyes that held the burden of a thousand battles toward his brothers. "When you reach the level of strength to be called a god, when you are on the scale of a celestial, when you've fought things most people can't even comprehend, defended an entire planet from destruction, it gets really hard to relate to mundane people. People call you a hero, but beneath admiration is always fear. It's easier to be alone, hidden away from the terrified stares, from the day to day complaints of the average being."
His quiet admission hung heavily in the air, Vorden's heart tightening in realization of the loneliness his powerful brother silently carried. Vorden had always held Sil on a pedestal in his mind. He had always been so strong, so capable, that Vorden had never even thought of his brother as having any problems. That thought made him feel foolish now. Raten clasped Sil's shoulder firmly, offering silent support. Sil half-smiled, brushing away their concern. "It's not so bad. I Never really liked crowds anyway."
Vorden knew that this discussion would need to be revisited. However their minds needed to be free of distraction if they planned to survive the task at hand, they'd have to talk later. "Alright," he redirected, determination brightening his eyes. "What's the plan?"
"Weapons and armor first," Sil responded, voice steady again, his strategic mindset reclaiming control. "I've got plenty stored in my dimensional storage device. We'll need to select the right abilities afterward."
He pointed toward the moon's surface. "We land there, use cloaking, and teleport down to minimize detection. The terrain around this hill here," he indicated precisely, "provides excellent cover. There's a natural tunnel, small and inconspicuous, that will lead us safely inside."
"Then why are we still here?" Raten asked impatiently, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. "Let's move."
Sil and Vorden shared a resolute glance, nodding simultaneously. The three moved swiftly, loading themselves with carefully selected armor and weapons, each designed specifically for combat against mentally manipulative foes. Gear checked and secured, Vorden took his position at the controls, guiding their sleek craft gently to the moon's shadowed surface.
Moments later, cloaking activated, ship hidden, they stood beneath stark starlight, breathing slowly. The tunnel entrance yawned ahead, a shadow within shadows. Sil took a deep, steadying breath, flexing his fingers slightly as he prepared offensive abilities. Raten cracked his knuckles eagerly, muscles taut and ready beneath soft armored layers. Vorden stood silently between his brothers, heartbeat steady, mind sharp.
After a quick exchange of glances and a final nod signifying that each was ready, together, they stepped forward into darkness, a trio united, ready to face whatever awaited in the labyrinthine depths beyond.