Days later, Lux (Raven) received his first real mission with the Shadow organization. The objective: infiltrate a secret research laboratory belonging to the Confederacy government in Bright City and steal a vital "energy key." Bright City was the capital of the Confederacy, the most advanced and heavily guarded place in this world.
"Don't fail, Raven. Failure means death," Celina said coldly before the mission began, attaching a small device to his wrist. "This device will track you. It will detonate if you try to deviate from the assigned path."
Lux set off with Veron and Krom in a fast hovercraft. The view from the window was both stunning and terrifying. Massive metal towers gleamed with neon light, flying vehicles raced across the sky, and colossal advertising screens displayed images of false, idyllic cities.
Upon reaching Bright City, they blended into the crowds. The streets were teeming with people, some in luxurious clothes, others seemingly struggling to survive. Lux noticed the vast difference between the social classes in this world.
They infiltrated the laboratory with suspicious ease, using advanced technology to bypass defenses. The lab was a maze of glass and metal corridors, filled with scientists and security robots. As they made their way through, Lux noticed rooms containing strange creatures held in glass cages, appearing to be victims of experiments.
"Stop!" Veron suddenly shouted, pointing to a wide hall in front of them. "She's here."
The hall was filled with automated guards and massive robots. In the center of the hall, under heavy protection, was a glowing crystal pulsating with immense energy, raised on a pedestal. This was the "energy key."
"I'll handle the robots," Krom said, drawing his weapon. "Veron, Raven, advance!"
A fierce battle erupted. Lux's movements were swift and effective, thanks to the intense training and the immense physical capabilities of Raven's body. He used powerful punches and rapid kicks, combined with the combat skills he had learned. Veron fought savagely, his claws easily tearing through robots.
As Lux fought, he felt an immense energy approaching. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a young woman, wearing a gleaming white suit, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders. Her blue eyes glowed with a strange power. She wielded a glowing sword, forged from pure energy.
"Stop, intruders!" the girl shouted in a powerful voice. "The Key's Guardian will not allow this to be taken!"
Lux was shocked. This girl seemed incredibly powerful, and her energy was overwhelming. She moved with lightning speed, striking down automated guards with her glowing sword, cutting them in half.
"Raven, pay attention!" Celina's voice crackled in his ear through the communicator. "That's Aria, the Confederacy's personal Key Guardian. She's extremely dangerous!"
Lux realized this was no ordinary fight. Aria was a fighter of a different caliber. The battle between Raven (Lux) and Aria began. Aria was fast and agile, and her glowing sword was deadly. Her strikes were precise and devastating.
Lux struggled to keep up with her speed. Raven's body possessed immense strength, but Aria used combat techniques he had never seen before. At one point, Aria nearly delivered a fatal blow, but Lux barely used a defensive skill he had learned from Veron, parrying her attack.
"You're not like the other Shadow members," Aria said, retreating slightly, her eyes fixed on him with interest. "I sense something different inside you."
Lux was stunned. Did she notice something? Could she sense his true soul?
"Don't get distracted, Aria!" one of the Confederacy guards shouted.
Aria regained her focus and lunged at Lux again. They exchanged blows with immense force. At one point, as Lux dodged her attack, he noticed a strange tattoo on her wrist, resembling an ancient symbol.
Suddenly, Krom and Veron breached the key's defenses. "We got it!" Veron shouted.
"Retreat!" Celina ordered through the communicator.
Aria fell back, her eyes fixed on Lux. "This isn't the end, intruder. We will meet again."
Lux and his companions rushed to the hovercraft, leaving the lab in chaos. Lux felt exhausted, but his mind was racing. Aria... the girl with fiery hair. She wasn't just an enemy. There was something mysterious about her, and something strange in her gaze.
Above all, his sense of danger from Celina and the Shadow organization continued to grow. He knew his journey to escape this evil body and the strange world had only just begun.