A few moments earlier...

Inside the secured vault, Shinon’s heart raced as he heard the manager’s furious commands and the approaching footsteps of Eclipse soldiers. He knew that time was running out, and the weight of betrayal still hung heavily in the air.

His mind raced for a solution, a way to escape the locked vault and elude the Eclipse’s relentless pursuit. With each passing second, the tension mounted, and he felt like a caged animal waiting to be slaughtered.

"That bastard... I will kill him for this!" Shinon angrily mumbled but then decided to focus on the main problem.

After all, he might have warned Malakai that there would be consequences for his betrayal, but in order to fulfil his promise, he needed to escape the vault that had become his prison.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, a plan struck him. He surveyed the vault’s contents, keenly scanning the shelves lined with supplies. It was a treasure trove of resources, but now it would be the perfect distraction for the Eclipse bastards.

Shinon’s shadow abilities had brought him this far, and he realised that they could be his key to escape once more. With a deep breath, he focused his thoughts on the shadows, willing them to do his bidding.

The shadows swirled around him, responding to his command. He extended his shadow domain, reaching for the supplies in the vault. With a deft and deliberate touch, he began to hide the resources, making them vanish from sight as if they had never existed.

As the shelves emptied before his eyes, Shinon couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. If things worked as he planned, he would have a chance to leave the lion’s den.

He concealed rations, medical supplies, weapons, and everything he could get his hands on, leaving no trace of the Eclipse’s prized resources.

With the supplies hidden away, Shinon turned his attention to himself. He willed the shadows to envelop him, concealing his presence from the prying eyes of the manager and his soldiers. He became one with the darkness, a phantom lurking in the shadows.

Outside the vault, the manager and their soldiers were growing increasingly impatient. The manager’s voice could be heard, barking orders at the soldiers. Shinon knew it was only a matter of time before they opened the door.

From what Shinon heard, the manager had expected to find the intruders within, but the locked vault had kept them at bay. Frustration coursed through their veins, and they were determined to uncover the truth.

The manager barked orders at the soldiers, demanding they unlock the vault immediately. The Eclipse’s prized resources were at stake, and they couldn’t afford to let the intruders escape with them.

As the soldiers worked feverishly to unlock the vault, Shinon remained hidden in the shadows, his heart pounding. He knew that the moment of truth was approaching, and he had to execute his plan flawlessly.

The heavy metal door of the vault creaked open, revealing the empty shelves within. The manager’s face contorted with fury and disbelief as they surveyed the barren room.

"What is the meaning of this?" the manager thundered. "Where are our supplies?"

Confusion rippled through the Eclipse soldiers as they joined the manager in inspecting the vault. It was as if the resources had vanished into thin air, leaving no clues behind.

Shinon watched from the shadows, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. The distraction had worked, and the manager and their soldiers were preoccupied with the mystery of the disappearing supplies.

With their attention fixed on the vault, Shinon saw his opportunity. He moved without wasting any time to relish their shocked reactions. He slipped through the tiniest crevice and emerged outside the vault.

He moved with deliberate stealth, his steps silent as he made his way through the facility towards the exit.

Outside the vault, the manager and the Eclipse soldiers continued to argue and search for any sign of the intruders. Their frustration grew, and the blaring alarm continued to echo through the facility.

Shinon’s heart raced as he ventured deeper into the Eclipse’s supply point. He had eluded capture, but the mission was far from over.

Malakai had taken the coded device with him, and Shinon had to find him. Fortunately, the moment Malakai decided to betray him, the system marked him as an enemy and through his retinal map, Shinon saw that the bastard was waiting outside the facility.

"He probably wanted to catch a glimpse of my capture," Shinon scoffed. "The fucker will get what’s coming for him."

Outside the vault, the manager and their soldiers were still grappling with the mystery of the disappearing supplies. It was a distraction that had bought Shinon precious time, and he was determined to make the most of it as he finally escaped the base, still hidden in the shadows.

***

Malakai had positioned himself on a nearby building, eagerly awaiting the moment when the Eclipse’s guards would catch Shinon. Although he was sure there was no escape for the Shadowbearer, he wanted to ensure it himself.

Through a pair of binoculars, Malakai watched the Eclipse soldiers scour the facility, their movements methodical and relentless. He kept his gaze fixed on the secured locker room, convinced that Shinon would be apprehended soon.

But just as his anticipation reached its peak, something unexpected happened. His binoculars abruptly went black. Frustration and confusion clouded his mind as he tried to adjust the focus, but nothing worked.

"Fucking garbage piece of shit!" Malakai yelled as he slammed the binoculars into pieces. It was then he noticed something in front of him.

His heart skipped a beat as he found himself face-to-face with Shinon, staring at him expressionlessly. The shock of the moment rendered Malakai momentarily speechless.

He hadn’t expected Shinon to escape so quickly, let alone confront him on the rooftop. Fear gripped him as he realised he was now at the mercy of the person he had betrayed.

"I never knew you were into sightseeing," Shinon mumbled as he stepped onto the broken binoculars. "Let me show you a sight you’ll never forget."