A DEFENDER REBORN: CHAPTER X
After descending about three flights of stairs, Mike and Juna came to another set of golden double doors bearing an engraving of the phoenix. With some effort, they opened the doors and stepped into another room. Being cautious, they closed the thick double doors behind them and turned to examine the room they now in. It was a large, circular room lit by large standing torches strategically scattered about the room. In the center of the chamber, was a giant, crimson phoenix emblazoned upon the stone floor. In the center of the phoenix was colossal pit surrounded by four torch basins.
"This is incredible!" Juna stated as she moved a little further into the room.
"No one has been in this room for almost a thousand years. The Phoenix Flame must be here, but where?"
"I'm going to guess over there in the center. Stay near the door and warn me if anyone comes." Mike told her as he jogged over to the dark pit. He carefully leaned over the edge and peered down into the hole, which contrasted against the red of the phoenix making it appear even blacker than it was. Mike squinted as hard as he could, but the bottom was nowhere in sight.
"I can't see the bottom." Mike yelled across the room as he turned and headed back towards Juna.
Suddenly, an explosion shattered the doors sealing off the room. Juna was flung to the left of what remained of the entrance and lay unconscious. Mike was knocked off his feet by the shockwave and struggled to get up even with the ringing in his ears. He peered through the smoke and smoldering to Lorde Golde and Torque stepping through the rubble.
Damn! How did the catch up to us so fast?
"So this is where the Flame rests. Now...WHERE IS IT? Golde shouted while scanning the circular chamber.
"You have to get through me first." Mike yelled back and took a step forward.
"You've been a thorn in my side long enough, human. It's time we put an end to you. TORQUE, DESTROY HIM!" Master Golde yelled with rage.
Mike assumed a defensive stance as Torque rushed towards him. He skillfully dodged the two punches Torque threw. Mike tried to counter with a kick to the alien's midsection, but his foot was caught and Torque quickly punched him in the gut and tossed him back towards the pit. He landed hard on the stone floor and skid to the edge of massive hole.
"That's serious power you got there." Mike uttered as he forced himself up while holding his you only had...some brains to go with it."
"Grrrr...you'll pay for that human." Torque growled at Mike.
Torque pulled the large pistol from it holster on his hip faster than Mike would have thought possible. He pointed the double-barreled pistol at the former hero and before he could react, let loose two globes of red and yellow energy that speeded toward Mike and detonated right in front of him. The explosion seared clothes and flesh alike while launching him up and over into the black pit behind him.