Explosions rocked the temple entrance. The Duke's 'Mech-Army' was slicing through the ancient metal doors with laser cutters.
"Vikram, they have heavy artillery," Spell warned. "They will be inside in 3 minutes."
Vikram looked at the massive Gene Refinery machine that had just saved his life and granted him new power. This technology was priceless. If it fell into the hands of Lady Scarlet or the Duke, they would turn 'Iron-Cliff City' into a dictatorial fortress and perhaps become a threat to all of humanity.
"History must remain buried," Vikram said in a cold voice.
He placed his palm on the control panel.
"Spell, override the system. Initiate Self-Destruct Sequence. Code: VOID-001."
Spell's eyes flickered rapidly. "Command accepted. Core Meltdown in 60 seconds."
Red emergency lights began to flash throughout the temple. A heavy siren started wailing.
[Warning: Energy Core unstable. Evacuate. Evacuate.]
"Where is the exit?" Vikram shouted.
Spell projected a hologram. "There is an ancient 'Cooling Vent' right beneath the throne. It connects directly to the city's main 'Sewer Line.' But it is very narrow and filled with toxic fumes."
"Poison is no problem for my 'Jade Skin'," Vikram said.
He smashed the grate beneath the throne with his sword. Below lay deep darkness and the stench of decay.
Bang!
At that same moment, the temple's main door was breached. Through the cloud of dust, The Duke's colossal 'Battle-Mech' and Lady Scarlet stormed in.
"Capture him alive!" Scarlet screamed. "I want that technology!"
Vikram stood at the edge of the vent. He looked at Scarlet and offered a mock salute.
"Too late, My Lady," Vikram smiled. "Enjoy the fireworks."
With that, he jumped into the dark pit.
"No!" Scarlet ran forward, but Spell locked the vent cover as she left and shot the control panel, destroying it.
[Self-Destruct: 3... 2... 1...]
Fear filled the eyes of Scarlet and the Duke.
"Run back!" The Duke screamed from inside his mech.
Ka-boom!
A sphere of blue and golden light burst from the center of the pyramid. This was no ordinary explosion. The residual energy of the 'Origin-Source Gene' had created a 'Void Black Hole.'
The temple walls, machines, droids, and many of the Duke's mech-soldiers... everything was sucked into that black hole and then crushed with terrifying pressure. Above ground, a large section of the West Sector caved in.
Beneath the City - Sewer Line
Vikram slid down a chute of mud and dirty water.
Splash!
He fell into the filthy, black water. The stench was unbearable, but he was alive.
The ground above him was shaking violently. The echoes of the blast could be heard even down here. Dust and stones were falling from above.
"We survived," Vikram said, wiping his mud-stained face.
"Master, energy scan complete," Spell said, floating in the air (she was hovering above the water). "The temple is completely destroyed. No technology remains."
Vikram climbed onto the bank of the sewer. He was dirty, smelly, but there was a new glint in his eyes. Inside his body, the 'Origin-Source Gene' was now flowing peacefully. He felt no fatigue, only infinite power.
He tapped his communicator.
"Master Yu, are you there?"
After a moment of static, the Master's voice came through. "Boy! I heard the explosion. I thought you were gone. Where are you?"
"I am in the sewer. Heading towards the West Sector Exit (Exit 3)," Vikram said. "The temple is gone. And with it, the evidence of my capture."
"Well done," Master Yu sighed in relief. "But staying in the city is now impossible. Scarlet will hunt for you like a madwoman. She has put the whole city under 'Lockdown.' No ship can fly in the air."
"Not by air," Vikram recalled what he had seen on the temple's map. "We will go by water. The map showed a route to the 'Endless Sea' through the city's water outlet."
"Endless Sea?" There was fear in Master Yu's voice. "Going there is suicide! That is the home of Sea Monsters. The kings there are 'Leviathans'."
Vikram clenched his fist. The second location of the 'Origin-Source Gene' was still flashing in his mind.
"Monsters are food for me, Master," Vikram said. "And if I want to increase my strength, I must go into that very hell. Pack your things at the warehouse. I am arriving in an hour."
One Hour Later - The Warehouse
Vikram was washed, dressed in fresh clothes, and ready. He handed Master Yu a special Gene-Suit that could protect against toxic environments.
"We are leaving the city," Vikram said. "But before we go, we need a ride."
He pointed toward an old, junk submarine lying in the corner of the warehouse, which the fake Dollar had probably kept for smuggling.
"Spell," Vikram ordered. "Upgrade this. I need a 'Mutant' engine in this."
Spell's eyes lit up. She began working with her mechanical arms.
Now, the next phase of Vikram's journey was about to begin. A world where there was no land, only water and ferocious beasts. And his target—the second Secret Gene.