***
At the end of the hallway, there are two paths, one to the left and one to the right. Prince Surya pulls Ara towards the right path as foot steps can be heard approaching from the left side. Ara, who is still on shock from what she had done, does not complain or resist as she is being pulled here and there by Prince Surya.
"Wait! Stop!" he said suddenly.
"What's happening?" She finally manages to pull herself together.
"Guards."
Both Ara and Prince Surya hide themselves behind a pillar as soon as possible, holding their breath. Luckily, the guards did not hear them and continue on with their round duty. Relieved, they look at each other and nod, signaling that it is time to continue their escape plan. As soon as the guards' footsteps cannot be heard anymore, they sprint toward the barrack.
The automatic sliding door is closing. Both Prince Surya and Ara sprint like their lives are on the line to make it pass the door. Ara leaps as the door slams behind her back. They cannot have time to catch their breath because the barrack's view is creating another shock for both Ara and Prince Surya. It is more crowded many additional submarines than Ara remembers.
"Which kind of submarine did we ride on our way here?" he asked.
"I..I can't remember. I think it's the large one. I remember it being huge. It can become a ship as well as submarine," she said, still shaking.
"Ara, calm down. We have to do this! It's our only chance!" he holds her hands tighter to give her strength. Ara nods in respond. They walk calmly to one of the large submarines.
"Hey! Who's there?!" a man's voice thunders in the empty barrack.
Both Ara and Prince Surya freeze in their position. The voice comes from behind them. Now the quesiton is if they turn around and give explanation or jumps into the submarine and lock the door. In the few seconds of time window, Prince Surya decided to wing it. He grabs Ara's hand and jumps inside the submarine, pressing the 'closed' button with his fist as soon as they are inside.
"HEEEEY!" the man's footsteps echo from the distance, approaching the submarine. Ara and Prince Surya can see the man's face as the submarine door is closing.
"It's that man! I've seen him before!" Ara whispers, afraid that the man can hear her.
"He's part of the team that locked us in here then," replied Prince Surya.
"Let's get going!" he continues.
The man has now called the guards to seal the exit as Prince Surya is still trying to figure out how to operate the submarine. The moment the guards start banging on the door and telling them there is no way out, Prince Surya stops working on the engine. He sighs, his shoulder slumps. He knows at that point that their daring escape has come to an end.
Ara's eyes start to tear up, overwhelmed by panic and fear of the future that awaits them. Prince Surya looks at her after taking a few slow deep breaths. He grabs her hand one more time and press the 'unlock' button. The door slides open in a slow motion. In front of them, a dozen of soldiers are waiting with weapons on their hand.
"We surrender," said Prince Surya.
"Come up now!" ordered Petir.
Both Prince Surya and Ara comply, climbing up the submarine back to the barrack. Two guards hold each of their arm, pushing them back into the headquarter. They are being ushered into a room which is surprisingly familiar for Prince Surya, the Mataram room.
"Hindia, Thalassia. We caught the prisoners," reported Petir.
The guards in front of the room open the door, letting them in. Again, Prince Surya and Ara are being pushed and dragged inside the room, where the throne of the so-called King and Queen of Neo Renegades are placed. Hindia and Thalassia are sitting on their seats, face expresionless.
When Ara raises her eyes to see Hindia and Thalassia, her heart drops.
'No. This can't be real.'