Entropy Erosion Cycle: Absolute Zero

Chapter15: The Awakening of Entropy

The oppressive atmosphere of the subterranean space dissipated like smoke with the vanquishing of the Ouroboros agent, yielding to an ineffable lightness and joy. The newly liberated ability users, supporting one another, embraced with fervent emotion, some weeping tears of elation as their long-suppressed pain and despair finally found release.

Lu Shang and Xia Ya watched the hopeful scene unfold before them, a sense of profound satisfaction blossoming in their hearts. Their efforts had not been in vain; they had successfully aided a group of souls trapped in darkness.

"Thank you! Thank you for saving us!" a hoarse-voiced elder approached Lu Shang and Xia Ya, his face a roadmap of wrinkles, yet his eyes shone with fervent gratitude. He bowed deeply before them, and the other ability users followed suit, expressing their heartfelt thanks.

Lu Shang swiftly helped the elder to his feet, saying softly, "You're most welcome. We merely did what was necessary. How are you feeling now?"

The elder shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "It feels like waking from a protracted nightmare. We have been imprisoned here for so long, forced to endure cruel experiments and training daily, our powers constantly being drained…"

The other ability users chimed in, recounting the inhumane treatment they had suffered during their captivity. They had been stripped of their freedom, treated as mere tools and experimental subjects, even told that their sole purpose was to provide energy for Ouroboros. These brutal experiences had left deep scars on their psyches.

Xia Ya gently caressed their foreheads with her mental energy, attempting to soothe their agitated emotions. She could sense the deep-seated fear and unease within them, as well as their yearning for freedom and dignity.

Lu Shang and the resonators began to assist the newly freed ability users in regaining their strength. Amy utilized her healing abilities to tend to their wounds, while Karl and the other resonators provided them with food and water.

During this respite, Lu Shang and Xia Ya gradually learned about the abilities and experiences of these individuals. They hailed from diverse backgrounds and possessed a wide array of "Entropy Mark" abilities. Some had been abducted by Ouroboros at a very young age and had never seen the outside world.

"Ouroboros implanted ability suppression devices within us, which not only restricted our powers but also caused us immense pain," a young female ability user said, her ability to control fire betrayed by the icy coldness of her hands.

"Those devices not only suppressed our powers but also instilled in us a fear and dependence on Ouroboros," added a middle-aged man with the ability to manipulate metal. "They frequently threatened us with various means to ensure our obedience."

Listening to their stories, Lu Shang and Xia Ya felt a surge of righteous anger towards the cruelty and depravity of Ouroboros. They had not imagined that Ouroboros would resort to such vile methods to control ability users.

"What are your plans for the future?" Lu Shang asked, looking at them.

The ability users exchanged uncertain glances, their faces reflecting a mixture of confusion and anxiety. Having been imprisoned for so long, they had completely lost contact with the outside world. They knew not what had become of it, nor where they should go.

"We… we don't know," the elder sighed. "We have grown accustomed to captivity. Now that we are suddenly free, we are at a loss."

"You don't need to worry. We won't abandon you," Lu Shang said firmly. "Our purpose in coming here was to liberate all ability users controlled by Ouroboros. If you are willing, you can join us and fight against Ouroboros together."

Lu Shang's words rekindled a spark of hope in the eyes of the ability users. Imprisoned for so long, they had yearned for someone to lead them in a rebellion against Ouroboros's dominion. Now, the appearance of Lu Shang and Xia Ya offered them a beacon of hope.

"We are willing! We are willing to follow you and fight against Ouroboros!" the elder exclaimed with fervor, and the other ability users echoed his sentiment.

Thus, after liberating this group of ability users, Lu Shang and Xia Ya swiftly formed a small-scale resistance force. They decided to remain in the factory district for the time being, utilizing its abandoned facilities as a temporary stronghold, and began to formulate their next course of action.

Over the following days, Lu Shang and Xia Ya engaged in in-depth discussions with their newly joined companions, gathering more intelligence about the Ouroboros organization. They learned that Ouroboros maintained similar secret strongholds across the globe, imprisoning vast numbers of ability users to provide them with energy and conduct various experiments.

"We must destroy these strongholds as soon as possible and liberate more of our brethren," Lu Shang said, looking at a rudimentary map in his hands. The map marked the locations of several secret Ouroboros strongholds that they had learned about from the liberated ability users.

"However, Ouroboros's power is immense. We only have so few people right now. It will likely be difficult to confront them," Karl said, his brow furrowed in concern. While he had immense faith in Lu Shang and Xia Ya's power, he dared not underestimate their enemy.

"We cannot engage in a direct confrontation," Lu Shang said, shaking his head. "We need to devise a meticulous plan, utilizing our strengths to dismantle their strongholds one by one."

He turned to the newly freed ability users. "You are more familiar with Ouroboros's strongholds. Can you provide us with some assistance?"

The ability users readily agreed to help in any way they could. They provided Lu Shang and Xia Ya with a wealth of information about the internal defenses, personnel deployment, and ability suppression devices within the strongholds.

After careful analysis and discussion, Lu Shang and Xia Ya formulated a preliminary plan of action. They decided to divide into several small groups, each tasked with infiltrating different strongholds. Utilizing their newfound mastery of Resonance, they would infiltrate the strongholds silently and liberate the imprisoned ability users.

"We must be cautious and avoid alerting them prematurely," Lu Shang cautioned. "Ouroboros's reaction speed is swift. Once we expose our targets, they will likely resort to even more brutal measures against the imprisoned ability users."

Before their operation, Lu Shang and Xia Ya once again engaged in deep Resonance meditation. They connected their powers with their newly joined companions, helping them to restore the "Entropy Mark" power within them and imparting some basic Resonance techniques to enable them to better control their abilities.

The newly freed ability users sensed Lu Shang and Xia Ya's benevolence and power, filling them with trust and gratitude. They all expressed their willingness to follow their command.

With all preparations complete, Lu Shang and Xia Ya led their small team out of the abandoned factory district, embarking on a new journey. Their goal was to liberate all ability users controlled by Ouroboros and completely break the "entropy erosion cycle."

Over the next few days, their team successfully raided several secret Ouroboros strongholds, liberating hundreds of imprisoned ability users. Their actions spread like wildfire among the oppressed ability user community, and more and more ability users began to secretly contact them, seeking help and support.

Lu Shang and Xia Ya's powers also continued to grow with each battle, and their understanding of Resonance deepened. They discovered that Resonance was not merely a powerful force but also a bridge connecting their hearts, a power capable of awakening hope and courage deep within people's souls.

However, their actions also triggered a high alert within the Ouroboros organization. Ouroboros began to intensify its efforts to hunt down ability users and strengthened the defenses of its various strongholds. They even dispatched some of their more powerful ability users to pursue Lu Shang and Xia Ya.

"We must be even more careful," Karl said, looking at the intelligence in his hands. "Ouroboros has begun to retaliate. They won't let us off easily."

Lu Shang nodded. He could sense that an even more intense battle was on the horizon. However, he felt no fear, for he knew they were not fighting alone. Behind them stood countless brethren yearning for freedom and hope.

"We will not back down," Lu Shang said resolutely. "We will liberate all the imprisoned ability users and completely end Ouroboros's reign!"

Their ranks continued to swell, and their power continued to grow. They were like a nascent force in the wasteland, quietly changing the world shrouded by entropy erosion. The awakening of entropy, through their efforts, was gradually spreading, like a prairie fire that would eventually ignite the entire dark night sky. Their future was filled with unknowns and challenges, but their hearts were filled with hope, and they believed that they would surely usher in a new world free from oppression and fear.