Chapter Twenty-Four

(Midtown - Gotham City Convention Centre: Time before Destruction - Time: 1 hour 11 minutes remaining.)

Penguin and Black Mask stood before an array of sophisticated tools and machinery.

The dimly lit room was filled with an air of anticipation as they prepared to unleash the power that lay within.

Penguin, a cunning and calculating criminal mastermind, surveyed the ancient wall with a gleam in his eyes.

He knew that behind it lay the secrets and treasures he had sought for years, and he would stop at nothing to claim them as his own.

"Once we breach this wall, the wealth and power of the ages will be within our grasp." Penguin declared, his voice laced with excitement.

Black Mask, his face concealed by a grotesque mask, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Penguin. But let us not forget the tales of the tomb. We must proceed with caution to avoid the wrath of ancient forces, so the map said."

Undeterred by the warning, Penguin gestured for his henchmen to activate the machinery.

The room hummed with energy as the devices sprang to life, emitting a soft glow. Advanced drills and powerful explosives were set into motion, gradually breaking down the sedimented wall.

As the machines tirelessly worked, a sense of unease settled over the chamber. The air grew thick with a tangible tension as if the dormant spirits guarding the tomb were stirred by the intrusion.

Penguin's brow furrowed with determination as he observed the progress.

The risks meant nothing to him in the face of immeasurable riches and power. With each passing moment, the ancient wall crumbled, revealing glimpses of the hidden chamber beyond.

Finally, after an arduous effort, the machines ceased their relentless assault.

The wall disintegrated, unveiling a hidden chamber bathed in a nether worldly glow.

Penguin and Black Mask cautiously stepped backwards, their hearts racing with anticipation and a hint of trepidation.

"WHAT ARE YOU ALL STANDING THERE FOR, GO ON." Penguin shouted at his men as they stared into the abysmal darkness.

The henchmen all looked at each other before someone decided to just go for it. He would rather do that than receive punishment from his boss.

The brave henchman moved forward with his flashlight and gun, he slowly opened the ancient door while everyone else kept a safe distance.

Though heavy the henchmen managed to open on the door with some push and slowly but surely the inside of the tomb revealed itself to all.

It was pitch black but with his flashlight, he was able to see all the ancient carvings on the walls.

" Everything looks okay so far boss." The henchmen said waiting for further instructions.

Penguin grinned and ordered his other men to go with him and scout ahead, if everything was okay then they would proceed.

As Penguin and his men cautiously entered the tomb, the dim light of their flashlights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ancient carvings that adorned the walls.

The air inside the chamber felt heavy with centuries of secrets and whispered legends.

The henchmen moved with a mix of trepidation and excitement, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger or hidden treasures.

The chamber seemed vast, its depth shrouded in darkness, only illuminated by the narrow beams of their flashlights.

As they ventured deeper into the tomb, the sound of their footsteps echoed through the ancient halls, a stark reminder of their intrusion into a sacred place. The air grew colder, causing their breath to mist before them as if the tomb itself exhaled a warning.

Penguin, always one to seize opportunity, couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation coursing through his veins. His eyes gleamed with avarice as he imagined the riches that awaited him. He pressed forward, his steps deliberate and purposeful.

Black Mask, however, remained more cautious, sensing the weight of ancient curses lingering in the air.

He scanned the walls, deciphering the intricate hieroglyphs and symbols etched into the stone. They spoke of guardians and tribulations, a reminder of the dangers that awaited those who dared disturb the sacred slumber of the tomb.

As they continued their exploration, a low rumble reverberated through the chamber.

Dust and debris fell from the ceiling, unsettling the already tense atmosphere. The henchmen exchanged nervous glances, their palms sweating within their gloves.

Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted, causing some of the henchmen to stumble. Before their eyes, an ancient mechanism was triggered, revealing a hidden pathway.

....

(Lola's Pov)

Lola wandered through the bustling halls of the Comic-Con centre, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Jayden.

Lost in her thoughts, she stumbled upon a distraught mother frantically calling out for her missing child named Lily.

In a moment of compassion, Lola's focus shifted from her own search to helping reunite a worried mother with her little girl. She approached the distressed woman and offered her assistance.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Lola said with a sympathetic smile. "I couldn't help but overhear. Are you looking for your daughter, Lily?"

The mother's eyes widened with hope as she nodded. "Yes, yes! Have you seen her? I've been searching everywhere!"

Lola's heart went out to the frantic mother. "Don't worry, I'll help you find Lily. Let's split up and cover more ground. We'll reunite you with your daughter in no time."

" And you should go to one of the staff members, they can probably make an announcement through the speakers and if Lily hears it then she can find you much faster."

With that said Lola set off in search of the missing child.

After a few minutes of searching, she spotted a small figure in the distance that resembled the description given by the mother.

"Lily?" Lola called out tentatively, drawing closer to the girl. "Are you Lily?"

The little girl turned, her face etched with worry and tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yes," she sniffled. "I got lost, and I can't find my mommy."

Lola's heart melted as she knelt down to the girl's eye level. "Don't worry, Lily. Your mom is looking for you, and we're going to find her. Let's stick together, okay?"

As Lola was just about to leave the corridor she found Lily in her eyes widened before hurriedly finding cover to hide behind.

" Lily I need you to be quiet for a moment can you do that for me." Lily nodded obediently and Lola patted her hair before turning her head around the corner to see two men wearing black masks and holding guns.

' What are the goons of black mask doing here...dont tell me they're here to cause trouble. Who am I kidding of course they are.' Lola thought as the men put on Purple masks to cover their black ones.

' Why not just wear a purple mask, can they even breathe properly wearing two masks? No this isn't the time to think about that I need to contact Selina immediately.'

Lola unconsciously grabbed her bag, but winced when she didn't feel her phone.' Dammit, I left my phone with Jayden.

*Pack!*

Lola panicked hearing the sound of something falling and saw that Lily had dropped her stuffed animal.

" Hey did you hear that.." One of the henchmen said while looking in Lola's and Lily's direction."

" No, I didn't." He responded nonchalantly." Man why can't we just blow this whole joint already, I'm getting bored."

"You're a fucking psychopath you know that right." His partner responded while walking towards where Lola and Lily were hiding.

" Aren't we all a little crazy one way or another?" His partner countered considering that they were working for a crazy gang leader/mass murderer.

His partner just rolled his eyes.' I only joined because they had good health insurance and a dental plan.' He thought silently while grabbing his gun and turning the corner, preparing to shoot anything and anyone.

"Huh!"

"See anything." His partner mocked.

Sighing, he responded." No, I don't." Before putting his sidearm back in his holster.

He looked back at the spot before reluctantly going back to his post.

Once they had left Lola who had hidden in the roof slowly slid the panel away before jumping down.

Then Lily came out right after with the assistance of Lola." I need to get to my phone as soon as possible and get Jayden out of here."

But she couldn't come back the way she came in, there could still be Black mask men walking about, she needed to find another way out.