The Weight of Power

Director Caldwell sat across from Director Graves in the dimly lit war room of the GPA headquarters. The air between them was thick with tension, the hum of tactical screens casting a cold blue glow across the room.

"This is getting out of hand," Caldwell muttered, rubbing his temples. "Knox is making moves faster than we can counter them. They Syndicate is no longer a loose band of criminals—it's an army."

Graves leaned back in his chair, expression unreadable. "You sound like you're just now realizing this."

Caldwell exhaled slowly. "We underestimated him. The world underestimated him. He's not just some overpowered thug playing warlord—he's a tactician. He's got a team running his operations like a military campaign. We can't keep treating him like a common criminal."

Caldwell drummed his fingers on the table. "Then what do you suggest?"

"We change our strategy." Graves steepled his fingers. "No more reactionary responses. We move first. We take the fight to them before they consolidate more power. We've already lost too many assets trying to infiltrate them. We need to cut them off at the source."

"You mean their supply lines?" Caldwell asked.

Graves nodded. "Everything. Their tech, their resources, their people. We hit them where it hurts."

Caldwell studied him for a long moment. "And what about Seraph?"

Graves' expression darkened. "She made her choice the moment she didn't break out. If she's compromised... we treat her as an enemy combatant."

Caldwell sighed. "I don't like it."

"You don't have to like it," Graves said. "You just have to be ready."

Nexus Syndicate Base

Knox led Seraph through the underground corridors of the Nexus Syndicate's base. The metallic walls hummed with the sound of power generators and distant training sessions. When they reached a massive chamber, he gestured for her to step forward.

Inside, hundreds of recruits—men and women of all backgrounds—were training. Some wielded weapons, other sparred hand-to-hand, and many tested out their abilities under strict supervision.

Seraph scanned the crowd. Some had powers. Many did not.

"These people..." she murmured. "Not all of them are enhanced."

"Luminara," she thought, reaching out mentally. "Can you check if they have systems?"

Luminara's response came swiftly "They do. But... they are blanks."

Seraph frowned. "Blanks?" What do you mean?"

Luminara elaborated, "Every living being on Earth received a system after the Awakening, even some animals. But not all system grant abilities. Some are basic, displaying only the host's existing skills. A chef's system, for example, would simply show their cooking skill and its level so they can refine it further. These people have systems, but they hold no combat abilities by default."

Seraph turned sharply to Knox. "You know about this?"

Knox nodded.

"And, you're sending them into battle anyway?" Her power surged slightly, the air crackling.

"Calm yourself," Knox said evenly. "We're not sending them to die. We're building Exosuits for them—enhanced combat armor that levels the playing field. Every recruit receives training. Those with power refine them, and those without get weapons that match their strengths."

Seraph exhaled, her power settling. "You've really thought this through, huh?"

Knox simply nodded.

Then, unexpectedly, Luminara spoke aloud—this time, Knox could hear her.

"So this is your host, Kaelina."

Kaelina's voice chimed in Knox's mind. "Yeah, he's a bit of a dumbass, but he's mine."

Knox blinked. "Wait... how am I hearing this?"

Kaelina chuckled. "Mythical and Divine systems can communicate. Since you and Seraph have one, you can hear each other's."

Knox furrowed his brows. "Wait. Did you just call me a dumbass?"

Kaelina snickered. "Would you prefer pervert?"

His face twitched. "Why the hell would you call me that?"

Kaelina's laughter echoed in his mind. "Remember when the base was being built, and you used your X-ray vision from afar to scope out the GPA tower?"

Knox's stomach dropped.

"You accidentally saw Seraph stepped out of the shower."

Seraph's entire body tensed.

"You. Did. WHAT?!" Her power surged violently, light flaring around her.

Knox raised his hands. "It was an accident!"

Kaelina was holding in laughter. "Sure, sure. Total accident."

Seraph lunged, and Knox barely dodged her light spear. "You absolute bastard!"

Luminara sighed. "What a troublesome duo you are."

Knox huffed. "I wouldn't say that. I remember when I first tried to learn how to fly, and Kaelina just laughed while I kept falling."

Kaelina countered, "Maybe if you had listened, you wouldn't have fallen."

The two bickered back and forth as Seraphed sighed. "Are they always like this?"

A sudden explosion from the training grounds made them turn.

Max came sprinting in. "We've got a problem. One of the rookies is throwing a fit."

Knox groaned. "What now?"

"He's complaining about being ranked as a Rookie and doesn't want to be grouped with 'weaklings.'"

Knox rubbed his temples. He had created five ranks in the Syndicate:

Rookie

Operative

Elite

Lieutenant

Commander

He had promised promotions based on tournaments where members could rise or fall in rank.

Seraph suddenly asked, "What rank am I?"

Knox sighed. "This really isn't the time—"

She simply waited.

He exhaled. "Max and his team are Commanders. I'm above them."

He paused, then smirked. "So, by default, you're my equal."

Seraph smiled slightly. "Very well."

Knox turned to Max, shifting back to business. "Gather everyone. Prepare the match. Let them sign up."

Max gave a firm nod. "Got it." Without another word, he turned and left to spread the message.

As the door shut behind Max, Knox sighed heavily. "What a pain."

Then, without hesitation, he pressed the glowing symbol on his chest. A mechanical hum vibrated through the air as his armor deconstructed itself, piece by piece, flowing off his body like liquid metal before vanishing into the core.

Now standing in a simple black training outfit, Knox stretched his arms, muscles subtly tensing under his skin. His physique was chiseled from relentless training, his white hair slightly disheveled from the movement.

Seraph tilted her head, observing him. "What are you doing?" 

Knox rolled his shoulders. "Max will take time setting up. I might as well get some training in." He cracked his knuckles, then glanced at her. "Want to join?"

Seraph smirked. "Of course."

The two of them entered the gravity chamber, a reinforced training room designed to push their bodies beyond normal limits. The moment the door sealed behind them, the air felt heavier, charged with energy.

Knox walked over to the control and hovered a finger above the settings. "Let's start at two times gravity," he suggested.

Seraph scoffed. "Set it to whatever you normally use."

Knox turned his head toward her, raising an eyebrow. "You sure?"

She crossed her arms. "Do I look unsure?"

His smirked returned. "Your funeral."

He twisted the dial and cracked the settings to 20x gravity.

The moment the field activities, a massive weight slammed onto them like an invisible force. The air itself seemed denser, pressing down with overwhelming pressure.

Seraph staggered for half a second before adjusting her stance. She clenched her fists, forcing her body to adapt. Though the pressure slowed her movements at first, she quickly found her balance. A golden glow pulsed around her as her system worked to reinforce her body.

Knox watched with mild amusement. "Not bad."

Seraph ignored the comment and materialized her sword of light. The radiant weapon hummed as it solidified in her grasp. "Shall we begin?"

Knox didn't bother responding. He moved.

With explosive speed, he lunged forward throwing a powerful punch straight for her midsection.

Seraph barely managed to dodge, shifting her body just in time. As she moved, she spread her stance and swept her leg out, aiming to trip him.

Knox saw it coming. At the last second, he twisted mid-air, narrowly dodging her follow-up strike.

Knox caught the blade with his bare hands. The radiant energy burned against his palm, but he grinned. "Good reaction time."

Seraph didn't hesitate. She flicked her wrist, forcing the energy of the sword to expand. The surge of light blasted Knox backward, forcing him to release his grip.

But he recovered instantly, flipping mid-air before landing. His body barely touched the ground before he rocketed forward again.

Seraph didn't flinch. She parried his punch with the flat of her sword, using his own momentum to slide past him and land a sharp kick to his ribs.

Knox grunted, skidding back but staying upright. "Not bad."

"Stop talking and fight," Seraph shot back.

Knox smired. "Alright, then."

He lunged at her again, their battle escalating.

The two clashed over and over, trading strikes at lightning speed. Every blow sent shockwaves rippling through the chamber, distorting the air itself. The sheer force of their movements cracked the reinforced floor.

Knox fought with raw, unrelenting power, his punches carrying enough force to break mountains. But Seraph matched him with ability, her sword flickering like a beam of light, striking at the precise moments he left himself open.

Their movements blurred together, a storm of fists, kicks, and slashes.

Knox feinted a high punch before suddenly sweeping her leg, forcing her off balance.

But Seraph reacted instantly. As she fell she twisted mid-air, using the momentum to grab Knox's arm and flip him onto his back.

Before he could react, she pinned him down.

Her knee pressed against his chest, her hands gripped his wrists, securing him beneath her. They were both breathing heavily, sweat glistening under the training lights.

She stared at him, searching his expression for anything beyond his usual cocky demeanor.

Then, she smirked. "I win."

Knox let out a small chuckle, barely winded. "Yeah."

Before either of them could move, Kaelin's voice echoed in his mind.

"Disgusting."

Seraph blinked. "What?"

Knox groaned. "Ignore her."

Kaelina snickered. "Oh, don't mind me. Just enjoying the moment. But really, Knox, pinned beneath a woman? Some warrior you are."

Luminara, in contrast, sounded amused. "I think it's cute."

Seraph blushed slightly.

Kaelina's teasing tone sharped. "Knox, you're lucky I don't keep a record of embarrassing moments. This would be number one."

Knox groaned. "Shut the hell up."

Luminara's voice was softer. "It's not embarrassing. She clearly bested you in this match."

Kaelina snorted. "Still disgusting."

Seraph chuckled before finally pushing herself off him, extending a hand. Knox hesitated, then took it. Her grip was firm, steady.

Then, a knock echoed through the room, snapping the moment in half.

Knox quickly let go of Seraph's hand, stepping back. He tapped the symbol on his chest, and his armor seamlessly reformed over his body.

Seraph, hoverever, held onto the hand he'd let go of, her fingers curling slightly, a small, unreadable smile tugged at her lips.

The door slid open, and Max stepped inside. "Everything's ready."

Knox exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Alright."

Seraph gave him a knowing glance. "Let's go."

With that, they walked out of the chamber, prepared for what lay ahead.