The Warship’s Shadow

Chapter 52: The Warship's Shadow

Kael-X sat in the dimly lit room, his fingers tapping against the table as the Sentinel agent brought up a holographic projection of Earth's orbit. The Zypheron-5 warship loomed over the planet like a silent predator, its sleek, black exterior absorbing the surrounding starlight.

"You said you have a plan," Kael-X muttered, eyes fixed on the image. "Let's hear it."

The agent, who had introduced himself as Agent Crowley, folded his arms. "Your people—Zypheron-5—aren't here to wipe us out. Not yet, at least. They're watching, waiting. Studying you." He tapped the screen, zooming in on the descending crafts. "These are scout units. Designed for infiltration, not destruction."

Kael-X narrowed his eyes. "That means they're sending operatives."

Crowley nodded. "And we believe they'll make their first move within the next 24 hours."

Kael-X leaned back, considering. Zypheron-5's tactics were ruthless, but efficient. If they wanted him back, they wouldn't waste time with threats. They would either convince him—or break him.

"How many are coming?" Kael-X asked.

"We estimate three. Maybe four. All enhanced. Possibly your former comrades."

Kael-X went silent at that. His "former comrades" were elites—handpicked by Zypheron-5's High Command. If they were coming, this wasn't just a retrieval mission. It was a test.

"They won't come in guns blazing," Kael-X finally said. "They'll blend in. Observe. Wait for the right moment to strike."

Crowley smirked. "Which is why we need to strike first."

Kael-X raised an eyebrow. "You want to hunt them down before they hunt me?"

"Exactly." Crowley shut off the hologram. "But we can't do it alone. We need someone who understands how they think. How they fight." He leaned forward. "We need you."

Kael-X chuckled, shaking his head. "You really think I'm just going to help you?"

Crowley shrugged. "Your call. But if you sit back and wait, they'll come for you eventually. And if they take you back..." He let the sentence hang.

Kael-X exhaled slowly. He knew exactly what Zypheron-5 did to rogue operatives. He had seen it firsthand.

"Fine," Kael-X muttered. "I'll help you."

Crowley grinned. "Smart choice."

Kael-X cracked his knuckles. "Where do we start?"

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Chapter 52 (Continued): The Warship's Shadow

Kael-X didn't trust Crowley, but he trusted Zypheron-5 even less. The fact that they had stationed a warship near Earth meant they weren't leaving anytime soon. He had run for long enough—sooner or later, he would have to deal with them.

He leaned forward. "If they're sending operatives, they'll have cloaking tech. You won't spot them on cameras or satellites."

Crowley smirked. "We know. That's why we have something else." He pressed a button, and a different hologram flickered to life. This time, it showed something Kael-X wasn't expecting.

A Shadow Beast.

It was smaller than his own, but its body pulsed with dark energy, restrained inside a glass containment unit. Its glowing eyes flickered between rage and fear.

Kael-X frowned. "Where did you get that?"

Crowley leaned against the table. "You're not the only one who attracts... strange things. This one showed up two days ago—came out of nowhere. We found it lurking near one of our bases, tracking something. At first, we thought it was after you."

Kael-X stood up, stepping closer to the projection. The creature was indeed similar to his own tamed Shadow Beasts, but there was something different. Something off.

"It's not after me," Kael-X muttered. "It's tracking the Zypheron-5 operatives."

Crowley raised an eyebrow. "You sure?"

Kael-X nodded. "Shadow Beasts can sense lifeforms that don't belong. If Zypheron-5 has agents on the ground, this thing would pick up their presence."

Crowley's smirk widened. "Then we have our tracker."

Kael-X glanced at the creature again. It snarled, its voice a distorted growl in his mind.

You are… different. You are not them.

Kael-X's eyes flickered with intrigue. The Shadow Beast was intelligent. It could speak—just like his own.

Who are you? Kael-X projected his thoughts towards it.

The beast's glowing eyes narrowed. I am lost. Taken. Bound. You… are free.

Kael-X glanced at Crowley. "Let me in that room. I need to talk to it."

Crowley hesitated but eventually nodded. "Fine. But if it tries anything—"

"I'll handle it," Kael-X interrupted.

Moments later, the security doors hissed open. Kael-X stepped inside, the room filled with the humming sound of containment tech. The Shadow Beast growled lowly but didn't attack.

Kael-X slowly raised a hand. "You're not from this planet, are you?"

The beast's form wavered. No. I was brought here. They— It hesitated. They tried to change me. To control me.

Kael-X's eyes darkened. "Zypheron-5."

The beast let out a sharp growl. Yes. They used me to track you. But I did not obey. So they left me to fade.

Kael-X clenched his fists. Zypheron-5 had experimented on a Shadow Beast—tried to use it as a living weapon. Just like they had done with him.

But they underestimated what these creatures were capable of.

Kael-X took a deep breath. "You don't have to be alone." He extended his hand. "Join me."

The beast stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, its body began to dissolve into black mist, swirling around him.

A deep voice echoed in Kael-X's mind.

I accept.

The containment alarms flared as the Shadow Beast merged into his presence. The energy around him pulsed—another bond was formed.

Kael-X exhaled, turning back to Crowley. "Looks like we have our tracker."

Crowley, still stunned, just laughed. "You really are full of surprises."

Kael-X's eyes gleamed. "Let's hunt."

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