The night enveloped the city with its silent cloak, but inside the base, the movement did not cease. After intense days of vital and spiritual training, Kael, Selene, Daz and Ryo showed signs of progress. Their energies were more connected, more fluid — almost like extensions of their own bodies.
But not everything was calm.
"HelionTech is moving," Aria announced, her eyes fixed on the holographic screen. "Our spies have intercepted signals from a new task force. They learned from their last defeat. And now, they've sent someone... more dangerous."
The room fell silent.
"Someone?" Kael asked, crossing his arms.
"A former member of ours. A deserter... or rather, a traitor."
At that moment, the old members of the base approached. There were five of them: Juno, an expert in magnetic fields; Erik, a master of sound manipulation; Mika, who controlled heat and cold; Theo, a tactical analyst with empathic gifts; and Rayla, the youngest, but with rare energy sensitivity.
"He was one of us," Juno said, her jaw clenched. "His name was Ashen. He manipulated shadows… and now, he seems to have merged his energy with something darker."
Kael frowned. "What does he want?"
"You," Erik replied bluntly. "And anyone else who challenges HelionTech's energetic dominance."
As the group absorbed the information, Theo approached Kael.
"Your growth has been impressive… but remember: a warrior only shines when he knows how to listen. You are ready to lead… but you are not alone here."
Kael nodded. For the first time, he felt part of something bigger. The faces around him, old and new, had stories, pain, hopes. And now, they were all intertwined in the same destiny.
"Then let's get ready," he said firmly. "Because if they come with shadows… we'll respond with light."
"And thunder!" Daz added, with his wide smile.
"And deadly silence," Selene finished, with a slight smile on her lips.
In the command room, the hologram blinked. A signal appeared on the edge of the city. Ashen had arrived.
And the next conf
rontation was already scheduled.