Chapter 6: Whisper from the Walls

Location: GOC Grand Citadel – Summit Floor

Black Echo—Lucas, Nick, and Emma—stood in the gravity-elevated lift that climbed to the top level of the Citadel. Only high-ranking agents and elite units were ever summoned this far up. That fact alone made the air feel heavier.

Emma (looking around):

"This place feels… different."

Nick (fidgeting):

"Yeah, like if you breathe wrong, you'll get vaporized."

Lucas (stoic):

"Stay sharp. This isn't routine."

The doors slid open with a quiet hiss.

Inside, a command chamber stretched into the horizon. Holographic projections hovered in the air—maps, threat analyses, strange codes written in languages not of Earth.

And standing at the center, arms crossed like a mountain in armor, was a man of legend.

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🛡️ Gorge Copper – The Iron Wall

One of the 4 Elite Walls—the strongest known defense units in the GOC. Known as "The Iron Wall," Gorge Copper was said to have blocked an entire Type 4 invasion force… alone.

His obsidian armor gleamed beneath the ceiling lights. He turned to face them.

At first, his gaze swept over Emma, then Nick with a furrow of distaste.

But when his eyes landed on Lucas—

He froze.

His brows twitched.

Gorge (muttering almost too low to hear):

"…Millar…?"

His expression shifted subtly—but within seconds, it was gone. A crack quickly smoothed over.

Nick (whispering to Emma):

"Did he just glitch?"

Emma (whispering):

"He looked like he'd seen a ghost."

---

Gorge (clearing his throat):

"You three. Black Echo. You've shown potential beyond projections. You adapted to a live portal event. You survived a Type 1 ambush. Your control over your awakened abilities is… notable."

Nick (grinning):

"I get that a lot."

Gorge (flatly):

"Don't get used to it."

Emma (stepping forward):

"Sir, may I ask—what happened just now? You said the name Millar like you—"

Gorge cut her off, hard and sharp.

Gorge:

"Drop it, Agent."

The tone left no room for debate. Emma blinked, surprised, and stepped back.

Lucas stood silent, expression unreadable. Not denying. Not answering.

Nick (softly):

"Yeah. Drop it."

---

💥 Portal Breach – Level Zero

Suddenly—alarms blared. A tear opened mid-air, right inside the fortified room.

Crimson lights washed over the room as an eerie, low hum echoed through the chamber. The air warped. A Type 4 Portal.

And from it stepped a figure in black robes, violet energy lacing his fingers like living wires.

---

👁️ Type 4 Neuroxin – Xenno

He looked human—frighteningly so. Smooth skin, white-silver hair, glowing violet eyes. He smiled as if greeting old friends.

Xenno:

"...Ah. Lucas Millar. So it's true."

He ignored the others entirely.

Emma (alarmed):

"He knows your name!"

Nick (growling):

"Say one more word and I'll rip your throat out."

Xenno (calmly):

"Easy, beast. This is not your moment."

He leaned slightly, eyes piercing into Lucas.

Xenno:

"You bear her blood well. We will see each other again."

Lucas flinched—only slightly. But Xenno noticed.

Gorge (voice like a hammer):

"Enough!"

He stepped forward and struck—his gauntlet glowing with seismic force.

But Xenno simply vanished, fading with a grin, as the portal collapsed behind him.

---

🧩 Aftermath – Echoes Unanswered

Silence returned. The Citadel's alarms shut off.

Emma (to Lucas):

"Who was he talking about? Who's 'her'?"

Lucas (quietly):

"…No one."

Nick (with a glance to Gorge):

"Right. No one."

Emma narrowed her eyes, but said nothing more.

Gorge (coldly):

"Dismissed. We'll speak again—later."

They turned to leave. But as the doors closed behind them, Gorge remained—his eyes still fixed on where Xenno had stood.

Gorge (to himself):

"Lyra… what did you leave behind?"

To Be Continued..