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Thorne's Training Compound — Dusk
A storm rolled in over Southridge, thunder distant but approaching. In the sparring yard, Elena, Marcus, Rico, and Zara stood facing the old warrior, their bodies tense, their flux humming faintly in sync.
Thorne paced in front of them, wooden staff tapping the ground with each step.
"You've all Awakened. But you're not a team."
He stopped. Turned sharply.
"You're liabilities. Each of you."
Marcus crossed his arms. "We've faced Wraithborn. Held our own against Vincent. We've earned—"
"You survived." Thorne cut him off. "There's a difference."
He gestured to the arena. The floor lit up in four zones.
"Today's focus: Coordination Combat. Not who's strongest. Who lasts longest together."
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✦✦✦
Training Exercise: Team Sync Trial
A projection dome shimmered to life around them — simulating a flux-twisted battlefield. Jagged terrain. Collapsing buildings. Low visibility.
"Scenario One," Thorne's voice echoed. "Civilians in the center. Wraithborn incoming from all directions. No solo acts."
The team scattered.
Elena pushed herself to the front, shifting gravity upward to scout — too far. She lost control and slammed into a metal beam. -12% flux reserve.
"Damn it."
Zara pulled a "civilian" projection to safety but didn't alert Marcus, who accidentally clipped her with a burst. -4% team sync.
Rico split into two, but both copies responded to the wrong command and engaged prematurely. One was "killed." -8% field stability.
Marcus, furious, surged forward and activated Time Dilation — too early.
Everything fell apart.
"Simulation failed," Thorne announced. "Again."
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After 3 Failed Runs
The group sat in the shadows, breathing hard.
Rico flopped onto the floor. "I'm starting to think I liked fighting alone better."
Zara sipped water. "No one's thinking like a unit. We're reactive, not strategic."
Marcus shook his head. "I thought having power meant we could fix things."
Elena sat quietly. Then:
"We're trying to be four heroes. Not one team."
They looked at her.
She stood, brushing dirt from her knees.
"We need roles. Not just powers. Who scouts? Who shields? Who distracts? We stop moving like individuals and start like... like a current."
"A circuit."
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✦✦✦
Later That Night — Team Strategy Session
The team gathered around the flux map table.
Elena pointed. "I scout with vertical shifts. I draw fire. Marcus intercepts. Rico creates flanks. Zara covers the rear — extraction, healing, mental disruption."
Rico blinked. "You just assigned all of us jobs."
Elena smiled. "I worked in a restaurant. Trust me — someone's gotta run the kitchen."
Zara actually laughed.
Thorne stood in the doorway, arms crossed.
"Now you're thinking in layers. Again. This time: full pressure. Real simulation."
He flicked the switch.
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✦✦✦
Elsewhere — Edge of Southridge
Screams.
The sky twisted.
A Wraithborn emerged from a collapsed parking garage — flux black as tar, multiple limbs shifting between matter and vapor.
Civilian reports flooded the airwaves.
The Circle wasn't attacking.
They were testing the city.
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Thorne's Compound — Alert Beacon
A red glyph burned into the sky above the sparring yard.
Thorne's eyes narrowed. "South district. Civilian flux readings just dropped."
Marcus stood. "Wraithborn?"
Thorne nodded. "Echo-tier threat. If you go... you go as a team."
Rico grinned. "About time we went live."
Zara took a deep breath. "Let's find out if we're actually ready."
Elena raised her hand — palm glowing with stabilized gravity.
"Team Flux. Let's move."
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✦✦✦
Final Scene — Circle Hideout
Vincent stood over a scrying device, watching the Wraithborn tear through the outer district.
Behind him, a new figure entered. Masked. Cloaked. Barefoot.
Their voice, distorted:
"You still think the city can resist?"
Vincent didn't turn.
"They have potential. But they're three steps behind."
The masked one tilted their head.
"Not for long."