Location: The Vault Beneath Orion High
The chamber shook violently as the glowing chains around the crystal snapped one by one. Sparks flew. Runes flared and burned out.
The Nova Sentinels stood frozen, their shards pulsing with fear.
Zayn (checking scanner): "Containment's failing. Power surge… off the charts!"Rayna: "Options?"Zevor (grim): "One: Run. Two: Die."
The final crack tore through the crystal with a sound like thunder.
BOOM.
The crystal shattered outward, shards flying like glass meteors. Smoke and voidfire erupted.
And from the swirling dark…
Karnex stepped forward.
Ten feet tall, armored in cracked obsidian. His eyes burned with ancient hatred.
Karnex (voice like stone breaking): "Nova... Force. You will fall as your ancestors did."
He raised one massive hand—and a shockwave launched the team into the walls.
The Battle Begins
🟥 Kael recovered first, launching a blazing fist—but Karnex caught it midair, slamming him down.
🟨 Rayna tried to flank with a blast—but Karnex's armor absorbed it.
🟦 Zayn recalibrated. "Weak point—under shoulder plates!"
⚫ Jett moved fast, slashing at Karnex's flank—but Karnex knocked him aside like paper.
🌸 Lyra soared from above, striking with twin arcs of energy—but her blows barely made Karnex flinch.
Karnex: "You are echoes. Weak. Soft."
He raised his hand again—and the ground split, forming a pit of voidfire.
Zevor (urgently): "Fall back. He's not at full strength yet, but neither are you."
Kael (gritted teeth): "We're not running."
Lyra (grabbing his arm): "We're surviving. That's how we win later."
Retreat and Collapse
With cover fire from Rayna and Lyra, the others grabbed Jett and Kael, retreating up the spiral path as Karnex roared behind them.
The vault began to collapse, burying Karnex in rubble—for now.
The Sentinels emerged in the gym, coughing, bruised, shaken.
Kael: "He's out."Rayna: "And we're not ready."
Lyra (quietly): "Next time... we don't survive if we're not one mind."
They looked at each other—battle-worn, frightened—but not broken.
Meanwhile, below…
In the darkened vault, Karnex stood in the dust. His wounds glowed faintly—but he smiled.
Karnex: "Let them prepare. It will not save them."
To Be Continued…