INT. NOVA BASE – TRAINING ROOM – DAY
The Sentinels were mid-spar — Kael trading heavy strikes with Jett, Rayna practicing evasive maneuvers against Zayn's feints, and Lyra blocking Daiki's kicks with practiced grace.
The sudden wail of the base alarm stopped them cold.
ZEVOR(over comm)Sentinels. Synkris has re-entered this sector — accompanied by two newly-identified Karnex spawn. Prepare for immediate deployment.
VEYRA(materializing beside Zevor)This is no routine strike. Her energy levels are beyond prior encounters. Proceed with full force.
EXT. ORION CITY – ABANDONED INDUSTRIAL ZONE – DAY
Synkris stood with her claws sparking dark crimson, flanked by two grotesque insectoid monsters.
SYNKRISYou've delayed the inevitable long enough. Karnex's will is absolute!
KAELWe've beaten you before, Synkris. We can do it again.
SYNKRIS(smirking)Not like this.
The monsters lunged, forcing the team to split — Kael and Rayna double-teamed the first, Jett and Zayn worked in sync to dismantle the second.
Meanwhile, Lyra and Daiki faced Synkris directly.
BATTLE MONTAGE
Zayn deploys his Nova Skip Teleport Burst mid-combat to dodge and counter.
Kael drives a blazing kick into the first monster, shattering its core.
Rayna traps the second monster in a looping strategy of delayed strikes until Jett finishes it with a Shadow Spark Slash.
Lyra and Daiki combine strikes — her graceful precision with his experimental Shard Resonance Amplifier — breaking Synkris's guard.
SYNKRIS(staggering)Impressive… but meaningless.
LYRA(raising her weapon)We're ending this, Synkris!
SYNKRIS(dark laugh)No… I'm merely… paving the way. Karnex will avenge me… and turn your lush world into a barren grave.
DAIKINot while we're standing!
Synkris's eyes narrowed.
SYNKRISStanding? Perhaps. But when the truth about your mother comes to light… we'll see how steady you remain.
Lyra froze mid-step.
LYRA…What did you say?
SYNKRIS(grinning as she begins to dissolve in defeat)She was not lost to you… She was taken. And Karnex still holds her fate.
Her voice echoed into the wind as her form vanished.
The Sentinels regrouped, breathing heavily.
DAIKI(looking at Lyra)She's lying. She has to be.
LYRA(quietly, eyes on the empty air where Synkris vanished)…We'll find out.
The team exchanged uneasy glances. The victory felt hollow.
TO BE CONTINUED…