The morning after the Hollow's sudden appearance left the squad tense and restless. Sid could still feel the Blackbind Flame simmering beneath his skin, as though it had its own memory of the fight.
---
Every step toward the briefing room made his arms itch for action, though he knew the real battle wasn't yet here.
Commander Yara was already waiting, arms crossed, brow furrowed in that unmistakable mixture of impatience and authority that could make even seasoned operatives pause.
-----
Beside her, a new figure stood tall, clad in the dark, angular armor of the Hollowbane division. Sid barely recognized him, as Agent Thorne, the anti-Hollow specialist they had only heard rumors about.
"You'll be under my command for the next operation," Yara announced, her voice sharp. "The situation is escalating. Hollows are no longer isolated anomalies — we have reports of clusters forming near trade hubs and populated zones. Your mission: contain, neutralize, and minimize casualties. Understood?"
Reinhardt scowled, leaning back in his chair. "And you suddenly decide we need someone new telling us what to do? We've handled worse than this."
Kael's hands flexed, sparks flickering across his knuckles. "Don't bite the hand, big guy. If this Thorne's supposed to keep us alive, maybe we should listen first."
Sid stayed quiet, eyes locked on Thorne. There was something about the man — calm, deliberate, confident. And yet, there was an edge, almost a threat in the way he observed them.
The Hollowbane Arsenal was strapped across his back: experimental rifles, blades, and vials that glimmered unnaturally, like bottled fragments. Sid had read about these weapons in classified files, but seeing them in real life made his stomach tighten.
Thorne finally spoke, his voice low but carrying across the room. "I'm not here to babysit you. I'm here to make sure the Hollow doesn't spread and that you don't burn everything down in the process. I've dealt with situations like this before. Mistakes are costly. Lives are lost. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," Kael said instantly, though his smirk suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.
Reinhardt's growl was the only reply. Sid clenched his fists, feeling the pull of the demon beneath his skin.
---
Ravh'Zereth stirred, whispering temptations of power, of control, of chaos. Sid shook his head, forcing the voice down, though it took every ounce of willpower. Not yet, he told himself. Not now.
The squad was briefed quickly: the next Hollow cluster had appeared near the edge of the industrial district. Witnesses described it as larger than normal, but moving oddly, almost predatory, hunting in patterns that suggested intelligence.
Thorne's plan was precise: split the squad into pairs, draw the Hollow into open ground, then strike simultaneously. Kael and Sid would handle direct engagement, Lucien and Reinhardt would cover flanks, and Thorne would coordinate strikes from a distance with his Hollowbane rounds.
They moved out swiftly. The city streets were dramatically quiet, debris scattered from minor collapses caused by the Hollow's earlier rampage. Sid could feel the tension in the air, thick like smoke. Shadows stretched unnaturally across walls, and for a moment, he thought one of them had shifted on its own.
Kael's voice cut through his thoughts. "Focus, Sid. Eyes open."
The Hollow emerged suddenly — not a single beast, but a group of them, their twisted bodies moving in a coordinated hunt. Sid's blood ran cold at their unnatural movements. Limbs bent in impossible ways; their glowing eyes flickered like coals, scanning for weakness.
"Now!" Thorne's signal came, and chaos erupted. Kael's fists sparked, lightning lashing out and striking the nearest Hollow, sending it crashing into a crumbling wall.
Sid raised both hands, Blackbind Flame coiling around his arms. Chains of shadow struck out, wrapping around a Hollow and dragging it off the street before it could reach the civilians cowering nearby.
Reinhardt was relentless, spectral jaws of his Fortress Breaker ability crushing exoskeletons and armored plating with precision. Lucien moved like a ghost, freezing the air around Hollow claws mid-swipe, then striking delayed attacks that left the creatures stunned.
Even as they fought, Sid felt Ravh'Zereth probing, urging him to unleash more power, to obliterate the cluster before the squad could coordinate. The temptation was strong, almost magnetic, but Sid gritted his teeth. He had to control it — not for pride, but for the lives around him.
The battle raged for what felt like hours, though in reality, it was only minutes. Thorne's Hollowbane Arsenal proved devastating; rounds embedded with micro-fragments tore through the monsters, bypassing their unnatural defenses. Yet, every time a Hollow fell, Sid noticed something strange: its remains twitched, almost as if testing him, studying him.
Finally, the last Hollow collapsed, leaving a silence that was almost heavier than the battle. Smoke drifted through the street, mingling with the smell of charred fragments. Sid's hands were blistered, his body trembling, but he was alive. So was everyone else.
Thorne walked over, eyes scanning the aftermath. "Not bad," he said, voice almost approving. "You've got raw power, kid. But raw power isn't enough. Control, coordination, patience… those are what keep people alive."
Reinhardt grunted in reluctant agreement. Kael simply nodded, smirking. Lucien's gaze never wavered, sharp and cold. Sid didn't speak. He only nodded slightly, still feeling the echo of the demon's voice in his mind. Control, he whispered back silently, feeling the weight of both power and responsibility pressing down on him.
Commander Yara appeared behind Thorne, arms crossed. "This isn't over," she said. "Hollows are increasing. Next time, it won't be so easy."
Sid swallowed hard. He knew she was right. This was only the beginning.
And somewhere deep inside him, Ravh'Zereth stirred, waiting.