The city had become a silent battlefield, streets empty yet tense with unseen energy. Kael, Aria, Ryken, and Veyra advanced toward the coordinates detected by Aria's holographic readings. A sudden ripple in the air caught Kael's attention—a distortion that radiated a malice stronger than any operative they had faced before.
"There," Aria whispered, pointing to a figure emerging from the shadows. Tall, imposing, and wreathed in dark energy, the Null commander stepped forward. Their presence warped reality subtly; the air around them shimmered, and the faint sound of distant whispers echoed in Kael's mind.
Ryken tensed, tightening his grip on his weapon. "That's… no ordinary Null. That's the commander."
Veyra's silver eyes narrowed. "Yes. And they control the corrupted Revenants. Every attack, every tactic they use will test not only your power but your judgment. Kael… your skill will be the difference between survival and annihilation."
Kael felt the mark on his chest flare violently as the commander's energy rippled across the city. Unlike the corrupted Revenant, this presence exuded intelligence, cunning, and an almost palpable hunger for control. The whispers of the Nexus coiled within him, cautioning and guiding simultaneously.
"You are bold," the commander's voice hissed, layered with distortion. "A Revenant, newly awakened, and yet… ambitious. Do you understand the consequences of your interference?"
Kael's hands trembled slightly, but he squared his shoulders. "I understand enough to stop you."
The commander's energy flared, sending a wave of corruption across the street. Shadows leapt from the ground, forming into monstrous forms. Kael reacted instinctively, channeling the Nexus through his mark, creating a barrier of light that met the corruption in a blinding clash.
Ryken and Aria struck in tandem, neutralizing some of the corrupted forms, while Veyra manipulated the shadows around the commander, attempting to slow their advance. The first true test of strategy, teamwork, and raw power had begun.
Kael felt the rush of energy coursing through him, the Nexus flowing in precise arcs, amplifying his strikes without overwhelming him. Every pulse, every wave, had to be controlled; the commander's presence amplified even the smallest misstep.