The Null commander appeared at the heart of the industrial district, their presence warping the air with distorted energy pulses. "You dare manipulate the currents beyond your understanding, Revenant? You will regret this!"
Kael's focus sharpened. He didn't respond with anger or aggression; instead, he merged with the energy around him, letting the Nexus flow through his mark in arcs of controlled brilliance. He anticipated the commander's attacks before they arrived, redirecting corrupted energy toward containment zones, neutralizing minions mid-strike, and simultaneously stabilizing multiple nexus nodes.
Veyra's shadows intertwined with his energy, reinforcing weak points and dampening feedback. Aria and Ryken coordinated their strikes, exploiting openings Kael created with the precision of a master tactician. Yet even as the technique worked, Kael could feel the toll: sharp bursts of pain, fleeting glimpses of alternate realities where the city had already fallen, and whispers of the Nexus warning of overextension.
"This… this is what it feels like," Kael muttered, energy thrumming in perfect resonance with the city. "The flow, the feedback… the multiverse itself responding to my control."
The Null commander roared in frustration, their energy pulsing violently. The catalyst, destabilized but still active, threatened to ripple corruption across the city. Kael pushed further, bending the Nexus currents with precision and foresight, stabilizing the catalyst while forcing the Null commander into retreat.
As the final wave of corrupted energy collapsed, the city fell silent once more. Kael staggered, chest heaving, mark flickering weakly. The strain was immense, but the breakthrough had worked: the Nexus flowed through him like never before, responsive and adaptive, bending to his strategic will.
Veyra's silver eyes met his. "You have glimpsed a new level of mastery, Revenant. But remember… every breakthrough comes with risk. The Null commander will return, and the stakes will rise. The multiverse itself now watches your choices."
Kael exhaled slowly, understanding the weight of both victory and consequence. The city had been saved, the catalyst neutralized, but the true war—the war across realities—was only beginning.