The HQ was buzzing with frantic activity as reports poured in, each one detailing the ominous approach of Hades' Wrath forces on Clareo's borders. Technicians and operatives rushed about, tension saturating the air. Amid the chaos, Team Unknown moved with purpose, each member preparing for the inevitable battle that was barreling toward them.
Val stood off to the side, checking his gear with a practiced efficiency, when he felt the familiar, weighty presence of Deleo's voice within his mind.
"Val, you know what you must do."
"What are you getting at, Deleo?" Val replied, though he had a feeling he already knew.
"You need Exeo back, Val. Bring him to Clareo."
Deleo's tone held a finality that left no room for argument. "With Void-corrupted soldiers likely to be among those sent in the attack, you will need your brother's ability alongside Ember's. You have your control over the Void, but what you lack is the full reach of the Purple Fire. Exeo and Ember can burn out those tainted souls."
Val's frown deepened. "I still have my Purple Fire. It's enough."
But Deleo's response was immediate, with an edge of stern resolve.
"Your Purple Fire has been repurposed to serve as a limiter for the Void. You are a conduit, Val, but even with your control, you should never let your guard down, even for a second."
There was a pause, and Val could sense Deleo's determination. "If you want Clareo to stand a chance, bring Exeo."
The implication struck Val harder than he'd expected. He knew that Deleo was right. There were Void-tainted soldiers out there, twisted and unstable, and if they poured into Clareo without proper defense, the casualties could be unspeakable.
His expression grew dark with resolve, and without another word, he made his way to Dr. Lewis.
"Dr. Lewis," he said quietly, "connect me to General Luis. I need to bring Exeo back from the training grounds. It's urgent."
Dr. Lewis took in Val's intense expression and didn't ask questions, nodding and setting up the connection with practiced speed. The screen flickered, and after a brief moment, General Luis's stern face appeared, slightly puzzled but calm as ever.
"Val," General Luis greeted, "this is unexpected. What's the situation?"
Val's response was brief, his tone carrying an urgency that couldn't be ignored. "I'm coming to retrieve Exeo, General. I need him back. But Reyes's training should continue uninterrupted."
General Luis studied him in silence for a moment, seeming to weigh the request, but the severity in Val's voice left no room for hesitation. "Understood, Val. Bring Exeo back to HQ, and we'll manage Reyes's training here." There was a pause, then, "Take care of things on your end."
With a sharp nod, Val ended the call. A pulse of Void energy surged within him as he teleported, vanishing from HQ in a shimmer of shadows.
On a remote island, beneath the dimming afternoon sun, Exeo was deep in sparring drills with Reyes when Val appeared in a swirl of darkness. Reyes spluttered, stopping mid-combat stance, his eyes widening at the sight of Val materializing unannounced.
Exeo took a step back, clearly surprised, his brow furrowing as he regarded his brother. "Val," he said, voice laced with surprise, "what's going on?"
Val's expression was grim, his tone unyielding. "There's no time to explain. We're leaving now." Without another word, he placed a hand on Exeo's shoulder, a flicker of energy crackling around them. With a rush of Void energy, they vanished, leaving General Luis and Reyes exchanging a look of shock and confusion on the now-empty training grounds.
When Val and Exeo reappeared in HQ, Dr. Lewis was already waiting with Exeo's combat outfit, a somber expression on his face. Exeo glanced around, still processing the sudden shift, but the seriousness in Val's demeanor kept him silent as he quickly equipped his armor.
Dr. Lewis gave a brief rundown of the situation, explaining the reports from Val's mission and the impending threat to Clareo. Exeo listened, absorbing the severity, though his confusion remained evident as he glanced between Val and Dr. Lewis.
"So," Dr. Lewis finished, his voice even, "if you want more details on why Val dragged you back, I'll leave that to him." With a final nod, Dr. Lewis stepped aside, giving the two brothers space.
Exeo's gaze settled on Val, who looked as if the weight of the world had settled on his shoulders. "Val," Exeo started, "you brought me back from training. This must be serious."
Val took a slow breath, his gaze steady as he looked at Exeo. Ember joined the team, his face drawn and tense, and the rest of Team Unknown fell silent, watching as Val prepared to reveal his plan.
"I apologize if my actions caused any disruption," Val said quietly, his gaze sweeping the room. He then turned his attention to Ember, then to Exeo. "But this is an urgent situation, just as Deleo predicted. Clareo will be under attack."
His voice dropped to a somber tone. "And from the intel gathered, the attack will likely include those 'tainted' soldiers—corrupted Void operatives that Hades' Wrath has twisted for their own ends."
A stunned silence fell over the room as everyone processed the full implications of Val's words.
Val's gaze darkened, and he continued, "The corrupted Void soldiers are unlike anything we've faced. Their souls… they're tainted by Void energy, and if we engage them without the right approach, we'll lose more lives than we can afford."
His gaze hardened as he looked at Exeo and Ember. "That's why I brought you back, brother. Ember, Exeo—only your combined abilities with the Purple Fire can burn their corrupted souls cleanly, sparing them a worse fate."
Exeo took in the weight of Val's words, his eyes widening as the full scope of the situation dawned on him. "Wait, you're saying that… these Void soldiers, they have to be burned by the Purple Fire?"
Val nodded, his voice steady. "Yes. And I would use my Purple Fire to help, but…" he hesitated, glancing at Ember, "mine serves as a limiter to the Void. Deleo reminded me that, even though I can control the Void, I can't take any chances. I need both of you, Ember and Exeo, to handle this."
Ember's face was grim, the anger still simmering beneath the surface, but he gave a single nod. "Understood. These tainted ones won't stand a chance."
The room went quiet as Val's voice softened, his tone more resolved than ever. "While you two take on the Void-tainted soldiers, I have another objective."
Exeo, who had been absorbing everything at a breakneck pace, looked more confused than ever. "Wait—another objective?"
Val's face grew stony, his voice low. "I'm going back to that facility to retrieve our ancestor's remains."
A heavy silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of sharp breaths and wide-eyed disbelief. Exeo's expression went from confusion to utter shock, his face blanching as he processed Val's plan.
The rest of Team Unknown, equally stunned, exchanged glances of incredulous disbelief.
"Wait… what?!"