The silence following Val's words was heavy, his declaration hanging in the air like a live wire.
Each member of Team Unknown seemed frozen, processing the magnitude of what he'd just said. Finally, Exeo broke the silence, stepping forward with a look of disbelief etched across his face.
"Val," Exeo began, his voice low and controlled, though his fists clenched at his sides. "Are you serious? You're going back there—alone—to retrieve Reinhart's remains?"
Val held his brother's gaze, his own expression resolute. "I am," he replied. "This isn't just about honoring our ancestor, brother. It's about ensuring that Hades' Wrath can't twist his memory, especially his power, for their own ends." His voice dropped, the hint of rage barely contained. "Reinhart's remains carry a legacy, and I'm not letting that facility continue to defile him."
A sharp breath cut through the air as Ember stepped forward, his eyes flashing with a barely controlled anger. "And what about Clareo, Val? Does it occur to you that you're choosing to split our forces right as the city is on the brink of an attack? We need you here."
Val returned Ember's fierce look, his voice calm but unyielding. "Clareo will be protected, Ember. I trust you and Exeo to lead the defense." His gaze hardened. "But my responsibility to Reinhart goes beyond this city's defense."
Ember's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "Your responsibility is to this team first, Val. You can't just decide to go rogue and leave us short-handed, especially not with Void-corrupted soldiers about to strike."
Val's voice sharpened, his patience fraying. "And you think I don't understand the stakes? My mission isn't a rogue operation—it's to ensure Reinhart's legacy doesn't become their twisted trophy. You all saw the feed. They're corrupting his remains, and they'll do worse if I leave him there."
Ember's hands flexed, and he took a half step forward. "We're at war, Val. We can't afford personal vendettas."
Val's eyes flashed, anger bubbling to the surface. "This is no vendetta, Ember. It's our family's honor—our bloodline's legacy." He spoke with controlled intensity, his gaze unwavering. "If you don't understand that, then maybe it's time to rethink what it means to be a Bellator."
The room grew tense, the friction between the two brothers charging the air. Exeo glanced back and forth between Val and Ember, his own face clouded with frustration as he struggled to find words. The other team members shifted uncomfortably, their gazes darting between the two leaders.
Before Val could respond, the temperature in the room plummeted, and shadows coiled and thickened, forming a dark figure that seemed to absorb the light around it. The air grew still as Deleo materialized, his form stretching across the room, bringing an otherworldly silence with him. His presence carried an authority that none could ignore, demanding their undivided attention.
Deleo turned to Ember, his gaze piercing. "Ember Bellator, enough." His voice was calm, but there was a warning beneath it.
"This isn't just about Val's wishes. It's about Reinhart Bellator's legacy—a legacy that is bound not only to Val but to me. But understand, this mission is not solely about honoring the Bellator name."
Ember's face remained rigid, but a flicker of doubt crept into his gaze as he listened.
Deleo continued, his voice dropping to a darker tone.
"They have Reinhart's remains, Ember. What you saw in the facility—those twisted experiments using Void energy? The corruption, the horrific attempts to replicate what Reinhart once wielded?"
He leaned forward, his voice carrying the full weight of his fury. "As long as they have his remains, they will keep experimenting. They'll keep forcing Void energy into unknowing victims, trying to unlock powers they don't understand."
Ember's posture stiffened, the understanding sinking in, though he fought against it. "So, you're saying… retrieving the remains is the only way to stop their experiments?"
"Yes," Deleo answered sharply, his eyes like dark embers.
"As long as Reinhart's bones lie in that place, they'll continue to defile his memory and destroy lives. They won't stop until they replicate the power of the Void."
His gaze softened, though his voice remained steady. "If we retrieve him, we strip them of the very core of their experiments. Their twisted attempts at wielding the Void will collapse, and their reach—this insanity—will finally end."
Val added, his voice a steely contrast to Ember's frustration, "This isn't just for the Bellator name, Ember. It's to ensure Hades' Wrath's twisted ambitions go no further."
Ember's hands flexed at his sides, his fury cooling as he processed Deleo's words, his gaze moving between Deleo and Val. "So you're saying we're leaving Clareo at risk… to cut off the source."
Val nodded, his eyes unwavering. "Exactly. Taking Reinhart's remains from them will render their research useless. Without him, there is no twisted power for them to uncover."
A heavy silence fell over the room, the weight of this truth bearing down on each member of Team Unknown.
Finally, Exeo stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "If this is the way to end it—if removing Reinhart from their clutches really will stop them—then we have no choice. Val's right."
Ember's gaze shifted, the layers of anger and worry slowly dissipating as he let out a controlled breath. His eyes met Val's, and a reluctant understanding passed between them.
"Fine," he said, voice tinged with resignation. "But don't think I'm letting you off the hook. Get in, retrieve what you need, and get out. And make sure you don't get yourself killed, because I'm not picking up the pieces."
Val's lips curved slightly, a flicker of relief in his eyes. "I don't plan on taking unnecessary risks. I'll retrieve Reinhart and destroy the facility—nothing more."
Dr. Lewis, who had been watching the exchange with a mixture of empathy and caution, finally stepped forward.
"Then it's decided," he said, his voice carrying a sense of authority and gravity. "We'll split the mission. Ember, Exeo, you and the rest of Team Unknown will remain in Clareo to lead the city's defenses against the assault. Val's mission is to retrieve Reinhart's remains and incinerate the facility."
Ember inclined his head, his face still tense but carrying an air of resolve. "Understood. Then let's lock down Clareo. We won't give them any room to breathe."
Dr. Lewis pulled up a tactical map of Clareo on the display. "The eastern and northern perimeters are where we anticipate the heaviest infiltration attempts. Ember, you'll take the eastern sector with Bo. Exeo, you and Fon will guard the northern defenses. Riggs, you'll move between points as backup."
Fon, arms crossed, gave a wry smirk as he exchanged glances with Exeo. "Guess it's just another night on the job."
Exeo's lips twitched in the faintest of smiles as he shook his head. "We'll cover it. And Val…" He turned, a rare sincerity in his gaze. "Be careful. It's Reinhart's legacy, but it's also yours. Make sure you come back."
Val inclined his head in acknowledgment, feeling the bond of trust resonate between them. "I will. Trust me."
As they all made their way to their positions, Deleo's voice reverberated within Val's mind, calm and steady.
"This is the right choice, Val. Reinhart's soul deserves peace, and Hades' Wrath will be forced to abandon their twisted experiments."
Val's resolve solidified, and with one last look at his team, he prepared for the mission.