The ripple of energy faded as Team Unknown materialized in the underground HQ command center. The familiar low hum of machinery and faint clicks of personnel working echoed around them. They stepped forward as one, their movements precise despite the lingering exhaustion from back-to-back missions and training.
Dr. Lewis approached. His tone was brisk, but not unkind. "It will take some time to analyze the scouting results from Echo-5. If the initial findings are inconclusive, a follow-up mission might be necessary. Until then, you're on standby."
Ember gave a curt nod. "Understood. Let us know the moment you have anything actionable."
Dr. Lewis's gaze swept over the group. "Take the opportunity to rest. That's an order."
The team dispersed, heading down the familiar corridors to their quarters. The level was quiet, save for the faint buzz of the base's security systems. Team Unknown's quarters were clustered together—a testament to the confidentiality and coordination demanded of them.
The doors slid open to reveal a common area, sleek and minimalist in design. The faint glow of mana-powered lights illuminated the space, highlighting a shared lounge with deep-set chairs and a tactical table. Each member disappeared briefly into their rooms, emerging moments later in more casual attire, their cloaks and masks carefully stored away.
Fon stretched, settling into one of the chairs with a grunt. "Feels strange to sit down after five days of chaos followed by a recon mission. Almost unnatural."
Bo smirked faintly, leaning against the edge of the tactical table. "Don't get too comfortable. If I know the enemy, it doesn't care if you're tired or not."
Riggs chuckled, sprawling out on one of the sofas. "Maybe the enemy could take a number and wait its turn. For once."
Ember didn't sit, his sharp gaze lingering on the far wall, as if already planning their next move. Val, however, remained quiet, his thoughts distant as he settled into one of the chairs near the corner.
As the chatter faded into a comfortable quiet, Deleo's voice echoed in Val's mind, calm but firm.
"Val. I know I've been hesitant for you to use my power. But, if it helps, you can explore more of your Void skills. Right now, try practicing Void Projection."
Val frowned slightly, the corners of his lips twitching. "Huh? What's that?"
"You've seen me materialize before—to you and to your team. It's like that, but not the same."
Val snorted, his amusement internal but evident in the way his arms crossed over his chest. "Yeah, What about it, you materializing?"
Deleo chuckled, the sound reverberating softly in Val's consciousness. "Same principle, but this time, it won't be me. You'll control the projection, allowing you to scout or move through areas undetected. But..."
The pause in Deleo's voice was subtle, but it carried weight.
Val's frown deepened. "But what?"
Deleo's tone turned cautious.
"You're the first of all the Bellator heirs to fully control the Void. I'm proud of that. But this is uncharted territory, even for me. Using my power has always burdened you. I don't know how much of a toll this will take on your body. That's why I can only guide you—I can't do it alone. You'll need help from your brothers, from your team."
Val's lips curved slightly, his voice warm as he replied internally. "I understand. And I owe you my life, Deleo. You've been guiding me from the beginning. You're more than a power to me—you're my protector."
The faint echo of a chuckle resonated, this time softer. "And you're mine, Val. Always."
Val blinked, the faint pull of Deleo's presence lingering as his gaze refocused on the room.
His teammates were in varying stages of relaxation—Riggs tossing a small mana sphere back and forth, Fon scrolling through a holo-display, and Ember studying a tactical schematic.
Val leaned forward, his voice cutting through the quiet. "I need your help with something."
Ember looked up first, his brows furrowed. "What kind of help?"
"Deleo wants me to test something. Void Projection. He says it's a way to scout areas undetected, but it's uncharted territory—even for him."
Bo's head tilted slightly, his gaze sharp. "You're saying you'll be the one controlling it? Not him?"
"That's the idea," Val replied. "It's like a construct—an extension of myself. I can guide it through areas I can't physically reach."
Riggs raised an eyebrow. "Sounds useful. But what's the catch?"
Val hesitated, Deleo's caution echoing in his mind. "It might drain me. A lot. Deleo isn't sure how much of a toll it'll take."
Fon's expression turned thoughtful. "And you think this is the right time to test it? After everything we've been through?"
Val's gaze didn't waver. "If it works, it could give us an edge. If we wait until we're in a crisis to try it, we might regret it."
Val leaned forward, his voice cutting through the quiet in their quarters. "I need your help with something."
Ember looked up first, his brows furrowed. "What kind of help?"
"Deleo wants me to test something. Void Projection. He says it's a way to scout areas undetected, but it's uncharted territory—even for him."
Bo tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp. "You're saying you'll be the one controlling it? Not him?"
"That's the idea," Val replied. "It's like a construct—an extension of myself. I can guide it through areas I can't physically reach."
Riggs raised an eyebrow. "Sounds useful. But what's the catch?"
Val hesitated, Deleo's caution echoing in his mind. "It might drain me. A lot. Deleo isn't sure how much of a toll it'll take."
Fon's expression turned thoughtful. "And you think this is the right time to test it? After everything we've been through?"
Val's gaze didn't waver. "If it works, it could give us an edge. If we wait until we're in a crisis to try it, we might regret it."
Ember studied Val for a long moment before nodding. "All right. But we'll do this carefully. Bo and Fon, keep an eye on Val. Riggs, be ready in case something goes sideways."
Riggs grinned. "Why do I feel like the 'sideways' part is guaranteed?"
Bo shot him a look. "Focus."
Ember straightened and gestured toward the door. "Let's move this to the gym. Better there than here."
The team shifted out of the common area and made their way down the hall. At the far corner of the floor, they entered Team Unknown's exclusive training gym—a sleek, reinforced space designed for abilities and tactical drills. The room was empty, the faint hum of mana-powered lighting casting a subtle glow across the equipment and open mats.
"Clear the center," Ember ordered, motioning toward the mats.
The team moved into position, forming a loose circle around Val. Bo and Fon leaned against the far wall, their eyes steady on Val, while Riggs cracked his knuckles, ready for anything unexpected.
Val settled onto the mat, his posture calm despite the tension crackling in the air. He drew a deep breath, closing his eyes as he reached for the Void.
Dark tendrils of Void energy unfurled from Val's hands, pooling on the floor before coalescing into a faint, shadowy figure. It moved like liquid smoke, its form humanoid but indistinct.
Val's breaths came slower as he focused, his consciousness tethered to the projection. Through its hollow eyes, he could see the room from a new perspective, as though he were standing apart from himself.
You're doing well, Deleo's voice murmured.
The projection moved gracefully, weaving through the room as though testing its own limits. Bo observed, his arms crossed. "It's holding steady."
Ember's sharp gaze followed the projection's movements. "Responsive. But it's unstable. Val, how long can you hold it?"
Val's brow furrowed, beads of sweat forming. "Not much longer."
The projection faltered, its edges flickering before dissolving into nothingness. Val's eyes snapped open, his breaths shallow but steady.
Ember crouched beside him, his voice calm but firm. "How do you feel?"
"Drained," Val admitted. "But it worked."
Bo stepped forward, his tone measured. "If you're going to use this in the field, we'll need to train for it. Build your stamina."
Riggs smirked. "First test run and already breaking boundaries. Not bad, Prototype."
Val managed a faint smile, the exhaustion in his expression not dimming the resolve in his voice. "It's a start."