The mist swirled thickly around the crater as Team Unknown moved into position. The faint hum of Void-tainted energy resonated like a low drumbeat, growing louder as they advanced. The constructs, unaware of the approaching team, continued their synchronized movements around the crater's edge.
Reyes's voice came through the Mind Link, sharp and precise.
Overwatch confirms: seven constructs circling the perimeter. Movement is deliberate—like they're guarding something. No hostiles beyond the crater. Yet.
Exeo's tone was steady.
Acknowledged. Eagle, hold position. Frost, Aura—clear the perimeter silently. Terra, secure our flank and monitor underground. Lux and Umbra, prepare to strike the central zone. Move on my signal.
The team responded with synchronized affirmations, splitting into their designated roles.
Bo and Riggs darted into the mist, their movements nearly imperceptible. The constructs didn't notice the encroaching danger until it was too late. Bo's icy mist crept along the rocky terrain, freezing one construct's limbs in place. Riggs's wind sliced through another, its dismembered parts disintegrating into smoke.
Bo whispered through the Mind Link, his voice carrying a trace of humor.
Two down. Five to go. Aura, let's make this quick.
Copy that, Riggs replied, already moving to disable the next construct.
The remaining constructs began to react, their movements jerky as if sensing a disruption. Before they could sound an alert, Riggs unleashed a whirlwind that hurled two of them into the crater below. Bo's frost immobilized the last one, shattering it with a swift kick.
Perimeter secure, Bo reported.
Exeo's voice came through immediately.
Good work. Terra, report.
Fon's reply was calm but focused.
No underground activity yet, but I'm feeling subtle tremors. Could be reinforcements. I'll hold position and monitor.
Keep us updated, Exeo ordered.
At the crater's edge, Val and Ember moved into position, their forms shrouded in shadows and faint tendrils of smoke. The synchronized movements of the remaining constructs around the central zone suggested a deeper purpose.
Ember's tone was low, calculating.
These constructs aren't just guarding—they're channeling something. Look at the pattern of their movements.
Val's response was curt.
Then we disrupt it.
Reyes's voice interjected, urgent.
Umbra, Lux, we've got movement! East quadrant, six additional constructs incoming. They're faster than the others—Void-tainted signatures are spiking.
Exeo's tone sharpened.
Frost, Aura, intercept reinforcements. Umbra, Lux, engage the central zone before they complete their channeling. Terra, stay alert—if those tremors intensify, we'll need a warning.
Bo and Riggs didn't hesitate, moving quickly to intercept the incoming constructs. These Void-tainted monstrosities were larger and faster than their predecessors, their movements erratic yet precise.
Watch their speed, Riggs warned as one construct lunged at him. He spun gracefully, a gust of wind deflecting its claws before he delivered a finishing blow.
Bo's frost erupted in a controlled blast, encasing two constructs in a thick layer of ice. His voice was steady but edged with effort.
These ones are tougher. Let's not waste time.
At the center of the crater, Val and Ember launched their assault. Ember's purple fire flared along his blade as he struck the first construct, its Void-tainted energy dissipating into the air.
Val's shadows coiled like living serpents, pulling another construct into the abyss of his Void tendrils.
Ember's voice was cold but focused.
Three down. Umbra, left flank.
Val shifted seamlessly, his shadows engulfing two constructs in a single, fluid motion. The constructs thrashed briefly before collapsing into nothingness.
Central zone is clearing, Val reported. But something's building here.
The ground beneath the crater began to tremble violently. Fon's voice came through, tense but controlled.
We've got significant underground activity. Something big is coming.
Reyes's voice was equally sharp.
Confirming movement beneath the crater. It seems massive.
Exeo's tone remained calm despite the escalation.
Team, regroup at the crater. Eagle, maintain overwatch. Terra, fall back to the central zone. Frost, Aura, finish up and reinforce. Umbra, Lux, prepare for contact.
The team converged as the ground beneath the crater cracked open, revealing a massive Void-tainted beast. Its form was grotesque, its blackened hide pulsating with sickly energy. Multiple eyes blinked in erratic patterns across its face, and its massive claws gouged deep into the rocky ground.
Reyes's voice cut through, urgent.
Target is emerging—Void-tainted Construct Titan. Likely the source of the anomalies. Be careful—it's heavily armored and fast.
Exeo's voice carried authority as he issued commands.
Frost, Aura, distract and disable its mobility. Terra, weaken the ground beneath it. Umbra, Lux, focus on vulnerable points. Eagle, suppressive fire on any exposed joints. Move!
The battlefield erupted into chaos as the team executed their roles.
Bo and Riggs harried the construct's movements, their combined abilities slowing its advance. Bo's frost formed barriers to divert its path, while Riggs's wind kept its attacks at bay.
Fon's connection to the earth allowed him to manipulate the terrain, creating sinkholes and jagged spikes that destabilized the construct's footing.
Val and Ember worked in tandem, their strikes precise and devastating. Ember's purple fire coated his blade, carving through the construct's defenses, while Val's shadows tore at its exposed joints, exploiting every weakness.
Reyes's sniper fire rang out from above, each shot timed perfectly to cripple the construct's movements. His voice came through the link, calm despite the intensity of the battle.
Target's left foreleg is exposed. Umbra, Lux, take it out.
Val's shadows coiled around the joint, pulling it taut as Ember's blade sliced through it with lethal efficiency. The construct roared, collapsing onto its side as its leg was severed.
Exeo's voice carried through, commanding and clear.
It's weakened. Focus on the core—finish it.
The team unleashed their combined assault, every strike coordinated and relentless. Val's Void tendrils pierced the construct's chest, while Ember's blade drove deep into its core, igniting the Void energy within.
With a final, guttural roar, the construct disintegrated, its massive form collapsing into ash and shadows.
Silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by the faint crackle of residual energy. The team stood amidst the destruction, their breaths heavy but controlled.
Exeo's voice broke the quiet, steady and composed.
Status report.
Reyes's reply came first.
Overwatch clear. No additional movement.
Fon added, his tone calm.
Underground is stable. No more tremors.
Bo and Riggs nodded to each other before Bo spoke.
Perimeter's clear. We're good.
Exeo's gaze swept over the team, his expression unreadable behind his mask.
Mission complete. Umbra, extract us.
Val activated the teleportation sequence, shadows swirling around the team as they vanished from the battlefield, leaving behind the shattered remnants of the Void-tainted anomaly.
The desolate crater stood silent once more, its secrets buried beneath the scorched earth, but the lingering hum of Void-tainted energy hinted that this was only the beginning.