In the dimly lit chamber, the air felt thick, oppressive, as though it was weighed down by the unseen presence of ancient power. Faint, flickering lights cast long shadows against the cold stone walls, accentuating the vast emptiness of the space. The only sound was the faint echo of footsteps as the Messenger walked briskly toward the center, where a tall, hooded figure awaited him in silence.The Messenger felt the familiar tightening in his chest as he approached the figure, a reminder of the power that radiated from the entity before him. He stopped a few paces away and dropped to one knee, his voice low and reverent. "Master, I bring news."The hooded figure didn't move, but the faintest whisper of a voice echoed in the air, cold and indifferent. "Speak."The Messenger straightened, keeping his eyes respectfully lowered. "Rage has failed."There was a long pause, one that made the Messenger's pulse quicken, the silence heavier than before."I see," the figure said, their voice smooth but tinged with disappointment. "The Nexus remains out of our grasp, then?"The Messenger nodded, his throat dry. "Yes. He was overpowered by the defenders of Stronghold, particularly one... Benji." His voice tightened at the mention of the name. "Rage underestimated him."A slight shift in the air indicated the figure had moved, though their form remained hidden in the cloak of shadows. "Rage..." The name was spoken with a hint of disdain. "He was useful, but flawed. His emotions clouded his judgment. We do not tolerate failure."The Messenger hesitated, sensing the growing intensity in his master's presence. "He has been captured. Interrogation is underway. We could still use him, perhaps."There was no immediate response, only a deep, resonant hum from the depths of the chamber, as though the very walls were considering the possibility.Then, the figure spoke again, voice low and final. "No. He is expendable. His time with us is over."The Messenger's breath caught in his throat. "But, Master, his knowledge of Stronghold and his connections—""Are irrelevant now," the figure interrupted, their voice like ice. "He has shown his limitations. The true path lies elsewhere. Rage was but a pawn, a test. His failure has revealed the greater obstacle—the Bender Elites."The Messenger bowed his head lower, understanding the gravity of the statement. "Yes, Master."For a moment, silence settled over the chamber once more. Then the figure took a step forward, the shadows clinging to them as though reluctant to let go. "Do you know why we seek the Nexus?"The Messenger felt the weight of the question but answered carefully. "To further our cause... to bring balance, to release the power that has been sealed away."The figure's hood shifted slightly, as if the master was appraising him. "Yes, but not merely for power. The Nexus holds the key to more than you can comprehend. It is connected to him." The word was spoken with a mixture of reverence and something darker. "Our true purpose is near. The Nexus, with its roots in Arlo's legacy, is what we need to break the chains that hold our master."The Messenger's eyes widened slightly, but he held his composure. "Zephyr..." he whispered under his breath.The figure inclined their head ever so slightly. "But for now, we move with caution. The Nexus remains out of reach, but there are other means to achieving our goal. We need patience. Stronghold will fall when the time is right, but first, we must weaken their defenses, and find those willing to serve our cause.""Understood, Master," the Messenger replied.The figure turned, their cloak sweeping the floor as they moved toward the far wall, where the shadows seemed to deepen. "Continue your efforts in the other cities. Skyshear and Terra are beginning to show promise, but we will need more than fractured loyalties. Stronghold's strength lies in its unity... we will unravel that.""And what of the boy?" the Messenger asked cautiously. "The one from Stronghold... John?"A pause."His lineage is... significant. Keep watch. His time will come."The Messenger nodded, understanding that even with Rage's failure, the higher-ups had far greater plans in motion—plans that stretched beyond mere power, reaching into the deepest origins of Bending itself. Their true purpose was veiled in secrecy, but the Messenger knew better than to question it.As the figure melted into the darkness, the Messenger rose to his feet, his mind racing with new instructions. Rage was forgotten. A pawn that had served his purpose. But now, the real game was beginning.With one last glance at the empty chamber, the Messenger turned on his heel and walked back into the shadows, his heart filled with anticipation. The endgame had just begun.