The Messenger's footsteps echoed through the dim corridors as he approached the chamber, a space that lay buried deep within the Syndicate's stronghold. Every inch of the passageway seemed alive with shadows, twisting and shifting like silent sentinels guarding dark secrets. Finally, he entered the chamber—a cavernous hall illuminated by tall, flickering torches, each flame casting shadows that danced and stretched along the walls, illuminating the faces of four others seated in a semicircle.At the center of these four figures sat the unknown hooded figure, their face hidden beneath the shadows of a dark cloak. The presence was unmistakable: this was the Syndicate's core, five of the most dangerous and enigmatic Benders alive, gathered in one place to pursue their goal of unraveling the mysteries of energy itself.The Messenger stopped and bowed deeply. "My lord. Council."The hooded figure inclined their head slightly, an acknowledgment, but no words yet. It was one of the others who spoke first. His voice was sharp and cynical, cutting through the silence like a blade."Well, Messenger, don't keep us waiting. How many of our operatives succeeded in Mira?"The Messenger straightened, his gaze flickering among the gathered members. "Three have advanced to the tournament finals."There was a murmur of discontent among the figures, a ripple of disapproval. Another member of the council leaned forward, her eyes cold and calculating, visible even beneath the mask she wore. Her gaze held an intensity that could make lesser beings flinch."Only three? How disappointing," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "And what of the Nexus?"The Messenger hesitated before responding. "The Nexus remains heavily guarded, Master Callista. But our operatives are positioned to observe its defenses. The plan to exploit the tournament as a distraction is working well; attention is focused on the battles, leaving the Nexus at its most vulnerable."The hooded figure, silent up until now, lifted a gloved hand, quieting the others. "Tell us, Messenger—are we any closer to understanding what truly binds the Nexus to the Benders?"The Messenger inclined his head. "We have confirmed that each city's Nexus is more than a mere energy source. It is a conduit, a network linking Benders to one another across all cities. Each Nexus pulses with energy, pushing life into every Bender, binding them to the very land they inhabit. They remain powerful, yet unaware of how deeply connected they are to these nodes."A faint nod was visible from beneath the hood. "Excellent. And they remain unaware of the true purpose these Nexuses serve?""Yes, my lord," the Messenger confirmed. "They believe the Nexus exists only to bolster their powers. None realize it is also a prison, a living bond that anchors certain... forces."One of the core members, a man whose thick, knotted braids hung like ropes over his shoulders, leaned forward. His voice was as deep and steady as a mountain's roots. "So, the Nexuses restrain him?"The hooded figure shifted ever so slightly. "Indeed, Cyrus. The Nexuses were put in place to limit him, to weaken his influence. And yet..." he trailed off, a dark note in his voice. "He was no ordinary Bender. Arlo may have won their war, but it was not without consequence."A shiver ran through the room, as if the very walls felt the tension. Callista's eyes narrowed, probing the Messenger for more."Did our operatives learn anything more from the tournament competitors?" she pressed, her voice a careful blend of curiosity and malice. "Are there any Benders who might pose a threat to our objectives?"The Messenger paused, choosing his words carefully. "A few show promise, but they remain blissfully unaware of the Syndicate's aims. The preliminary rounds allowed us to gauge their strength, but none grasp the full extent of their own powers. And none could fathom that the very energy they draw from is what binds them to us."Callista's smirk deepened. "Ignorance is the greatest of assets.""Perhaps," the hooded figure murmured, their voice barely more than a whisper. "But I do not underestimate the potential of ambition and naivety to disrupt our plans. We must not rely solely on their ignorance."The Messenger's gaze was steady, resolute. "Our agents are prepared to take any measures necessary, should the situation demand it. With the tournament underway, we can thin out the field, targeting those who prove too formidable.""Yes," Cyrus murmured, his tone contemplative. "But what of Rage? You assured us he would secure one of the Nexuses for our cause."At the mention of Rage, the Messenger stiffened. "Rage... has proven less reliable than expected," he admitted, his voice dropping. "He was compromised and detained after failing to complete his objective."The silence that followed was thick and oppressive, charged with a dangerous energy. The hooded figure's fingers twitched slightly, but there was no other sign of reaction.Finally, the cloaked figure spoke, their tone sharp as a blade. "A disappointment.""It appears Rage was unsuited for a task requiring subtlety," Callista sneered. "His thirst for power clouded his judgment, and his failure has weakened our influence."The figure in the hood tilted their head. "Do not mistake his recklessness for weakness. Rage has proven useful to us before, but he serves best when pointed in a singular, destructive direction. However... it seems we must omit him from our more sensitive plans.""What of his punishment?" Cyrus asked, his tone lacking any sympathy.The hooded figure was silent for a moment before responding, a touch of menace in their voice. "Let him rot where he is. He may yet serve a purpose, one way or another."The Messenger felt a chill at the unspoken implications. He cleared his throat and continued. "Then... with Rage omitted from our operations, we will shift our focus to those who survived the preliminaries. The top competitors may provide the energy nexus we require, one way or another.""Good," the hooded figure replied, their voice low and cold. "Let them continue to compete, unaware of their true role. Soon, the time will come when we no longer need to rely on fragments of energy drawn from shadows. We will have the full pulse of the Nexus at our disposal.""And when we do," Callista murmured, a twisted smile gracing her lips, "our power will reach heights unseen in centuries. Stronghold, Mira... all the Bender cities will fall in line or be shattered."The Messenger bowed his head, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "It shall be as you command."The hooded figure nodded, dismissing him with a flick of their hand. As the Messenger turned to leave, the others watched him in silence, their eyes gleaming with ruthless anticipation.After he departed, the hooded figure turned to the others, their voice a soft murmur, yet every word dripped with certainty. "This tournament may be our finest opportunity to seize the power we need. The Benders trust in their strength, ignorant of their reliance on the Nexus. But we know that the very power they wield binds them. When the time comes, they will be powerless to resist."The remaining council members shared a quiet, satisfied glance, each of them united by their shared ambition.And beneath them, the shadows deepened, as if the very foundation of the room trembled with anticipation of the coming storm.