After the test showdown between CP0 and Broken, Dr. Rend is seen deep within the factory, navigating through rows of incubators where hundreds of prototype agents are kept. The room is dark, sterile, with the dim glow of monitors casting shadows over the eerie sight of agents suspended in stasis. He moves among the rows, muttering to himself about the impossible timeline set by the Shadow Council.
"They expect all this completed by that deadline?" he scoffs. With a faint smile, he mumbles something vague, hinting at a hidden agenda—a secret goal that hints at a plan to bring the New World out of the shadows and seize control over another, possibly neighboring, territory.
Pausing at a particular incubator, Dr. Rend places his hand on a console and begins analyzing the dormant agent inside. "This set," he murmurs with a hint of pride, "is the future. An advancement over the CP0 model. Faster. Stronger. Complete."
With a press of a button, he initiates the release sequence, and the incubator hisses open. Dr. Rend retrieves a syringe filled with a strange serum and injects it directly into the agent's brain. The liquid glows faintly as it enters, and the agent's body twitches in response. Dr. Rend steps back to his console, running scans as he monitors the agent's vital signs.
One of his assistants, watching with curiosity, speaks up. "Dr. Rend… what was in that injection?"
Without turning from the screen, Dr. Rend replies, "The serum? That was developed in the Level 1 labs. I call it the Neph Program." He pauses briefly, as though deciding not to elaborate, then brushes off the question. "But that's not relevant right now."
He continues pressing commands, watching as the incubator's chamber begins to seal shut around the agent. "Let it balance within him," he says with satisfaction, eyes locked on the screen. "I'll be back shortly."
Dr. Rend walks away from the incubators, his mind racing with calculations and plans. A sleek metal elevator door slides open, and he steps inside, pressing a button labeled "L1." The elevator begins its descent, plunging deeper and deeper into the depths of the factory. The dim lights on the elevator's panel blink in succession as it moves, marking each level passed, the numbers descending steadily until it reaches the unmarked Level 1.
A cold, metallic tone sounds as the doors slide open, revealing a dimly lit hallway. Directly in front of him, a code screen flickers to life, demanding access. Dr. Rend lifts his hand, entering a complex sequence of numbers and letters with practiced ease. After a beat, the screen blinks green, and the door unlocks with a heavy, resounding click.
He steps forward, and the door opens to reveal a vast, shadowed chamber. The sheer size of the space makes Dr. Rend appear tiny against the backdrop, a lone figure in a place that feels almost alien. Massive, thunderous footsteps echo in the distance, shaking the ground slightly as something immense moves just beyond the shadows. His expression darkens, a rare flicker of irritation crossing his face as he takes in the sight.
"This place…" he mutters under his breath, his eyes narrowing with barely concealed anger.
Just then, another set of heavy footsteps resounds, vibrating through the metal floor beneath him. Dr. Rend's lips press into a thin line as he stares ahead, his jaw clenched. And without another word, he strides deeper into the shadows, disappearing from view.
Meanwhile, CP0 stood in a high-ceilinged chamber within the factory, awaiting his orders. The room was silent, the walls lined with rows of glinting monitors displaying security feeds and data streams from across the New World. The faint hum of machinery filled the air as CP0's gaze remained fixed forward, his expression impassive.
Moments later, a shadowy figure from the Council materialized on one of the screens, their face hidden in darkness, voice low and commanding.
"CP0," the voice echoed through the chamber, each syllable carrying weight. "You are being assigned a new mission."
CP0's eyes remained forward, his body rigid, awaiting the details.
"Your task is to investigate the battle site where Valkris and Nightshade engaged Jin and his allies," the figure continued. "We require clarity on what truly transpired there—and how it is possible that Valkris fell."
A slight pause followed as a mechanical arm descended from above, carrying a small, silver pendant. CP0 extended his hand, allowing the arm to place the pendant in his palm. It was cold to the touch, a faintly glowing crystal embedded in its center, pulsing softly as if alive.
"This pendant," the voice explained, "will allow you to move between portals, granting you access to locations beyond our immediate reach. Use it wisely and return with answers."
CP0 closed his fingers around the pendant, holding it with reverence as he gave a sharp nod. The mission was clear: he would retrace the steps of the last battle, investigate the remnants of the fight, and uncover any hidden details.
Turning on his heel, CP0 left the chamber, the pendant clutched tightly in his hand as he moved toward the portal room to prepare for departure. His every movement was calm and purposeful, yet behind the mask of obedience, a spark of curiosity simmered. This may be his first encounter with Jin's power—and perhaps, the first step in testing his own limits.
As CP0 turned to leave the council's chamber, Broken moved silently down the hallway, his footsteps light and precise. He paused just outside CP0's door, his hand raised to knock. But before he could tap his knuckles on the metal surface, he heard muffled voices from inside.
Broken stilled, his curiosity piqued as he caught fragments of the conversation. The Council was briefing CP0 on a mission—a mission to investigate the recent battle site of Jin, Valkris, and Nightshade. Broken's pulse quickened as he heard the details, and a faint thrill of excitement crept into his mind. This was no ordinary mission; this was a rare opportunity to understand the powers that lay beyond the factory walls.
As the conversation concluded, Broken quickly withdrew, melting into the shadows just as CP0 stepped out. He kept a safe distance, observing as CP0 moved with precision and purpose down the corridor, the faint gleam of the portal pendant swinging in his grasp. Broken's mind raced, thoughts churning over what he had heard. Why did the Council trust CP0 alone with such an important task? And what powers lay at the heart of the mysterious figure called Jin?
Without a second thought, Broken decided he would follow. He slipped into the hallway behind CP0, his steps silent, his movements fluid as he trailed him from the shadows. He had to see what awaited them on the other side of that portal—and perhaps, find the answers he had been seeking since the moment he awoke with a mind of his own.
As CP0 prepared to depart, Broken stayed hidden, waiting for just the right moment to slip through the portal unseen.
A few moments later, CP0 stood in the center of the portal room, holding the pendant tightly in his hand. He focused on the power within it, and the crystal embedded in the pendant began to pulse with a steady glow. With a slight twist of his wrist, he activated the pendant, and a swirling, ethereal portal materialized before him, casting an eerie light across the room.
Without hesitation, CP0 stepped forward, slipping through the shimmering gateway into the unknown.
From the shadows, Broken watched as CP0 disappeared, the portal still open, pulsing faintly. With a quick glance around, he saw his chance. He took a breath and followed, slipping into the portal just as it began to fade, the world around him distorting in a rush of color and sound.
As they both vanished into the swirling unknown, leaving behind the quiet hum of the empty portal room and setting the stage for the next journey into Jin's world—and the mysteries that await.