The tension in the hidden base was palpable as Jin and his team prepared for the next phase of their mission. With Rynar's group joining their cause, they had gained a significant advantage, but the Founder's forces were still out there, lurking in the shadows. The team knew that the stakes had never been higher.
Jin stood by the window, watching the city below. The once bustling metropolis now felt like a ghost town, its streets quiet and empty, save for the occasional figure moving through the darkness. The silence was unnerving, a stark contrast to the chaos that would soon follow.
"You're thinking too much," Kaelros's voice broke through Jin's thoughts.
Jin turned to see the former Celestial standing nearby, his arms crossed. His eyes were dark, but his expression was calm, betraying little of the turmoil he must have been feeling.
"I can't help it," Jin replied, his voice tight. "We're about to make a move that could change everything. If we fail, we won't just be fighting the Founder—we'll be fighting against a system that's been in place for centuries."
Kaelros walked over to stand beside him. "Failure is not an option, Jin. We've come too far to turn back now. You've made it this far for a reason. You're not alone in this fight."
Jin nodded, though doubt still lingered in his mind. The Founder was a force unlike anything they had ever faced, and even with their growing alliance, the road ahead seemed treacherous.
Lysander approached, his face set in determination. "We've gathered everything we can. The Founder's forces are scattered, but they're far more coordinated than we thought. We'll need to hit them hard and fast—strike at their weakest points."
Ardan, who had been quietly observing, stepped forward. "The Founder's power is built on fear and control. If we can disrupt that—break his hold over his followers—it will be the first step toward victory."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "Then we'll take the fight to him. It's time to stop running and start taking the fight to the Founder's doorstep."
---
The First Strike
The plan was set into motion. Under the cover of darkness, the team infiltrated a secret Ranker Association facility known for producing some of the Founder's most powerful agents. The facility, hidden deep within a mountain range, was thought to be impenetrable, but with the intel they had gathered and the help of Rynar's network, Jin and his team were confident they could breach its defenses.
They moved like shadows, blending into the night, their every step calculated. As they neared the entrance, the sound of distant gunfire and the low hum of magic-filled the air.
"We're getting close," Kaelros whispered, his hand resting on his blade. "Stay sharp."
Jin nodded, his own weapons ready. Every member of the team was prepared for what was to come, but even they couldn't deny the weight of the moment. This was it—the beginning of the war.
They breached the facility's outer perimeter with ease, taking down the guards quietly and swiftly. But as they moved deeper inside, they encountered unexpected resistance. Ranker Association soldiers, enhanced with powerful mana and advanced technology, were waiting for them.
The first clash was brutal. Ardan and Rynar led the charge, cutting through the soldiers with deadly precision. Kaelros's sword cleaved through the air, each strike faster than the last, while Lysander's control over magic created explosions of raw power, knocking enemies off their feet.
Jin's eyes burned with determination. He moved like a storm, his Abyssal energy rippling through the air as he tore through the soldiers. His strikes were precise, aimed at critical points. His power was unlike anything they had seen before—an unstoppable force that left destruction in his wake.
But despite their strength, the resistance kept coming. The Founder's influence over his soldiers was far stronger than they anticipated. The deeper they pushed into the facility, the more organized the counterattacks became. They weren't just fighting soldiers—they were fighting the very system that the Founder had built.
"We're almost there," Ardan shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "We need to get to the inner chambers. That's where he's hiding."
Jin's heart raced as they pushed forward. They could feel it—the presence of the Founder, lurking in the shadows. It was a suffocating, oppressive aura, one that made their every move feel like a gamble.
As they neared the inner sanctum of the facility, Jin's instincts screamed. Something wasn't right.
"We've been set up," Kaelros muttered, his expression darkening.
Before Jin could respond, the ground beneath their feet trembled. A massive force exploded outward, throwing them off balance. A dark figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in a swirling aura of black energy. The Founder's presence was unmistakable.
"You're too late," the Founder's voice echoed through the chamber, his voice cold and detached. "I knew you would come. I've been waiting for this moment."
Jin's heart pounded in his chest as the figure stepped forward, revealing his true form—a towering being of unimaginable power, surrounded by an army of elite soldiers, each one radiating with dark mana.
The final battle had begun.
---
The Founder's Wrath
The moment the Founder appeared, the air in the room shifted. The oppressive pressure of his presence weighed down on Jin and his team, making every breath feel like a struggle. The ground seemed to crack beneath the Founder's power, and his soldiers stood like an impenetrable wall of force.
"You think you can challenge me?" The Founder's voice reverberated through the room, as if it was not only heard but felt deep in the bones. His eyes glowed with an unnatural light, his gaze cutting through the team like a knife.
Jin clenched his fists, his Abyssal energy flaring. "We don't have a choice. We'll take you down, no matter what."
The Founder chuckled, the sound echoing ominously. "You are brave, but foolish. You know nothing of true power. I've seen empires rise and fall, and I will watch yours burn as well."
With a single motion, the Founder unleashed a wave of destructive energy. The room shattered, and the team was forced to dodge as the blast sent debris flying in every direction. Ardan's mana flared, creating a protective barrier around them, but even his strength couldn't hold back the Founder's might for long.
"Retreat!" Ardan shouted. "We can't fight him head-on!"
But it was too late. The Founder's soldiers surged forward, their blades glowing with dark energy, forcing the team to split up.
Jin's eyes locked onto the Founder, his heart racing. There was no turning back now. This battle would determine everything.