The cloaked figure moved with precision—silent, like a predator.
> "You six were never meant to be here," the voice echoed, distorted.
The air tightened. From the figure's outstretched hand, a black mist burst forth—twisting into weapons, shadows forming monstrous shapes.
Kevin lunged forward instinctively.
> "Guys! Formation Echo!"
They tried to regroup—but the corridor warped, separating them again.
Nisa vs the Shadowhound
She landed in a dark pit, lit only by flickering torches. Growls surrounded her.
> "You wish to inherit fire? Let's see if you can burn through fear."
The hound leapt. Nisa dodged, flipping mid-air, and fire danced along her arms.
She focused—the sigil on her collarbone pulsed.
> "I'm not afraid of darkness anymore."
With a roar, her flames turned white-hot—Solen Flame Ignition—engulfing the beast in a searing blast.
Bihoo's Duel – The Soundless Arena
A whisper, then silence.
A figure wearing the same mask as the intruder appeared, mirroring Bihoo's every move.
> "You control silence? Then fight your echo."
Bihoo narrowed his eyes. He snapped his fingers—nothing. The fake absorbed the sound.
He closed his eyes… then breathed.
> "You're just noise trying to be me."
He vanished, reappeared behind the clone—soundless blade drawn—and slashed through it with perfect silence.
Elsewhere...
Mira is trapped in a memory loop.
Kevin's shield breaks—but he learns to manipulate energy itself.
Teaha sees a vision of Unit 9's fall—and hears his mother's voice.
Lara confronts her own decaying power—and chooses to embrace it.
Back at the main chamber…
The masked intruder stood waiting as one by one, the six emerged—wounded, glowing, evolved.
He clapped slowly.
> "You've passed the first trial. But Unit 9's legacy is more than power.
It's truth… betrayal… blood."
He removed the mask.
It was Juno Strath.
Kevin's older brother. Presumed dead 5 years ago.
> "This war hasn't even begun."
To be continued…