The briefing room buzzed with low conversation as Team Unknown gathered around the glowing holoscreen. General Luis stood at its head, his expression steely, while Dr. Lewis manipulated the display, zooming in on a series of highlighted regions outside Clareo.

"This is what we've managed to decode so far," Dr. Lewis began, his voice clipped but controlled. "The disrupted beacon signal originated from multiple sources. We've pinpointed at least three suspected Void-tainted hotspots, each radiating energy spikes consistent with Hades' Wrath staging grounds."

The holoscreen shifted, showing static-laden visuals of barren landscapes and ominous structures cloaked in shadow.

General Luis stepped forward, his tone firm. "If Hades' Wrath's forces are using these locations to regroup or launch further assaults, we need to act now. These are not isolated incidents—they're coordinated. Clareo's defenses can't handle a multi-front attack if these bases mobilize simultaneously."

Exeo's voice was calm but authoritative. "You want us to confirm and neutralize."

Luis nodded. "Recon first, then obliteration if the threat proves credible. This mission is critical—we can't afford mistakes."

Dr. Lewis added, "Be advised: the beacon's signal included residual Void patterns we've never seen before. There's a high probability this is another trap designed to test your response."

As Dr. Lewis's words sank in, Val's left eye flared with sudden heat. The pain was sharp yet bearable, like a searing pulse that briefly clouded his vision. He clenched his jaw, his shadows curling faintly at his feet.

Deleo's voice stirred in Val's mind, low and cryptic.

"Do you feel it? The shadows shift, plotting against you. Tread carefully, my vessel. They are not as blind as they appear."

Val blinked, forcing his expression to remain neutral. The pain subsided slightly, but the lingering unease stayed with him.

"You have your orders," General Luis said firmly. "Umbra, deploy Eagle first. Overwatch is critical for this operation. The rest of you will follow once positions are secure."

Val gave a curt nod, his left eye still throbbing faintly as he stepped forward to prepare the teleportation.

The desolate landscape stretched endlessly before them, cloaked in mist and eerie silence. Reyes materialized first, his form dissolving into the shadows as he perched atop a jagged outcrop overlooking the target zone.

The barren terrain below was littered with faint Void-tainted markers, their pulsating energy faint but insidious.

Overwatch in position, Reyes reported through the Mind Link.

Visual confirmed on target coordinates. No movement yet, but the terrain's… strange.

Exeo's voice was calm.

Hold position. Report any anomalies.

Moments later, the rest of the team materialized at the base of the ridge. Exeo's sharp gaze swept the area before giving orders.

Positions. Frost, Aura, secure the flanks. Terra, monitor underground activity. Umbra, Lux, with me.

As the team spread out, Val's left eye flared again, the pain more intense this time. He paused briefly, his vision flickering as the shadows around him grew darker, deeper.

Deleo's voice returned, a faint growl in Val's mind.

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Do you see it now? They know you're here. They're toying with you, trying to draw you into their web. Do not let your guard falter."

Val's voice came through the Mind Link, steady despite the turmoil within him.

Umbra in position.

Exeo acknowledged him with a quick nod, his attention focused on the terrain ahead.

The first signs of sabotage emerged as Reyes relayed updated coordinates for the advancing constructs.

Hostiles moving toward the western flank—wait. His voice faltered slightly.

The position I marked… something's wrong. The terrain doesn't match.

Ember's voice cut through the link, sharp and focused.

Clarify, Eagle.

Reyes adjusted his scope, his tone tight.

Coordinates given were off by at least fifty meters. Either the map's wrong, or… something's interfering with our data.

Exeo's voice was calm but firm.

Stay focused. Frost, Aura, adapt to the updated positions.

Bo and Riggs moved quickly, intercepting the first wave of Void-tainted constructs. Bo's icy mist froze the terrain, trapping the creatures mid-charge, while Riggs unleashed a slicing gust that shattered their immobilized forms.

---

**Fabricated Evidence**

As the team advanced toward the marked hotspot, they stumbled upon a shattered Void construct unlike any they had encountered before. Embedded within its core was a small, crystalline device, glowing faintly with residual Void energy.

"What the hell is that?" Riggs muttered, crouching to examine the device.

Ember knelt beside him, his sharp gaze narrowing. "A data recorder," he said flatly. "But why would a construct have something like this?"

Val's left eye burned with a renewed intensity as Ember retrieved the crystalline device from the shattered construct. The faint, rhythmic pulse of Void energy emanating from it seemed almost mocking, a quiet taunt meant only for those who could perceive its true nature.

Deleo stirred in Val's mind, his voice a dark, velvety whisper.

"So transparent, their ploy. They seek to fracture your unity. They fear you most when you are whole."

Val's expression remained impassive, but his shadows thickened momentarily, coiling tighter around his form.

"They're trying to sow discord," he replied internally, his tone measured but laced with the sharp edge of understanding.

Deleo's chuckle was a low rumble, laced with faint amusement.

"And not without skill. This was planted not for doubt alone, but to divide—divide your trust, divide your focus. Clever, for mortals."

Val's gaze flicked briefly to his team as they worked.

Ember and Exeo were deep in discussion over the recorder's potential implications, their sharp minds dissecting the possibilities. Riggs and Bo scanned the perimeter with practiced precision, while Reyes continued his silent overwatch from above.

"If that's the case," Val thought, his voice cold as he replied to Deleo, "then there are traitors again among Clareo."

Deleo's response was measured, neither confirming nor denying.

"Perhaps. Or perhaps your enemies have learned to mimic the subtle rot of betrayal. Does it matter? You know the path forward."

Val exhaled slowly, the burn in his eye subsiding to a dull throb. Deleo's words had been enough—truth veiled in ambiguity, but clear in their intent. He knew what needed to be done, even if it meant keeping his suspicions hidden from the team.

"If I tell them, it will fracture us anyway," Val thought.

Deleo's voice hummed with approval.

"Indeed. You understand now. Sometimes silence is the best armor. But tread carefully, my vessel—those who fear the truth may fear you more for keeping it."

Val's shadows flickered faintly, a subtle reflection of the storm building within.

He turned his attention back to the crystalline device, his expression unreadable. The plan forming in his mind would require precision, subtlety, and the utmost secrecy. Ember and Exeo might not approve, but Val trusted they would understand—eventually.

As the team regrouped to finalize their sweep, Val's demeanor remained steady, his voice calm as he addressed the group through the Mind Link.

Nothing further on this end. Let's move.

The exchange between Val and Deleo remained unspoken, a shadow of intrigue hovering in the background as the team pressed on. Unbeknownst to the others, Val and Deleo had already begun laying the groundwork for a plan that could change the course of their mission—and perhaps their unity—forever.

Val's grip on his weapon tightened, but he said nothing, his focus unwavering.

Exeo's voice came through the Mind Link, calm yet decisive.

We've secured the recorder. Terra, check for additional devices. Frost, Aura, sweep the perimeter.

The team moved swiftly, the tension palpable as they completed their sweep. As they regrouped, the faint hum of Void-tainted energy seemed to mock them, a subtle reminder that the shadows were never far away.