The silence that followed Val's proclamation hung thick in the chamber, broken only by the distant drip of water from somewhere beyond the shadows.

The soft hiss of the Purple Fire flickering at the corners of Val's vision reminded him of the struggle he had just endured, its warmth a fragile counterpoint to the cold coil of the Void now subdued within him.

Bo stepped closer, eyes wide and wary, watching the intricate new runes that laced Val's left eye, their glow shifting between a dull amethyst and deep black before fading away.

Val managed a nod, though his muscles trembled with exhaustion. He let his gaze shift over to the ruin stone fragments at his feet, now lifeless and dull.

The memory of the searing pain still echoed within him, but it was different now.

His mind felt more attuned, as if a veil had lifted, allowing him to sense the faintest stirrings in the room—the subtle shift of Riggs's breathing, the suppressed worry simmering beneath Bo's stoic demeanor, and the curiosity radiating from Fon like a beacon.

It wasn't just sight or sound; it was something intangible, a ripple in the space between his mind and theirs.

"No injuries," Val finally replied, voice steady but low. "But everything's… louder."

A deep resonance echoed in his chest.

Thump!

Thump!

Ugh!

Val groaned, the force of the deep resonance in his chest staggering him as he dropped back down to one knee, fingers clawing at the cold stone floor.

"Val!" Bo's voice was sharp, cutting through the dense silence as he moved closer, eyes darting between Val and the flickering Purple Fire. A sheen of concern crossed his face, edged with panic.

The rhythmic pounding in his chest seemed to drum through his entire body, drowning out everything else.

"What's going on?" Fon's eyes widened, his youthful bravado replaced with an anxious urgency. He shifted on his feet, torn between moving forward to help and staying back, wary of the strange, invisible force radiating from Val.

Riggs exchanged a quick look with General Luis, who nodded, the silent communication between them speaking volumes. The general stepped forward, ready to act if needed, but held back, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation.

Thump!

Thump!

His vision blurred at the edges, his breathing ragged, and a wave of intense, unfamiliar empathy washed over him, tangling with his thoughts.

He sensed Bo's worry like a storm cloud and Riggs's intense focus, both colliding within him, amplifying the chaotic pounding.

"Deleo... hold on," Val whispered internally, trying to ground himself as he pressed a shaking hand to his chest. The surge wasn't just physical; it was in the surrounding air, drawing everyone into its eerie pull.

Deleo's voice, distant and muffled, reached him. "Val, focus."

Within his consciousness, where the souls of Ember and Exeo resided, the Purple Fire protecting them flared, then dimmed, crackling as if a gust threatened to snuff it out. Their forms pulsed with a strange energy. Ember's serene expression twitched, his essence flickering like an unstable flame, while Exeo's eyes—usually closed in a semblance of rest—cracked open, revealing a haunting glimmer of awareness.

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"Deleo," Val whispered inwardly, the tremor in his voice betraying his fear. "What's happening to them?"

Deleo's spectral form materialized within Val's mindscape, gaze steady but shadowed by an unspoken concern. "They are... affected by the shift. But their essence holds."

The pounding in Val's chest intensified, as though the answer carried a weight heavier than reassurance.

"Affected how? Are they—"

"Do not let this control you, Val. Anchor yourself!" Deleo's tone cut sharper now, urgency hardening his features. It was almost confirmation, a vague assurance that hung in the space between fear and hope.

Val's head snapped up as he willed himself to listen. The pounding of his heart receded, the suffocating beat finally easing into a faint echo. He pushed himself upright, his hand slipping off the stone as he forced air back into his lungs.

The connection to Ember and Exeo settled into a fragile, uneasy calm. The surrounding fire stabilized but dimmed, shadows playing over their ethereal forms.

He swallowed, the taste of blood in his mouth, and murmured, "I don't understand… but I will." The words were raw, a promise stitched with exhaustion and determination.

Bo reached out, hesitating, his fingers an inch away. "Val, say something! Don't just—"

"I'm... fine," Val managed through gritted teeth, the pounding receding, leaving a faint echo in its wake. He looked up, catching Bo's hand, still hovering midair. The tension in Bo's eyes softened, the unspoken worry shared by all.

The crackling of the Purple Fire faded back to a steady glow, and the suffocating pulse of the moment passed, leaving behind the heavy breath of relief among the team.

General Luis's eyes, sharp and discerning, surveyed each member of the team with a gaze that was equal parts pride and scrutiny. Dr. Lewis, standing to the side, kept a watchful eye on Val, the concern in his expression barely masked by his professional detachment.

Val pushed himself up, muscles trembling, and wiped the sweat from his brow.

The thump in his chest had finally settled, but the room still felt like it was spinning. He glanced over at Bo, who offered a small, reassuring nod.

"That was... more intense than expected," Dr. Lewis muttered, breaking the silence. His fingers tightened around the clipboard he always carried. "Val, do you feel any residual effects?"

Val hesitated, searching for the right words. "It's hard to explain. Everything feels sharper. The emotions... I can feel them, as if they're my own." He glanced at Riggs and Fon, sensing their concern and unspoken questions. "It's not just physical."

Before anyone could respond, a harsh buzzing noise cut through the room.

Bzzzt!

General Luis's comm device lit up, the urgency of the call evident. He frowned, stepping away as he activated the transmission. The holographic display projected into the air, displaying the face of a subordinate, whose expression was grave.

"General, we have a situation," the voice said, strained. "Your immediate presence is requested in the Command Room. It involves—"

"Understood," General Luis replied after the call, his tone brooking no delay. He glanced back at the group, the lines on his face deepening.

"This conversation will have to wait. You're all coming with me. Something critical has come up."

Dr. Lewis's eyes narrowed, but he stepped back as General Luis motioned for them to follow. "Looks like your recovery will be cut short, Val," he said, his voice heavy with concern.

Riggs adjusted the strap of his weapon, a determined glint in his eyes. "Let's move. If it's enough to rattle command, we're needed."

Fon, whose excitement was a mix of eagerness and nerves, clenched his fists. "Finally, something we can do without waiting in the shadows."

Val's heartbeat picked up again, but this time, it wasn't panic.

It was anticipation.

Whatever awaited them, he knew this mission would be different. The newfound abilities stirred beneath the surface, and he hoped they would be an asset rather than a burden.

General Luis led the way out of the chamber, the team following close behind. The rhythmic sound of boots on stone filled the hallway, accompanied by the quiet whispers of uncertainty.

Bo leaned closer to Val as they walked, voice low. "Think you're ready for this, Val?"

Val met Bo's eyes, the doubt flickering before fading into determination. "I have to be."

The corridor opened up to the Command Room, where glowing monitors cast an eerie blue light. Maps, reports, and live feeds buzzed with frantic energy. General Luis strode in, eyes narrowing at the wall of information before him.

"This mission isn't just a test," General Luis began, his voice echoing over the controlled chaos. "It's the beginning of a battle we didn't see coming."

Val's heart thumped in his chest, but this time, it wasn't the strange, overpowering beat from before. It was the call to action, a reminder that amidst the uncertainty, they were Team Unknown—warriors bound by duty and fate.