Val strode down the corridors of HQ Command, the oppressive tendrils of shadow now fully receding into nothingness.

The air lightened with every step, and the faint hum of Void energy dissipated into silence. His hooded cloak fell still, and the sense of suffocating dominance that had accompanied him earlier was gone—but traces of that presence lingered in the minds of those who had seen him.

Deleo's voice echoed in Val's mind, tinged with faint amusement. "They'll be trembling for days after that display. I'm impressed, Val. You channeled my flair for drama quite well."

Val sighed inwardly, his tone dry. "Drama wasn't the point, Deleo. They needed to understand their mistake."

"Oh, they understood," Deleo replied, his voice practically purring. "But admit it—you enjoyed it just a little. That one councilman? The look on his face when the shadows wrapped around his chair? Priceless."

Val fought the urge to smirk as he turned a corner, his cloak billowing faintly behind him. "Maybe a little," he admitted grudgingly.

As Val neared the main atrium, he saw Dr. Lewis standing near the entrance to the briefing wing. The scientist's usual composure was visibly shaken, his hands gripping his tablet tightly, his posture tense. A few HQ personnel lingered nearby, their hushed whispers cutting off abruptly when they noticed Val approaching.

Dr. Lewis's gaze flicked up, and though his expression was neutral, the slight hesitation in his stance betrayed his unease.

"Val," Dr. Lewis greeted, his voice carefully measured, "I assume your meeting with the council… went as expected?"

Val stopped a few feet away, crossing his arms. "It went better than expected."

Dr. Lewis's throat bobbed in a nervous swallow. "I couldn't help but notice…" He gestured vaguely, his fingers twitching slightly. "…the, ah, Void energy. It's… less pronounced now."

"Oh, come on," Deleo's voice chimed in Val's mind, exasperated. "Less pronounced? Just say it, Dr. Lewis. You were terrified. Look at him—he's still shaking."

Val tilted his head slightly, his tone deadpan. "Deleo says you look like you saw a ghost."

Dr. Lewis stiffened, irritation flickering across his face. "Your Void doesn't crack council chamber tables in half, Val."

"And yet he survived," Deleo mused, his voice practically gleeful. "Good for him."

Val ignored Deleo's commentary and stepped closer. "The council won't interfere with Team Unknown's operations again. That's all you need to know."

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Dr. Lewis's gaze narrowed slightly, his curiosity overcoming his lingering unease. "What exactly did you say to them?"

Val's mask dipped slightly, as if debating how much to reveal. "Let's just say they'll think twice before making decisions without consulting us."

"And by think twice, you mean quake in their boots for the foreseeable future," Deleo added helpfully.

Dr. Lewis exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath. "Of course, you couldn't have handled this diplomatically. No, you had to…" He trailed off, glancing at Val's stoic stance. "Never mind. I'll add it to the report."

Val's voice turned steely. "Make sure that report includes everything. Especially the part where Beta Team was nearly slaughtered because of their incompetence."

Dr. Lewis nodded grimly. "Understood. I'll inform General Luis as well. He'll want to know."

As Dr. Lewis turned to leave, Deleo's voice hummed with amusement. "You know, Val, I think I like him. He's delightfully flustered, but still keeps going. Admirable, really."

Val sighed again, his tone laced with faint exasperation. "Deleo, I'm not here to amuse you."

"Oh, but you do," Deleo replied smugly. "Don't worry—I'll keep that to myself. For now."

Dr. Lewis muttered under his breath, barely audible. "One day, you'll give me a proper report without breaking something… or someone."

Val glanced at him briefly. "What was that?"

"Nothing, just reviewing logistics," Dr. Lewis replied quickly, his cheeks slightly flushed.

Far to the south, on a remote island cloaked in mist, General Luis stood atop a cliff overlooking the rugged coastline. The distant roar of waves filled the air as he watched Reyes navigate a grueling obstacle course below, his movements sharp and precise despite the unforgiving terrain.

Beside him, Exeo stood with his arms crossed, his expression calm but watchful. "He's progressing well," Exeo remarked, his tone steady. "Another six months, and he'll be ready."

General Luis nodded faintly, his sharp gaze never leaving Reyes. "Good. We'll need him sooner than expected."

A faint buzz from his communicator drew his attention. He glanced at the device, his expression hardening as he read the incoming message.

"What is it?" Exeo asked, noticing the shift in Luis's demeanor.

General Luis's jaw tightened. "A report from Dr. Lewis. The council overstepped again."

Exeo's brow furrowed. "What happened?"

"Beta Team was nearly wiped out during the last mission. They assigned them without consulting Team Unknown."

Exeo's eyes narrowed beneath his hood. "Reckless."

General Luis's voice carried a rare edge of anger. "Reckless doesn't begin to cover it. But Val handled it."

Exeo's gaze sharpened. "How?"

General Luis's lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile, a mixture of pride and grim satisfaction. "By reminding them who holds the real power in Clareo. They won't forget it anytime soon."

Exeo's expression remained neutral, but a glint of approval flickered in his eyes. "Good. The council needs reminders like that."

General Luis turned back to the course below, watching as Reyes cleared another obstacle with precision. "Let's hope it doesn't come to this again. We can't afford distractions."

Back at HQ Command, Dr. Lewis approached Val in the command center, his tablet in hand.

"The transport carrying the others has arrived," he informed Val. "Beta Team and Team Unknown will be debriefed shortly."

Val nodded, his stance unyielding as he turned toward the atrium. "Good. They'll need it."

As Val walked away, the faintest trace of shadow clung to the edges of his cloak, a reminder of the power that had dominated the council chamber mere hours ago.

Deleo's voice broke the silence in his mind, uncharacteristically quiet. "You did well, Val. But this isn't over."

"I know," Val replied silently. "And neither am I."