Val rematerialized in HQ, his form emerging from the shadows in a quiet rush. He took a steadying breath, releasing his hold on the Void as he regained his footing. Around him, the air in HQ Command was charged, heavy with tension.

The operators were silent, their faces pale from the horror they'd witnessed in his live feed. No one moved, no one spoke; all eyes turned to Val as he stood, breathing heavily, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Across the room, Ember watched, his face carved in stone, his eyes glinting with an icy fury that sent a chill through the room. His hands, clenched tightly at his sides, betrayed the storm raging beneath his cold exterior. With a quiet breath, he looked to Dr. Lewis, his tone a steady monotone that belied the anger simmering just beneath.

"Briefing room. Next steps," Ember said, his voice carrying an authority that allowed no argument. Without another word, he turned and strode out, his cold demeanor leaving a tangible mark on everyone in his wake.

Dr. Lewis exchanged a brief look with Val and the rest of the team, then nodded and led them down the hallway, his expression somber.

The operators, still reeling from the nightmarish vision of Reinhart Bellator's desecrated remains, quickly looked away, anxious to avoid the Bellator brothers' gaze as they made their way to the briefing room.

Once inside, Dr. Lewis closed the door behind him, leaving the room in tense silence. Ember stood near the front, his arms crossed tightly as he gazed at the team, his eyes like steel. The rest of Team Unknown gathered around the table, their faces grave, each one acutely aware of the implications of what they'd seen.

Dr. Lewis began, his tone clipped and professional, though a faint tremor in his voice betrayed his unease. "First, Val, thank you for gathering the intel. What we saw tonight..." He hesitated, his gaze flicking to Ember, then back to Val. "It changes everything."

Ember's gaze narrowed, his tone deadly calm. "Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus think they can desecrate our bloodline and turn Reinhart's remains into some twisted trophy. They have no idea what's coming for them." His jaw tightened, and the tension in the room seemed to coil, as though barely restrained fury emanated from him.

Val's voice cut through, steady but laced with anger. "And it's more than just a desecration, Ember. They're experimenting with Void energy—trying to force it into people as though it were just another weapon. The prisoners in that lab… they were subjected to pure corruption. Whatever Hades' Wrath wants, it goes beyond merely disrupting Clareo."

Dr. Lewis looked down, his expression darkening. "Our worst fears are becoming a reality. Hades' Wrath is attempting to create Void-powered soldiers, using corrupted energy to weaponize humans." He straightened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him visibly. "But our immediate concern now is Clareo. If Deleo's instincts are correct, Hades' Wrath may try to launch an attack here, knowing Team Unknown's full strength isn't available. Clareo's defenses would be weakened if they assume we're entirely occupied."

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Ember's voice dropped to a lethal whisper. "Then let them come."

The team watched Ember in silence, recognizing the depth of his fury. Fon and Bo exchanged wary glances, while Riggs tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze hard as he mulled over the implications. Val remained quiet, his hands clenched as he processed everything that had transpired.

Dr. Lewis broke the silence, pulling up a tactical map of Clareo on the briefing room's display.

"Our focus will be on reinforcing Clareo's key sectors. We have reports suggesting Hades' Wrath prefers tactical strikes—quick, calculated hits that exploit the weakest points in a city's defenses."

He pointed to several marked locations on the map. "We'll station operatives here, here, and here, to cover the most vulnerable entry points. But if they come in numbers, we'll need to fall back to defend these sectors." He looked at Team Unknown, his gaze steady. "Each of you will be stationed at a critical location within the city to ensure maximum protection."

Val gave a single nod, his mind already racing through possible attack strategies. "We'll need to ensure constant communication, no gaps. If Hades' Wrath makes any attempt at infiltration, we intercept them before they reach any populated areas."

Ember's gaze remained cold, his focus unwavering. "We're going to treat this as a full-scale assault. No one leaves the city unprotected."

Dr. Lewis nodded in agreement. "We'll arrange shifts with Clareo's local forces as well. They'll need to be briefed on the potential Void contamination in Hades' Wrath's weaponry. If they see anything suspicious, they'll report directly to you."

Bo, arms folded, added, "This won't be like anything Clareo's forces have faced. If Hades' Wrath uses corrupted Void energy, our men need to understand the stakes—one mistake could mean a breach in the city's defense."

Fon's voice was a low murmur as he studied the map. "And if they come in force, there'll be no room for error."

Dr. Lewis's tone grew sharper as he continued. "Expect the unexpected. Hades' Wrath will not attack conventionally; they'll use every resource, every trick they've gathered. And we'll be ready for them."

At that moment, Val felt a faint stirring within, and Deleo's voice surfaced, darkly amused but laced with a hint of urgency.

"Ah, Val, it seems my instincts were on point after all. I suggest you inform your team to be ready. I sense something… familiarly tainted on the outskirts of Clareo."

Val's eyes narrowed, and he glanced toward Dr. Lewis. "We need to move faster. Deleo just confirmed that Hades' Wrath is already nearing Clareo's borders."

Ember straightened, his eyes flashing. "Then there's no more time for strategy. We're deploying immediately."

The room's tension mounted as each member of Team Unknown prepared themselves for what was to come. Ember gave the command, his tone a chilling promise. "We don't wait for them to come to us. We intercept them and end this."

Dr. Lewis nodded firmly, his gaze resolute. "I'll have the local forces alerted and prepared. They'll be on standby, but I trust you to handle the main assault."

As the team dispersed to make their final preparations, a grim silence lingered over them. Each member was keenly aware that this battle was not just another mission—it was a direct affront, an attack on their legacy, their home, and their honor.

Val felt Deleo's presence pulsing within him, his voice whispering quietly.

"Reinhart's legacy cannot fall into their hands. Show them what true power is, Val. Show them that the Bellator line is not to be trifled with."

With one last look toward the city they swore to protect, Team Unknown made their way to their positions, bracing themselves for the battle that loomed on the horizon.