The rhythmic hum of punching bags and the faint scrape of soles against the gym's mat created a quiet backdrop as Val, Bo, Riggs, and Fon honed their techniques. Bo's icy stance was mirrored in the chill that clung to his focused demeanor as he moved swiftly through a set of calculated strikes. Riggs, fluid and quick, sparred with Bo, testing the control and agility of his wind-shield techniques while Bo adjusted his icy defenses. Fon, watching the spar, adjusted his stance, occasionally sparking with questions or comments, eager to learn and refine his own techniques.

Val circled the perimeter, his gaze sharp and evaluative, occasionally interjecting with feedback for his teammates, nodding approvingly when he noticed the improved precision in Fon's strikes. It was a rare, uninterrupted moment for the team, and even the slight ease in Val's posture hinted that, at least for now, he felt at home here, away from the chaos of the field.

"You'll want to watch the tempo, Fon," Val called out as he saw Fon prepare for a rapid succession of hits against a training dummy. "Every strike matters. It's about control, not speed."

Fon paused mid-motion, casting a sheepish glance over his shoulder. "Right… but I'm telling you, Val, one day I'm going to get the speed and control to match you."

Bo snickered, dodging a jab from Riggs with practiced ease. "We're looking forward to it, Fon. But for now, keep an eye on that footwork, or you'll be leaving yourself open."

Fon gave an exaggerated sigh, mock-resigned to his teammates' advice. "Alright, alright, but don't blame me when I'm the one saving all your hides out there."

The team shared a light laugh, but the moment was short-lived. The doors at the far end of the gym swung open abruptly, and Dr. Lewis entered, his gaze unwavering as he sought Val with a sense of urgency that stilled the room. Even the slight ease in Val's expression evaporated as he straightened, signaling the team to do the same.

"Val," Dr. Lewis said, his voice clipped, "we need to talk immediately. There's been a breakthrough."

Val narrowed his eyes, sensing the weight behind the words. "A breakthrough?"

Dr. Lewis nodded, his face tense. "Yes. I've finally managed to crack the final cipher on those documents from the last mission. We have the location."

At this, Bo, Riggs, and Fon turned to each other with a mix of surprise and intrigue. The vault had become a near-mythical objective since the hints first appeared, a place thought to house powerful relics, protected by layers of mystique and danger. Each ruin stone they had found so far had deepened the mystery and hinted at forces both ancient and dangerous—forces that connected disturbingly close to Val.

Val crossed the room in a few swift strides, his expression darkening with curiosity. "The location of the Primordial Vault," he murmured, as if tasting the words. "So it's real."

Dr. Lewis nodded, glancing at the others and lowering his voice slightly, as if sharing a secret. "Very real, and with far more defenses than we anticipated. General Luis is already preparing the briefing room. This is going to be one of our most critical operations yet." He cast a grim look at Val. "And it could be the most dangerous."

Fon's eyes widened with excitement that he barely suppressed, practically bouncing as he leaned in. "So we're going after another ruin stone? The fourth one?"

Bo and Riggs both raised their eyebrows at Dr. Lewis, their expressions turning serious as they realized the weight of the mission.

Dr. Lewis turned to address the whole team, his expression uncharacteristically intense.

"Exactly. From what I've uncovered, the Primordial Vault holds another ruin stone—one that might be even more powerful and volatile than the previous ones. We've learned that Black Lotus may have intel on the vault's location as well, and we can't risk them getting there first."

The team was silent for a moment, absorbing the revelation. Riggs finally spoke, his tone a mix of intrigue and skepticism. "So Black Lotus knows too? I'd hate to think they're setting up shop right where we're going."

"Right now, that's the biggest concern," Dr. Lewis said, a frown etched deeply on his face. "They've been sighted in the Mistfallen Mountains, near the region where the vault is located. We suspect they're trying to breach the vault as we speak."

Bo ran a hand over his face, the weight of the news sinking in. "So it's a race, then. Us against Black Lotus."

Dr. Lewis nodded. "And it's a race we can't afford to lose. This ruin stone—if it's truly what the documents imply—could shift the entire balance of power. But that's not all. The vault has safeguards we barely understand. My research hints at barriers that are uniquely reactive to different types of energy, especially dark energy."

Val's gaze sharpened, feeling the familiar stir of the Void's presence in the back of his mind. "So this ruin stone is more volatile than the last ones," he said quietly, almost to himself. "And more connected to…whatever it is that the Void is hiding."

Dr. Lewis nodded. "Precisely. I believe the stone's power might tap directly into that dark force, the very same one you've encountered. If Black Lotus gains access to it, they'll have a weapon capable of bypassing nearly any defense Clareo has, or worst, against you, Val."

Fon's expression turned serious as he processed the implications. "So…no pressure then," he said, glancing at the others, his humor subdued by the enormity of the task ahead.

Val straightened, determination hardening his gaze. "We're going to need every advantage we can get. When do we move?"

"Immediately," Dr. Lewis replied. "General Luis is waiting in the briefing room. You'll get the full details there." He paused, meeting Val's eyes with a look that held both concern and trust. "This mission is different, Val. More than the others, it's going to push every one of you to your limits. Prepare for anything."

Val took a slow breath, nodding resolutely. "Understood."

Dr. Lewis stepped back, gesturing for them to follow him down the corridor.

Bo, Riggs, and Fon exchanged glances before falling into step, their expressions solemn yet determined. The gravity of the mission, the stakes of the ruin stone, and the presence of Black Lotus hanging in the air around them—it was enough to silence even Fon's usual quips.

As they walked, Val's mind raced, going over every piece of information they had so far. The ruin stones were unlike any power he'd encountered before, bound by ancient seals that only the most resilient could unlock.

Each stone added a new layer to the mystery of the Void, and each stone came with a price.

Dr. Lewis glanced back at Val as if sensing his thoughts. "This stone… I know it feels like it's calling you, Val," he said in a low voice. "But remember: this isn't a simple mission. It's not just about finding the stone. It's about making sure Clareo stays protected, that this power doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

Val's expression didn't waver. "I know, Dr. Lewis. I won't let it."

They approached the briefing room, and the doors slid open, revealing General Luis at the head of the table, his expression grim. On the table before him were maps, surveillance photos, and marked coordinates, all laid out in meticulous order. He looked up as they entered, his gaze lingering on each of them with a silent acknowledgement of what was at stake.

"Take a seat," General Luis said, his tone all business as he gestured to the open chairs.

Val and his team complied, each one settling into their seats, focusing entirely on the General as he began.

"We've confirmed the Primordial Vault's location in the Mistfallen Mountains," he began, his voice low but forceful. "It's buried in the remains of an ancient fortress—one abandoned for centuries, and fortified by layers of both natural and unnatural defenses. Black Lotus operatives were sighted in the area two days ago. We don't know if they've gained access to the vault, but given their proximity, we have to assume they're closing in."

He tapped a map, highlighting an area near a steep ravine and dense forest at the base of the Mistfallen Mountains.

"The terrain alone is a nightmare. Steep inclines, jagged cliffs, and limited visibility. But once inside the fortress, you're likely to encounter traps. Ancient writings suggest that each chamber within the vault is guarded by relic-based defenses, each more dangerous than the last."

Val looked at the ancient writing, and suddenly, a cold, chilling aura emerged -Deleo.

Deleo spoke internally to Val, "That's a guardian gate."

Val frowned, then replied to Deleo, "If that's a guardian gate, there's a guardian?"

"Indeed," Deleo replied, his tone now a quiet whisper that hinted at unease. "And it may be expecting you."

Val's gaze flickered as he absorbed Deleo's words. He was familiar with the ruin stones' layered illusions, tricks meant to keep outsiders at bay, but this—this was something entirely different. The concept of a guardian was uncharted territory, a level of defense unlike any he'd encountered with the previous stones.

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Deleo's voice softened, his tone shifting into something Val had never quite heard before: a genuine, almost grave caution.

"This guardian is ancient, and it is bound by something far deeper than duty. It doesn't guard out of will but out of an oath that even time itself couldn't erode. Unlike the illusions you've faced, Val, this is no mere trick. The guardian's purpose is to protect the ruin stone with a strength and focus beyond what you've known."

Val's grip tightened slightly as he processed this. "So, it's not something we can just outmaneuver or dispel. This guardian is... sentient?"

Deleo hesitated, then responded, his voice low and steady.

"In a sense, yes. It exists within the Vault as an entity forged from the same power as the stone itself. It does not think as you or I do, but it is aware. It knows its purpose, and it will fulfill it relentlessly. There will be no reasoning with it, no moment of hesitation."

The weight of Deleo's warning settled over Val, a sharp contrast to the illusions they'd previously encountered. There was no escaping or sidestepping this guardian; it was a force they would have to confront head-on.

"Be prepared, Val," Deleo's voice whispered with an urgency that sent a chill through him. "This creature has known only the Vault and the power within it. Once you face it, there's no turning back. It will fight to the end."

Val's pulse quickened as he processed Deleo's words. His initial confidence was replaced by the weight of this new threat, one he hadn't foreseen.

Deleo's voice remained steady in his mind, though a hint of warning lingered in each syllable.

"It is different from any foe you've faced, Val. Its nature is to guard, not to reason or relent. It exists for this single purpose."

Val's mind raced, images of the illusions and puzzles they'd encountered with previous ruin stones flashing through his thoughts.

"Then tell me, Deleo—how do we defeat it? If it's bound to the Vault and tied to the ruin stone's power, can it even be defeated?"

Deleo was silent for a moment, and for the first time, Val sensed hesitation from him.

"This guardian is as old as the stone it protects," Deleo finally replied, his tone edged with something akin to reverence.

"It was created to protect, to remain invulnerable to all but the purest strength of will… and sacrifice. It will not falter unless that strength is met and surpassed."

"Strength of will?" Val echoed, frustration edging into his voice. "So brute force alone won't be enough. Is it something I can face alone, or should my team be prepared?"

There was another pause before Deleo spoke, his voice filled with caution.

"Entering the Vault may be something you can only do alone, Val. This guardian's power—its connection to the ruin stone—will react to any outside presence it senses as a threat. The illusions you encountered with previous stones were crafted to keep people out, but this guardian… it is forged from the same dark energy as the Void itself."

Val's gaze hardened, his mind trying to wrap around the gravity of what Deleo was implying.

If his team couldn't join him inside, then he'd face this unknown force alone, without their support. "So, if I'm alone, if the guardian's purpose is to match me in strength and focus… will my connection to the Void be enough to face it?"

Deleo's voice softened, a strange mix of encouragement and warning.

"Your connection to the Void grants you a rare strength, yes. But it's a double-edged blade, Val. To tap into the Void and draw on its full potential will give you the power to confront the guardian, but it will also risk drawing you deeper into its hold."

Val took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the floor as he tried to digest the risk Deleo was describing. His past experiences with the Void had shown him how dangerously consuming its power could be, how each time he drew on it, he felt it pull at the edges of his mind.

"So, if I try to access that strength," he murmured, "the Void will push back… and there's no guarantee I'll maintain control?"

"Precisely," Deleo replied, his tone serious.

"The Void is insatiable, Val. It will seize any chance to claim more of you, and the ruin stone's power will amplify that hunger. You must tread carefully. Tap into the Void if necessary, but do not give in completely."

Val's jaw clenched as he weighed the options. "And if I can't defeat it with the Void's power alone?"

Deleo's answer was cryptic, carrying a hint of finality that left Val uneasy. "Then, you must be willing to make a choice. A choice that could change everything."

Val's heart pounded at the ominous tone in Deleo's voice. "What kind of choice?"

"One that only you can make when the moment comes," Deleo replied quietly. "But know this: the guardian will not stop, will not rest. It will keep fighting until one of you falls."

Val exhaled, the reality settling heavily on his shoulders. He had faced dangerous missions before, but this… this felt different. It was a battle against something ageless, something with purpose beyond mere survival. It would require more than physical strength or clever strategy—it would test the very core of who he was and what he was willing to risk.

He could sense Deleo's presence lingering in his mind, almost as if he were reluctant to leave him alone with these thoughts.

"Val… I've seen warriors like you falter at the hands of this kind of force," Deleo murmured, his tone softer, more somber. "But I have faith in you. Do not let the Void consume you. You are more than its vessel."

Val straightened, his resolve hardening. "I won't let it control me, Deleo. I'll face this guardian—and whatever else lies within that Vault."

After Val had spoken to Deleo, he noticed that everything around him was silent.

"Hmm?" When he looked up, he noticed that everyone was staring at him.

"Anything you'd like to share, Val?" General Luis asked, with a grim expression.

"I'm sorry sir. It wasn't my intention not to listen, it's just..." Val looked at the screen, where the video clip froze with the anceint door. "Deleo had mentioned to me something about the vault."

"Next time, tell me if you knew something, and just tell them directly!" Val inernally muttered which earned a chuckle only from Deleo.

Val sighed, and said, "There will be a slight problem."

This earned the attention to the two men in front of him. Dr, Lewis nodded and urged him to continue.

"With the race against time with Black Lotus, and we don't know, if Hades' Wrath will be there too... That.." Val pointed at the screen, "Is an ancient guardian gate."

This earned a stunned silence in the room. Dr. Lewis frowned then somehow, with a hitn of realizaton from his previous research he recalled, he widened his eyes, and looked at Val, he said, "You mean, there will be an ancient creature guarding that?"

Val nodded, and was about to continue, but was cut off by Dr Lewis, who is now obviously excited, "And that means, even if the Black Lotus is there, there is no way that they can enter, because only chosen ones or able to pass from the Guardian's trial can pass through that gate!"

Val's mouth closed when he heard it, which Deleo's augh was ringing in his Val's mind. He simply nodded and curtly said, "Yes."

The atmosphere in the room shifted palpably as Val confirmed Dr. Lewis's realization. The mere concept of an ancient creature—a guardian—was enough to unsettle even the most battle-hardened among them. It was one thing to face Black Lotus or other adversaries, but the addition of an ageless sentinel dedicated to defending the ruin stone added an entirely new dimension to their mission.

General Luis's expression darkened as he leaned forward, his fingers pressed together thoughtfully. "So we're not only up against Black Lotus," he murmured, "but something that might be even more dangerous. Val, are you saying this... guardian might see all of us as intruders?"

Val nodded, choosing his words carefully. "It's likely that only one person can face this guardian directly. Deleo suggested that it's bound to the ruin stone itself, and it'll defend that stone against anyone it perceives as a threat. That may mean... I'll be the only one allowed past the gate."

Bo, Riggs, and Fon exchanged uneasy glances. Fon, unable to keep silent, finally spoke up. "So, what exactly does that mean for the rest of us? We're just supposed to hang back while you face this thing alone?"

Dr. Lewis cleared his throat, glancing between Val and the team, then gestured to the map on the screen. "If Val's the only one able to face the guardian directly, the rest of you will have to keep the perimeter secure, focusing on handling any Black Lotus operatives who are likely to interfere. This is as much about keeping them away from Val's path as it is about eliminating them."

Fon grumbled, though he nodded reluctantly. "Well, as long as we're all on the same page... I'd rather not face some ancient monster anyway."

Val allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile before his expression grew serious once more. He felt Deleo's presence stir within him again, almost as if Deleo were preparing to speak.

"Val," Deleo's voice was a low, steady presence in his mind, "you need to understand something crucial. This guardian—its strength isn't solely in its power or form. It's a test, designed to push your limits beyond anything you've encountered. The only way to survive will be to face it with clarity and strength of will. The Void alone won't be enough."

Val's mind raced as he considered Deleo's words, searching for any clue or insight that might prepare him for what was to come. "But if the Void won't be enough, then what should I rely on? If I can't defeat it with my connection to the Void, what else is there?"

Deleo's voice was grave, a somber tone that suggested he knew more than he was letting on. "You have strength beyond the Void, Val. Remember that. The guardian's purpose is to challenge more than just your raw power; it's meant to confront something within you. Do not lose sight of who you are or why you're doing this."

The cryptic words hung heavily in Val's mind, adding a layer of foreboding that gnawed at him.

Val looked up from his thoughts, noting the expectant faces of his team and the inquisitive glances of Dr. Lewis and General Luis.

"The details are still unclear," Val said, pulling himself back to the present. "But Deleo has... advised caution. He believes this guardian will test not just strength, but intent. This isn't just about brute force."

General Luis nodded slowly, his gaze sharp and thoughtful. "Then we'll plan for every contingency. If you're the only one permitted to face this creature, we'll ensure that Black Lotus never even gets close to that gate."

Dr. Lewis leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Val, the guardian's presence changes everything. I know Deleo is your source of insight here, but anything you can share, no matter how small, will help us prepare the team—and you."

Val was about to respond when a sudden heaviness seemed to settle over him, as though Deleo were reaching out with one final piece of advice.

"Remember, Val… the guardian will test every part of you. But it will also reveal what you truly hold dear. Trust in yourself, and do not waver, no matter what it shows you."

The words resonated, striking a nerve deep within him. Val took a steadying breath, nodding once to himself.

"Understood," he replied aloud, though the words seemed to be directed as much to Deleo as to the others in the room. He squared his shoulders, meeting the eyes of General Luis and Dr. Lewis.

"There's no turning back now," he continued, his voice steady and resolute. "This mission… it's more than securing a ruin stone or protecting Clareo. We're stepping into uncharted territory. But we're ready."

The team absorbed his words in silence, each understanding the magnitude of what lay ahead.

After a moment, General Luis stood, breaking the silence. "Good. We'll finalize our preparations, and once everything is ready, we'll deploy immediately. Make sure you're all prepared for anything, because when we go in, we won't be coming back until we have that stone."

As they rose to leave, Val's gaze lingered on the map of the Primordial Vault. The words of Deleo echoed once more in his mind, a reminder of the unknown forces waiting in the shadows, ready to test his strength—and his very soul.

The stakes had never been higher, but he was prepared to face whatever awaited him in that ancient fortress.