As the debriefing concluded and Team Unknown began to disperse, Val lingered by the door, catching Ember's gaze with a silent nod. Ember recognized the look immediately and followed him down the hallway, where the light dimmed and the noise of the command center faded, leaving them in quiet isolation.

Once they were alone, Val turned to Ember, his expression serious. "Do you feel it?" he asked, his voice low.

Ember paused, meeting Val's eyes. He didn't need to ask what Val meant; the tension surrounding Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus had set his own instincts on edge, but it seemed to run deeper for Val.

Ember nodded. "I've felt it, yes. And you?"

Val gave a faint wince, his hand brushing his left eye. "It's been different lately… there's this pain. It started as a faint pressure, but it's been intensifying. Not unbearable, but enough to notice." He hesitated, looking away. "It's the same feeling I had three years ago, just before the Void stirred and everything went wrong. Since the fifth seal unlocked, I've been careful, more alert to it—but with Hades' Wrath re-emerging, it feels like more than just a coincidence. Like a warning."

Ember's gaze sharpened, the weight of his brother's words clear. He and Exeo had sacrificed themselves to bind the Void within Val years ago, knowing the threat it posed if left unchecked. The Void's ancient power had to be contained, kept in balance within Val. And yet, with Hades' Wrath reappearing, Ember couldn't shake the feeling that the Void sensed something greater approaching.

Val's voice was tense as he continued. "When you and Exeo were still bound to my consciousness, we encountered Black Lotus operatives who seemed to carry traces of the Void. It was faint, almost hidden, but I sensed it. Whenever I got close, I could absorb those traces back. But it still feels… wrong. They shouldn't have any connection to the Void at all."

Ember frowned, his mind working through the implications. "You think they were able to tap into Void energy? But only Reinhart's bloodline has ever been able to contain or control it."

Val nodded. "That's what I've thought too. Maybe they're remnants of something Hades' Wrath or Black Lotus experimented with in the past. It's no secret Reinhart wielded both the Void and Purple Fire centuries ago, and we know Hades' Wrath has been after his power for years."

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Before Ember could respond, a ripple of darkness pulsed from Val's left eye, the shadows thickening and pooling outward. Slowly, they took shape, forming the figure of a tall man with an amused smirk—a familiar presence, his very being woven from the Void.

Deleo materialized fully, giving them a dry chuckle. "Well, isn't this a touching little reunion. Please, don't let me interrupt."

Ember raised an eyebrow, though he'd grown accustomed to Deleo's sudden appearances. "Deleo," he greeted dryly. "Enjoying the eavesdropping?"

Deleo placed a hand over his chest, mock-surprised. "I wouldn't dream of intruding… I was just listening in." His hollow mouth formed in a softened smirk as he looked at Val, a trace of genuine seriousness in his gaze.

"But for the record, Val, the Void doesn't usually stir without reason. And given what we've seen of Black Lotus's behavior… well, let's just say they've been meddling where they don't belong."

Val regarded him warily. "So, it's not just me, then. You've sensed it too?"

Deleo nodded.

"I am the Void, after all. And yes, I've felt the disturbance. Whatever Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus are after, they're getting closer to something they shouldn't touch. If they're attempting to harness even a trace of Void energy, they're inviting a force beyond their control. They think they understand, but all they have are shadows of the real thing."

Ember's gaze grew steely. "Then they're fools. The Void is bound within you, Val, and they have no right to wield any part of it. If they're tampering with powers they don't understand, we'll put a stop to it. Whatever traces of the Void they have, they won't be using them against us."

Deleo's smirk widened. "Couldn't have said it better myself. But Val, just remember—the closer they get to any knowledge of the Void, the more the Void itself will respond. It's… instinctual. Be cautious. Even you, with all your control, may find that the Void has its own agenda."

Val met Deleo's gaze, his own steady. "I can handle it. But if Hades' Wrath is back, then we need to be on full alert. They've tried and failed before to capture Reinhart's power; we can't let them get anywhere close to it again."

Ember gave a single nod, his expression hardened. "Then we'll bring them down, along with anyone else foolish enough to stand in our way."

Deleo inclined his head, his expression almost approving. "Glad to hear it. After all, keeping would-be conquerors from tearing reality apart is something of a specialty of mine."

As the three of them stood in the dim hallway, a mutual understanding passed between them. Whatever plans Hades' Wrath and Black Lotus had, they would be prepared. This battle was centuries in the making, and Team Unknown would be the first line of defense.

The Void was bound to Val, and with Ember and Deleo at his side, they would ensure that its power would not fall into enemy hands.