The lab felt like it had been dropped into a vacuum. The air was heavy, charged with an unnatural tension as the two figures stepped through the swirling portal. Their forms crackled with unstable energy, their outlines glitching like corrupted files trying to hold together.

Dr. Kael stumbled backward, her eyes wide in shock. “What—what are they?”

Aaron stepped in front of her instinctively, his mind racing. He didn’t know what these beings were, but their presence felt just like Crux’s—an extension of the same chaotic energy that pulsed through the Time Stream.

One of the figures, slightly taller and more solid-looking than the other, fixed its flickering gaze on Aaron. Its voice came out in a sharp, distorted tone, as if multiple voices were speaking at once.

“The Nexus is destabilizing the Stream,” it said, pointing a finger at Aaron. “The anomaly cannot be allowed to persist.”

“I don’t even know what you’re talking about!” Aaron shouted, his fists clenched. “I didn’t ask for this power!”

“That is irrelevant,” the second figure hissed. Its form was thinner, more shadow-like, its voice cutting through the air like a razor. “The balance must be restored, and you are the imbalance.”

Dr. Kael grabbed Aaron’s arm, her voice trembling. “Aaron, what’s going on? Who—what are these things?”

“They’re… like Crux,” Aaron said, never taking his eyes off the two figures. “They’re here because of me.”

The taller figure raised its hand, and the portal behind them rippled violently. Aaron could feel the pull of it in his chest, as if it was trying to drag him in.

“Submit,” it commanded. “Return to the Stream, and the unraveling will cease.”

Aaron stepped back, shaking his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m not going anywhere.”

The shadow-like figure tilted its head, as if considering his response. Then it lunged.

Time slowed.

Aaron’s instincts took over, and the golden energy within him surged. The figure’s attack was impossibly fast, but to Aaron, it was like watching a bullet crawl through the air. He sidestepped the lunge, his movements fluid and precise.

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As the figure passed him, Aaron swung his fist. The impact sent it hurtling across the lab, crashing into a stack of equipment with a deafening clang.

The taller figure didn’t hesitate. It raised both hands, and streaks of black energy shot toward Aaron like tendrils. He moved again, faster this time, dodging each strike with ease.

But the energy didn’t dissipate. The tendrils curved mid-air, chasing him like guided missiles.

“Enough!” Aaron shouted, skidding to a halt. He spun around, focusing all the energy in his body, and unleashed it in a golden shockwave. The tendrils disintegrated instantly, and the taller figure stumbled backward, its form flickering violently.

Dr. Kael stared in disbelief, her back pressed against the wall. “Aaron… what are you?”

“I wish I knew,” Aaron muttered, his breathing heavy.

The shadow-like figure emerged from the wreckage, its form glitching but intact. “Impressive,” it said, its voice dripping with mockery. “But you lack control. You’re a child playing with fire.”

The taller figure straightened, its energy stabilizing. “We are the Phantom Hunters,” it said. “Agents of the Stream, tasked with eliminating anomalies like you. Surrender now, or face erasure.”

Aaron clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. “I already told you—I didn’t ask for this! If I’m such a problem, then tell me how to fix it!”

The shadow figure laughed—a hollow, haunting sound. “Fix it? There is no fixing this. You are a fracture in the Stream. The only way to restore balance is to remove you.”

Aaron’s mind raced. He couldn’t take them both on, not without putting Dr. Kael at risk. He needed a plan.

“Dr. Kael,” he said, his voice low. “Get out of here. Now.”

She hesitated. “I’m not leaving you alone with these things.”

“You have to,” Aaron insisted. “They’re after me, not you. Just go!”

Reluctantly, Dr. Kael nodded and ran toward the door. But before she could reach it, the shadow figure raised its hand, and a wall of black energy materialized, blocking her path.

“No one leaves,” it hissed.

Aaron’s anger flared. “Fine,” he said, stepping forward. “If you want me, come and get me.”

The taller figure didn’t hesitate. It charged at Aaron, its movements a blur of black energy. Aaron met it head-on, their clash sending shockwaves through the lab.

The fight was chaos. Aaron’s speed gave him an edge, but the Phantom Hunters were relentless, their attacks coordinated and precise. Every time he landed a blow, they adapted, their forms shifting to counter him.

As the battle raged, Aaron began to feel the strain. His movements became less fluid, his energy reserves dwindling. The golden glow beneath his skin flickered, and he realized he was running out of time.

The taller figure took advantage of his hesitation, striking him in the chest with a burst of black energy. Aaron was thrown backward, slamming into a console.

He groaned, trying to stand, but the shadow figure was already there, its clawed hand reaching for him.

“Goodbye, Nexus,” it said.

Time froze.

Aaron blinked, confused. The shadow figure was frozen in place, its hand inches from his face. The lab was completely still, the ripples of energy frozen mid-air.

“What…?”

A familiar voice echoed around him.

“You’re not ready for this, Nexus. But you will be.”

Aaron turned and saw a figure stepping out of the frozen air. It was Crux, their form more stable now, their voice calmer