Mitch signaled for his students to halt as the shimmering plasma barrier surrounding the Aegis base came into view. According to their intel, the once noble Captain Darkholme had been corrupted by demonic forces and now commanded the base's army of magi-tech soldiers.

"Remember your training," Mitch said sternly. "Darkholme won't show restraint with her new abilities. You need to be prepared for anything."

The teens nodded, faces set in grim determination. They had come so far under his guidance since escaping Fournier. Now was the time to prove themselves.

Mitch gathered his aura energies. "Breach on my mark!" He gestured sharply, and Mike unleashed a concentrated telekinetic blast, rupturing a small hole in the plasma field.

"Go, go go!" Mitch yelled, charging through with his students. On the other side, Darkholme stood at the head of a phalanx of magi soldiers, eyes burning crimson.

"Poor Mitch, you should have stayed in the shadows where you belong," she called mockingly.

Mitch stood his ground. "It didn't have to be this way, Raven. But I won't let you serve evil any longer."

Darkholme's smile was cruel. "Let's see if you still talk so bravely after facing my new gifts." She suddenly vanished.

An instant later, she reappeared right in front of Mitch, clawed hands grasping for his throat in a blur. Only his aura instincts saved Mitch, arms snapping up to block the savage strike intended to decapitate him.

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"Look out!" Mitch yelled to his students as Darkholme pressed her assault. He struggled to defend against her superhuman blows. Never had he faced such blistering speed and power.

Nearby, Lea dueled with a squad of magi soldiers, fiery aura blasts keeping them at bay. Mike had raised a telekinetic shield around himself and Karen as they returned fire at the base defenses. But even their combined skills could not turn the tide.

Darkholme viciously kicks Mitch's sternum, sending him skidding backward. "Getting tired yet?" she taunted

Mitch spat blood, struggling to his feet. "I won't abandon the fight while breath remains." He charged her again, students rallying at his side.

The battle raged on, and neither side was able to gain the upper hand. Mitch knew they could not defeat Darkholme's demonically enhanced abilities alone. But he had to buy time for reinforcements to shut down this base of operations.

Vex shrugged, then turned his powers upon Ava, her mind flooded with bittersweet memories of passion shared with Vex's former host. Ava sobbed brokenly, paralyzed by remembered bliss and present anguish.

"My dear, I can offer you so much more than these paltry tastes," Vex crooned, caressing her cheek. "Pledge yourself to me, and our love will transcend mortal bounds."

Ava trembled, clearly tempted yet revolted. "You ... you monster... this perversion must end..."

Vex tightened his grip, eyes flaring. "Foolish woman, you cannot resist my gifts forever!"

With a final burst of effort, Astor broke Vex's hold. "Do not listen, Ava! See past these twisted illusions!"

Vex backhanded the impudent boy, sending him sprawling. "Defy me at your peril!" the demon roared. He returned his attention to Ava, redoubling his psychic assault. She thrashed under the onslaught, until finally her resistance crumbled. Eyes vacant, Ava slowly took Vex's outstretched hand. "Master..." she murmured brokenly.

Vex smiled in triumph. "Yes, my prize, together we will achieve such wonders."

Astor shouted in anguish seeing Ava's spirit quenched under Vex's control. But the demon merely laughed. "You have lost, boy. Darkness reigns ascendant."

One defiant soul remained, but soon enough, all would kneel before the shadow. Vex would savor each hard-won surrender. None could withstand his powers forever.

Vex watched in sadistic glee as Astor and Ava writhed under the power of his illusions. With a mere thought, he could subject them to any horror or temptation imaginable. It was time to put this ability to work breaking their defiant spirits.

First he engulfed Astor in visions of loved ones suffering unspeakable tortures, their agony worsening whenever Astor resisted Vex’s offers of power.

"Their torment will only end when you kneel before me," Vex purred as Astor collapsed, clutching his head. "The choice is yours."

Astor met his gaze defiantly through bloodshot eyes. "I...won't...give in...to your...evil..." he gasped between visions of agony.