Ahead of Team Two, Master Khan’s Team One moved steadily toward the outskirts of Aetheris. The forest’s dense canopy gradually gave way to glimpses of a shattered skyline—crumbling buildings and jagged towers silhouetted against a gray midday sky. The closer they got, the more oppressive the silence became, as if the ruined town held its breath, waiting for intruders to cross its threshold.

Master Khan raised a hand, signaling his team to halt. They crouched among the underbrush, peering through the thinning trees at the edge of the forest. The town ahead, once a bustling hub of life, had been reduced to an eerie ruin. Windows gaped like hollow eyes, and walls were streaked with scorch marks and vines. A toppled statue lay fragmented in the center of the main square, a grim reminder of the titans' destructive power.

The team exchanged uneasy glances. The lack of noise was unnatural—no birdsong, no rustle of small creatures. Even the wind seemed reluctant to disturb the ghostly stillness. Master Khan’s expression hardened, his battle-worn features unreadable. “Something’s off,” he muttered, more to himself than to the group. “Keep sharp.”

He gathered his team closer, his powerful presence commanding their focus as he reiterated their strategy. “Listen up! Our mission remains the same. First, we locate the titan lairs. Marge,” he said, turning to her, “your ring, Lethal Moon, is critical here. Those moths of yours are perfect for scouting ahead. Sweep the perimeter and report anything unusual. We move only when it’s safe.”

Marge nodded, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a calm focus. She stepped forward, the glow of her ring intensifying as spectral moths shimmered into existence. The creatures flitted silently into the ruined town, their glowing wings casting faint light over the decayed structures.

“Andrez,” Khan continued, fixing his steely gaze on the largest member of the team, “you’ll anchor us if we encounter hostiles. Your job is to hold the line, no matter what.” The burly student smirked, cracking his knuckles. “Got it, Master Khan. Nothing’s getting past me.”

“Paupau, Harry,” Khan said, addressing the two students flanking him. Paupau, a master of the martial art Force Palm, clenched her fists, the faint shimmer of energy rippling around her palms. Like Master Khan, she hailed from the esteemed Cloudspire Monastery, a lineage that filled her with pride and a sense of duty. Her every movement exuded precision and strength, and the way she glanced at Khan with quiet admiration spoke volumes about the respect she held for him as both a mentor and a warrior.

Harry, standing beside her, rolled his shoulders, his calm demeanor belying the unnerving nature of his power. His ring allowed him to manipulate his own bones, reshaping them into razor-sharp spikes or hardened shields at will. Without warning, small protrusions emerged from his forearms, only to recede just as quickly as he flexed his hands. His powers, both grotesque and fascinating, made him a formidable opponent, and the faint smirk on his face suggested he relished the challenge ahead.

“Stay close and focus on offensive strikes,” Khan continued, his sharp gaze flicking between the two. “When the big ones show, we take them down fast and hard. No hesitation. Support me when needed.” He paused, letting his words sink in before addressing the rest of the team. “The rest of you, maintain formation and stay alert. This place is a trap waiting to spring.”

The students nodded in unison, their earlier nervousness replaced by a grim determination. The briefing complete, Master Khan turned his attention back to the town. “All right, Team One, let’s show these titans what it means to cross us. Move out!”

Marge’s moths returned, their flickering forms hovering near her as she whispered commands to them. “Three clear paths ahead,” she reported. “No sign of titans yet, but there’s movement near the central square—something big.”

“Good work,” Khan replied. “Let’s proceed, but stay tight and keep your eyes open. We’re not alone out here.”

As the team advanced into the ruins, the oppressive silence seemed to deepen, broken only by the crunch of rubble underfoot. The eerie stillness pressed down on them like a physical weight. This was no mere mission; it was a battle to reclaim what the titans had taken—and for many, the first true test of their mettle in the field.

——

As Team One advanced into the crumbling ruins of Aetheris, their silhouettes disappearing among the skeletal remains of buildings, Captain Steven kept his team stationed at the forest's edge. The dense canopy above cast dappled shadows across their combat suits, and the occasional chirping of unseen insects provided an eerie contrast to the tension building among them. Steven raised his binoculars, adjusting the focus to get a clear view of Team One’s movements. Master Khan’s team moved with precision, their figures cutting through the desolation with purposeful strides. He lingered for a moment, observing the spectral glow of Marge’s scouting moths as they dispersed into the ruins.

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Satisfied with what he saw, Steven lowered the binoculars and turned back to his own team. His expression was stern, his voice calm yet commanding. “Listen up,” he began, his tone cutting through the murmurs among his students. “Our role is pivotal. Team One is securing the town and establishing the base camp, while Team Two clears the path for the extermination team. If either falters or encounters resistance too heavy to manage, we’re the backup. No hesitation. No distractions. Our priority is to secure the mission’s success and ensure the safety of our comrades.”

The students nodded, their expressions a mix of determination and unease. Ika stood near the center of the group, her posture steady but her eyes scanning the others. To her right, Nova barely contained her excitement. She shifted from foot to foot, her braided hair bouncing slightly as her fingers twitched in anticipation. “This is perfect,” Nova murmured under her breath, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “Finally, a real battlefield to test my flash bombs and smoke generators. I can’t wait to see how they handle live combat conditions.”

Ika shot her a sidelong glance, half-amused, half-exasperated. “You do realize this isn’t just a test lab, right?” she whispered, her tone dry.

Nova grinned, unabashed. “Oh, I know. That’s what makes it exciting.”

On Ika’s other side, Seraphine remained a study in quiet composure. She adjusted the thin gauntlet on her wrist, its intricate runes glowing faintly with readiness. Her dark eyes flickered toward the ruins, calculating and calm. Meanwhile, Alexander stood at the edge of the group, arms crossed, his face a mask of serene confidence. The faint, wet sound of his ring, Viscous Core, was barely audible—a subtle reminder of his unique ability to summon and manipulate slime. Dubbed “Slime Boy” by his peers, Alexander had long since embraced the nickname, knowing the versatility of his power. The translucent green substance he could generate acted as both a defensive shield and an offensive weapon, adaptable to almost any situation.

Captain Steven motioned for the team to hold their position. His gaze swept over them, lingering briefly on each face. “Stay sharp,” he said firmly. “This forest might seem quiet, but silence is often the precursor to danger. I want everyone alert and ready to move at a moment’s notice. Trust your training and each other. We’ve got this.”

Ika took a deep breath, feeling her heartbeat steady. She flexed her fingers, the faint heat of her purification flames stirring just beneath the surface of her palms. This is what we’ve been preparing for, she thought. No hesitation. No turning back.

——

Meanwhile, Team Four stood at the rear of the operation, their formation deliberate and calculated. At the forefront was Rena Lumius, her violet eyes sharp with focus. No longer the serene cleric of ceremonies, Rena now embodied a commanding warrior clad in the Academy's experimental combat uniform. The sleek fabric hugged her frame, its woven enchantments promising both protection and agility. Yet her mission extended beyond containing the titan Motherglare. She was here to observe Lorenzo.

The Academy’s suspicions had grown after a series of unexplained student deaths. Lorenzo, already an enigma, had been found with the sigil of Cerberus—a three-headed beast—tattooed on his back. That mark, tied to the Cult of Cerberus, painted a damning picture of his possible involvement in the chain-breaking catastrophe at Titan's Keep, which unleashed the primordial titan Coeus. Rena’s request to have him assigned to her team had been met with hesitation from the council, but her determination to uncover the truth left no room for debate. She was ready for answers, no matter the cost.

Rena addressed the group, her tone steely yet composed. “Team Four, our task is critical. Once the lair of Motherglare is confirmed, our job is to establish a containment barrier, preventing its escape. This is the linchpin for the Titan Extermination Unit’s success. Each of you has been selected for your unique skills, and I expect precision and discipline.”

Her gaze moved across the team. Lorenzo, positioned toward the edge of the group, stood with an unreadable expression. His shadow-binding abilities were essential to the plan—capable of immobilizing even a greater titan. Drake, the beastmaster, adjusted the leather straps of his gear as a pair of monitor lizards crawled up his arms, their forked tongues flicking in anticipation. His creatures would scout the lair, providing vital reconnaissance. Beside him, Lenny rolled her shoulders, the faint shimmer of her transformation ring hinting at her rhino-hybrid form, a living battering ram built for battle. Finally, Shierra inspected the canister at her side, its translucent lid revealing a swarm of vibrant bees within. Her ring granted her mastery over these creatures, allowing her to command them with precision. The bees served a dual purpose: their stings could deliver venom to incapacitate foes, while their presence also carried a potent healing aura, making Shierra both a fierce protector and a vital support to her team.

Rena’s eyes lingered on Lorenzo for a fraction longer than the others. “This mission is not a simulation. It’s life or death. Trust in your teammates and remain alert. If any of you falter, we all do.”

The team nodded in unison, their resolve visibly hardening under her unwavering command. As they prepared to move, Rena walked alongside Lorenzo, her voice low enough for only him to hear. “Stay close. I’ll need your abilities to secure the lair. Prove yourself here, Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo met her gaze with a faint smirk, but his eyes betrayed unease. “I always do,” he replied.

Far within the ruins of Aetheris, the air grew colder and heavier. In the shadows of the labyrinthine lair, a grotesque sight emerged. The black draconid titan, Motherglare, shifted its massive frame, its glowing golden eyes surveying its domain with malice. Hundreds of eggs pulsated on its back, their translucent shells revealing faint, writhing forms. The first cracks began to form as tiny claws pierced through, heralding the birth of destruction. The newborns screeched, their cries echoing through the ruins like a macabre symphony.

To the east, the atmosphere churned with a different kind of dread. Ominous storm clouds gathered, swirling unnaturally before splitting open. A massive insectoid titan burst through, its abyssal carapace gleaming under flickers of lightning. This was Doloros, the Greater Titan of Destruction, its very presence radiating a wave of despair. On its back stood a spectral figure cloaked in shifting clouds and shadows, its piercing yellow eyes identical to the ones Lorenzo had seen during the ambush at Griswold’s Hollow. Their path was clear—they were heading for Aetheris, their arrival promising to unleash untold devastation.

Rena felt the shift in the air as they reached the edge of the ruins. The oppressive stillness wasn’t natural. Her instincts sharpened, and she raised a hand, halting the team. “We’re not alone here,” she murmured.

Behind her, Lorenzo’s shadow seemed to ripple unnaturally, almost as if responding to the dark forces gathering ahead. Whether ally or traitor, Rena knew one thing for certain: the battle ahead would decide more than just the fate of Aetheris—it might reveal the truths that could shatter the fragile unity within their ranks.