Shadows on the Horizon

The New World stretched endlessly in every direction, a city of glass and steel bathed in an eerie, artificial glow. At its heart, the tallest tower pierced the sky like a jagged blade. Inside, in the darkened heights of this monolithic structure, six figures sat in shadows. Their forms were obscured by the dim light, their voices low but deliberate.

"Agent 66 is perfect," one of them said, their tone laced with approval.

The others nodded in unison, murmuring agreements that echoed through the room like whispers of impending doom.

"It's settled, then," another voice declared. "Dispatch him. The Free World must be tested."

The decision hung heavy in the air, a quiet proclamation of chaos yet to come.

The Factory of Creation

Far below the gleaming towers, in the industrial heart of the New World, Dr. Rend sipped tea from a delicate porcelain cup. The contrast between his refined demeanor and the cold, mechanical environment of the factory was stark. Screens flickered around him, their data streams reflecting in his glasses.

His attention was fixed on one screen in particular, monitoring the vitals of CP0, the Council's most advanced creation. The signals were steady, strong, and precise. A smile crept across his face as he set his cup down with a soft clink.

"It's all set," he muttered to himself, his voice calm but tinged with excitement. Rising from his chair, he pressed a button on the console.

The room around him vibrated as the incubator housing CP0 began to release. The hiss of escaping gas filled the air as the containment pod slowly opened. Inside, the sleek form of CP0 stood motionless, its black, segmented suit gleaming under the cold factory lights. Its lifeless eyes flickered to life, glowing faintly as the machinery hummed to a halt.

Satisfied, Dr. Rend turned and walked toward the large observation window overlooking the heart of the factory. Beyond the glass, the vast expanse of the facility came into view. Hundreds of agents stood in neat rows, their identical black suits and helmets giving them an unnervingly uniform appearance. They were silent, waiting.

Rend tapped the glass lightly with his knuckles. "Soon," he said, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Very soon."

The Council of Sentinels

In the Free World, the atmosphere was starkly different. The newly repaired council chamber buzzed with tension as Shenlog, the legendary Beast, sat at the head of the table. Around him, the top officers of the Sentinels occupied their seats, their expressions grim. The room, adorned with maps and diagrams, was a stark reminder of the precarious state of their world.

The meeting began with Shenlog leaning forward, his massive hands resting on the table. His voice was deep and steady, carrying the weight of experience. "When we received the alert about the attack here, we returned immediately," he began. "But we left three Sentinels behind to monitor the borders."

The officers listened intently as Shenlog continued. "Their reports suggest an unsettling pattern. Portal energy along the borders has been increasing. It's erratic, but the spikes are becoming more frequent."

A murmur spread through the room, the officers exchanging uneasy glances.

Shenlog straightened in his seat, his gaze sweeping across the table. "This isn't random. The New World is testing us, probing our defenses. They're preparing to gauge our resistance before launching a full-scale strike. If we're not ready, they'll tear through us like paper."

As he spoke, the heavy oak doors of the chamber creaked open, drawing all eyes to the entrance. Jingwei, Shenlog's son, stepped inside, his movements hurried but respectful. He inclined his head in greeting. "Apologies for my lateness," he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of embarrassment.

Shenlog's sharp gaze lingered on Jingwei for a moment before he nodded curtly. "Take a seat."

Jingwei moved quickly to the empty chair nearest the table, his presence adding a new layer of tension to the room. Shenlog didn't wait for him to settle before continuing.

"We've been complacent for too long," he said, his tone harder now. "The attack on the city was just the beginning. It's time to fortify our defenses, strengthen our alliances, and prepare for war."

One of the officers, a wiry man with sharp eyes, leaned forward. "Do we have any indication of when they might strike?"

"No," Shenlog admitted. "But that doesn't matter. We can't afford to wait for answers. We must act now."

The room fell silent as his words sank in. The gravity of the situation was undeniable.

Dismissal and Confrontation

Shenlog pushed back his chair, standing to signal the end of the meeting. "We'll reconvene tomorrow to finalize preparations. Dismissed."

The officers rose from their seats, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. One by one, they filed out of the chamber, their boots echoing against the marble floor.

"Jingwei, stay behind," Shenlog said, his voice cutting through the quiet.

Jingwei paused mid-step, then turned back toward his father. The others cast curious glances as they exited, but none dared to linger.

When the doors closed, Shenlog folded his arms, his towering presence casting a long shadow over the room. "You were supposed to be here at the start of the meeting," he said, his tone calm but edged with disappointment.

"I know," Jingwei replied, standing straight. "I was helping coordinate supply routes for the reconstruction."

Shenlog's eyes narrowed. "That's not your responsibility. Your role is to lead, not manage logistics."

"I was doing what needed to be done," Jingwei shot back, his voice firm but respectful.

For a moment, father and son locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Then the door opened again, breaking the standoff. Seiji stepped inside, his ever-present smirk softening the atmosphere.

"Am I interrupting something?" Seiji asked, his tone light.

Shenlog sighed, his frustration ebbing slightly. "No. What do you want?"

Seiji leaned casually against the doorframe. "Just thought I'd drop by. I heard about the portal spikes. Doesn't sound good."

"It's not," Shenlog admitted. He glanced at Jingwei, his tone softening slightly. "You should go. We'll speak later."

Jingwei nodded and left without another word, the tension between them lingering in the air.

When the door closed, Seiji's smirk faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "The spikes aren't just random, you know," he said. "The New World is pushing harder than ever. And if they're sending their top agents…"

Shenlog's jaw tightened. "We'll be ready."

Seiji shook his head slightly. "You'd better be. Because this is only the beginning."