The Relic's Call

The team had gathered in the briefing room, but an air of tension already hung over them.

Val, still reeling from his recent clash with Deleo, was quiet, his thoughts heavy. Ember and Exeo stood at the front, flanked by Riggs and Bo, who exchanged glances, sensing Val's unease.

Ember cleared his throat. "We've intercepted intel on a new target—something linked to the Bellator line," he began, his voice steady but laced with a caution that hadn't gone unnoticed. "It's not just any relic. Reports suggest this artifact might hold remnants of Reinhart Bellator's powers."

At the mention of Reinhart, Val's chest tightened, and he felt the Void stir within him, a dark whisper brushing his thoughts.

"This is what you've been waiting for," the Void murmured, its voice dripping with temptation. "Reinhart's final trace—a way to uncover what was taken from you."

Val clenched his jaw, ignoring the Void's pull. "What's the plan to retrieve it?" he asked, his tone more guarded than usual.

Exeo exchanged a glance with Ember before answering. "It's held in an unknown secure military facility near Hades' Wrath's recent activity. It won't be easy, but we've set up a strategy for a stealth approach."

Riggs frowned, leaning forward. "But why does this relic matter so much now? We've never gone after anything like this before."

Ember crossed his arms, eyeing Val as he spoke. "Because someone thinks it's worth the risk." He didn't say it outright, but the implication was clear: they were all wondering if Val's own connection to Reinhart—and the Void—was clouding his judgment.

Val's eyes met Ember's, a flicker of annoyance in his gaze. "If we don't retrieve it, who knows what the other country or Hades' Wrath might do with it?"

Ember with his arms still crossed, his gaze sharp. "Or it could be a trap. Have you considered that?" His voice was cold but resolute. "A relic linked to Reinhart is a beacon for every force in search of Bellator power, not just us."

Val met Ember's gaze, his jaw set. "And yet, we're here talking about it because it's worth the risk. If I can get answers—about the Void, the Purple Fire, why they're bound to me, to us brothers—I can finally start making sense of all this."

Val's fists clenched, but he forced himself to keep his voice calm.

He continued, "I'm not a puppet for this power. I want answers. About Reinhart, Bellator's ancestor. About why he was gone." His voice hardened. "And if there's something there that helps me understand it, I'm going after it."

Riggs stepped forward, a wary look in his eyes. "Val… what if these answers aren't what you're hoping for? Sometimes digging too deep into the past just unearths more pain." He shot a sidelong glance at Bo, who nodded in quiet agreement.

Bo hesitated before speaking. "Rein… Val, whatever we find, it won't change who you are now. It won't undo the choices you've made." Bo quickly corrected himself, noting the tension rising in Val's posture.

Val's expression tightened, and a flicker of something shadowed his eyes—the Void's influence. "But what if it changes everything? What if understanding Reinhart's fall gives me the strength I need to control this power?" He glanced away, then back, voice low. "Or do you all doubt me?"

Ember's gaze softened but held steady. "It's not about doubt. It's about knowing the weight of what you're choosing to carry. Are you really ready to face what's inside that relic?"

It's voice echoed faintly in Val's mind, urging him on. "They don't understand. You're stronger than any of them realize. Don't let their fear make you weak."

Val clenched his fists, his voice growing sharper. "I know the risks. But if I have the chance to learn from Reinhart's mistakes, then I'll take it. You don't have to come if you're afraid of what we might find."

Riggs narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to Val. "This isn't about fear. We're worried about you, Val. Ever since you started having these visions, it's like you're slipping away from us, like you're not even… yourself anymore."

Val's gaze hardened, his words laced with frustration. "You're wrong. This is who I've always been—who I was meant to be. Maybe you all just don't know me as well as you thought."

Ember put a hand on Val's shoulder, a look of desperation flashing across his face. "Val, you're not alone in this. We're your family. We've seen you struggle; we're here because we want to help."

Val shrugged his hand off, and for a brief moment, the Void's presence flickered in his eyes—a flash of red, dark and haunting. "I don't need your help. Not for this." His voice had an edge to it, almost as if someone else was speaking through him.

Exeo's voice cut through the growing arguments. "The mission is clear. We need to retrieve the relic before it falls into enemy hands." His gaze was stern as he looked at them each in turn. "Leave your personal issues out of it."

Val felt his cheeks flush with frustration. "This isn't just personal. You all have no idea what this could mean for us—for the whole country. But if you're not interested in finding the truth, then maybe this mission isn't for you."

Exeo, sensing the need to regain control, stepped in again, "Enough." His gaze was heavy as he looked at Val. "We're doing this mission. But if this relic is as tied to Reinhart as we think, then Val, you need to stay focused and not let the Void take over."

Val met Exeo's gaze, the authority in his brother's eyes cutting through his frustration. "Understood," he replied, though his jaw was still set with determination.

As the team moved to prepare, Ember pulled Val aside, his tone uncharacteristically tense. "What are you really after, Val?" he asked, his eyes searching Val's face. "Is this just about answers, or are you looking for something to make yourself stronger?"

Val bristled, meeting Ember's gaze with equal intensity. "What if it's both? You've seen what we're up against, brother. If this relic helps, then it's worth it."

"Or it's just another way for the Void to get inside your head." Ember's voice dropped to a murmur. "I just want to know if you're prepared for that."

Val's gaze snapped to Ember, anger flaring. "You don't understand what I've been through. Reinhart's death wasn't just a loss to me; it was a loss to all of us. He deserves more than to be forgotten in some tomb."

Ember's expression turned somber, a rare vulnerability showing through his usual calm. "And what about those of us still alive, Val? We're here, right in front of you, fighting beside you. Don't lose sight of that."

A tense silence fell over the room as the words settled. Val could feel the Void's anger pulsing through him, feeding off the doubt and tension hanging thick in the air.

Val didn't answer immediately. A part of him knew his brother had a point, but another part—a stronger part—refused to back down. "Then stay close enough to pull me back if it gets that far," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ember sighed, but his gaze softened. "Alright. Just… don't let this get you hurt, alright?"

Val's voice softened, gratitude slipping through his otherwise guarded tone. "Thank you."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The journey to the relic site was grueling. They traveled through rough terrain, keeping a low profile as they approached the cavern entrance. The stronghold loomed above, ancient and foreboding, the ruins bearing the scars of old battles.

As they neared the storage wing, Ember gestured for them to halt, spoke via Mind Link, Bo and Riggs, secure the perimeter. Val, you're with me.

But as they moved inside, a faint, familiar hum seemed to fill the air, and Val's heart raced. The relic was nearby—he could feel it, its energy mingling with his own, calling to him.

Ember glanced at him. "Val, stay focused. We can't afford any mistakes."

Val nodded, but his gaze lingered down the dark hallway where he sensed the relic. 

As they ventured deeper, they found the relic—an obsidian crystal, resting on a stone pedestal, wrapped in faint tendrils of purple and black energy.

Val's gaze locked onto it, felt an immediate pull, like an invisible tether binding him to it. The Void's presence grew stronger, its voice echoing in Val's mind, almost urging him forward.

"Take it," the Void urged, its voice reverberating through Val's mind. "With that, you can surpass Reinhart's legacy."

Ember's voice cut through the haze, his tone cautionary in the Mind Link. Don't touch it, Val. We don't know what it'll do.

But Val was already reaching out, entranced. His fingers brushed the crystal's surface, and a jolt of energy shot through him, searing into his mind.

In an instant, he was transported, his surroundings dissolving as visions flooded his senses. He saw Reinhart standing, battle-worn and alone, facing down soldiers he had once called allies. He could feel Reinhart's betrayal, his anguish as the people he trusted raised their weapons against him. And through it all, Deleo's faint whisper: "I couldn't save him. But I can save you."

Back in reality, Val staggered, his head spinning as the vision faded. Ember grabbed his shoulder, steadying him. "What did you see?"

Val's voice was hollow, as if he were speaking from somewhere far away. "Reinhart… he was betrayed. By people he trusted, by those he thought would stand by him." His gaze darkened. "Is that what's waiting for me, too?"

Ember held Val's shoulder tighter, meeting Val's eyes with a resolute stare. "We're not them, Val. Whatever happened to our ancestor, doesn't decide our fate."

Val's expression hardened, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes. "Then why do I feel like I'm being torn apart? Like I'm fighting a battle against ghosts while you all look on?"

Ember turned off his Mind Link from his chained earring, and spoke in a voice which was soft but unwavering. "Because you're not alone in this. No matter what Deleo or Reinhart faced, this is different. We're here, with you. Remember that."

Val looked at his brother, the weight of their loyalty pressing down on him. But the Void's voice echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder.

Trust only yourself. History has a way of repeating.

Val's gaze fell on the relic, and his heart twisted with doubt. He wasn't sure if he could hold onto his team's trust—or if, like Reinhart, he'd end up alone, consumed by the legacy he never asked for.