Third Mission: Team One Part V

After a few hours, Valens and Ember sat with a tablet, reviewing the scan results. The image displayed what seemed to be a stone wall, possibly marking the edge of an abandoned settlement. This wall, despite erosion, stood as a faint relic of what might have been a larger, ancient boundary.

"It looks like there's a marking in front of the wall," Ember observed, pointing at what could have been an entrance. "Maybe this was a gate."

Valens narrowed his eyes at the remnants of a broken lock mechanism, though the structure was clearly incomplete. "Seems like whoever built this didn't want anyone coming in… or maybe didn't want anyone getting out."

As they continued scanning, faint outlines hinted at what might have been a guard tower, though it had long since decayed. The walls bore engravings, symbols suggesting ties to the Blovik Empire or a lost settlement associated with it.

"This place has a strange feel to it," Valens murmured, looking around. "Like it was sealed deliberately."

Despite Valens' misgivings, they decided to investigate further. Chipping carefully at the crumbling stone wall, they carved out a narrow opening. The wall cracked and fell, almost as if even the ancient stone had grown weary of holding its secrets.

Inside, they encountered what appeared to be an underground city. They couldn't determine how far down the levels went, but by the third level, something peculiar struck them: many walls lacked doors, as though the inhabitants had abandoned the place in haste.

"This might be why the Blovik Empire disappeared," Valens remarked, scanning the hollow silence. "An entire city, hidden underground, out of sight and out of reach."

Ember nodded. "It could hold answers about their disappearance."

They investigated further into finding the cause of its disappearance and see if anything else could possibly give them hints. They kept searching for clues everywhere throughout the entire underground city.

"We're missing something," said Ember to Val, who is sitting nearby, leaning against a wall.

Valens shrugs at his comment and responds: "What do you mean?"

Ember speaks again, "Something that would show us exactly what happened. Why they disappeared, or why the wall collapsed."

Then, an unexpected noise stopped them in their tracks.

They turned to find a figure—a man clad in black armor, standing motionless yet imposing, with a dark blade gripped in one hand. His armor obscured his entire body, leaving only narrow metal seams visible. The faint glow behind the helmet's visor made it impossible to tell if he was even human.

Before Ember could speak, the figure attacked, moving with an unnatural speed. His swift, precise strikes forced Ember to block rapidly, dodging blade after blade.

Val on the other hand, was on high alert and was about to attack the mysterious man too, but Ember gestured him back, countering the armored man's furious blows. With one quick, decisive slice, Ember severed the figure's arm, yet the armored man continued fighting as though unaffected.

"He's not reacting!" Ember yelled, his shock palpable.

Valens, assessing the danger, placed a hand on Ember's shoulder, summoning his Void Ability. In a rush of dark energy, he teleported them outside the ruins, narrowly evading the armored figure's blade. The enemy moved at a speed that was almost unreal, faster than anyone they'd ever faced.

"We need to retreat for now," Ember advised urgently.

Valens nodded. They took off, leaving the armored figure behind. When they reached a safe distance, Ember activated his wrist communicator. "Let's call this in. I think we just found the reason why the Blovik Empire was hidden."

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After nearly a month in the field, their discovery pushed them to return to HQ. Upon arrival, they went straight to General Luis to relay the findings.

At the same time, Exeo, Bo, and Riggs, just got back from their mission, and joined them in the general's office.

Ember began the report, pulling up scans and footage. "We found an underground city likely connected to the Blovik Empire—and something inside it that might explain their disappearance."

The footage showed the armored man's movements, his resilience unnerving as he continued to attack despite injury.

"And inside it, there is another place where I think something might have happened..."

General Luis watched intently. "Is that… even human?"

Ember looked at Valens. "Well... I don't know exactly."

Valens looked back at him and shook his head. "We're not sure. Whatever he is, he moved faster than any combatant we've encountered."

Exeo, Bo, and Riggs leaned in, captivated by the footage. "What do you mean by 'faster than anything'?" Exeo asked.

Ember replayed the video, showing the armored figure's blinding speed and unflinching movements. "This isn't just another soldier. There's something else going on. And it's tied to the empire's disappearance."

After seeing this, Ember told them that what they saw in the video was a man or something human-shaped with armor. It then started attacking them, even with its own weapons.

Exeo nodded: "This is quite interesting. And this man or creature... you think is responsible or related for the empire to disappear completely?"

"We can't rule that possibility out." Ember said, "Although I don't know how..."

After several discussions about the discovery, General Luis spoke up. "This intel is crucial, and there's something else. From now on, your team will be my primary unit. We're taking additional measures to protect your identities."

"Exeo, I think it's time for the other role of the team to be known."

This made Ember raise an eyebrow: "General? What do you mean? I thought that with our other role, we would still be working behind the scenes."

"Yes, that's what we have discussed before. However, the top brass had decided to change and have given me permission to use your team as my main unit from now on..."

Exeo and the rest of the team were surprised by this.

"You're really going to put us into this?" Exeo asked.

"Yes," General Luis replied, "I want your team to join as my main unit but, of course, your identities will not be revealed. I have ordered Dr. Lewis to make you all different masks..." upon hearing this, all of them groaned while some rolled their eyes.

Dr. Lewis entered the room, carrying a black mask designed with small, circular eye slits. "These masks should do the trick," he said with a grin. "Think of it as both a disguise and a new layer of mystique."

Ember raised an eyebrow as he inspected the mask. "How exactly does this work?"

Dr. Lewis winked. "Let's just call it a little science—maybe a bit of magic."

The general nodded. "This will allow you to operate openly in the field while keeping your identities concealed. In a month, we're scheduled for a military conference, and I want you to represent our top unit."

Ember continued to ask in a rather skeptic tone, "So, what made the top brass decide to have us as your main unit?"

"Because of their decision, our army now needs more support. They decided to make me use other units in my team so they will be able to send reinforcements when necessary."

Exeo raised an eyebrow. "So we'll be the face of the operation?"

General Luis nodded, and continued, "There is one more reason why the top brass have changed their minds. It's the annual military conference that will start soon. For this year's conference, there will be a demonstration of every country's best unit."

Everyone's attention turned towards him then General Luis continued, "I was thinking of doing some sort of demonstration but after looking at your skills, I think it should just be you all."

Ember nodded and asked curiously, "Demonstration of what kind?"

General Luis answered, "A demonstration of how effective your unit can be. Others may say that it needs a larger unit, but I want you Exeo, and your team to have a demonstration that with just those members, you can cover all strategies and tactics needed against a foe."

The general looked at the others and gave them instructions, "We'll start preparing immediately; first off, I want all of you to wear these masks when we start training, then we will work on military strategies and tactics for different kinds of scenarios. Also, the conference will start a month from now so we still have time..."

He finished explaining before walking out. The team had decided to spend a month training on the island from when they had trained for two years.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A week into their stay on the island, the team's training intensified, guided by General Luis.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Ember and Exeo lay by the shore, talking tactics while snacking on freshly caught lobster and crab.

"It's been a while since we trained like this," Exeo mused.

Ember, feeling the fatigue, nodded. He stretched out, glancing at the fading sky as thoughts of the military conference lingered. Representing every country's best unit, he thought, the weight of the responsibility sinking in.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft rustling nearby, followed by approaching footsteps.

He shot upright, dodging as a projectile narrowly missed him. He looked up, only to see Dr. Lewis, smirking with a playful glint in his eye.

"Trying to catch me off guard, Doc?" Ember asked, brandishing his blade with a grin.

Dr. Lewis chuckled. "Not exactly, but I had to try."

From his left, Exeo took the opportunity for a surprise attack, barely missing Dr. Lewis's hair by a few inches.

"Watch it!" Dr. Lewis exclaimed, ducking. "The hair's important, you know!"

Exeo emerged from where he was hiding and said, "I'm sorry doctor, didn't mean to target your hair, but...it will be unavoidable if it's a real war right?"

Laughter echoed along the shore as the sparring continued. Eventually, Dr. Lewis admitted defeat, panting from exhaustion. "I think I'll stick to the lab… You all have serious talent."

Ember and Exeo sat back, looking around for the rest of the team—Bo, Riggs, and Valens—who had somehow disappeared. Suddenly, an explosion resounded near the beach, sending up a billowing cloud of sand.

They rushed to the source and found a small crater where Riggs, Bo, and Valens stood amidst the smoke, laughing as they dusted themselves off.

Riggs groaned but sat up and answered: "Uh, I just knew how to make some bombs and explosives with my ability, but -cough"

Ember asked and grinned, "Then Riggs, did you throw your homemade bombs at these two?"

Riggs gave a sheepish grin. "Just a little something I cooked up. Might have overdone it a bit, though."

Bo laughed, clapping Riggs on the shoulder. "Just a bit, but hey, it worked!"

Riggs sheepishly added, "Well, since you three were doing your own training, we didn't mean to barge this time. So, we three tried to train including some explosives. But..."

Bo sat up and pointed at Riggs, he said, "He was carrying the explosives and by some shit luck, he tripped on a small stone and happened to throw all of the explosives at me and Val. Good thing my Ice Wall was able to withstand it."

Exeo looked over at Riggs who was looking down with a pouty expression. He chuckled softly.

"That's just what happens when you try to do too much in one day. It's best not to get into the habit of trying to get too powerful in one go."

Ember shook his head in amusement at the three but answered after he took a look around.

"I don't see any other traces of explosions. They must have been small and quick ones since this is a small area, or else there would be some serious damage here."

He turned toward Exeo, "We should probably head back, it looks like our training is done for now. We can take tomorrow off for recovery and start again on Monday."

"What!?" The three exclaimed. They all jumped up and rushed back towards the cabin.

As they returned to their room, Riggs looked at Ember and said in a quiet voice: "Why did I have to be carrying them? That was a stupid mistake. I didn't think they'd actually work on me that well."

Ember shrugged casually: "The odds of you having bad luck and setting yourself on fire were high, I'm not surprised."

Riggs shook his head. "This has just gone from bad to worse."

Ember chuckled lightly. "That depends on what happens next. But, those bombs, can be an element of surprise for the enemy."

Riggs sighed and looked at his hands, still slightly burned, and frowned.