Traitor Among Us

The low hum of fluorescent lights cast a faint glow across the underground HQ's armory. Val and his team moved with practiced efficiency, checking and loading their equipment in preparation for the mission. The stone walls of the armory, dim and silent, reflected the gravity of the operation ahead.

Val fastened his combat gear with quick, practiced motions, the rhythmic clinks of metal and muted sounds of machinery echoing through the room.

As Val reached for his equipment, his hand paused, fingers brushing against the edge of his chest plate. His gaze lingered on his left hand—the same hand once clasped by Ember as they'd sworn to protect Clareo.

A faint sound, like the distant echo of footsteps, caught his attention, and his pulse quickened. The dim light around him felt heavier, like a veil pulling him into a place beyond the physical, the room around him fading as a sharp ache stirred within him. It was as if he could feel Ember reaching out from beyond. Then, suddenly, it hit.

Thump!

The sound reverberated, low and relentless, like a drum inside his chest.

Thump!

Val gritted his teeth, instinctively pressing a hand against his chest, fingers curling tightly over the fabric. The pressure mounted, making it hard to breathe, each beat louder, resounding in his bones.

Thump! Thump!

A flash of pain surged through him, and his grip slipped. Several pieces of equipment clattered to the ground, the metallic crash echoing sharply through the silence.

Bo and Riggs turned, concern flashing in their eyes.

"Val, you good?" Bo's voice cut through the fog of pain, his tone edged with worry.

Val opened his mouth to answer, but the words never made it past his lips. His vision blurred, the room fading into darkness as he staggered, his pulse pounding louder and louder until—

He was pulled, almost forcefully, into the depths of his consciousness.

The dim light of the armory gave way to an ethereal space, one that existed beyond the physical world. A soft glow surrounded him, the familiar sensation of his inner realm enveloping him like a protective cocoon.

Before him, Deleo stood, his presence steady and watchful as he kept a silent vigil over two ethereal forms encased in a flickering violet fire. The flames pulsed gently around them, casting shadows that danced like ghostly silhouettes.

Val's gaze shifted toward the two souls—his brothers, Ember and Exeo. His breath caught when he noticed Ember's form, usually still and unmoving, had changed. Ember's eyes, dark and intense, were slowly opening, his gaze locking onto Val's as though sensing his presence.

"Ember..." Val murmured, his voice a whisper, barely able to believe what he was seeing.

Ember's lips did not move, yet Val heard his voice within his mind, clear and steady—a connection that pulsed through his consciousness, amplified by the power of his recently unlocked third magic seal.

"Val, you've come far," Ember's voice resonated within his mind, layered with both pride and a haunting caution. "But the road before you... it grows darker."

Val took a step closer, his eyes fixed on his brother's face. "What do you mean? Is this about our mission?"

Ember's eyes gleamed, a spark of something urgent flashing within them. "Yes. Tonight, you will encounter something familiar, yet unseen—a force that lies in wait. It will seek to use the shadows against you. Prepare for what you cannot see, Val. Trust the fire within you."

A shiver ran down Val's spine as Ember's gaze held him captive, and then, the vision unfolded with searing clarity.

In quick flashes, Val saw the mountainous terrain they would soon infiltrate—the dark peaks of the Aegis Mountains loomed, casting shadows that stretched long and foreboding.

Figures moved like phantoms along ridges and cliff edges, their movements sharp and practiced. Some were faces he recognized from briefings—members of Black Lotus's elite forces. But there were others, hidden among the Syndicate forces, dressed in the unmistakable garb of Clareo's military.

In one sharp, stinging flash, a clenched fist materialized—a hand gripping a weapon glinting in the dim light.

The figure raised it toward someone in a Black Lotus uniform, their lips moving in a low murmur. The commander's face remained cloaked in darkness, but his eyes gleamed with malice—a look Val had only seen in the eyes of an enemy. The betrayal was as clear as daylight.

And then, as quickly as it had begun, the vision splintered, fading to black.

Ember's voice echoed in Val's mind, steady but laden with warning. "Not all enemies wear different colors, Val. Some hide within your own ranks."

Val's fists clenched as the vision's final moments sank in. A traitor had betrayed them, hidden within Clareo's ranks. But there was no time to act on it now—not with the mission at hand. No, he would have to bury the knowledge, turning it into a silent storm within him, and focus on the task ahead. When the mission was done, he'd return to uncover the truth and make them pay.

Before he could ask Ember more, the vision vanished, leaving only Ember's intense gaze, his eyes holding a silent warning.

Val clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination mixed with a chill that prickled along his spine. "I'll heed your words, Ember."

Ember's eyes softened, the flicker of a familiar, brotherly warmth slipping through. "Remember, Val... you're never truly alone."

And with that, the vision faded, Ember's eyes closing as his soul drifted back into its quiet slumber.

In a blink, Val was thrust back into reality, the weight of the armory returning around him. The thumping in his chest eased, but the urgency of Ember's message lingered, pulsing with every beat of his heart.

Bo raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a mix of confusion and concern. "You sure you're alright, Val? You zoned out there."

Val straightened, his gaze steady, though his mind raced with the implications of Ember's warning. This mission would be dangerous enough, but with a traitor…

He forced himself to steady his voice. "I'm fine. Just... caught a glimpse of something."

His gaze flicked to his teammates, the familiar camaraderie in their banter a stark reminder of what he'd sworn to protect.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of Val's mouth, hidden beneath his mask. Despite everything, their camaraderie was a constant—one he intended to protect, no matter the cost.

The team exchanged looks but didn't press further, sensing Val's renewed intensity.

Without drawing attention, Val activated a secure Mind Link channel, connecting solely with Dr. Lewis and General Luis. His voice was steady, laced with a subtle curiosity that masked a deeper suspicion.

General, Dr. Lewis… quick question. Do we have a profile on the commander present at yesterday's briefing?

There was a pause before General Luis's voice responded, slightly puzzled, Which commander are you referring to, Val?

Val hesitated just a beat, his voice low, almost as if reconsidering. Commander— The connection crackled, briefly cutting off, leaving his words unfinished.

______________________________

The team's transport landed with a soft thud on the rocky terrain of the Aegis Mountains. The low hum of the engines faded as they exited, each member stepping out with practiced stealth, their black-clad figures blending seamlessly into the dim landscape. Val remained a few beats longer in the transport, grounding himself in the task ahead.

As his team touched down, the quiet camaraderie of the group broke out into their usual banter.

Ha! Landed before you, Aura! Fon's voice crackled over the mind link, a trace of cockiness woven into his tone.

Only because you jumped like a hyperactive squirrel, Terra, Riggs shot back, tone mockingly indignant. Pretty sure my foot hit ground first.

Bo chuckled, adding fuel to the fire. Aura, Terra, who cares who landed first? I'm just impressed neither of you tripped.

"ACK!" The sound of a light scuffle came through the link, punctuated by the unmistakable thud of Fon's boot connecting with Riggs's backside.

Ow! Watch it, Terra! Riggs snapped, barely able to contain his laughter.

Val's eye twitched as he listened to the ridiculous squabble over the link. He muttered dryly, "Lucky for them no one important is witnessing this mess… well, aside from General Luis and Dr. Lewis."

A heavy sigh sounded through the link, unmistakably from Dr. Lewis, whose voice dripped with exasperation. Glad to see we're taking this mission with the utmost professionalism, Team Unknown.

Another, more reluctant sigh followed from General Luis. "Some things never change."

The team straightened, albeit with poorly concealed grins, as Val's sharp gaze flicked across their positions. In the end, this team, their banter, their strength—they were the heart of everything he fought for, and they would be the reason any traitor among them would pay dearly.

Val positioned himself on a nearby outcropping, high enough to survey the surroundings. With his vision heightened from the recent unlocking of his third magic seal, every detail sharpened—the faint rustling of leaves in the wind, the distant crackle of patrol radios, even the soft tremors of footsteps hidden beneath the earth.

The memory of Ember's warning still lingered. Val clenched his fists, grounding himself.

The betrayal would be dealt with in due time, but for now, he would have to harness the knowledge like a weapon, saving it for the right moment.

Bo's voice, low and practical, brought him back to the present. So, Umbra, what's the plan from up there?

Val's gaze flicked to the distant stronghold.

Phase one is to disable the perimeter's outer defenses. Riggs, take care of any surveillance near the western ridge. Frost, get ready to freeze out any backup generators along the south path. Terra, prep an exit point at the eastern cliffside—just in case.

As the team moved to their assigned posts, Val's mind replayed the face of the military traitor he'd seen. The knowledge burned, a betrayal etched into his memory. But there was no time to act on it now—not with the mission at hand.

No, he would wait. And when the time came, he would have a surprise waiting for the turncoat, one he wouldn't see coming.

Alright, team, Val's voice came over the mind link, as calm and controlled as ever, though a new edge of determination sharpened his tone. Let's show them why luring us here was the worst mistake they could make.