Opening – A Bitter Realization
The shattered remnants of the Obsidian Facility glow faintly against the night sky, far to the north. From his command center, Zarxes stands before a massive holographic display, his expression a mask of icy calm. His hand hovers over the controls, manipulating the data as reports flood in, confirming the worst: the facility has been destroyed, and with it, years of his most crucial research.
But even as the weight of the loss presses down on him, Zarxes' eyes burn with a cold, unrelenting fury.
"They think they've won," he mutters, his voice low but full of venom. "They think they've crippled me."
He moves toward a tall, shadowed figure in the corner of the room. Valeria, his most trusted advisor, watches him with a measured gaze. Unlike the others in his inner circle, she never flinches at his wrath—she has learned to understand the depths of his mind, and in return, he trusts her more than anyone else.
"The destruction is a significant loss, but we have backups," she says, her tone clinical. "We can rebuild. The Awakened have made a grave miscalculation—they've given us a weakness, and now we can exploit it."
Zarxes turns sharply to face her, his eyes narrowing.
"They've taken something precious from me, Valeria. Something I will not let go of."
His fists tighten at his sides. The data he's watching shifts, showing the flare of the explosion's aftermath. Zarxes can't help but study it—the audacity of the Awakened, their desperation—and how it only strengthens his resolve to see them wiped from existence.
The Inner Circle – Conspiracy and Power
Zarxes' voice cuts through the dimly lit chamber.
"Prepare a team. I need a surgical strike against the Awakened. A strike that will leave no room for retaliation."
Valeria bows her head slightly, signaling her subordinates to begin gathering intelligence. She knows the stakes. Zarxes has always been a master of manipulating others, but this failure—this blow to his research—has stirred something deeper in him. His ambitions for control over both the Awakened and their Spark are more vital than ever.
In the shadows, Verrin, one of Zarxes' most dangerous lieutenants, steps forward. His silent presence is almost a guarantee of his loyalty—he's the blade Zarxes trusts when he needs something ruthless.
"The time is right, my Lord," Verrin says, his voice smooth, yet with a hint of excitement. "We can send a message. We already have a target."
Zarxes looks at him, intrigued.
"What do you suggest?"
Verrin leans in, speaking softly.
"Kaelen. He's the heart of their rebellion. If we take him down, we send them into disarray. The rest of the Awakened will scatter, afraid of losing their leader. Without Kaelen, they'll crumble."
Zarxes' lips curl into a smile, his teeth glinting coldly.
"A tempting proposition… But not enough. They've shown their strength. I won't be content with one strike. We will break them. All of them."
He turns back to Valeria, his face now hard as stone.
"Move quickly. I want to know their next steps before they make them. If they're planning another strike, we'll be waiting for them."
The Mastermind – Unveiling the Plan
In a back room, far removed from the main operations of Zarxes' inner sanctum, a dark, ethereal map flickers on the wall. The layout of the continent, once filled with scattered human and Isu territories, now shows only Zarxes' influence. Small red dots mark key locations of interest—laboratories, research facilities, military outposts, and, now, the smoldering ruin of the Obsidian Facility.
Zarxes stands before the map, studying the patterns, his mind working as the plans unfold in real time. He whispers under his breath as his fingers trace across the glowing lines.
"They think they can hide behind these old walls, these ancient ruins… but they cannot escape the inevitable. The Spark will be mine."
His voice grows louder, more certain.
"I will break them at their weakest points. One by one."
With a sudden swipe, the map changes, revealing a series of new targets—locations known to be sensitive for the Awakened, including their remaining caches of data, weapons, and safe havens. His plans are unfolding swiftly, and Zarxes' power is only growing.
"Prepare the Hounds," he commands. "The time for subtlety is over. We hunt them down, we break their will, and we make them beg for mercy."
A Glimpse of Doubt – The Shadow of the Past
But even as Zarxes rages against the loss of the Obsidian Facility, a flicker of something else crosses his mind. A memory.
He stands in front of a small, dark chamber. Inside, an Isu relic hums quietly—whispering. He remembers the first time he discovered the Spark, the feeling of absolute power that surged through him. It was his chance to ascend beyond human limitations, beyond the feeble minds of those who dared oppose him.
Yet, even as he recalls that moment, a whisper, almost imperceptible, enters his mind.
You've lost something you cannot replace.
Zarxes' eyes harden. The feeling of unease vanishes as quickly as it came. He will not be swayed by such thoughts. His ambitions are bigger than any fleeting doubts.
No weakness. Not now. Not ever.
He turns away from the relic, his gaze sharp and focused on the task at hand.
Closing – The Eye of the Storm
Zarxes strides back to his war table, his confidence restored, his anger now cold, calculating. His mind is sharp, each decision made with surgical precision.
"Send the Hounds. And this time, leave nothing alive."
The finality of his command hangs in the air like a storm on the horizon. Zarxes has already begun to turn the tide in his favor—he will not allow this setback to be more than a momentary obstacle. The Awakened, the group that threatens everything he's worked for, will feel the full weight of his wrath.
He will make them pay.