In deep space, a massive orbital prison drifts through the stars—its sleek, armored hull glowing faintly as it shifts through an automated path of randomized coordinates.
Inside, steel corridors echo with silence as Ian and Optimus walk side-by-side, their boots thudding against the floor as they approach Cell 09—the containment chamber of Drunnith, one of the most dangerous demons ever captured.
Behind reinforced glass, Drunnith leans in his restraints, a sly smile spreading across his scarred face.
Ian, coldly, "Who was the demon that attacked the capital?"
Drunnith, grinning, "You're talking about Varnyx."
Optimus, raising an eyebrow, "Who's Varnyx?"
Drunnith, with quiet satisfaction, "He's coming… probably to free me."
Optimus "Well, it's a good thing he doesn't know where you are."
Ian, shaking his head, "Not really. It means he won't stop until he finds you. Until we deal with him, we'll keep this prison moving across space. No one stays in one place long enough to be found."
Drunnith, leaning forward, "Good luck. He's ruthless—and he doesn't care who gets in his way. He always gets what he wants."
Later that night, in the capital... Vex's luxurious mansion, perched on a high terrace with glowing skyline views, is eerily quiet. The lights are off. Inside, Vex tosses in bed, locked in a nightmare. His eyes snap open.
Cold sweat drips from his forehead. He breathes heavily, then gets up and walks downstairs to get water. As he nears the living room, he pauses—his heart skips.
Outside the window, dark figures flicker past the glass.
Vex whispers, "What the hell…"
He bolts upstairs and grabs a plasma rifle from his wall locker, then creeps back down the steps. Suddenly—CRASH! A shadow demon smashes through the glass, slamming Vex across the room into his couch.
He fires blindly while scrambling back to his feet, bolts upstairs again, and calls Ian on his wrist comm.
Vex, panting,"Yo! Ian! There are shadow demons in my house! Can you send someone?!"
Ian, calm but urgent, "They're already on their way. Hold tight."
Outside, sirens pierce the night. Galactic Empire soldiers pour into the streets, surrounding the mansion with floodlights and high-powered weaponry. Just as quickly as they came, the demons vanish.
Leaving behind shattered glass… and a shaken Vex staring into the shadows.
Soldier at Vex's mansion doorway, "We've got orders from Ian. You're to come stay at STF HQ—effective immediately."
Vex, rubbing his eyes, still recovering, "Alright, give me two minutes to grab my streaming gear. I'm not leaving that behind."