The city trembled under the pulse of the Null commander's catalyst. Every street, every building, even the air itself seemed alive with the dark energy it projected. Kael stood at the heart of the industrial district, the mark on his chest glowing with controlled intensity, but a deep ache gnawed at his body.
"We can't let the catalyst fully stabilize," Kael said, scanning the corrupted nodes through his holographic interface. "If it reaches critical mass, the Null commander could amplify the energy across the entire city—and possibly the surrounding dimensions. We need a surgical strike, precision over raw power."
Aria's eyes narrowed, fingers flying over her console. "We've mapped the energy flow. There are weak points—brief windows where the catalyst is vulnerable. But hitting them requires perfect timing, and any misstep risks feedback into the Nexus."
Ryken cracked his knuckles, voice steady. "Then we time it right. Kael directs the energy, Veyra stabilizes it, and we handle containment. One slip and the city could collapse, but we'll control it if we work together."
Kael exhaled slowly, centering himself. "This is going to push the limits. I can feel the strain in the Nexus. If I overextend, I risk not just failure, but permanent corruption. But we don't have a choice."
Veyra's silver eyes glimmered with both caution and encouragement. "The risk is understood, Revenant. But mastery requires calculated risks. You must synchronize with the flow, anticipate every pulse, and maintain focus beyond what you have before. One wrong decision, and the catalyst will consume not only the city, but the Nexus itself."
Kael's fingers brushed the holographic projection of the energy network, tracing the paths of corruption with meticulous precision. The team's plan was clear: Kael would channel controlled bursts of Nexus energy to destabilize the catalyst's flow while Veyra and Aria reinforced containment zones. Ryken would intercept corrupted minions attempting to exploit any openings.
The strategy was elegant—and dangerous. Every action had to be deliberate, every strike perfect. Kael's heart pounded in his chest, the Nexus vibrating in rhythm with his pulse, warning him of the toll each surge would exact. But he nodded, determination blazing through fatigue. "Let's move."