The Null commander appeared at the heart of the industrial district, their presence amplified by the multiversal chaos they had unleashed. Corrupted minions poured from multiple nexus points, but these were different—they moved unpredictably, phasing in and out of reality, responding to the multiversal flow rather than conventional tactics.
"You cannot fight what you cannot predict," the commander hissed, voice echoing across warped dimensions. "Every surge you attempt feeds the ripple. Every pulse fractures the pattern. Soon, the currents themselves will betray you."
Kael's mark flared brightly, energy coiling violently. He extended the Nexus with extreme precision, anticipating the phasing minions, redirecting corrupted pulses into controlled zones, and stabilizing collapsing nexus nodes. Each action caused feedback—a sharp pull at his chest, disorienting visions of realities where the Null had already won—but he forced himself to maintain control.
Veyra's shadows intertwined with his energy, reinforcing stability while dampening multiversal feedback. Aria and Ryken moved through the chaos, securing critical nexus nodes, neutralizing corrupted operatives, and feeding Kael precise data to anticipate the next ripple.
The city quaked as energy surged, buildings bending subtly as reality responded to the strain. Kael felt the Nexus twisting in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him, but he maintained focus. His mind raced, calculating arcs, currents, and multiversal consequences simultaneously.
With a concentrated pulse, Kael redirected one of the largest surges into a containment zone, stabilizing not just the city, but temporarily dampening the multiversal ripple. The Null commander staggered, their minions faltering, but the energy signature indicated the battle was far from over.
Veyra's silver eyes met his, cautious but approving. "You have managed the first wave of the multiversal surge, Kael. But understand this—the Null commander's escalation is only beginning. Reality itself now watches your choices. Every step forward will carry consequences far beyond your understanding."
Kael exhaled slowly, energy still thrumming in his veins, his chest heavy with strain. The city had survived—for now—but the Null commander had proven that the fight was no longer confined to a single reality. The war had expanded across planes, and the stakes had become infinitely larger.