Kael extended the Nexus cautiously, energy arcing gently through the fractured nodes. Each pulse revealed residual corruption—small, almost imperceptible, but growing. These were not active attacks, but the Null commander's influence lingered like a shadow, feeding on the Nexus itself.
Veyra's shadows wove around him protectively. "These are echoes of the previous surge. They are weak now, but the longer they persist, the stronger they grow. Even minor fluctuations can create catastrophic feedback if left unchecked."
Ryken and Aria coordinated containment efforts, neutralizing minions that had been left in unstable pockets of reality. Sparks of corrupted energy twisted in arcs, collapsing under precise interventions, but Kael could feel the strain in his chest intensifying. Every pulse, every adjustment, was a test of endurance.
"This… is worse than I thought," Kael muttered. "Even after the Null commander's attack, their presence lingers. It's like fighting a shadow that never fully manifests."
Veyra's silver eyes narrowed. "It is a warning. The Null commander adapts. Their strategies now span not just time and space, but the multiverse itself. You have survived a multiversal assault, Kael, but this residual energy could become a weapon against you. And it will."
The city quaked subtly as Kael stabilized another node, energy thrumming faintly but steadily. Sparks flickered, shadows twisted, and the faintest echo of the Null commander's influence pulsed through the air. The team worked with precision, every member acutely aware that the aftermath was as dangerous as the battle itself.
Kael staggered, mark pulsing erratically, but managed to finish the stabilization sequence. He exhaled heavily, chest heaving, mind swimming with the echoes of fractured realities. The immediate threat had been neutralized, but he knew the Null commander was watching, adapting, and preparing the next escalation.
Veyra placed a hand on his shoulder. "You have survived this wave, Kael. But the multiverse remembers every pulse, every choice. And the Null commander… will not rest. We must be ready for the consequences of today, for they will reach far beyond this city."
Kael nodded, eyes blazing with determination. The fight was far from over, and the consequences of manipulating the Nexus had only just begun.