The team moved in through Hyde Park; the moonlight casting long shadows across the grass. The air was thick with tension, the quiet of the park feeling more like the calm before a storm. In the distance, the Serpentine Lake glimmered under the pale light, its surface eerily still.

  As they approached a clearing near the lake, the mercenaries came into view. They were gathered in a loose circle, their weapons drawn and their expressions grim. Michael stood at the center, muttering to himself. The rest of the group—Dexter, Rook, Sylas, and Mara—looked uneasy, their usual confidence replaced by wary glances in Michael’s direction.

  Robert stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. “It’s over, Michael. Surrender now.”

  Michael’s head snapped up, his eyes wild with rage. “Surrender?” he spat, his voice trembling with fury. “You think this is over? You think you’ve won?”

  Freddie, leaning on Joel for support, raised an eyebrow. “Uh, yeah? Kinda looks that way from where I’m standing.”

  Michael let out a bitter laugh, his hands clenching into fists. “You have no idea what’s coming.” He reached to prism on hand that glinted ominously in the moonlight. The team tensed, their instincts screaming that something was very wrong.

  “Exhaurire vitam et da mihi vires,” Michael whispered, his voice low and guttural. The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy with dark energy. The prism began to glow, a deep, blood-red light spreading through its facets. The mercenaries turned to him, their expressions shifting from unease to horror.

  “Boss, what are you doing?” Dexter demanded, taking a step back.

  But it was too late. Beams of dark energy shot out from the prism, striking each of the mercenaries in the chest. They gasped, their bodies convulsing as the light drained from their eyes. One by one, they collapsed to the ground, their lifeless forms crumpling like puppets with their strings cut.

  The team stared in stunned silence, the weight of what they’d just witnessed sinking in. Michael stood alone now, the prism glowing brighter than ever in his hand. His body seemed to swell with dark energy, his eyes blazing with an unnatural light. His laughter echoed through the park, unhinged and terrifying.

  Darian’s voice crackled through their earpieces, urgent and alarmed. “Team, there’s a massive power surge coming from your location. Whatever’s happening, be careful. This is beyond anything we’ve seen before.”

  Robert’s jaw tightened, his mind racing. “Freddie, shields! Now!”

  Freddie didn’t need to be told twice. He raised his hands, his telekinesis forming a shimmering barrier around the team just as Michael unleashed a wave of dark energy. The force slammed into the shield; the impact sending shockwaves through the air. Freddie gritted his teeth, his arms trembling from tiredness

  Robert stepped forward, his own powers flaring as he reinforced Freddie’s shield. “We just need to buy time. Any ideas?”

  Sophia’s eyes were closed, her brow furrowed in concentration. “I’m trying to get into his mind, but it’s… it’s like a storm in there. He’s completely consumed by whatever that thing is.”

  Michael’s laughter grew louder, his form now wreathed in dark energy. “I’m going to kill you now,” he roared, his voice distorted and unnatural. “I am power incarnate! I am unstoppable!”

  Another wave of energy crashed into the shield, this one even stronger than the last. Freddie stumbled, his knees buckling under the strain. “I’m not gonna last much longer!” he warned, his voice barely audible over the roar of the energy.

  Emma’s hands glowed faintly as she manipulated the surrounding air, trying to stabilize the shield. “We need to come up with something fast.”

  Leo and Luis exchanged a glance, their expressions grim. “We’ll distract him,” Leo said, his voice steady despite the chaos. “Just give us an opening.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Robert nodded, his mind racing. “Do it. But be careful. He’s not the same anymore.”

  As Leo and Luis darted out from behind the shield, their speed making them a blur, Michael turned his attention to them. His laughter turned to a snarl as he hurled bolts of dark energy in their direction. They zigzagged through the park, their movements too fast for him to pin down.

  “Now!” Robert shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

  Freddie dropped the shield, his strength spent, and the team surged forward. Robert, Joel, and Emma charged at Michael, their powers flaring as they prepared to strike. Sophia focused her telepathy, trying to disrupt Michael’s mind.

  But Michael was ready. With a roar, he unleashed a massive burst of energy, sending the team flying backward. They hit the ground hard; the impact knocking the wind out of them.

  Michael stood tall, his form now a swirling mass of dark energy. “You can’t win now,” he sneered, his voice echoing with unnatural power. “This ends now!”

  Back at the G.A.R.D base, Darian stared at the holographic screens, his face pale as the energy readings spiked to alarming levels. The screens flashed red, warning after warning blaring across the room. “This can’t be right,” he muttered, his voice tense. “The energy levels… they’re off the charts. Michael’s like a ticking bomb. If he blows, it’ll take out half the city—maybe more.”

  He grabbed his communicator, his voice urgent. “Team, do you read me? Michael’s energy is building to critical levels. You need to get out of there now!”

  In Hyde Park, the team could feel the air crackling with energy. Michael’s form pulsed with dark power, his body glowing brighter and brighter with each passing second. The ground beneath him began to fracture, the grass withering and turning to ash.

  “He’s gonna blow!” Joel shouted, his voice barely audible over the roar of the energy. “What do we do?”

  Emma’s eyes widened in panic. “If he explodes here, the entire city—”

  Robert’s face hardened, his jaw tightening as he made a decision. Without a word, he charged forward. He slammed into Michael, grabbing him by the shoulders and lifting him into the air.

  “Robert, what are you doing?!” Freddie screamed, his voice cracking with fear.

  Robert didn’t look back. “This is the only way!” he shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos. “I’m taking him up. Get clear!”

  Darian’s voice crackled through the earpieces, frantic. “Robert, don’t! The energy surge—it’s too unstable! You’ll never make it!”

  But Robert was already soaring into the sky, Michael struggling in his grip. The dark energy around them grew more intense, the air humming with power. Below, the team watched in horror as the two figures grew smaller and smaller, disappearing into the night.

  Freddie’s hands clenched into fists, his heart pounding. “No… no, no, no! Robert, don’t do this!”

  The team stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the sky. For a moment, there was silence. Then, a blinding flash of light erupted high above, illuminating the entire city. A shockwave rippled through the atmosphere, the force of it knocking the team off their feet.

  When the light faded, the sky was empty.

  Freddie scrambled to his feet, his chest heaving. “Robert!” he screamed, his voice raw with desperation. “ROBERT!”

  Sophia’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock. Joel and Emma exchanged horrified glances, while Leo and Luis stared at the sky, their expressions grim.

  Then a faint glimmer caught their attention. A figure was falling from the sky, trailing smoke and embers. Freddie’s eyes widened. “It’s him!”

  Without hesitation, Freddie raised his hands. He focused all his energy on slowing Robert’s descent, his arms trembling with the effort.

  Robert hit the ground gently, his body limp and unconscious. His suit was scorched, his face pale and streaked with soot. The team gathered around him, their faces etched with worry.

  “Is he…?” Emma’s voice trailed off, her hands hovering over Robert’s chest.

  Joel dropped to his knees beside him, his hands shaking as he checked for a pulse. “He’s alive,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  Sophia’s eyes narrowed as she noticed something. “Look—the Aetheric bands. They’re glowing.”

  The team glanced at their wrists, where the bands were pulsing with a soft, golden light. Without a word, they placed their hands on Robert, their bands glowing brighter as they connected. A warm, golden light enveloped him, spreading across his body like a healing wave.

  For a moment, nothing happened. Then Robert’s eyes fluttered open, his breath coming in a sharp gasp. He blinked up at the team, his expression dazed but alive.

  “Robert!” Freddie’s voice broke with relief. “You idiot! Don’t ever do that again!”

  Robert managed a weak smile, his voice hoarse. “Did it… work?”

  Luis let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, man. You saved us. That’s two times now.”

  Emma wiped a tear from her cheek, her smile trembling.

  The team helped him to his feet, their relief palpable. The golden glow of the Aetheric bands faded, but the bond between them felt stronger than ever. They stood together in the quiet park, the city safe once more.

  Freddie clapped Robert on the shoulder, his grin returning. “Next time, let’s leave the heroics to me, yeah?”

  Robert chuckled, wincing slightly. “Not a chance, Freddie. Not a chance.”