The next mission was off-world: a failed colony orbiting a red star.
An ambush. Rax was captured. The team scattered.
Kael, weakened under the red sun, still pushed forward. His rage refused to let him fall. In that moment, his body responded not to the sun—but to his will.
He burst into a new form: golden aura tempered by crimson veins of Viltrumite energy. His eyes burned like stars.
He tore through the attackers, saved Rax, and held up a collapsing shuttle single-handedly.
When the team returned, no one said it—but they all looked at him differently.
Not with fear.
With awe.