The northern district of Velrith had been silent for hours, but beneath the cracked streets, a new Class B dungeon had begun to stir. Crystalline Rift formations glimmered faintly in the dim tunnels, refracting the scant light into sharp shards that danced like living ice.
Aboveground, Lucien Rael observed from a safe vantage, cloak brushing the wind. His silver eyes traced the energy pulsing below. He was not here to fight directly — this was Astraeus Dominion's operation, testing the squad's cohesion and control.
And yet, despite the calm exterior, his mind lingered elsewhere.
Lucien's Thoughts: The Private Meeting
Kael… the thought came unbidden, sharp and unwelcome. The memory of the rooftop — the fire in Kael's eyes, the words unsaid, the tension between them — refused to leave.
Lucien's shadows coiled tighter around his boots, responding almost instinctively to the pulse of his emotions. He had told himself it was unnecessary. That it meant nothing. Yet, the way Kael had moved, the heat of his presence, the challenge in his voice…
Dangerous. Reckless. Alive.
He shook his head slightly, dispelling the thought as if it were a Riftborn infestation. Focus. There are dungeons to manage. Crews to oversee. Cities to protect.
Still, the memory lingered, subtle and insistent, like a whisper of shadow at the edge of perception.
Astraeus Dominion Moves
Below, Eira led the way through the crystalline tunnels, ice constructs forming under her precise commands. Her frost extended along walls, stabilizing jagged Rift shards and creating paths safe for her teammates.
Veyra flitted through shadows, illusions creating duplicates of her squad members to misdirect Riftspawn. Mischief danced in her silver eyes, but she struck with deadly accuracy whenever a creature appeared.
Caspian etched protective runes along the cavern walls, each glowing faintly to reinforce structural integrity and detect Rift fluctuations. He muttered quietly to himself, adjusting patterns mid-operation with surgical precision.
Lyra moved at the squad's edge, spear of light in hand, illuminating threats and cutting through shadowy tendrils with decisive, elegant strikes. Her confidence was steady, yet subtle tension showed — she knew the importance of this mission.
First Engagement
A Riftspawn with crystalline limbs surged from the walls, moving unnaturally fast. Eira immediately froze a portion of the floor, causing it to stumble.
Veyra's illusions confused its senses, making it lunge at empty air. Caspian's runes activated in a chain reaction, binding the creature temporarily. Lyra's spear struck true, piercing its crystalline core.
Lucien watched quietly from above, calculating. The squad's execution was near flawless, yet he noted tiny inefficiencies — positions slightly off, timing a fraction behind. Subtle, correctable.
They're competent, he thought, but there's always room to push further.
Team Dynamics
As the Riftspawn fell, Lyra let out a breath. "That one had a nasty bite. Almost got me."
Veyra smirked, twirling a shadowy illusion of herself. "You weren't paying attention, clearly. Happens to the best."
Eira's voice was calm, analytical. "Focus. We're not done. The Rift is unstable deeper in."
Caspian adjusted a rune, eyes narrowing. "Another anomaly is forming. We need to isolate it before it escalates."
Lucien's silver gaze swept the squad. Each member's personality, each strength and quirk, played into their cohesion. They're impressive… but still predictable.
A Rift Shard Breach
Deeper in the dungeon, a larger Rift shard pulsed violently, cracking along the ceiling. Energy surged, illuminating the cavern like a ghostly aurora.
Eira's constructs extended, shielding the squad. Veyra's illusions multiplied, masking them from detection. Lyra's spear carved precise lines through the shards, dissipating smaller fragments. Caspian's runes pulsed, stabilizing the tunnel's structure.
Lucien allowed himself a rare moment of satisfaction. The squad is performing perfectly without my direct interference. They're extensions of my will… but still their own.
Yet, even as he observed, his mind drifted again, involuntarily: Kael. That fire… how long before he becomes a problem I cannot control?
Aftermath
The dungeon finally stabilized. The crystalline Rift dissipated, leaving fragments of refracted light scattered across the cavern floor.
Lucien descended to the exit, joining his squad in brief debrief. He did not comment on their performance — merely nodded in acknowledgment.
The city above was alive with reports of their success. Fans speculated on Astraeus Dominion's efficiency and precision. Commentators noted the elegance and lethal grace of Lucien's squad, giving them the city's admiration.
But in the shadows of his mind, Lucien felt a flicker of something unaccounted for — a trace of fire against his silver shadow.
Kael.
The memory of their private meeting, the tension, the unspoken challenge — it lingered like an ember, quietly smoldering beneath his control.
And for the first time in a long while, Lucien wondered if the ember would ever ignite.