Volume 1 – Chapter 6: Fractures in the Mind
The Hyperforce command center hummed with quiet tension. After the skyscraper siege, the city's faith was shaky. Newsfeeds replayed edited footage of destruction, cutting out the rescues. Hogan's influence was everywhere.
Bill stood over the strategy table, emerald eyes glowing with thought.
Bill:"He's controlling the narrative. We save lives, but the people only see fire. Hogan's fingerprints are all over it."
Aria crossed her arms, amber eyes sharp. "If this continues, we'll lose the city's trust before the real war even begins."
Tim slammed his fist onto the table, his blue hair falling into his eyes. "Then let's stop playing defense! Let me lead the strike against his supply lines. We end this before it grows."
Bill studied him carefully. "You're rushing. That's what Hogan wants—for us to overextend."
Tim snapped back, his voice harsher than usual. "So we sit and wait while people suffer?!"
Aria placed a hand on his arm, her voice calm but firm. "Tim. We all want to fight. But this isn't you—you don't lose your cool like this."
For a moment, his gaze softened under hers. Then he pulled away, forcing a grin. "…Fine. Just tell me when to punch something."
Bill's emerald eyes lingered on him, suspicious.
The trio intercepted a heavily armed convoy smuggling stolen Life-Tech weapons. The desert night burned with headlights and plasma fire.
Bill directed the assault with precision. "Aria, flank east. Tim, disable the lead truck. I'll handle the comms jammer."
Tim surged forward, fists slamming through armor. But as the battle raged, the voice returned—louder, clearer.
"Yes… strike. Burn. But see how he commands you, like a soldier obeying his general. You're no leader. You're his weapon."
Tim faltered mid-strike, clutching his head.
Tim: (growling) "Not now… get out!"
The whisper twisted darker, images flashing in his mind—Aria's smile at Bill, Bill standing triumphant before cheering crowds.
"She was never yours. Victory was never yours. All you have is strength—and even that he takes."
Suddenly, the desert around him warped. Tim blinked—he was no longer in battle, but in a shadowed wasteland. A looming figure of shifting code and black flame towered over him: the Echo of Kwidhonda.
Kwidhonda's Echo:"Fight me, Timothy. Show me the spirit you cling to… before I break it."
Tim swung his fists, roaring, striking the shadow. For every blow he landed, the entity reformed, whispering in his mind.
"Second place. Always second. She never looked at you the way she looked at him."
Tim's punches slowed. His chest tightened. His voice broke. "Shut up! I chose to step aside… because they were happy… because I…"
The Echo pressed closer, its voice a hiss."You stepped aside because you knew you could never be enough."
Bill's voice crackled in Tim's earpiece. "Tim! You're off your mark—what's happening?!"
Aria shouted, panic in her tone. "Tim, respond! The convoy's breaking through!"
Tim staggered, sweat pouring down his face. He forced a guttural roar, tearing himself free of the vision. His fists slammed down, ripping apart the convoy's engine core. Flames erupted, halting the caravan.
The battle was won—but Tim collapsed to his knees, trembling.
Aria rushed to his side. "Tim! Talk to me—what happened?!"
Tim forced a smirk, though his eyes were hollow. "…Guess I hit harder than I thought."
Bill's emerald eyes lingered on him, sharp with suspicion. "That wasn't exhaustion. Something's inside you, Tim. What aren't you telling us?"
Tim looked away, jaw clenched. "…Nothing. I'm fine."
But deep inside, the whisper laughed again."Closer, closer… soon you'll be mine."