The golden glow of dawn barely pierced the horizon, yet Mukul already felt the Council's influence stretching beyond the city. His mind raced with the knowledge of their global ambitions.
"The first target," Mukul murmured, golden aura flickering. "We need to act fast. If they strike another city, countless lives could be lost."
Meera's eyes narrowed, scanning the faint energy trails on the maps displayed by Mukul's artifacts. "The Council is moving their constructs and energy nodes toward a major metropolitan hub. If we don't intercept, chaos will reign."
Kavya twirled her dagger, grinning. "A new city, new enemies… sounds like fun."
Anaya's voice was serious. "Fun won't save people. Precision, planning, and coordination will."
Saira's calm tone reminded them, "Observe patterns, anticipate moves, and act as a single unit. Unity remains our greatest weapon."
Liyana leaned casually, spinning her lockpick. "And style helps. Even preventing disasters looks cooler with flair."
Mukul formulated a plan. "We split into two strike teams. Meera, Anaya, and I will intercept the main energy node entering the city centre. Kavya, Saira, and Liyana will secure key civilian areas, disable secondary constructs, and prevent collateral damage."
The journey to the city was tense. Shadows flickered at the edge of their vision; constructs sent to test their strength and slow them down.
"There," Mukul whispered, pointing toward a faint ripple in the urban energy field. "The node is approaching. Move carefully."
Meera, Anaya, and Mukul advanced through twisting streets, golden energy illuminating the path. Kavya, Saira, and Liyana moved swiftly, neutralizing minor constructs and shielding civilians from erratic surges.
At the city centre, the energy node pulsed violently, dark tendrils reaching toward nearby structures.
"We need to destabilize it," Mukul shouted, threading golden energy through his artifacts.
Meera struck at the node's weak points, Anaya dismantled stabilizing conduits, Kavya attacked from above, Saira redirected destructive surges, and Liyana neutralized auxiliary wards.
The node pulsed once, twice… then shattered, fragments of dark energy dispersing harmlessly into the air. The immediate threat to the city had been neutralized.
Breathing heavily, Mukul looked at the women. Each was bruised but resolute, eyes shining with determination.
"Teamwork," he said softly. "Coordination, trust, and unity—that is why we survive and triumph."
Kavya grinned. "And style, don't forget style."
Anaya smirked. "Coordination wins. Chaos doesn't matter."
Saira nodded calmly. "Unity and vigilance always prevail."
Meera added firmly, "Protecting each other—that is our true strength."
Liyana twirled her dagger, "And charm always helps, optional but effective."
Even as the city breathed a collective sigh of relief, Mukul knew the Council's global network still stretched far and wide. This victory was only the first step. Each successful defense brought new challenges and revealed new layers of the Council's intricate schemes.
Golden light pulsed softly from the artifacts—a reminder that strategy, courage, and unity would guide them through every shadow that awaited, in this city and beyond.
Mukul's gaze hardened. The first global target had been saved, but the war was only beginning. The Council would strike again, and they would have to be ready. Stronger, wiser, and united, Mukul and his allies prepared for the next wave.