The chamber at the heart of the commander's base was vast and oppressive. Dark energy pulsed along the walls, and the faint hum of the Council's network vibrated through the floor. Mukul's golden aura flared, illuminating the darkness as he stepped forward.
"They're here," Mukul whispered, sensing the commander's presence. "Everyone stay sharp. This is what we came for."
Meera's eyes glinted. "Finally. Face to face."
Kavya twirled her dagger with a confident grin. "Time to make this fun."
Anaya's expression was serious. "Fun won't save us. Precision and coordination will."
Saira's calm voice reminded them, "Observe, anticipate, and act together. Unity is our greatest strength."
Liyana leaned casually, spinning her lockpick. "And style helps. Even confronting a mastermind looks better with flair."
From the shadows, the commander emerged. Cloaked in swirling darkness, eyes glowing like embers, they exuded power and menace.
"So… you've finally found me," the commander said, voice echoing unnervingly. "I admit, I'm impressed. Few have come this far."
Mukul's golden energy flared higher. "Impressed or not, this ends now. Your network, your traps—they won't stop us. Not when we fight together."
The commander laughed, dark energy spiralling around them. "Together? You rely too much on your companions. Strength alone won't save you."
The air crackled as shadow constructs surged forward. Mukul's team moved instinctively—Meera struck at constructs with precise strikes, Anaya dismantled stabilizing nodes, Kavya attacked from above, Saira redirected destructive pulses, and Liyana neutralized auxiliary traps.
The commander's power intensified, dark energy colliding with Mukul's golden aura. Each pulse shook the chamber, but the team remained synchronized, golden threads connecting their movements and amplifying their strength.
"This is it," Mukul whispered, determination burning in his eyes. "Stay together, strike together. Trust each other."
The women nodded in unison, their eyes sharp and unwavering.
Meera surged forward, creating openings in the commander's defences. Anaya dismantled stabilizers feeding the constructs. Kavya's leaps and spins distracted the commander, while Saira's precise energy redirection kept the team safe. Liyana's quick thinking neutralized traps before they could trigger.
The commander roared, their dark energy coiling like a serpent around Mukul. Golden light flared as Mukul channelled every ounce of strength and unity into a single strike, shattering the constructs and disrupting the commander's energy flow.
The figure staggered, shocked. "Impossible… your unity… your coordination…"
Mukul stepped forward, aura blazing. "Our strength isn't just energy or skill. It's trust, courage, and standing together. That is what you underestimated."
The commander's shadow began to waver, tendrils of dark energy retracting, energy pulses weakening. Mukul's team pressed the advantage, each woman's power harmonizing with his own.
Even as the commander faltered, Mukul knew this wasn't over. This battle was only the first confrontation within the stronghold. Yet, with the women at his side, he felt a confidence that transcended power—unity, trust, and determination would guide them through every shadow.
Golden light pulsed from the artifacts, illuminating the chamber, a beacon against the dark. The confrontation had begun, and though danger still loomed, Mukul and his allies were ready to face whatever the commander threw at them next.