The commander staggered, dark energy flickering and unstable, but a cruel smile spread across their face. Mukul's golden aura flared brighter, yet he knew the danger was far from over.
"You think you've won?" the commander hissed. "I've only begun."
Without warning, the chamber quaked. Shadow tendrils erupted from the floor, walls, and ceiling, moving independently like living predators. The commander's hidden ability had awakened: a dark mirroring force that replicated their attacks and multiplied the constructs.
Meera's eyes widened. "They've evolved! We can't fight them the same way!"
Kavya gritted her teeth, twirling her dagger. "Bring it on. Evolution or not, we adapt."
Anaya's voice was sharp. "We need strategy now more than ever. Division will be fatal. Mukul, lead us."
Saira's calm tone reminded them, "Observe the patterns, anticipate the force, and act as one. Unity is our only defence."
Liyana leaned casually, spinning her lockpick. "And style helps. Even in chaos, flair counts."
Mukul's mind raced. The commander's mirrored attacks meant every strike they made could be countered, every construct they destroyed could regenerate instantly. Fighting blindly would be suicide.
"Team, synchronize with me," Mukul commanded. Golden threads of energy connected each member, amplifying their strength and timing. "We attack not individually, but as a single entity. One strike, one flow, one outcome."
Meera nodded, striking first with a precise, coordinated blow that destabilized one cluster of mirrored constructs. Anaya dismantled stabilizers feeding the mirrored nodes. Kavya distracted the commander with agile, unpredictable movements. Saira redirected destructive energy toward weak points. Liyana neutralized auxiliary traps with lightning-fast precision.
The mirrored attacks faltered, struggling to keep up with the team's unified strategy. Mukul channelled golden energy into a concentrated beam, shattering a core construct while protecting his allies with overlapping energy shields.
The commander growled, the first sign of frustration cracking their calm facade. "Impossible… you… you are stronger than I anticipated."
Mukul stepped forward, aura blazing, and whispered, "Strength isn't just power—it's trust, courage, and unity. That is what you underestimated."
Meera surged, exploiting the commander's hesitation. Anaya dismantled the central stabilizer. Kavya's precision strikes disoriented the commander. Saira redirected destructive energy away from allies and civilians. Liyana neutralized traps instantly, keeping the team safe.
The commander staggered, dark energy spiralling chaotically. The mirrored constructs wavered, unable to synchronize with their creator's weakening control.
Even as the danger intensified, Mukul felt a surge of confidence. Together, the women and he were unstoppable—each attack, each defence, perfectly synchronized, perfectly executed. The commander's hidden ability had been revealed, but the team adapted faster than it could respond.
Golden light pulsed from the artifacts, illuminating the chamber, a beacon against the multiplying shadows. The battle was far from over, but the tide was turning. With strategy, coordination, and unity, Mukul and his allies had survived the commander's first counterattack—and were ready for whatever came next.