“These watches,” Lucas began, tapping his own, “are more than just gadgets. They’re your lifelines—IDs, communication devices, access passes, and mission trackers. Lose one, and you might as well lose your rank.”

Riya leaned against the table, studying the sleek device. “All-in-one gadgets? Sounds expensive. What’s the catch?”

Lucas smirked faintly. “The catch is that they’ll track your every move. Welcome to the Astral Association.”

Mark leaned back in his chair, stretching casually. “Enough about the tech. What’s the real action? Missions? Bounties? Villain-stomping?”

Lucas pulled up a holographic display, showcasing a list of wanted criminals. Their faces flickered on the screen, each one more menacing than the last. “For now, you’ll be handling smaller assignments. A trial run to prove yourselves.”

Mark’s eyes lit up as he spotted a name. “Zarek Krain.” He jabbed a finger at the screen. “That guy. Let’s go after him.”

Lucas hesitated, his expression briefly flickering with something unreadable. “Zarek is... a smuggler. Dangerous but low-priority. He deals in illegal Etherea substances, mostly enhancement drugs. Not exactly the mastermind type.”

“Perfect,” Mark said with a grin. “How hard can it be?”

Riya crossed her arms, her sharp emerald eyes narrowing. “You mean, besides the fact that he’s probably got an army of goons and more traps than we can count?”

Mark waved her off. “Details. Come on, we’ve got this.”

Lucas sighed, tapping the screen again. “Fine. But don’t underestimate him. Smugglers like Zarek thrive on deception and chaos.” His voice was clipped, but there was a subtle undertone of unease.

Light glanced at Lucas, noticing the slight tension in his jaw. Something about this mission felt... off.

The jet roared to life, lifting off from the Apex base as the sun dipped below the horizon. Inside, the team settled into their seats.

Light stared out the window, the ocean reflecting the last hues of daylight. His mind churned with unease, the name Zarek echoing ominously in his thoughts.

Riya, sitting beside him, nudged him lightly. “What’s with the brooding?”

“Just... thinking,” Light admitted, forcing a small smile.

“You’re always thinking,” Riya teased. “Maybe you should try talking once in a while.”

Light chuckled softly. “I’ll work on it.”

Meanwhile, Mark was at the back, fiddling with his new watch. “These things have games! Why didn’t anyone tell me that?”

Ace leaned over, smirking. “Let me guess—you’re already losing?”

“Not a chance!” Mark shot back.

As the banter filled the cabin, Lucas’s voice crackled through the intercom. “We’re approaching Nevar. Get ready.”

The jet touched down on the outskirts of Nevar, a city where vibrant markets clashed with shadowy alleys. The air was thick with humidity, and the distant hum of activity carried a sense of foreboding.

Lucas led them to a small, nondescript safe house buried in the heart of the city’s maze-like streets. Inside, he activated a holographic map on the central table.

“Zarek’s last known location is here,” Lucas said, pointing to a warehouse by the docks. “Expect heavy security. His men are loyal and well-armed.”

Mark grinned, cracking his knuckles. “Sounds like a warm-up to me.”

“More like a death trap,” Riya muttered, her tone laced with skepticism.

Ace pulled out his deck of cards, shuffling them idly. “Relax. A little luck goes a long way.”

Light remained quiet, his unease growing. Lucas’s guarded demeanor hadn’t gone unnoticed.

The warehouse loomed ahead, its dilapidated exterior betraying the chaos within. Dim lights flickered sporadically, casting long, eerie shadows across the dockyard. Guards patrolled in tight formations, their weapons gleaming in the faint glow.

Swen motioned for the group to halt. “We need a plan,” she said, her silver hair catching the light.

Mark shrugged, rolling his shoulders. “Plan’s simple. I hit the front, you guys clean up the rest.”

Riya sighed. “Subtle as ever.”

Ace grinned, flicking a card toward one of the guards. The card ignited in a small burst of light, creating a brief distraction.

“That’s our cue,” Light whispered.

The team moved as one. Mark charged forward, his batons spinning in a blur of motion, disarming guards with precision and force. Riya darted through the shadows, her laser guns firing silent, precise shots that took down targets before they could react.

Light honed his Astral Awareness, sensing movements before they happened. He dodged a swing and countered with a dagger strike, his teal eyes glowing faintly.

“Not bad,” Riya called out, her voice tinged with approval.

“Thanks,” Light replied, his confidence building.

As they pushed deeper into the warehouse, the ground suddenly rumbled. Heavy footsteps echoed ominously.

From the shadows emerged a towering figure, his silhouette massive and imposing. Zarek Krain stepped into the dim light, his presence suffocating.

Zarek’s appearance was as menacing as his reputation. His broad shoulders and muscular frame exuded raw power. His weathered skin bore scars from countless battles, and his left arm was a mechanical marvel, its steel plating etched with glowing veins of Etherea energy.

His eyes, a piercing shade of amber, burned with calculated malice. Around him, the air seemed heavier, as if the very earth obeyed his command. A faint tremor rippled beneath their feet, hinting at his connection to the ground itself.

He cracked his neck, the sound echoing like a gunshot. “You’ve got guts, coming here,” he rumbled, his voice a deep, gravelly threat. “But guts won’t save you.”

Mark stepped forward, undeterred. “Big words for a smuggler. Let’s see if you can back them up.”

Zarek smirked, his mechanical arm whirring as it clenched into a fist. “You think I’m just a smuggler? Let me show you what happens to fools who underestimate me.”

The ground beneath him cracked and shifted, jagged rocks erupting from the floor as his Etherea flared to life. The sheer intensity of his power sent shockwaves through the room, forcing the team to brace themselves.

“Get ready!” Riya shouted, her guns aimed and steady.

Zarek lunged, the floor splintering beneath his massive strides. The battle began as the team faced the full fury of their most dangerous opponent yet.