The city streets were a blur of movement and energy as Kael felt the strain deep within him. Every pulse of the Nexus left him weaker, his control wavering like a fragile thread over an abyss. Shadows danced unnaturally, bending reality in minor but dangerous ways, reflecting the growing instability of the corrupted channels.
Aria's voice was sharp through comms. "Kael, your mark… it's fluctuating. If you push any further without stabilizing, you risk catastrophic backlash!"
Ryken gritted his teeth, taking down a wave of corrupted Revenants. "He's got this… but it's bad timing. That commander isn't waiting for us to catch up."
Kael clenched his fists, the Nexus energy pulsing violently within him. Every strike, every controlled wave, required immense focus. The strain was no longer subtle; it clawed at his mind, forcing him to confront visions of collapsed realities, twisted cityscapes, and Nexus energy running unchecked.
Veyra's silver eyes appeared suddenly at his side, shadows curling protectively around him. "This is the edge, Kael. Beyond this point, every misstep could fracture your connection permanently—or worse. Control is not power—it is discipline, foresight, and understanding the limits of both yourself and the Nexus."
Kael nodded, sweat and energy mixing on his brow. He forced himself to breathe, centering his thoughts, aligning with the flows of the Nexus rather than forcing them. The energy responded, stabilizing just enough to allow him to act, but the cost was visible: a deep fatigue, blurred perception, and faint echoes of corruption lingering in his mind.
Aria's holograms highlighted movement across the city. "Commander's forces are converging on multiple nexus nodes. They've adapted to our zones. If we don't act quickly, the city could fragment."
Kael exhaled slowly, determination blazing through exhaustion. "Then we hit smarter, not harder. Precision over force."