Instructor Halston stood before the gathered students, his piercing gaze sweeping across the group. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the academy's training grounds, marking the beginning of their next challenge.
"You've all been training hard, but theory and controlled exercises can only take you so far," Halston announced, his voice firm and steady. "It's time to apply your skills in a real combat scenario. This test will not be a simulation."
Murmurs rippled through the students, but Aiden and Riko remained focused. They had been waiting for something like this—an opportunity to prove what they were capable of.
Halston continued, "Our scouts have identified multiple incursions along the outer district. Creatures are breaching the city's protective barriers. Your objective is simple—contain the situation and eliminate all hostile threats. You will be working in assigned teams, and you will have oversight from academy mentors, but don't expect them to intervene unless absolutely necessary."
Aiden exchanged a quick glance with Riko. There was no hesitation in their eyes—only readiness. They had honed their powers to an impressive level, and now it was time to put them to use.
"Riko, Aiden," Halston called. "You're Squad Alpha. You'll be leading an advance team to one of the more unstable locations. Expect high-level threats."
Aiden smirked. "Finally, a real challenge."
Riko cracked his knuckles. "Let's get to it."
Halston nodded approvingly. "Good. You depart immediately. The rendezvous point is Sector 7. Move out."
Sector 7: Combat Begins
The air was thick with tension as Squad Alpha arrived on the outskirts of the district. Buildings bore the scars of recent attacks, with scorch marks and debris littering the streets. In the distance, the guttural growls of the creatures echoed through the ruined alleys.
Riko activated Phase Locking, stabilizing his position and preparing for sudden movements. His ability allowed him to shift the kinetic energy of his surroundings, ensuring his control over any erratic shifts in gravity.
Aiden, standing beside him, flexed his fingers. He activated Absolutely Reflective Field, a thin layer of defensive energy shimmering around his body. Any attack aimed at him would be sent right back at the attacker with equal or greater force.
The creatures emerged from the shadows—twisted, hulking beasts with serrated limbs and glowing eyes. Without hesitation, Squad Alpha moved into action.
Aiden teleported into the heart of the chaos, appearing in mid-air above a cluster of enemies. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned three black holes in rapid succession, each one destabilizing the space around it. The gravitational pull tore through the creatures, pulling them apart or crushing them under their own weight. With expert precision, he deactivated the black holes just before they could consume too much of the environment.
Riko, on the ground, countered a charging beast by activating Absolute Reflection, redirecting its force back at itself. The impact sent it flying backward, colliding with another creature in a sickening crunch. Before another could get too close, he used Gravitational Manipulation to pin it to the ground, rendering it helpless before crushing it with a controlled gravity spike.
The rest of Squad Alpha fought with intensity, pushing back the invasion. But more creatures kept pouring in. Aiden teleported between vantage points, deploying precise black holes to disrupt enemy lines while Riko altered gravity fields to control the battlefield, keeping their enemies off balance.
Despite the overwhelming numbers, Aiden and Riko worked seamlessly, cutting through the horde with unmatched efficiency.
As the last creature fell, the battlefield finally fell silent. The squad members caught their breath, surveying the destruction around them.
Then, Halston's voice crackled through their earpieces. "Mission complete. Squad Alpha, report back. Excellent work."
Aiden wiped dust off his shoulder. "That wasn't bad. But I hope the next one is harder."
Riko smirked. "Then we better keep getting stronger."
They turned toward the city, ready for whatever came next.