The team stood frozen in the corridor outside their cramped guild base, the air thick with confusion and

  dread. Bash took one more step forward to see what the others were staring at, and from his angle he

  saw only a single Green Spartor, cloaked, broad-shouldered, with the Eclipse Veil insignia gleaming

  faintly on his back.

  Even from behind, Bash recognized that posture.

  His voice was flat. “What do you want, Murdoc?”

  The Green Spartor turned, cloak shifting with the movement.

  And only then did the second silhouette appear, Zycof stepping out from behind Murdoc, previously

  hidden from Bash’s line of sight.

  Murdoc’s face curved into a sinister grin the moment he saw Bash, full of smugness and malice

  polished over years of thinking he was untouchable.

  “Well,” Murdoc said, tone dripping with venomous amusement, “looks like you are doing well for

  yourself, Bash.”

  Bash smiled back, not warm, not friendly, but sharp and deliberate.

  “I would say so. I am in a guild that lives up to their word and does not turn their back on you because

  they did not get their way.”

  Murdoc’s smirk vanished instantly. The muscles in his jaw clenched.

  Zycof stepped forward quickly, intercepting the tension before Murdoc exploded. His voice stayed

  even, but his eyes were serious.

  “Bash, we are here on assignment from Rhell. He wants to speak with you.”

  Bash cut him off almost before the sentence was finished.

  “Not interested.”

  Zycof’s eyes flicked with frustration. “Look, obviously Rhell got emotional when Vanra’s team came

  back with only one relic. But it turns out that relic is far more powerful than he expected.”

  Bash tilted his head slightly, lips twisting upward.

  “So Rhell wants to apologize to me, then?”

  The smile, the tone, every molecule of it was designed to provoke.

  And it worked.

  Murdoc snapped instantly.

  “Rhell owes no one an apology, especially a nobody like yourself! You should be grateful he even let

  you be part of his team!”

  Bash’s grin widened, almost pitying.

  “Yes. A nobody who could have killed you twice. First time saved by one of Rhell’s minion Virk.

  Second time by the Nexus at the tournament.”

  The corridor went deathly still.

  Murdoc’s fists trembled. “You would not stand a chance if we fought again.”

  Bash shrugged. “You might be right. But not because you are better than me, only because Rhell made

  sure I could not grow.”

  Behind him, Bash’s team shifted uneasily. Bryn’s hand drifted toward her blade. Nixon’s stance

  tightened. Myr’s breathing changed, shallow, cautious. Even Garret, usually too proud to show nerves,

  took a half step back.

  Zycof cut in sharply.

  “Murdoc. Enough.”

  Murdoc stepped back with a glare, nostrils flaring.

  Zycof continued, turning fully to Bash.

  “Look, Bash. Rhell has a mission he needs handled. He sent us here to bring you to him.”

  Bash laughed once, a single, disbelieving exhale.

  “What could Rhell and Eclipse Veil possibly need me for that they cannot do themselves?”

  Zycof lowered his voice. “We are not allowed to discuss it around others.”

  Bash looked at his team. “Regardless of whether you say it in front of them or not, I will tell them.”

  Zycof shook his head slowly. “Fine. There is a new portal. A team went in to look for relics. They

  found a temple, something ancient, and no one can enter. Every attempt to step inside is blocked by…

  something. The entire guild has tried. Every ability, every rank. No one gets through.”

  The team exchanged looks, wide-eyed, disbelieving, terrified.

  Zycof continued, “It is assumed it has something to do with affinity interaction. Rhell is sending for

  you to see if you can enter because you have no ability. That is it. If you can enter, retrieve anything of

  value from within.”

  Bash crossed his arms. “And if I cannot, what is my punishment?”

  “Nothing,” Zycof answered plainly.

  Bash said nothing at first, expression unreadable.

  SC whispered into his thoughts.

  “Bash, there are no recorded events of temples blocking affinity like this. There are cases of locks

  requiring specific affinities or combined affinities. I am not saying this is that… but it is within the

  realm of possibility.”

  Bash responded internally, “Good to know. But knowing Rhell? If he thinks I can enter, he will do

  anything to force the outcome. Which is what concerns me. I just need to keep playing hardball.”

  Zycof continued, “Rhell is putting a bounty on the mission. Pass or fail, you get paid.”

  Bash narrowed his eyes. “What is the catch? There has to be more you are not telling me.”

  Zycof shook his head. “Nothing besides the obvious. No one has entered, so we have no idea what is

  inside. Could be dangerous beasts. Could be nothing.”

  Bash studied him for a long moment.

  Then nodded once.

  He turned to his team. “Let’s go talk to Rhell. And they come with.”

  Zycof blinked. “No. They stay here.”

  “Then go tell Rhell I accept his invitation,” Bash said, voice calm but sharp, “but he will have to come

  to my guild base himself. I am sure he will love to know you could not complete your task.”

  Murdoc lost it completely.

  “You call this pathetic excuse of a closet your guild base?”

  Zycof snapped, “Murdoc, enough.” He turned to Bash again. “Fine. Everyone comes. You are doing

  something for us; it is only fair you get say in the discussion.”

  Bash nodded once. “Then let’s go. I would hate to keep the Grand Councilor waiting.”

  Murdoc and Zycof spun toward the corridor, leading the way.

  Bash looked back at his team.

  “If any of you do not want to come, you can stay. But when you are with me, I know where you are.

  When you are not… I cannot see what they will do. I do not know if this will get messy.”

  The team swallowed hard.

  But Garret, surprisingly, spoke first.

  “Well, what are we waiting for? Like Bash said… it would be bad to leave the Grand Councilor

  waiting.”

  One by one, they nodded. No one wanted to show fear, even if it was carved clearly in their eyes.

  They followed Zycof and Murdoc through the narrow grey corridor. Eventually they reached the

  internal teleporter node,a dim hexagonal platform with faint pulses of blue energy crawling across the

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  floor.

  “Step in,” Zycof said.

  All nine Spartors stepped into the circle.

  Light flashed.

  The world reformed around them in brilliant silver-blue. They stood on a platform suspended over a

  massive open concourse, bustling with high-ranking Spartors moving in tight formations. This was the

  Ark’s heart, where only the strongest or most politically connected Spartors ever wandered.

  Cerny’s breath hitched. Mirran stared upward in awe. Nixon mumbled under his breath. Myr’s hands

  trembled behind his back.

  Only Bash remained steady.

  Zycof gestured ahead. “The Guild Base is this way.”

  The team followed him through a polished, towering walkway leading toward a structure they had only

  ever heard rumors about.

  When it finally came into view, Bryn whispered, “By the stars…”

  The Eclipse Veil Base stood like a cathedral forged from metal and power. A massive dome of black

  and silver alloy, its walls shifting subtly with internal motion. The insignia of the Eclipse Veil floated

  above the entryway, spinning slowly, casting faint rings of light over the stone walkway.

  Armored Spartors patrolled in perfect synchronicity. Every movement was rehearsed and disciplined.

  Every corridor gleamed.

  Bash watched his team absorb the sight, half awe, half fear.

  Murdoc and Zycof swiped their watches toward the guards.

  “We are escorting these Spartors for a meeting with the Grand Councilor,” Zycof announced.

  The guards scanned the hologram.

  “This authorization lists one Spartor, not seven.”

  Murdoc leaned forward, voice dripping with condescension.

  “Well, I can tell you what. You can escort us to Rhell yourself and explain why we were held up at the

  gate… or you can let us through. Do you think the two of us cannot handle these misfits if needed?”

  The guards exchanged a long look.

  Then stepped aside.

  “Proceed. I will update the main base.”

  Murdoc waved dismissively and marched inside. The team followed, wide-eyed.

  They were led through hallways lined with reinforced alloy, illuminated by shifting luminescent panels.

  Other guild members, high-tier, heavily armed, watched them with disdain or curiosity.

  Eventually Zycof pushed open a door to a debrief room.

  “Sit.”

  They did, packing into seats lining a long table. Bash chose the chair at the far end, farthest from the

  door.

  Five minutes of tense silence passed.

  Then the door slid open.

  Two high-ranking Eclipse Veil Spartors entered first.

  Behind them… Rhell.

  The Grand Councilor.

  Everyone stood instantly.

  Except Bash.

  Murdoc glared daggers at him, but before he could speak, Rhell lifted a hand and smirked.

  “Sit.”

  They obeyed.

  Rhell looked at Murdoc and Zycof. “Who are the rest of these Spartors?”

  Murdoc opened his mouth, but Bash cut across him, voice firm, unyielding.

  “They are my guildmates. I wanted them near me so I knew if you tried something underhanded.”

  The two elite guards moved instantly, stepping toward Bash with threatening intent.

  “Enough,” Rhell said sharply.

  The guards stopped. Returned to their positions.

  Rhell chuckled lightly. “Bash and I did not part under the best circumstances. His caution is… let’s say

  understandable.”

  The smile did not reach his eyes.

  Rhell folded his hands. “So you know why you are here.”

  Bash nodded. “I was informed of the situation.”

  Rhell shot Murdoc and Zycof a dark look but continued. “Then you understand the predicament. I am

  offering you ten T3C beast fragments as bounty, whether you can enter the temple or not.”

  The team went stiff. Ten T3C fragments was more wealth than most of them would see in a decade.

  Bash sat silent for a few moments then chuckled. “You must have forgotten I was on the recon mission.

  I saw the thousands upon thousands of T3C and T3G fragments collected. Did you really think I would

  jump at ten? That is a drop in the bucket for you.”

  Rhell’s jaw tightened, but he listened.

  Bash continued. “If what you believe is true, and there are relics inside that temple, and I am the only

  one who can enter, then the value of those relics far exceeds ten fragments.”

  Rhell nodded slowly. “Yes… but what if you cannot enter? Then I lose the bounty.”

  Bash leaned forward. “Then you must ask yourself how sure you are that I am the one needed.”

  Rhell considered that carefully.

  “What is your price?”

  Bash did not hesitate.

  “Two hundred T3C beast fragments, classes of our choosing. And access to your smiths and imbuers at

  military cost. One hundred fragments for forging. One hundred for the imbue.”

  Rhell raised an eyebrow, thinking, looking around the table at Spartor that accompanied Bash. “You

  want to gear your team?”

  Bash said nothing.

  Rhell smiled. “How about this? Instead of two hundred T3C… I will have the Eclipse Veil Forges and

  Imbuers craft the best T2A equipment for each of your teammates, tailored to their abilities. Then I will

  give your guild fifty T3C fragments to build yourselves up. Enough to form a viable Blue guild.”

  His team’s eyes flew wide with disbelief.

  Bash nodded slowly.

  “And after this,” he said, “I want no trouble from you ever again.”

  Rhell leaned forward. “After this, I will let you and your guild be, as long as we both stand. My guild

  will maintain cordial relationship, or I will resign as guild leader of Eclipse Veil and hand the guild

  over to you.”

  The room went still.

  Rhell flicked his wrist, swiping data across the air toward Bash.

  Bash’s watch lit up, a signed contract Nexus bound, it cannot be withdrawn.

  Murdoc, Zycof, and the elite guards all stared in shock.

  “As a show of good faith,” Rhell continued, “your blacklist is removed. My smiths and imbuers will

  begin forging your team’s equipment immediately. It will be ready by morning.”

  Rhell turned to Murdoc and Zycof.

  “Ensure the forges and imbuers know this is top priority. They will receive Nexus logs of this team for

  analysis.”

  He faced Bash again.

  “All payments will be delivered before departure.”

  Bash rose from his seat.

  “Fair enough. We will see you in the morning.”

  Rhell smiled thinly.