The sentinel struck again, faster this time, aiming for Kael's chest. The mark flared violently, and suddenly he felt it—a surge of strength, of awareness, unlike anything he had ever known. His reflexes sharpened, his vision expanded. Colors became more vivid, every sound clearer. He could sense the creature's energy signature as if it were an extension of himself.
With a fluid motion, Kael sidestepped, catching the sentinel in a concentrated blast of energy from the device. The force sent it crashing into a brick wall, cracking concrete and leaving a scorched outline. Yet it rose again, relentless, relentless in a way that human enemies never had been.
The whispers became clearer, instructing him on the next move. Kael's hand moved almost independently, tracing an intricate pattern in the air. The mark glowed brighter, spreading down his arms in a web of pulsing lines. Light arced from his fingertips, striking the sentinel directly. For a moment, it screamed—or at least, Kael perceived it as a scream—and then dissolved into black mist, swirling into the night.
Kael dropped to his knees, gasping for breath. His chest burned, but the device hummed steadily, stabilizing him. The adrenaline ebbed, leaving him shaken but alive. He had faced his first sentinel and survived. More importantly, he had begun to understand the power now coursing through him: the Revenant abilities were real, dangerous, and growing with every heartbeat.
From the shadows, a figure emerged silently—Aria, watching with a mixture of satisfaction and concern. "Not bad," she said, her voice cutting through the night. "But that was only a scout. The Null Order won't stop there. They're testing you, Kael. Every move you make, every breath you take—they're watching. And next time… it won't be so easy."
Kael straightened, fists clenched. The city felt different now, alive with hidden dangers and unseen eyes. Somewhere in the distance, the first ripples of the Null Order's assault were beginning. And Kael Draven, the Revenant, had no choice but to rise and meet them.