Chapter 4: The Surya Reactor 2.0
The workshop buzzed with activity, the air thick with the metallic tang of molten Vajra and the hum of machinery. Sparks flew from a welding arm as it etched precise grooves into a gleaming piece of armor. The half-finished Kavacha X stood on its platform, a towering symbol of unfulfilled promise.
Prithvi leaned over a console, his brow furrowed as he studied the schematics projected before him. The Vajra Core hovered in a containment unit beside him, its steady pulse casting faint shadows across his face.
“Energy levels are stable,” Riya reported, her voice clipped and businesslike. She stood at a secondary console, her fingers flying over the keyboard. “But the core’s output is still… erratic. If we integrate it into the reactor without compensating for the spikes—”
“It’ll fry the suit,” Prithvi finished, his tone grim. He straightened, running a hand through his hair. The tension in his shoulders was palpable, the weight of the last mission etched into his face.
Riya glanced at him, her eyes narrowing. “You’re pushing too hard. We just got back. You haven’t even—”
“There’s no time,” Prithvi cut her off, his voice sharper than he intended. He exhaled, softening his tone. “Asura’s drones aren’t slowing down. Every day we wait, it gains more ground. This suit is our only shot.”
Arjun sat nearby, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate strokes. He didn’t look up as he spoke. “Pushing harder won’t bring him back.”
The words hung in the air, heavy and unspoken until now. Riya’s fingers faltered on the keyboard, her jaw tightening. Prithvi turned away, his hands bracing against the console.
“No,” he said quietly. “But it’ll make sure his sacrifice wasn’t in vain.”
The New Reactor.
Riya cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “The Surya Reactor 2.0 is a huge step up from the original,” she began, swiping through the schematics on her tablet. “With the Vajra Core as its primary energy source, we’re looking at near-infinite power. Enough to sustain the Kavacha X through any battle.”
“Sounds too good to be true,” Arjun said, inspecting one of the armor plates. “What’s the catch?”
“The spikes,” Riya admitted, gesturing to the core. “The energy output isn’t consistent. During high-stress situations—like combat—it could surge unpredictably. If the reactor overloads, we’re looking at a total systems failure.”
“Or an explosion,” Prithvi added, his tone dry.
Arjun frowned. “Great. So it’s either perfection or a fireball. Fantastic odds.”
Prithvi moved to the reactor casing, his hands brushing over its polished surface. The Vajra Core’s glow intensified as he approached, as though it recognized him. He stared at it for a long moment before speaking.
“Can we stabilize it?” he asked, his voice low.
Riya hesitated. “Maybe. If we adjust the suit’s energy conduits to handle the spikes… and if the core syncs perfectly with the Kavacha’s systems…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “It’s a lot of ‘ifs,’ Prithvi.”
“Then we test it,” he said firmly.
The First Test.
The room was cleared, the workshop’s heavy equipment pushed to the sides as the reactor was lowered into the chest cavity of the Kavacha X. Robotic arms worked with mechanical precision, securing the core in place as faint tendrils of golden energy spread through the suit’s framework.
Prithvi stood nearby, already suited up in the auxiliary harness that connected to the Kavacha. Arjun and Riya watched from behind a reinforced barrier, their faces tense.
“This feels like a bad idea,” Arjun muttered, leaning against the barrier. “You sure you don’t want to start with something smaller? Like, I don’t know, a light bulb?”
Prithvi smirked faintly. “Where’s the fun in that?”
The workshop’s automated voice crackled to life. “Reactor integration complete. Begin synchronization sequence.”
The core’s glow intensified, sending golden light rippling through the suit. Prithvi stepped onto the platform, the harness locking into place as the Kavacha’s chest plate closed around him. The HUD flared to life, data streams cascading across his vision.
“Energy levels nominal,” Riya reported, her voice tense. “Reactor is stabilizing.”
Prithvi flexed his fingers, the suit responding instantly. The weight of the armor felt lighter now, as though the Vajra Core was more than just a power source—it was alive, moving with him.
“Not bad,” he said, his voice echoing slightly in the comms.
Arjun raised an eyebrow. “Not bad? You’re glowing like a divine Christmas tree.”
“Careful, Arjun,” Prithvi quipped. “Jealousy’s a bad look on you.”
Riya’s voice interrupted them, sharp and urgent. “Energy spike detected! Prithvi, shut it down—”
Before she could finish, the reactor surged. Golden light exploded outward, flooding the room in a blinding pulse. The platform beneath Prithvi trembled, sparks flying as the suit’s systems strained against the overload.
“Prithvi!” Riya shouted, pounding on the barrier. “Get out of there!”
“Not yet,” Prithvi said through gritted teeth. The HUD flashed red, warning icons flooding his vision. He focused on the core, willing the energy to stabilize. His hands gripped the controls tightly, his breath coming in short bursts.
“Come on,” he muttered. “Work with me.”
The light flickered, then dimmed. The suit’s systems hummed as the reactor settled into a steady rhythm. The warnings disappeared from the HUD, replaced by a single green icon: Stabilized.
Prithvi exhaled, his shoulders sagging in relief. “We’re good,” he said, his voice steady again.
Riya slumped against the barrier, her tablet clutched to her chest. “You’re insane,” she muttered, but there was a hint of relief in her voice.
“Always,” Prithvi said with a faint grin.
Prithvi stood in the center of the workshop, the Kavacha X humming softly around him. The suit felt different now—alive in a way that none of its predecessors ever had. He flexed his hands, the Vajra-infused plating responding seamlessly. Golden light rippled through the armor’s seams, faint and steady, a testament to the reactor’s newfound stability.
“Status report?” he asked, his voice echoing through the suit’s internal comms.
Riya’s voice came through immediately, calm and focused. “Energy levels holding at 87%. No spikes detected since the last sync. The core’s finally playing nice.”
“Finally,” Arjun muttered from the far end of the room. He leaned against a stack of crates, his arms crossed as he watched Prithvi with a mixture of curiosity and unease. “Now let’s see if it’s more than just a fancy light show.”
Prithvi smirked beneath the visor. “You want a demonstration?”
“Depends,” Arjun shot back. “Can you keep it from blowing up this time?”
“I make no promises,” Prithvi replied, stepping off the platform. His thrusters activated with a faint whir, propelling him smoothly to the workshop floor. He landed lightly, the impact barely audible despite the suit’s weight.
Riya stepped out from behind her console, her tablet in hand. “Don’t get cocky,” she said, raising an eyebrow. “The reactor’s stable for now, but we haven’t stress-tested it under combat conditions. It could still—”
“Explode,” Arjun finished for her, miming a small blast with his hands. “We get it.”
“Good thing we’re doing that next,” Prithvi said, turning toward the combat simulator in the far corner of the workshop.
The Test Begins.
The simulator’s walls shifted as the system powered on, projecting a holographic environment that filled the room. The barren expanse of a desert appeared around them, complete with heatwaves shimmering in the distance and the faint whistle of wind.
“Starting with medium-level drones,” Riya announced from the control panel. “Keep it simple until we’re sure the reactor can handle the load.”
Prithvi stepped into the simulation, his sensors locking onto the first wave of drones. Five sleek, humanoid machines emerged from the haze, their metallic bodies glinting under the simulated sun. Their movements were smooth and coordinated, their crimson eyes glowing as they scanned their target.
“Medium-level, huh?” Prithvi said, his tone light. “Let’s see what this baby can do.”
The drones charged.
Prithvi moved faster than he expected, the thrusters on his suit propelling him forward in a controlled burst. He ducked under the first drone’s swing, his hammer flaring with golden light as he brought it up in a wide arc. The blow connected with the drone’s chest, sending it flying backward in a shower of sparks.
“Nice,” Arjun muttered, watching from behind the safety of the control panel. “One down.”
The remaining drones adapted quickly, spreading out to flank him. Prithvi turned sharply, his HUD highlighting their movements in real-time. One drone lunged, its claws extending toward his shoulder. He spun, the thrusters on his boots activating mid-turn, and drove his hammer into its head with precision.
Another drone fired a burst of plasma from its arm cannon. Prithvi raised his forearm, the suit’s kinetic barrier flaring to life just in time to deflect the blast. The energy rippled harmlessly across the barrier’s surface before dissipating.
“That shield’s holding better than I expected,” Riya said, her voice tinged with surprise.
“Let’s not jinx it,” Prithvi replied, launching himself into the air. He hovered for a brief moment, scanning the battlefield from above, before diving toward the last two drones. His hammer flared brighter as he descended, and he brought it down with a thunderous strike that shattered both targets in a single blow.
The simulation froze, the holographic environment dissolving into static.
“Combat sequence complete,” the simulator’s automated voice intoned.
Post-Test Analysis.
Prithvi deactivated the thrusters, landing smoothly in the center of the workshop. He removed his helmet, revealing a faint sheen of sweat on his face. His expression was calm, but there was a spark of satisfaction in his eyes.
“Well?” he asked, glancing at Riya.
She was already poring over the data, her fingers swiping rapidly across her tablet. “Energy output remained stable throughout the test,” she said. “No significant spikes or drops. The core’s integration with the thrusters and the kinetic barrier is seamless.”
Arjun raised an eyebrow. “And the part where it might explode?”
“Less likely,” Riya admitted, though her tone remained cautious. “But we still haven’t pushed it to full capacity. That last strike barely tapped into the reactor’s potential.”
“So what you’re saying,” Prithvi said, setting his helmet down on a nearby table, “is that it works.”
“For now,” Riya said, giving him a pointed look. “But don’t get too comfortable. This is just step one. The real test comes when you’re facing Asura’s army.”
Prithvi nodded, his gaze shifting to the suit. The Vajra Core’s glow had dimmed slightly, but its presence was still palpable, a steady heartbeat that resonated through the armor.
“We’ll be ready,” he said quietly.
A Moment of Silence.
As the others returned to their stations, Prithvi lingered near the suit. He ran his hand along the armor’s golden plating, his fingers tracing the faint grooves where the Vajra fragments had been fused together. The weight of Karan’s sacrifice hung heavily over him, a silent reminder of what this suit represented.
He closed his eyes briefly, letting out a slow breath. “I won’t waste it,” he murmured. “I promise.”
From across the room, Riya watched him, her expression unreadable. She didn’t say anything, but her grip on the tablet tightened.
The sunrise painted the sky in fiery hues of orange and red as the team gathered near the launch pad. The bunker’s towering steel doors groaned open, revealing the sleek black-and-gold transport waiting for them. The air was brisk, carrying with it the tension of an unspoken truth—they were no longer just testing. They were stepping into war.
Prithvi stood apart from the others, the Kavacha X fully integrated and gleaming faintly in the morning light. The Vajra Core pulsed within the chest plate, its steady glow a stark contrast to the restless energy in his stance.
Riya approached him, her boots crunching softly on the gravel. She carried her tablet under one arm, but for once, she wasn’t staring at the screen. “You’ve been quiet,” she said, tilting her head to study him. “More than usual.”
Prithvi didn’t look at her. “A lot to think about.”
Her gaze softened. “It’s not your fault, you know. What happened with Karan—”
“Is exactly why I can’t afford to think about it,” he interrupted, his voice low. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. “Every second we spend looking back is another second Asura tightens its grip. We can’t let that happen.”
Riya sighed, stepping closer. “You’re not a machine, Prithvi. You can’t carry all of this on your own.”
He turned to her then, his eyes hard but not unkind. “I’m not alone,” he said simply, glancing past her to where Arjun was sharpening his blade, the metallic sound crisp in the quiet air. “But this fight doesn’t give us time to grieve. Not yet.”
Departure.
The hum of the transport’s engines filled the air as the team boarded. Arjun strapped his blade into a sheath along the wall, securing it with practiced precision. “So, what’s the target this time?” he asked, his tone almost casual.
“London,” Riya said, settling into her seat and pulling up a holographic map. The city was marked in red, with clusters of drone activity lighting up the screen like malignant stars. “Asura’s drones have set up another command hub. They’re using it to coordinate strikes across Europe.”
Arjun raised an eyebrow. “London? Bold move.”
“It’s strategic,” Riya explained. “The city’s underground infrastructure makes it an ideal location for a hub. If we take it out, we disrupt their entire network in the region.”
“Let me guess,” Prithvi said, strapping into the Kavacha X’s harness as the suit locked into place. “It won’t be unguarded.”
Riya tapped on her tablet, her face grim. “Not even close. Our intel suggests at least a hundred high-tier drones, plus… something bigger.”
Arjun looked up sharply. “Bigger how?”
She hesitated. “We don’t know yet. But if Asura’s escalating, we need to be ready for anything.”
Prithvi flexed his hands, the suit responding with a faint hum of power. “Then it’s a good thing we have this.”
En Route.
The cabin lights dimmed as the transport ascended, its thrusters propelling it smoothly into the upper atmosphere. Through the viewport, the Earth stretched out below them, vast and fragile.
Arjun leaned against the bulkhead, his blade resting across his lap. “So, what’s the plan, boss? We charge in, smash everything, and hope for the best?”
Prithvi smirked faintly, his eyes still on the viewport. “Not this time. We’re playing it smart.”
“Define smart,” Arjun said, raising an eyebrow.
Prithvi leaned forward, activating the tactical display embedded in the arm of his suit. A three-dimensional hologram of London appeared, with the drone hub marked in bright red. “The drones are concentrated in this sector, but their power source is here.” He pointed to a secondary location underground, marked in yellow. “If we take out the source, we shut down the hub.”
“Easier said than done,” Riya muttered. She gestured to a series of smaller red markers surrounding the hub. “These are secondary defense nodes. We’ll need to disable at least three of them before we can even get close to the power source.”
Arjun let out a low whistle. “So we split up?”
“Exactly,” Prithvi said. “Arjun, you handle the north node. Riya, you’ll take the east. I’ll handle the south.”
“And the west?” Arjun asked.
Prithvi’s expression darkened. “If intel’s right, that’s where the ‘something bigger’ will be waiting. I’ll deal with it once the others are down.”
Approaching the Target.
The transport descended over the outskirts of London, its cloaking systems masking it from the swarms of drones patrolling the city. The once-bustling streets below were eerily quiet, the remnants of civilization reduced to rubble and ash.
Riya adjusted her headset, her fingers tightening on the straps of her gear. “We’ve got two minutes before we hit the drop zone. Everyone ready?”
“Always,” Arjun said, strapping his blade to his back. He shot Prithvi a grin. “Try not to hog all the glory, boss.”
Prithvi’s helmet slid into place, the HUD flaring to life as it synced with the reactor. “Just keep up.”
The transport’s doors slid open, and the team stepped to the edge, the wind whipping around them. Below, the drone hub gleamed faintly, its central spire pulsing with crimson light.
“Let’s move,” Prithvi said, activating his thrusters.
One by one, they leaped into the fray.
The wind howled as Prithvi dropped through the air, his thrusters stabilizing him with effortless precision. The glow of the Kavacha X illuminated the surrounding clouds in faint golden streaks, making him look like a meteor streaking toward the Earth. Below, the ruins of London sprawled like a maze of jagged teeth, the drone hub at its heart pulsing with ominous red light.
“Approaching the south node,” Riya’s voice crackled in his comms, calm but focused. “ETA twenty seconds. Arjun, report.”
“I see the north node,” Arjun replied. His tone was casual, but the faint sound of wind rushing past suggested he was moving fast. “Drones are crawling all over it. Should be fun.”
Prithvi’s HUD pinged with a proximity alert as he neared the ground. His boots hit the cracked pavement of a deserted street with a heavy thud, the impact sending small rocks skittering. He rose slowly, scanning the area.
The south defense node stood just ahead—a glowing obelisk of dark metal, its surface lined with pulsating red lines. A faint hum emanated from it, an alien sound that seemed to vibrate in his chest. Around the node, five drones hovered in precise formation, their sharp, angular bodies gleaming like blades.
“They know we’re here,” Prithvi muttered, gripping the hammer tightly.
First Engagement.
The drones moved as one, their movements impossibly fast. The first lunged at Prithvi, a blade-like appendage extending from its arm. He sidestepped smoothly, bringing the hammer around in a wide arc. The weapon connected with a deafening clang, sending the drone careening into a nearby wall.
Before he could follow up, another drone fired a burst of plasma from its chest. The energy hit his kinetic barrier, rippling across its surface like water. The HUD flared with a warning, but Prithvi pushed forward, activating his thrusters to close the distance.
The second drone didn’t have time to react. Prithvi swung upward, the hammer’s golden energy flaring as it struck the drone’s core. It exploded in a shower of sparks, its pieces scattering across the ground.
“Two down,” he muttered, turning to face the remaining three.
One drone broke formation, circling to flank him. Its movements were erratic, designed to confuse, but the HUD tracked it effortlessly. Prithvi lunged, catching it mid-dash with a calculated strike that left it crumpled on the pavement.
The other two attacked simultaneously, their plasma weapons firing in unison. Prithvi ducked, the blasts streaking past him to scorch the ground. He dropped low, activating the hammer’s energy spike. A shockwave erupted from the weapon, knocking both drones out of the air.
Prithvi rose slowly, breathing heavily as the wreckage smoldered around him. The defense node stood untouched, its glow intensifying as if taunting him.
“Riya, south node cleared,” he said, striding toward the structure.
“Copy that,” she replied. “Proceed with disruption.”
Prithvi reached the node, his hammer flaring with golden light. He swung once, then twice, each impact sending ripples through the ground. The node’s glow flickered, its hum growing erratic before it finally powered down with a sharp, mechanical whine.
“One down,” he said into the comms, stepping back. “What’s your status?”
Meanwhile, at the North Node.
Arjun crouched behind a crumbling wall, his blade drawn and glowing faintly in the dim light. The north node loomed just ahead, surrounded by a swarm of drones—at least a dozen, their sleek forms darting through the air like predatory birds.
“This might take a while,” he muttered into his comms.
“Need backup?” Riya asked, her voice tinged with concern.
“Backup’s overrated,” Arjun replied, smirking faintly. He adjusted his grip on the blade, the Vajra core at its edge pulsing in time with his heartbeat. “Besides, I’m better company.”
Without waiting for a response, he launched himself forward. The first drone didn’t even see him coming. His blade sliced through its core with surgical precision, the severed halves falling to the ground in a shower of sparks.
The others reacted instantly, converging on his position. Arjun ducked under the first attack, spinning to deflect a second strike with his blade. The drones were faster than the ones they’d faced before, their movements erratic and unpredictable.
“Getting sloppy,” he muttered to himself as another plasma burst singed the edge of his coat. He rolled to the side, his blade flashing in a wide arc that cut down two more drones.
“Three to go,” he said into the comms. “Make that two—”
The last drone struck him hard from behind, its bladed arm slicing across his shoulder. He stumbled, gritting his teeth against the pain, but kept his grip on the weapon.
“Okay,” he growled. “Now I’m annoyed.”
He spun, driving his blade into the drone’s core with a grunt of effort. The final drone hesitated for a fraction of a second—just enough time for Arjun to leap upward, his blade descending like a guillotine. It hit the ground in pieces.
“Node’s clear,” he said, wiping blood from his shoulder. “Time to shut it down.”
East Node.
Riya crouched behind a collapsed pillar, her breath coming in short bursts. The east node hummed loudly in the distance, its defenses still active. Unlike the others, she wasn’t built for direct combat. Her strength was in precision, in outthinking her enemies.
She tapped rapidly on her tablet, her eyes darting between the screen and the drones patrolling the area. “Let’s see how you like this,” she muttered.
A drone buzzed nearby, its sensors scanning for movement. Riya held her breath as it passed, her fingers flying across the keyboard. A moment later, the drone shuddered, its systems faltering as it spun in place.
“Gotcha,” she said with a smirk. She sent another command, and the drone crashed into the node, its explosion disrupting the others nearby.
The remaining drones reacted immediately, their movements sharp and aggressive. Riya ducked as plasma fire scorched the wall above her, her heart pounding in her chest. She scrambled toward the node, her tablet sending commands to disable the remaining defenses.
The final drone lunged at her, but she threw herself flat, the movement sending it crashing into the ground. Before it could recover, she grabbed a piece of debris and smashed its sensor array, leaving it twitching uselessly.
“Node’s down,” she said, panting as she stepped back. “Please tell me I’m done.”
The crimson glow of the west node illuminated the ruins around it, casting long, jagged shadows against the skeletal remains of once-grand buildings. Unlike the other nodes, this one stood silent, its hum deeper, almost ominous. A subtle vibration rippled through the ground, barely perceptible but impossible to ignore.
Prithvi approached cautiously, his thrusters disengaging as he landed on the cracked pavement. His hammer rested on his shoulder, the Vajra-infused weapon pulsing faintly in sync with the core in his suit. He scanned the area, his HUD marking no immediate threats.
“No drones,” he murmured, his voice cutting through the eerie quiet. “That’s not good.”
“Something’s off,” Riya said over the comms. “The energy readings here are… strange. The other nodes were static, but this one’s fluctuating, almost like—”
“—like it’s bait,” Prithvi finished, his jaw tightening. He raised his hammer, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows. “Whatever’s guarding this node is big. Stay on the line.”
The ground trembled, faintly at first, then stronger. Small pieces of rubble rattled against the pavement as the vibrations grew into a rhythmic pounding. The crimson glow of the node flared brighter, illuminating a towering figure emerging from the shadows.
The Titan Unveiled.
It was massive—easily twice the height of the drones, its body encased in what looked like Vajra alloy twisted into a grotesque mockery of humanoid form. Its limbs were jagged and uneven, and its head was a featureless dome except for a single, glaring red eye. Energy crackled across its surface, the air around it shimmering with heat.
Prithvi’s HUD lit up with warnings, the system struggling to process the sheer magnitude of the creature’s energy output.
“Well,” he muttered, gripping his hammer tightly. “That explains the quiet.”
The Titan took a step forward, its foot slamming into the ground with enough force to send a shockwave rippling outward. Prithvi’s kinetic barrier flared to life, absorbing the brunt of the impact, but he was forced back several steps.
“Prithvi!” Riya’s voice was sharp, urgent. “That thing is running on a modified Vajra Core. Its power levels are off the charts!”
“Yeah, I noticed,” Prithvi replied, rolling his shoulders. He activated the thrusters on his suit, launching himself forward. “Let’s see what it’s made of.”
The Battle Begins.
The Titan reacted instantly, its massive arm swinging in a wide arc. Prithvi ducked, the hammer’s thrusters propelling him under the blow. He brought the weapon up with a roar, aiming for the creature’s knee joint. The hammer connected with a deafening clang, sending a shower of sparks into the air.
The Titan staggered but didn’t fall. Instead, it retaliated with a backhanded swipe that caught Prithvi mid-air. He slammed into a nearby wall, the impact rattling his suit’s systems.
“Okay,” he muttered, coughing as he stood. “Hits like a freight train. Good to know.”
The Titan advanced, its movements slow but deliberate. Prithvi’s HUD highlighted weak points in its armor—the joints, the core embedded in its chest. He adjusted his grip on the hammer, activating the energy spike.
The weapon flared to life, golden light coursing along its surface. Prithvi surged forward, dodging the Titan’s next strike and driving the hammer into its side. The energy spike discharged on impact, sending the massive creature stumbling back.
“Direct hit,” Riya reported. “Its energy output is destabilizing, but not enough to take it down.”
“Then we keep hitting,” Prithvi said through gritted teeth.
The Turning Point.
The Titan roared, a deep, guttural sound that made the ground quake. Panels on its arms slid open, revealing rows of plasma cannons that hummed to life.
“Prithvi, move!” Riya shouted.
He activated his thrusters just as the cannons fired, streams of molten energy scorching the ground where he’d stood. He zigzagged through the air, the plasma bursts trailing him like deadly fireworks.
“This thing’s got everything,” he muttered, dodging another volley.
“Focus on the core!” Riya’s voice cut through the comms. “If you can destabilize it, the whole thing will collapse!”
Prithvi’s gaze locked onto the glowing red core embedded in the Titan’s chest. He took a deep breath, his grip tightening on the hammer.
“Alright,” he said. “One shot.”
He activated the Phoenix Burst, the Vajra Core in his suit syncing with the hammer’s energy. Golden flames erupted around him, the thrusters on his suit flaring brighter as he propelled himself toward the Titan.
The creature raised its arm, preparing to strike, but Prithvi was faster. He twisted mid-air, the hammer glowing like a miniature sun as he brought it down with all his strength.
The impact was catastrophic. The hammer struck the Titan’s core dead center, shattering the protective casing and sending a shockwave rippling outward. The creature let out a mechanical scream, its body convulsing as the core overloaded.
Prithvi landed hard, rolling to absorb the impact as the Titan collapsed behind him. Its massive form crumbled, the energy within it dissipating in a blinding flash.
Victory.
The dust settled slowly, the crimson glow of the node now extinguished. Prithvi stood, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he surveyed the wreckage. The Vajra Core in his suit dimmed slightly, its energy stabilizing after the burst.
“West node down,” he said into the comms.
“You okay?” Riya asked, her tone laced with concern.
“Still standing,” he replied, forcing a faint smile. “What’s next?”
“Nothing,” she said, relief evident in her voice. “That was the last one. The power source is exposed. Arjun and I are heading there now.”
Prithvi nodded, his gaze lingering on the remains of the Titan. “I’ll meet you there.”