[Base 105 - The Laboratory]
The lab was hummed with the low, rhythmic thrum of advanced machinery. Annie, dressed casually in jeans and a simple shirt, was hunched over a workstation, her eyes fixed on a glowing vial. Leo sat on the edge of a nearby medical bed, wearing a hoodie and jeans, watching her work. The atmosphere was quiet, a rare moment of peace in the middle of a world-ending war.
"So, what's the project this time?" Leo asked, breaking the silence.
Annie didn't look up, her hands moving with surgical precision. "I'm trying to synthesize a catalyst. A pill that allows someone who has fully merged with a spiritual being to tap into their maximum potential—multiplying their output by three. I'm using the trace energy Nova gave me as a baseline."
Leo nodded, his expression thoughtful. "That's incredible, Annie. I know everything will be okay once I get stronger... but I don't want to be relying on Nova too much. I need to be able to hold my own, just in case."
*No offense, Nova,* Leo added in his thoughts.
*None taken,* Nova's voice echoed in his mind, calm and ancient. *I understand your desire for independence.*
"That's actually the right mindset," Annie said, finally pausing to look at him. "Your body is becoming more durable every day, mostly because Nova is reinforcing your system from the inside out. But you need to put in the effort too. You can't just be a passenger."
"True," Leo admitted. "I'll need to find a weapon eventually, though. I'm not like Nova—I can't just fight with my bare hands and raw energy."
Annie wiped her hands on a cloth, a curious look crossing her face. "No problem there. By the way, I've been meaning to ask Nova something."
"What is it? I hope she didn't do anything weird while she was in control," Leo joked.
"Nothing like that," Annie said. "I just wanted to know how these invaders breathe. I'm certain they can't survive on our atmosphere alone."
"I don't know either," Leo said. "When the others get back, I'll let her take control so you can ask her yourself."
The lab door slid open, and Axiel walked in. He stopped, his gaze shifting between Leo and Annie. *Are they dating?* he wondered, a flash of jealousy crossing his mind. *How dare he... he better not hurt Lyla.*
Leo noticed the tension. "Axiel? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Axiel said, his voice a bit stiff. "Just bored. Wanted to see what you guys were up to." He walked over to the reinforced display case holding the Dual-Blade Katana. He stared at it for a long moment. "Are you sure this case can actually hold that thing? It looks like it's about to burst."
"Why do you want to know?" Annie asked, her voice turning suspicious.
"I just thought the blade's aura was so strong that nothing human-made could withstand it," Axiel replied, his eyes never leaving the cursed weapon.
"There's no need to worry," Annie said, her eyes narrowing as she watched him. "The glass is reinforced with Nova's own aura, and the case itself acts as a seal for the blade's power. It's perfectly safe."
Suddenly, the lab doors hissed open again, but this time there was no calm. Lyla rushed in, her face pale, carrying Jane's limp body in her arms. Axiel immediately sprinted toward her. "What happened? Is she okay?"
Lyla quickly laid Jane on one of the medical beds. Her voice was shaking. "We encountered Xyne... the 3rd Harbinger. She came looking for her brother, Xyke. I'm still in shock that she even showed up there."
Annie hurried over with her diagnostic equipment, but as she reached Jane, she stopped dead. The scanner in her hand dropped to the floor with a hollow thud.
"What is it?" Leo and Axiel shouted at the same time, their faces full of fear.
Annie was shivering. "Her... her spiritual energy. It's gone. I'm only sensing demonic energy now... it's as if her entire core has been transformed."
Lyla sat down, her head in her hands. "Xyne hit her with a blast of red energy. It was overwhelming... I think that was the demonic corruption."
"Everyone, calm down," Leo said, his voice suddenly deep and resonant. "Nova says we need to stay focused."
"CALM DOWN?" Axiel roared, his face red. "Jane's life is in danger and you're telling us to be calm?"
"Calm down, Axiel," Leo repeated, his gaze steady.
Caspian walked into the lab a moment later, his expression turning to pure shock when he saw Jane. "What happened? I saw Lyla rushing in..."
"She's undergoing an evolution," Leo explained. "At least, that's what Nova is calling it."
"I don't understand," Annie said, looking at the readings on her screen.
"Jane was hit by pure demonic energy," Leo said, relaying Nova's words. "Demonic energy can corrupt a spiritual core if the user doesn't have enough power to resist it. Jane's spiritual energy has been completely converted. She'll be asleep for days while the change takes hold."
"And how is that an evolution?" Axiel asked, his voice trembling.
"Because her strength and durability are increasing beyond human limits," Leo said. "Nova says that Jane never truly fit the profile of a spiritual user anyway. Given her personality and her combat style, demonic energy actually fits her better. We just have to make sure she doesn't go on a rampage when she wakes up."
Axiel sat down, his breathing slowing as he processed the news. "I'm sorry for snapping," he muttered. "I was just... worried."
Leo smiled gently. "I understand, Axiel. No worries." He turned to Lyla, his expression turning serious. "So, Lyla... tell us exactly what happened with Xyne."
**To be continued...**