Carter Vane – Black Fang Syndicate Commander
Backstory:
Once a highly-decorated soldier, Carter turned mercenary after the old world governments collapsed. Now, he sells his skills to the highest bidder, caring only for profit.
He sees the Genesis Core as the ultimate bargaining chip.
First Encounter:
As Kaela and Arin protect the Core, Carter's team ambushes them in the ruined streets.
Carter smirks as his drones pin them down, taunting,
> "Sorry, kids. It's just business."
His speed and dirty tactics force Kaela and Arin into a desperate retreat until Chris' squad arrives to even the odds.
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Selene Ward – Iron Circle Commander
Backstory:
An old war hero who turned tyrant, Selene rules her faction like an iron-fisted queen. She believes only the strongest should survive.
She seeks the Genesis Core to "reshape" the world under her brutal rule.
First Encounter:
Selene drops into the battlefield like a meteor, her massive armor crushing cars and pavement alike.
She points her hammer-axe at Kaela, declaring,
> "Surrender the Core, or be crushed under progress."
Even Chris struggles to block her blows; her sheer power shakes the earth.
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Dorian Kestrel – Veil Commander
Backstory:
A former scientist turned mad assassin. Dorian believes life and death are illusions and seeks the Core to "erase" suffering by ending existence itself.
First Encounter:
As Kaela and Arin camp in a shattered cathedral, Dorian appears — simply walking out of the shadows behind them.
His distorted voice whispers,
> "You carry death... may I claim it?"
His ghostly attacks nearly end them in moments, only stopped when Arin barely manages to burn him with a Genesis-powered flare.
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Lucia Voss – Crimson Dawn Commander
Backstory:
Once a doctor, Lucia now mutates humans and creatures into abominations for her cult. She believes the Genesis Core is the key to "perfect evolution."
First Encounter:
In the dark ruins of an abandoned lab, Lucia's flesh-beasts surround Kaela and Arin.
From the shadows, Lucia croons,
> "Let me mold you into something beautiful."
Her creatures almost overwhelm them until Chris leads a charge to rescue them — but not without casualties.
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Elite Hollowborn First Encounters
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Maulborn Ravager
First Encounter:
While retreating across a collapsed bridge, Kaela and Arin hear the thudding steps of the Maulborn Ravager approaching.
Its molten body glows under the moonlight, and its roar makes the rubble tremble.
It smashes through entire platoons of soldiers in seconds, forcing everyone into a chaotic running battle.
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Wraithcoil Siren
First Encounter:
Deep in an abandoned city, a haunting melody draws Kaela and Arin.
Under the spell of the Wraithcoil Siren, soldiers lower their weapons and walk mindlessly toward her — only to be ensnared by her tendrils.
Arin has to break Kaela out of the trance with a desperate shout before it's too late.
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Hollowbeast Grendel
First Encounter:
In a snowy mountain pass, Hollowbeast Grendel bursts from a landslide, roaring.
Bloodthirsty and relentless, it chases them for miles.
Even Chris' grenades only slow it down temporarily, setting up a brutal survival battle.
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Abyss Knight Erevan
First Encounter:
At the shattered gates of an ancient fortress, Erevan awaits like a silent sentinel.
When Kaela touches the Genesis Core, he awakens — pulling his sword from the ground, the darkness rippling.
> "You are not worthy."
His voice echoes like a death sentence, and the battle begins immediately under storming skies.