The lush, green rainforest unfurls like an endless ocean, brimming with both life and death. In the southern basin of Verdania lies a dense expanse, this place is a continent within a continent, characterized by immense trees, dark waterways, and stealthy predators.

Locals refer to this area as The Vaelor Expanse, a name murmured in reverence. It predates any known civilization on Panterra and is so thick that entire empires could vanish within its depths, so vivid that they could be forgotten in a single night.

As rain softly trickles down through the rooftop of leaves overhead, the sounds resonate with the weight of history: the sharp cries of hidden birds and the rumbling growl of something wild lurking among the ferns.

In this untamed terrain, where even satellites tend to avoid, Dr. Riven Kastel has created his ultimate refuge, a subterranean labyrinth known to VULTURE operatives as The Inferno Lab.

---

In Arthur's study within the Dominion Sanctum, the light of Evolon pulsed intensely as holographic maps emerged, casting the jungle in ghostly hues of green and red.

"Patriarch," Evolon began with caution, "I've located Kastel's primary base of operations."

Arthur shifted his attention from the table. "Where's it situated?"

"In the Verdania Continent," Evolon answered, "deep inside The Vaelor Expanse. The coordinates point to an underground facility beneath an old research outpost. Satellite imagery shows a sprawling network of chambers, along with heat signatures, weapons stockpiles, and containment units, housing over a thousand active operatives."

Arthur leaned in closer. "What about their defenses?"

Evolon magnified the hologram further, revealing ominous red markings flickering across the landscape. "They employ multi-layered defenses, plasma turrets, electromagnetic jammers, and heat-detecting drones around the facility. Its energy shield is powered by geothermal sources; typical explosives won't penetrate it without causing a collapse of the upper forest."

Arthur's gaze hardened. "So if we hit it the wrong way... we could incinerate the jungle?"

"Exactly," Evolon replied. "Moreover, there's no indication in any Verdania government records of this facility's existence; it's unofficial territory, even classified as a no-fly zone by the Panterra World Council a century ago."

Arthur remained silent for a moment, absorbing the information while studying the glowing jungle projection before him. "Show me how you found it."

Evolon displayed various streams of data, encrypted communications, black-market satellite images, and triangulated heat readings. "I intercepted bits of Kastel's experiments transmitted through old Verdania communication satellites. The data had unique redundancy markers linking it to VULTURE's central network. By tracking the latency patterns, I was able to pinpoint their source."

Arthur nodded slowly, processing the details. "What's the operational strength inside?"

"There are one thousand three hundred sixty-two personnel," Evolon stated, its tone measured. "Two hundred twenty-four of them are combat units; the rest are scientists and support staff. Additionally, there are around seventy automated defense drones active. The likelihood of Dr. Kastel being at the site is an overwhelming eighty-nine percent."

A thick silence fell over the room. Arthur exhaled sharply, setting down his glass with a resolute clink.

"Get a briefing ready," he ordered, his voice slicing through the tension. "Get Gunner and the other commanders online. It's time to put a stop to this."

---

Two hours later, within the fortified confines of Osborn Private Military Island, the war room buzzed with excitement.

The ceiling loomed high above, crafted from steel and glass shimmering under artificial lights.

Massive holographic displays of Verdania's vibrant rainforest hovered in the air, creating a haunting contrast to the grimness of their mission.

Commanders gathered around a round table: Gunner from Aegis-7, Rae Ivers of Red Wolf, Marcus Vehl of Iron Vanguard, Kellan Drake of Phantom-12, Seraph Vale of Black Halo, Niko Saranov from Specter Division, and Yara Quinn from Sable Talon.

The determination on their faces was unmistakable, shaped by a blend of duty and anticipation.

Arthur slipped into the room with a quiet confidence that immediately altered the atmosphere. In an instant, every soldier snapped to attention, as if charged by his presence.

"Take your seats," he commanded, his tone calm yet authoritative.

At that moment, Evolon sprang to life in the center of the table, casting an ethereal light over their armored attire. "Operation name: Inferno. Our target is the VULTURE base situated beneath the Vaelor Expanse."

A large holographic display emerged, showcasing a spinning 3D map that illustrated heat signatures coursing through the shadowy jungle below.

"This," Evolon explained clearly, "is Dr. Riven Kastel's last confirmed stronghold. The facility is buried under a geothermal shaft nearly three kilometers deep and protected by energy barriers and automated air defenses."

Arthur focused intently on the projection. "What's our casualty outlook?"

Evolon paused briefly before responding, "High risk. The dense jungle conditions coupled with thermal activity pose significant challenges for infiltration. Extraction will be impossible without precise strikes."

With arms crossed defiantly, Arthur stated firmly, "Then we won't need to worry about extraction; we finish this right there."

Gunner's lips curled into a slight smile at Arthur's words. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Evolon transitioned effortlessly through various tactical overlays. "Assigned strike teams are Aegis-7 and Red Wolf. Support will come from Iron Vanguard and Phantom-12. The Specter Division will jam all Verdania satellite surveillance to maintain plausible deniability. Sable Talon will be on standby for medical evacuation and recovery."

Arthur surveyed the expressions around him, a steely resolve settling in. "No witnesses. No survivors. This isn't merely a battle; it's a cleanup operation."

Rae Ivers nodded decisively, her own determination evident. "We'll turn that jungle to glass if we must."

But Arthur's voice dropped low, filled with intensity. "We won't destroy the rainforest. The world doesn't need to know it burned for my revenge."

He turned back to Evolon, urgency threading through his tone. "How soon can we deploy?"

"In eight hours," the AI answered smoothly. "Transport carriers and thermal-suit divisions are already in motion, and I've scrambled global positioning signals to conceal our launch."

Arthur's gaze swept the room, making eye contact with each commander. "Good. But this time, I'm leading."

The room erupted in surprised glances; Gunner's jaw tightened in disbelief. "You're going down there yourself?"

Arthur didn't waver in the face of Gunner's challenge. "Kastel has hidden behind death for too long. I want to see him before I erase him from existence."

Gunner leaned in, concern shadowing his features. "Then Aegis-7 leads to clear your path."

Arthur met his gaze firmly, shaking his head. "No, you'll flank me while I enter through the geothermal shaft."

A heavy silence fell over them, until Rae broke it with a soft exhale of disbelief. "That's suicide!"

Arthur calmly replied, "Only if I fail."

With renewed purpose radiating from him like the heat of an inferno, he turned back to Evolon. "Sync communications between all units and prepare orbital drones for reconnaissance; I want a constant feed."

"Understood," Evolon confirmed without hesitation. "Shall I initiate full combat protocol?"

Arthur nodded decisively. "Activate Ghost Protocol… complete stealth for all operations."

Evolon's eyes brightened as he affirmed their course of action. "Confirmed."

---

Once the meeting concluded, Arthur lingered in the war room, fixated on the holographic projection of Verdania's rainforest suspended above the table—an endless sea of verdant silence.

As he moved closer, he examined the terrain, rivers snaking beneath the thick canopy like dark veins, with heat signatures glowing like embers, quietly waiting for their moment to ignite.

A memory sparked in his mind: his father had always cautioned him that jungles could be misleading, appearing bright and alive on the outside, while hiding danger in their lush depths.

Now, Arthur truly grasped the weight of that warning.

Evolon reappeared beside him, its voice calm and clear. "Patriarch, the mission parameters are confirmed. All units are on the move."

Arthur pondered for a moment. "And what about Kastel?"

"He's still inside," Evolon responded, maintaining its steady tone. "Recent thermal scans show he's still active. He's continuing his experiments."

Determination tightened Arthur's jaw. "That's fine. Let him work; he won't see me coming."

He turned away from the hologram, the soft blue light sketching his form against the shadows of the room.

This war had dragged on for too long,the virus, the countless lives shattered, a web of lies all tracing back to one man hidden deep in that jungle.

And Arthur was resolute; he knew he had to be the one to put an end to it.

He walked toward the exit, the automatic doors hissing open to illuminate the cold steel floor.

Evolon's voice followed him, gentle yet firm. "Patriarch, you need to authorize your participation in personal combat."

Without slowing down, Arthur replied firmly, "Authorize it. Codename… 'Wolf's Descent.'"

"Authorization confirmed," Evolon responded efficiently. "Beginning deployment sequence."

Outside, dark storm clouds loomed over the ocean's edge.

To the south, lightning crackled across the vast expanse of Verdania's jungle, a wild territory where something sinister lay hidden beneath nature's surface.

The chase was about to reach its climax. And he Arthur was about to put everything to end.

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