Aftershocks

The facility's main hangar fell silent as Jaden materialized from the shadows. His form flickered, reality bending around him before stabilizing. He stumbled, exhaustion etched in every line of his body.

Zoe was the first to reach him, catching him before he could fall. "Jaden! Are you alright?"

He looked up, his eyes swirling with cosmic energy before focusing on her face. "Zoe," he managed, his voice hoarse. "The entity... did we...?"

"We won," she assured him, supporting his weight. "The breaches are closed. But Jaden, you look..."

"Like hell," Reeves finished, approaching with a mix of concern and relief on his weathered face. "What happened out there, kid?"

Jaden straightened, drawing on reserves of strength he didn't know he had. "It's not over," he said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled team. "The entity retreated, but it'll be back. And what it showed me..."

He trailed off, images of chaotic realities flashing through his mind. Shaking his head to clear it, he focused on t