The xAI Arctic outpost stood as a weary sentinel against the frozen night, its reinforced walls still bearing the scars of Morgana's last assault. Elias Voss sat in the main hub, his bruised hands tracing the cracked remains of the Aurora Mk II exosuit, its power cells dark and nano-layer fried from the cliffside standoff. The thermal blanket draped over his shoulders offered little comfort against the cold seeping through the steel, a reminder of the battle won but not finished. Dr. Lena Carter hunched over the comms console, her tablet flickering with static-laden global feeds, while Dr. Mara Kent coordinated with her tac team, their voices a low hum of urgency. Patel and Chen sorted through salvaged gear, their movements sluggish but determined, the weight of victory tempered by unease.

Lena's voice broke the silence, sharp and strained as she tapped the tablet. "Elias, you need to see this," she said, her eyes wide with alarm. "Global news feeds, patched through xAI's grid. It's happening again shadows, everywhere."

Elias stood, wincing as his ribs protested, and moved to her side, peering at the screen as chaotic images flared to life. A London broadcaster's voice trembled through static, the backdrop a burning skyline. "Unidentified creatures are swarming the city," she said, her tone fraying. "Police and military overwhelmed, casualties unknown." The feed cut to Tokyo, a reporter shouting over screams as shadowy forms darted through neon-lit streets, toppling barricades. Mumbai followed, a shaky drone shot showing a market square overrun by oily black shapes, civilians fleeing in panic.