Dr. Elara Voss examined the fluctuating data with worried eyes, her fingers tracing the erratic spikes on the screen. "Your powers are fluctuating. Some days, you're at full strength; others, you can barely lift a car. We need to figure out why."
Titan sat on the edge of the examination table, rolling his shoulders with difficulty. Even that small movement sent a ripple of discomfort through him. "I don’t have time to wait for answers. The Architect may be gone, but something tells me he’s not finished."
Titan soared above the cityscape, muscles straining against the force of gravity. His wings felt leaden, each beat a monumental effort. Below, masked operatives moved with purpose, their uniforms emblazoned with an ominous "A."
"The Architect’s new army," Titan muttered, landing with a thud that sent shockwaves through his weary frame. The saboteurs turned towards him, their expressions hidden behind masks.
Operative Leader shouted, "He’s here! Take him down!"
Titan braced himself as attackers advanced. Each move was a calculated risk, his strength waning with every blow. He fought through the pain, knowing the stakes were too high to falter.
Dr. Voss's voice crackled in Titan's earpiece, "Titan, you need to disable those devices before the entire grid collapses!"
Titan lunged towards the nearest device, but a pulse of energy exploded, sending him sprawling. His vision blurred, pain a constant companion as he struggled to rise.
The Architect stood with a smirk, "Still struggling, I see." His upgraded exosuit hummed with energy, every movement a testament to his calculated malice.
Titan, though battered, forced himself upright. "You don’t get to decide that."
Titan felt a surge of residual energy, a remnant of his former power. It wasn't much, but it was enough. He steadied himself, eyes locked on the Architect.
"Still resisting? Admirable, but foolish," mocked The Architect, raising his gauntlet.
Titan's grip tightened. He had faced defeat before. He had risen before. And he would do it again.
