The next morning, Leo joined Sofia and the rest of the team as they prepared to enter the southern portal. The base's armory was bustling with activity as Reclaimers geared up for the mission. Owen handed Leo a customized weapon, designed to channel the energy from the artifact.
"This should help you control your abilities," Owen explained. "It's calibrated to your energy signature, so it should be more responsive to your commands."
Leo examined the weapon, feeling its weight and balance. It was sleek and powerful, a reflection of his newfound capabilities. "Thanks, Owen. I'll make good use of it."
As they gathered at the portal's entrance, Sofia addressed the team. "This is a high-risk mission. We don't know what's on the other side, so stay alert and stick together. Our primary objective is to gather information about the portal and its connection to the artifacts. If we find anything useful, we'll bring it back for analysis. Understood?"
The team nodded in unison, their expressions focused and determined. Sofia gave the signal, and they stepped through the portal, entering a new realm.
The southern portal led to a vast desert landscape, the sun blazing overhead. Sand dunes stretched as far as the eye could see, and the heat was oppressive. Leo could feel the energy within him responding to the environment, his senses sharpening to adapt to the harsh conditions.
The team moved in a tight formation, scanning the area for any signs of danger. It didn't take long for trouble to find them. A group of creatures, resembling giant scorpions, burst from the sand, their claws snapping menacingly.
Sofia shouted orders, and the team sprang into action. Leo moved with speed and precision, his weapon firing with deadly accuracy. The creatures were formidable, but the Reclaimers worked together to keep them at bay.
As the battle raged on, Leo noticed something strange. One of the creatures had a faint glow on its back, similar to the energy signature of the artifact. He focused his attacks on that creature, using his enhanced agility to dodge its strikes and counterattack.
With a final burst of energy, Leo struck the glowing spot, causing the creature to collapse in a heap. The other creatures scattered, retreating back into the sand. The team regrouped, catching their breath after the intense battle.
Sofia approached Leo, her eyes fixed on the fallen creature. "What was that? I've never seen a creature with that kind of glow before."
Leo examined the creature, noticing a small shard embedded in its back. It pulsed with the same energy as the artifact he had touched. "It's connected to the artifacts," he said, carefully extracting the shard. "This might be the key to understanding the portal's power."
Sofia nodded, her interest piqued. "We need to take this back for analysis. If these creatures are carrying artifact shards, then there's more going on here than we thought."
The team gathered the shard and prepared to leave the portal, their mission accomplished. But as they turned to go, a distant rumble echoed across the desert, signaling that the danger was far from over.