The battle with Drake raged on, with Leo and Sofia doing their best to contain his power while Owen worked frantically to find a solution. Evelyn continued to heal and protect from a safe distance, knowing that her role was crucial to keeping the team in the fight.
Leo felt the energy from the artifact flowing through him, granting him increased strength and agility. His sword moves were quicker, more precise, allowing him to deflect Drake's attacks with growing confidence. However, he knew that the vortex would soon reach a tipping point, and if they couldn't shut it down, the entire world could be in danger.
Drake seemed to sense the urgency in the air, his eyes flashing with madness as he launched another series of energy blasts. "You can't stop me, Leo!" he roared. "The vortex is my key to ultimate power! With it, I will rule everything!"
"We'll see about that," Leo shot back, deflecting the blasts with a sweeping arc of his sword. He needed to keep Drake talking, to give Owen the time he needed. "You're obsessed with power, Drake. But what good is it if it destroys everything?"
Drake laughed, his voice dripping with malice. "You don't understand, do you? The portals are just the beginning. The vortex is a gateway to realms you can't even imagine! I'm not just seeking power—I intend to reshape reality itself!"
Leo felt a chill at those words. If Drake's ambitions extended beyond their world, then the stakes were even higher than he had imagined. "You're playing with forces you can't control, Drake. You'll end up destroying everything, including yourself."
"Enough talk!" Drake shouted, raising his staff high. A surge of energy shot forth, cracking the walls and sending shockwaves through the chamber. Leo and Sofia barely managed to dodge the blast, tumbling across the ground as debris rained down.
Owen's voice crackled through the comms. "Leo! I've located the core of the vortex. It's unstable, but if you can get close enough, I can guide you on how to disrupt it. Be careful—it's highly volatile!"
Leo nodded, his eyes locked on Drake. "Keep him busy, Sofia," he said, his voice low but determined. "I'm going in."
Sofia nodded, her focus on Drake. "I'll hold him off. Just be quick."
Leo sprinted toward the vortex, feeling the intense heat and energy as he approached. The swirling maelstrom was mesmerizing, yet filled with danger. He knew one wrong move could spell disaster, but he also knew he had no choice.
"Okay, Owen, what do I do?" Leo asked, inching closer to the vortex.
"See that small orb in the center?" Owen replied. "That's the core. You need to disrupt its energy flow. Use your artifact—its power might be strong enough to destabilize it."
Leo nodded, gripping the artifact tightly. The energy within him surged as he reached for the orb, feeling the intense vibrations. It was like trying to touch the heart of a storm, and it took every ounce of his strength to keep his balance.
As he extended his hand, the artifact began to glow, its energy resonating with the core of the vortex. The vibrations grew more intense, but Leo focused on channeling his power, determined to disrupt the energy flow.
Drake noticed what Leo was doing and turned his attention toward him, his eyes blazing with fury. "No! You will not ruin this for me!" he shouted, launching another volley of attacks.
Sofia intercepted the attacks, her movements swift and precise. "Not so fast, Drake. You're not getting past me!"
Leo felt the vortex's energy surging through him as he touched the core, his senses overwhelmed by its chaotic force. He knew he had only seconds to act before the entire chamber collapsed. Summoning all his strength, he released a burst of energy from the artifact, aiming to destabilize the core.
The effect was immediate. The vortex began to waver, its energy becoming erratic and unpredictable. The walls shook, and cracks spread across the chamber. It was now or never.