The chamber's walls cracked and trembled as the vortex became increasingly unstable. Leo felt the artifact's energy pulsating through his veins, a volatile mix of power and chaos. He knew he was risking everything, but the fate of the world depended on his success.
Sofia fought fiercely against Drake, keeping him from interrupting Leo's efforts to disrupt the vortex's core. Drake's rage was palpable, his attacks growing more frantic and destructive. Each clash of energy sent shockwaves through the chamber, dislodging ancient stones and sending debris raining down.
"Leo, you've got to hurry!" Owen's voice crackled through the comms. "The entire chamber is collapsing! If you don't destabilize the core soon, we're all going down with it!"
Leo nodded, his focus unwavering as he continued to channel the artifact's energy into the vortex's core. The orb in the center flickered and sparked, its chaotic energy fighting back. Leo gritted his teeth, refusing to let go. The artifact in his chest was his lifeline, but it was also a source of immense risk.
Evelyn was stationed near Owen, using her healing powers to shield him from the falling debris. "Leo, be careful! The energy is getting more intense!" she called out, her voice filled with concern.
Leo felt the heat emanating from the core as he poured more energy into it. The vibrations grew stronger, and the vortex's swirling motion became erratic. He knew he was close to breaking it, but the risk was enormous. One wrong move, and the entire chamber could implode.
Drake, realizing what Leo was attempting, roared with fury. "You think you can stop me? I'll tear you apart!" he bellowed, launching a barrage of energy blasts at Sofia, hoping to break through her defenses.
Sofia skillfully deflected the attacks, her combat instincts honed from years of experience. "You're not getting past me, Drake!" she shouted back, her determination unwavering. "Your fight is with me!"
Leo's vision blurred as the energy from the artifact surged to its peak. He could feel the vortex's core beginning to destabilize, but he needed one final push to break it completely. He closed his eyes, focusing on the power within him, and let out a primal scream as he released a massive burst of energy into the core.
The effect was immediate. The vortex's energy shattered, sending shockwaves through the chamber. The swirling maelstrom collapsed in on itself, and the ground beneath Leo cracked open, revealing a deep chasm. Leo felt himself falling, his body engulfed in darkness.
"Leo!" Sofia's voice echoed through the chaos as she lunged toward him, barely catching his hand before he disappeared into the abyss. Her grip was firm, but the strain was evident on her face.
"Evelyn! Owen! We need help!" Sofia shouted, struggling to pull Leo back from the edge.
Evelyn and Owen rushed to Sofia's aid, helping her pull Leo to safety. The chamber continued to collapse, with debris falling all around them. It was clear they had little time left.
"We need to get out of here!" Owen said, his voice frantic. "This whole place is coming down!"
The team scrambled toward the exit, narrowly avoiding falling stones and collapsing walls. Drake's voice was drowned out by the noise, but his anger was palpable. The vortex was gone, his plans shattered, and he was left with nothing but his rage.
As they reached the safety of the jungle, the chamber behind them collapsed completely, a cloud of dust rising into the air. Leo lay on the ground, his breathing heavy, the energy from the artifact slowly dissipating. He was exhausted but relieved that the vortex was destroyed.
"Are you okay, Leo?" Evelyn asked, her hands glowing with healing energy as she tended to his wounds.
Leo nodded weakly. "I'm okay. But Drake's not going to stop. This was just a setback for him."
Sofia helped him to his feet. "We'll be ready for him. He won't catch us off guard again."
Leo knew that their battle with Drake was far from over. The vortex might be gone, but Drake's ambitions were still intact. He would return, and when he did, they had to be ready.