The black SUV sped thru the night, its tinted windows concealing the annoying silence inside. Lyra sat rigidly between stone-faced dealers, her thoughts racing. The activities of the past few weeks felt like a fever dream – her developing powers, the revelation approximately Elyria, and now this clandestine experience to who-knows-in which.
"we are here," the driving force announced gruffly, pulling up to a nondescript building.
Lyra changed into ushered interior, via a maze of corridors that regarded designed to disorient. sooner or later, they reached a room ruled by using a massive display screen. general Hawthorne stood before it, his steely gaze fixed on Lyra.
"Ms. Flynn," he nodded. "thank you for becoming a member of us. I trust you understand the gravity of the situation."
Lyra squared her shoulders. "With all due recognize, general, I don't apprehend some thing. Why am I here?"
The screen flickered to life, displaying a map dotted with pulsing red factors. "those are the places of seismic anomalies we have detected for the reason that superb Resonance. they're increasing in frequency and intensity."
Lyra's breath stuck. The pattern matched her visions perfectly.
"We agree with these anomalies are related to systems of... uncommon origin," Hawthorne continued. "structures that your father was investigating before his disappearance."
The point out of her father sent a jolt thru Lyra. "What do you know approximately my dad?"
Hawthorne's expression softened barely. "Dr. Flynn changed into a tremendous guy. He turned into onto some thing huge, something that could exchange the whole thing we concept we knew approximately Earth's history. And now, it appears his daughter might keep the key to unlocking the ones secrets and techniques."
Lyra's mind whirled. "The Elyrian ruins. that is what that is approximately, isn't always it?"
A flicker of wonder crossed Hawthorne's face. "you're nicely-informed. sure, we consider the Elyrians have been actual, and that their generation is come what may reactivating. We need your help, Ms. Flynn. Your... precise skills could be essential in know-how and probably controlling these phenomena."
Lyra weighed her alternatives. Cooperating might lead her to solutions approximately her father, however at what fee?
"What precisely are you asking me to do?" she asked carefully.
"be part of our research group," Hawthorne responded. "we are assembling the brightest minds to study these ruins. Your geological information, combined along with your empathic capabilities, can be beneficial."
Lyra notion of Maya, Marcus, and Dr. Patel. "My pals – "
"might be nicely sorted," Hawthorne assured her. "In reality, we might like them to enroll in the team as well. Their abilities can be beneficial."
remedy washed over Lyra, accompanied speedy with the aid of suspicion. all of it seemed too handy.
"Do i've a choice?" she requested bluntly.
Hawthorne's smile failed to reach his eyes. "there may be continually a preference, Ms. Flynn. however I suppose you may locate this one alternatively clean to make."
The screen changed, showing a familiar place. Lyra's coronary heart skipped a beat. It turned into her father's antique research web page.
"we have detected uncommon hobby there," Hawthorne defined. "We agree with it is probably the important thing to information what's going on. And possibly... to locating your father."
Lyra's resolve hardened. whatever recreation the navy became gambling, she'd play along – for now. If it led her to her father and the fact about her powers, it turned into really worth the danger.
"whilst can we depart?"
---
The helicopter touched down in a cloud of dust, its rotors whipping the air into a frenzy. Lyra stepped out, defensive her eyes towards the cruel solar. The landscape before her changed into alien – jagged spires of rock jutted from the earth, their surfaces glinting with an unnatural sheen.
Maya regarded at her side, searching identical components excited and terrified. "when you said you had a plan, I didn't assume it concerned us being conscripted with the aid of the military."
Lyra managed a susceptible smile. "consider me, this wasn't a part of the unique idea. however if it receives us in the direction of the fact..."
"And closer to finding your dad," Maya completed, squeezing her buddy's hand.
Marcus joined them, his ever-gift pocket book in hand. "i've got handy it to you, Flynn. whilst you promise a story, you truly deliver."
Dr. Patel changed into the remaining to disembark, her face etched with subject. "Lyra, are you sure approximately this? The military's involvement makes me uneasy."
"We do not have lots choice," Lyra answered. "besides, they've resources we need. we will just need to watch our step."
A stern-searching female in a lab coat approached. "i am Dr. Evelyn Reeves, lead scientist for this expedition. You have to be the Flynn group. observe me, please."
They have been led to a large tent filled with high-tech device. Maps and charts blanketed every floor, each marked with the equal odd symbols Lyra had seen in Dr. Patel's research.
Dr. Reeves gestured to the most important map. "we've detected energy signatures in contrast to something we have ever visible. They seem to be emanating from a shape buried deep underground. Our intention is to locate and get entry to this shape."
Lyra studied the map, a tingling sensation developing in her fingertips. The Earth's music, commonly a gentle hum, grew louder in her mind.
"it is there," she stated all at once, pointing to a spot on the map. "about 500 meters down."
The tent fell silent. Dr. Reeves blinked in wonder. "How ought to you probable understand that?"
Lyra hesitated, unsure how to give an explanation for. Maya jumped in. "let's just say Lyra has a unique reference to the Earth. consider me, if she says it's there, it is there."
Dr. Reeves appeared skeptical but nodded. "very well. we're going to consciousness our efforts on that place. Ms. Flynn, i might like you to join the survey crew. Your... perception may be treasured."
As they geared up for the excursion, Marcus sidled as much as Lyra. "So, what is our play here? i'm guessing you're no longer planning on just delivering anything we find to the navy."
Lyra checked to ensure no person became listening. "We play along, for now. but keep your eyes open. something tells me they're no longer telling us the entirety."
The survey crew set out, high-tech scanning equipment in tow. Lyra led the manner, her steps guided through an unseen pressure. The unusual rock formations regarded to whisper as they handed, their crystalline surfaces buzzing with slightly contained electricity.
As they neared the spot Lyra had indicated, the floor began to tremble. system sparked and sputtered, compass needles spinning wildly.
"we are near," Lyra murmured, her skin tingling with power.
all of sudden, the earth under their toes gave way. Lyra felt herself falling, tumbling thru darkness. She reached out instinctively, her powers flaring to life. The very rock regarded to bend to her will, forming a slide that carried them correctly to the lowest of the sinkhole.
because the dirt settled, Lyra helped her taken aback teammates to their toes. "Is everybody k?"
earlier than every body should answer, a faint glow stuck her eye. There, 1/2-buried inside the rubble, turned into a structure in contrast to something Lyra had ever visible. Its surface shimmered with an otherworldly light, protected in intricate patterns that appeared to shift and alternate as she watched.
"My God," Dr. Reeves breathed. "it is real. The Elyrian ruins..."
Lyra approached the structure, drawn with the aid of an impossible to resist pull. As her hand touched its floor, the patterns flared to lifestyles. electricity surged via her, photos flooding her thoughts – significant towns of crystal and mild, generation beyond creativeness, and at the center of it all, a pulsing core of pure energy.
She yanked her hand back, gasping. The others stared at her in awe and worry.
"Lyra?" Maya's voice shook. "What did you notice?"
before Lyra may want to answer, a deep rumble shook the cavern. The Elyrian structure began to rise from the ground, unfolding like a blossoming flower. Panels slid aside, revealing a dark entrance.
An robot voice echoed from inside, talking in a language Lyra in some way understood:
"Genetic suit confirmed. Welcome, Resonance Keeper. The Awakening has started."
Lyra stood frozen, her mind reeling. Keeper? Awakening? What did it all suggest?
as if in answer, a familiar discern stepped from the shadows of the entrance. Lyra's heart stopped.
"Dad?" she whispered.
Dr. Flynn smiled, his eyes glowing with an unearthly light. "whats up, sweetheart. i've been expecting you."
The floor shook again, extra violently this time. inside the distance, Lyra may want to listen the panicked shouts of the army group above.
Maya grabbed her arm. "Lyra, we need to move. Now!"
however Lyra couldn't flow, torn among the father she'd idea lost and the developing chaos around them. as the cavern started out to fall apart, she confronted an impossible choice:
Flee to safety, or step into the unknown and sooner or later uncover the truth approximately her historical past, her powers, and the destiny of worlds placing in the stability.
The Elyrian shape pulsed, calling to her. Her father extended his hand, a silent invitation.
Time appeared to sluggish as Lyra made her selection, the weight of worlds resting on her shoulders.
She took a leap forward.