The historical console's glow went unnoticed while the group dealt with the entity's foreboding warning. Lyra felt the weight of the Resonance Crystal in her arms, its warmth a constant reminder of the responsibility she now carries.
"We want to get shifting," Kael said, shattering the stunned silence. "This sanctuary is probably hidden, but it's most effective a matter of time before others discover us."
Standard Hawthorne nodded, his military training kicking in. "Agreed. However, how can we cross from right here?"
All eyes were drawn to Lyra. She took a long breath to center herself. "The crystal... is attempting to reveal me something. "An area."
She closed her eyes and concentrated on the images that flashed through her head. "Mountains. A secluded valley. There are several types of... facilities there. Another Elyrian webpage, I suppose."
Dr. Reeves' eyes brightened up with excitement. "can you pinpoint its region?"
Lyra concentrated and then pointed to a spot on the holographic map. "There. in the Himalayas."
"It is midway internationally," Marcus said, frowning. "How are we presupposed to get there?"
Lyra's face shows a mischievous smile. "i'd have a concept approximately that."
Minutes later, they were before a massive circular platform inscribed with cryptic glyphs. Lyra placed her hand on a nearby control panel, and the crystal buzzed in response.
"A teleportation tool?" Maya inquired, her tone a mix of astonishment and mistrust.
Lyra nodded. "The Elyrians utilized it to travel between their hidden sanctuaries. I guess... I believe I am capable of creating paintings."
Kael continued, his expression cautious. "Are you certain about this?" We don't know what type of toll the use of that issue may impose on you."
"We don't have much choice," Lyra replied, meeting his eyes. "except you would choose to trek throughout an international in chaos."
After a minute of frenzy, Kael nodded. "Very well." But be careful."
While the others prepared for the leap, Lyra concentrated on the crystal's strength. The energy poured through her, linking her to the historical instrument. She sensed the breadth of the Elyrian network, with numerous hidden sanctuaries spread throughout the planet.
She took a deep breath and activated the platform. Lyra felt her body dissolve into natural strength as mildness encompassed them for a heart-stopping second.
They suddenly rematerialized. The institution established itself in a massive chamber dug into the core of a mountain. Snow-capped peaks may be seen through sparkling house windows.
"We made it," Dr. Reeves said, looking around in amazement.
Lyra tripped and felt lightheaded. Kael seized her before she could fall, his touch sending an unexpected jolt through her.
"Thank you," she said softly, suddenly regaining her calm. "i am best."
Kael's eyes narrowed, doubtful. "That took a lot out of you. We should rest before—"
A low rumble put him off. The ground beneath their feet started to quake.
"Earthquake?" Marcus requested, bracing himself against a nearby console.
Lyra shook her head, her senses reaching out. "No. Something is awakening. Something enormous.
The tremors worsened. Cracks ran throughout the chamber floor, and a surge of stale air rushed up from underneath.
"We want to transport!" preferred Hawthorne screamed, leading the organization to an adjacent hall.
As they ran, the ability appeared to return to life all around them. Historical equipment hummed to life, and holographic projections flashed into lifestyles, displaying streams of incomprehensible information.
They emerged onto a huge balcony overlooking a large cavern. What they saw there made everyone stop in their tracks.
A massive figure sprang from the soil, its body composed of stone and metal. Lyra felt a resonance with the crystal in her arms as it unfurled to its full height, which was easily 100 feet.
"It's a sort of mother or father," she gasped, comprehension coursing through her. "Left in the back of by way of the Elyrians to defend this location."
The mother or father's eyes, gleaming with an inner light, remained fixed on the group. When it talked, it sounded like tectonic plates crushing together.
"Intruders," it growled. "You do now not belong here."
Energy began to rise around its massive fists. Lyra realized, with bone-deep certainty, that a single blow from this thing could destroy them all.
"Wait!" she shouted, stepping forward despite Kael's attempt to keep her back. She held up the Resonance Crystal. "We came in pursuit of knowledge. I am... The Keeper."
The father or mother halted, focussing their eyes on the crystal. For an irritating minute, no one dared to breathe.
Then it gently reduced its fingers. "The Keeper returns," it said. "However, the time for awakening is not always upon us. "Why did you ever come?"
Lyra swallowed hard, acutely aware of the weight of her forthcoming words. "To study." To put together. The Convergence is approaching, and we want to be prepared."
The guardian remained silent for a long time, as if contemplating this information. It eventually nodded, causing tremors throughout the cave.
"Then allow the rigors to begin," it read.
Before anybody could respond, the floor beneath Lyra's toes fell apart. She fell into darkness, the crystal's light the most gentle in her descent.
She could hear her friends screaming out, their voices growing distant. Then comes the effect. Lyra found herself in a small circular chamber. The walls were lined with pulsing crystals, similar to the one she was holding.
"Your path is your own, Keeper," the mother or father's voice resonated around her. "To grasp the energy within you, you have to face your fears and conquer your boundaries."
The crystals blazed to life, projecting images all around her. Lyra saw glimpses of many futures, some wonderful, some horrific. In each, she stood in the middle, holding abilities beyond creativity.
"This isn't always true," she whispered, attempting to center herself. However, as she talked, the floor beneath her feet began to move and glide like water.
Lyra instinctively reached out, using her talents. She felt the earth respond and harden beneath her. However, the endeavor left her gasping, sweat beading on her forehead.
"Your connection to the earth is powerful," the parent's voice added. "However, it is significantly more effective at the beginning. The Elyrians have mastered fact itself. If you want to withstand what happens, you must broaden your awareness."
The chamber surrounding her started to bend and twist. Lyra felt fact becoming fluid and elastic. Panic swelled in her chest as her senses tried to make sense of what was happening.
"I cannot," she exclaimed, collapsing to her knees. "it's too much."
"You must," the mother or father insisted. "The destiny of all worlds relies upon on it."
Lyra closed her eyes and concentrated on the crystal's warmth. She thought about her friends, of everything they had been through together. Her panic gradually faded, replaced by a growing sense of purpose.
With a deep breath, she surrendered herself completely to the crystal's power. Power flooded through her, unlike anything she'd experienced before. The stadium surrounding her sprang to life, but she needed to go beyond the physical. Layers of truth spread out before her, each representing a possible arrangement of the universe.
With a thought, she reconfigured the chamber, restoring it to its original shape. The attempt left her frightened but delighted.
"nicely achieved, Keeper," the mother or father's voice rumbled, a be aware of approval clear. "but that is most effective step one on a long journey."
The room dividers disintegrated, revealing the main cavern once more. Lyra noticed her friends speeding towards her, relief etched on their features. However, as Kael reached out to help her up, she immediately created a barrier of solidified air between them.
"Lyra?" Kael asked, surprise and hurt flashing over his features. "what's incorrect?"
She looked at her palms with astonishment and concern. "I don't know if I can control it. "The electricity is... overwhelming."
"You may," Kael firmly stated, putting his hand on the unseen barrier. "You are more powerful than you realize. Accept as true for yourself."
Their eyes connected, and Lyra sensed a connection that went beyond the physical. She saw flashes of Kael's past: his own interactions with Elyrian technology, the anguish and grief that had shaped him.
She slowly lowered the barrier. As Kael assisted her to her feet, the contact of his hand caused a spark of electricity through her. She sensed the earth's strength running through him, which was distinct from her own abilities but complementing.
"What befell down there?" Dr. Reeves requested, her clinical curiosity somewhat suppressed.
Lyra opened her mouth to answer, but the words got trapped in her throat. How likely is it that she will provide an explanation for her experiences?
Before she could try, the parent's voice echoed across the cavern once more. "The Keeper took the first step. However, the route ahead of us is long, and time is running out."
The large father gestured toward a shimmering gateway that appeared at the cavern's far end. "Past lies the following trial." However, be warned: not everyone will be able to return.
A deep stillness descended upon the establishment. Lyra examined each of her companions in turn, noting the mixture of dread and determination on their expressions.
"We do not have to do this," she murmured softly. "I won't ask any of you to chance your lives."
To her surprise, Marcus spoke up first. "Are you kidding?" This is the story of a complete life. Besides, someone was assigned to keep you out of trouble."
Maya nodded in agreement. "We are in this together, Lyra. "All manners."
One by one, the others offered their assistance. Even Hawthorne, despite his doubts, remained firm.
Lyra felt a knot grow in her throat, overwhelmed by their loyalty. She glanced to Kael, the last to speak.
He met her gaze gradually. "I told you earlier: you're not on my own in this. Whatever happens next, we'll deal with it together.
Lyra returned to the gateway with a grateful nod. She took a deep breath and felt the crystal's power flood through her.
"O.k. then," she responded, her shoulders squared. "let's see what the Elyrians have in shop for us next."
Lyra couldn't ignore the feeling that everything was going to change as they approached the shimmering doorway. The lightning within her pulsed with expectancy, ready to be unleashed.
She had no idea that something old and horrifying was stirring far beneath their feet, deep within the Elyrian complex. The previous challenges may have tested not just her newly acquired skills, but also the fundamental relationships that held their institution together.
The fate of worlds was in the balance, and the actual mission was only getting started.