All eyes were on it. Even Cero, who was rarely caught off guard, showed interest. "What is that?" he asked.
"This world," Isvel began, "has undergone four great cataclysms. Each time, an entire civilization was wiped out, leaving behind only faint traces of what once existed. Any technology or magic you find here most likely originates from one of those eras."
Robert turned to Cero. "So, you're saying… the technology we've discovered here might be more advanced than anything currently available?"
Isvel nodded. "Precisely. But I can't tell which era left behind this technology. One thing is certain, though—the symbols aren't unfamiliar to magi on this continent. There's a theory that the first civilization, known as the Pioneer Civilization, possessed technology that even surpassed the limits of modern magic."
"The Pioneer Civilization…" Cero murmured, his gaze fixed on the glowing symbols etched into the floor. His mind raced, trying to grasp the scale of what they were dealing with. "So we might be dealing with something from the dawn of this world's history."
Isvel observed Cero's expression intently, but before she could respond, a military officer approached them briskly. His face was serious, a clear sign that preparations were complete.
"Director, the security measures are in place. You can retrieve the Core now," the officer reported, his tone respectful yet firm.
Cero turned slowly, a faint smile curling on his lips. "Very well," he said. Then, with a confident smirk, he glanced at Isvel. "We might be on the verge of obtaining something that could propel this civilization further than ever before. This is the key to creating future technologies."
Isvel let out a quiet scoff, crossing her arms. "Future technologies? Or another disaster? Sometimes, I can't tell if you're a genius or just a madman overly confident in himself."
"Both," Cero replied without hesitation before striding toward the center of the room.
At the heart of the chamber, the glowing symbols on the floor had grown brighter and more intense as the key drew near. The blue light radiating from the symbols seemed alive, almost as if it was responding to Cero's presence. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier, with everyone watching Cero's every move.
Technicians stationed along the perimeter monitored screens displaying the Core's energy parameters. The data flowed continuously, showing stable yet high fluctuations.
"All parameters are within safe limits, Director," one of the technicians reported. "But… we advise you not to remain too close to the Core for long. Its energy is extraordinarily potent, even with these safeguards in place."
Cero nodded. "Understood." He donned a specially designed protective suit to shield him from high-energy radiation. The sleek black uniform with shimmering protective layers looked almost futuristic, like something out of a space expedition. The display on his helmet mirrored the technicians' energy readings.
'SYSTEM, what's your analysis? Are there any undetected risks?' Cero thought, activating his mental link to the system.
[Security measures stable. Energy leakage risk is minimal as long as containment remains intact. Recommendation: Limit direct contact with the Core to a maximum of 60 seconds.]
Cero stood before the massive vault door, its surface intricately engraved with glowing patterns. In his left hand, he tightly held the crystalline key they had retrieved earlier. The door looked like a masterpiece of advanced engineering, its carvings faintly glowing in the blue light. His protective suit shimmered under the illumination, presenting a surreal blend of magic and futuristic technology.
He stepped closer, focusing on a recess in the center of the door, shaped to fit the crystal. "This must be it," he muttered, his voice transmitted through the comms to his team.
Carefully, Cero inserted the crystal into the slot.
CLIK!
A mechanical sound echoed throughout the room, followed by streams of blue light spreading across the surface of the door. The energy flowed like living veins, branching out rapidly until it reached every corner of the vault. A series of metallic thuds resonated as massive internal mechanisms began to unlock, releasing the seals that had kept the chamber secured for centuries.
With a hiss, the vault door slowly opened, revealing its contents.
Inside the now-open vault, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Brilliant blue light flooded the room, emanating from a single object floating in the center of the space. A small, radiant orb—not much larger than a human head—hovered in the air. At its core, a golden nucleus pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat, encased in a swirling layer of blue energy.
Cero stepped inside, his gaze fixed on the object. "The Aetherial Core…" he whispered, almost in awe. "So, this is it—the key to advancing this world."
The Core's energy was palpable, even through the protective suit. The air around it seemed to vibrate, and Cero could feel a subtle pressure on his body—as if the Core itself were assessing him.
"Heh," Cero chuckled softly from behind his helmet. "You're mine now."
In his hand, he held a specially designed containment case, crafted to safely transport the Core. The case was made from materials capable of withstanding high-energy radiation, layered with the same protective elements as his suit. His helmet display showed the Core's fluctuating energy readings.
'SYSTEM, Core energy status?' he thought.
[Aetherial Core energy is stable, but it emits radiation comparable to high-grade uranium isotopes. Recommendation: Avoid direct exposure for more than 30 seconds without additional safeguards.]
Cero gave a slight nod. He knew the Core needed to be contained immediately for safe transport and study. Carefully, he approached the Core, opening the containment case. The radiant light from the Core illuminated his face through the helmet, casting shifting shadows on the vault's walls.
As he transferred the Core into the case, the air grew heavier, but the process went smoothly. The Core seemed almost compliant as it settled into the containment unit. Once the case was sealed, the Core's light dimmed, fully secured within its protective layers.
"It's done," Cero muttered, straightening his posture.
When Cero emerged from the vault with the Core secured in the case, all eyes were on him. The technicians and marines stood on high alert, their expressions a mix of relief and tension.
"Director," Robert called out, approaching quickly. "What's the Core's condition?"
"Stable for now," Cero replied curtly, handing the case to a senior technician. "Ensure this is transported securely to the headquarters. There's no room for error."
The technician nodded attentively, carrying the case to a specialized transport device. "We'll guarantee its safety, Director."
Meanwhile, Isvel stood at the back of the group, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. "So, this is what you risked everything for," she said dryly. "A little ball of light?"