The edge of the swamp came into view like a distant mirage, the dense, suffocating air giving way to a cooler breeze. The team staggered forward, their steps heavy with exhaustion. The eerie glow of the Verdant Sink dimmed behind them, but the weight of the artifact in Elaine's hands felt heavier than ever.
Kael was the first to break the silence. "We made it." His tone was flat, but the relief in his expression was clear.
Ferran wiped his blade on a scrap of cloth, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Barely."
Elaine sank onto a fallen log, her arms trembling as she set the artifact down beside her. Its glow had faded further, the once-vibrant pulses reduced to faint flickers.
Lira dropped her satchel and collapsed next to Elaine, her face pale. "What now?" she asked, her voice hoarse.
All eyes turned to Kael, who stood with his arms crossed. "Now we return to the guild. Venhold will want a full report—and the artifact."
Elaine's stomach churned. The Nexus's warning still lingered in her mind: "Immediate debrief unavoidable. Termination protocols possible."
She glanced at the others, trying to gauge their mood. Ferran was sharpening his blade, his expression unreadable. Lira was fidgeting with a vial of essence, her hands trembling slightly. Jothan—the nervous scribe who had barely spoken since they entered the swamp—sat apart from the group, scribbling furiously in his notebook.
Kael caught her eye, his expression hard. "What aren't you telling us, Caldara?"
Elaine stiffened. "What do you mean?"
"You've been acting strange since we found the artifact," Kael said. "You know something about it, don't you?"
The others turned to her, suspicion flickering in their eyes.
[Cognivore Ability Triggered.]
Observation: Team cohesion deteriorating. High distrust toward subject (Elaine).Suggested Action: Redirect focus to external threat.
Elaine swallowed hard. "I know the artifact is dangerous," she said carefully. "The resonance is unstable. If it's not handled properly, it could destabilize everything around it—including us."
"That's not news," Ferran said, his tone sharp. "What else?"
Elaine hesitated, weighing her words. "It's… more than a tool. It's a beacon. The resonance we activated? Someone—or something—noticed."
Lira's eyes widened. "What do you mean 'noticed'?"
Elaine gestured vaguely at the swamp. "The revenants, the shifting terrain—it wasn't random. The artifact's energy was drawing them to us."
Kael frowned. "And now?"
"It's still drawing attention," Elaine admitted. "But we won't know how bad it is until we return to the guild."
Suspicions Mount
Ferran stood, sheathing his blade with a sharp motion. "So, what happens when we hand this over to Venhold?"
Elaine felt the weight of his gaze, and the unspoken question hung in the air: What happens to us?
Jothan finally spoke, his voice low and shaky. "Venhold doesn't let loose ends walk away."
The group fell silent. Even Kael didn't argue.
Elaine took a deep breath, forcing herself to speak. "Venhold isn't just interested in the artifact. She's experimenting—breaking the rules the Crown imposes on essence manipulation."
Lira paled. "You're saying this whole mission was…"
"Another experiment," Elaine finished.
Kael's fists clenched. "If that's true, then we're expendable."
Ferran scowled. "She can try."
Elaine shook her head. "We need more than bravado if we're going to survive. Venhold holds all the power. If we want leverage, we need a plan."
"And what do you suggest?" Kael asked, his tone sharp.
Elaine hesitated, the hum of the Nexus filling her mind like a whisper:
TACTICAL INSIGHT:
Option 1: Sabotage artifact delivery to destabilize Venhold's position. Risk: Exposure of subject's involvement.
Option 2: Offer artifact analysis in exchange for higher standing. Risk: Increased scrutiny from Venhold.
Option 3: Conceal critical artifact data for potential leverage. Risk: Immediate suspicion from team and overseer.
She bit her lip. None of the options were ideal, but the first one—sabotage—seemed the least likely to backfire immediately.
"We stall," she said finally. "If we deliver the artifact as-is, we're playing into her hands. But if we make it seem unstable—too dangerous to activate without more preparation—it might buy us time."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "And if she doesn't believe us?"
Elaine forced a grim smile. "Then we improvise."
Return to the Guild
The journey back to the guild compound was uneventful but tense. The group moved quickly, avoiding unnecessary stops, their silence heavier than before.
When the gates came into view, Elaine felt a knot tighten in her stomach. The compound was quiet—too quiet.
Ferran muttered under his breath. "Doesn't feel right."
Kael nodded, his hand straying to his bow. "Stay sharp."
As they entered the compound, a group of armored guards stepped forward, their weapons drawn. At their head was Aria Venhold, her sharp green eyes gleaming with something between triumph and menace.
"Welcome back," she said, her voice cold. "I trust the mission was a success."
Elaine forced herself to meet Aria's gaze, the artifact still clutched tightly in her arms. "We retrieved the artifact, but—"
"But what?" Aria interrupted, stepping closer. Her gaze flicked to the faintly glowing sphere in Elaine's hands.
"It's unstable," Elaine said, her voice steady. "The resonance nearly destroyed us in the Sink. It needs careful handling."
Aria's lips curved into a thin smile. "Of course it does. That's why I sent you."
Elaine's pulse quickened. The overseer's calm demeanor was more unnerving than any of her threats.
"You've done well," Aria said, reaching for the artifact. "I'll take it from here."
Elaine hesitated, her grip tightening instinctively. "With respect, Overseer, I believe the artifact requires further analysis before it's safe to—"
"I wasn't asking," Aria said sharply.
The guards stepped forward, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. Ferran and Kael exchanged a tense glance but didn't move.
Reluctantly, Elaine handed the artifact over, her heart pounding as Aria cradled it like a prize.
"Report to the debrief chamber," Aria said, her tone curt. "All of you. I'll summon you when I require your… insights."
Elaine's Realization
As the guards escorted them toward the debrief chamber, Elaine's mind raced. Aria had the artifact now, but her interest wasn't in studying it—it was in controlling it.
The Nexus flickered faintly, its text appearing like a whisper:
WARNING: Artifact transfer confirmed. Overseer Venhold initiating divergence protocols. Prepare for escalation.
Elaine's chest tightened. The game had just entered a deadlier phase—and she was running out of moves.