The guild's central archives were hidden deep within its oldest wing, a labyrinth of shadowed corridors and rune-etched doors. Unlike Aria's private archive, this space was vast, ancient, and protected by layers of enchantments designed to keep prying eyes away from the guild's most guarded secrets.
Elaine crouched at the corner of a narrow hall, her fingers brushing the edges of the worn map Lira had sketched based on her knowledge of the guild. Ahead, two guards stood stationed by the entrance to the archives, their post illuminated by the faint glow of a single rune-lamp.
"They're not moving," Kael murmured from beside her, his voice barely audible.
"They won't," Lira whispered, adjusting the strap of her satchel. "This is one of the most secure areas in the guild. Only senior overseers have clearance."
Ferran leaned against the wall, his expression grim. "So how do we get in without starting a fight?"
Elaine's gaze flicked to the guards, then to the intricate runes carved into the door behind them. The Nexus hummed faintly at the edge of her vision, offering its guidance:
Tactical Insight:
Option 1: Disable guards through localized rune disruption. Risk: High.Option 2: Activate decoy in adjacent wing to divert attention. Risk: Moderate.
"Lira," Elaine whispered, her tone firm. "Can you create a diversion? Something to pull them away without raising too much suspicion?"
Lira nodded, already rummaging through her satchel. "Give me two minutes."
As Lira worked, Elaine turned to Kael and Ferran. "Once they're gone, we'll have to move quickly. The runes on the door will be tricky, but I think I can bypass them if we buy enough time."
"And if we can't?" Ferran asked.
Elaine's jaw tightened. "Then we improvise."
The Diversion
Lira crouched at the base of the wall, carefully pouring a thin line of glowing liquid along the edge of a nearby rune cluster. She whispered an incantation under her breath, the words barely audible, and the liquid began to sizzle and spark.
Within moments, a loud, crackling sound echoed down the hall, followed by a burst of light that illuminated the adjacent wing.
The guards immediately tensed, their hands moving to the weapons at their belts.
"What was that?" one of them muttered.
"Stay here," the other said, drawing his blade. "I'll check it out."
As the first guard hurried off toward the disturbance, the remaining guard stood at attention, his eyes scanning the shadows nervously.
Elaine signaled to Kael, who nodded and silently crept forward. In one swift motion, Kael struck the guard on the back of the head with the hilt of his blade, catching him before he hit the ground.
"Clear," Kael whispered.
Elaine hurried to the door, her fingers tracing the glowing runes etched into the wood. The Nexus flickered in her vision, its overlay providing a faint map of the energy flow within the enchantments.
[Runic Lock Decryption Enabled.]
Complexity Level: High.Suggested Sequence: Activate primary nodes in descending order to disrupt circuit stability.
Elaine followed the Nexus's instructions, carefully pressing her fingers to each rune in the correct sequence. The door let out a faint hum, and the light from the runes dimmed.
"It's open," she whispered, pushing the heavy door aside.
The group slipped inside, closing the door behind them just as the remaining guard began to stir.
Inside the Archives
The central archives were even more imposing than Elaine had imagined. Towering shelves stretched into the darkness above, each one packed with tomes, scrolls, and glowing crystalline tablets. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and faintly charged magic.
"This place is massive," Ferran muttered, his voice tinged with awe.
Elaine nodded. "We need to focus. Look for anything related to the Nexus constructs or divergence-linked entities. There has to be something here that explains what's happening."
Kael and Ferran began searching the shelves, while Lira moved to a table piled high with scrolls. Elaine gravitated toward a section marked with the guild's crest, her fingers brushing over the worn spines of the books.
The Forgotten Records
After several tense minutes, Elaine's hand fell on a thin, leather-bound book tucked away at the back of the shelf. The cover was unmarked, but as she opened it, her breath caught.
The pages were filled with detailed diagrams and notes, each one describing the Nexus's constructs and their purpose. One passage, in particular, sent a chill down her spine:
"The constructs are not mere enforcers. They are extensions of the Nexus's will, designed to eliminate anomalies that threaten system stability. Divergence-linked entities are classified as high-risk, capable of destabilizing entire substrata if left unchecked."
Elaine's hands trembled as she turned the page. The next section was worse:
"Reclassified entities may be absorbed into the Nexus to restore balance. Resistance will result in total substrate annihilation."
She closed the book, her heart pounding. "They're not just watching me," she whispered. "They're planning to erase me."
Lira looked up from her scrolls, her eyes wide. "What did you find?"
Elaine held up the book. "Proof that the constructs are coming for me—and if they can't control me, they'll destroy everything to fix the 'anomaly.'"
Kael frowned. "Then we don't have time to wait. We need a way to stop them."
Elaine opened the book again, scanning the final pages. Her eyes narrowed as she found a diagram of a construct's core, surrounded by annotations detailing its vulnerabilities.
"They're not invincible," she said, her voice firm. "The constructs draw their power from the Nexus, but their connection can be severed. If we can disrupt their cores, we might have a chance."
The Clock Ticks Down
The Nexus flickered again, its tone more urgent than ever:
CONSTRUCTS ETA: 6 HOURS.
Directive: Disruption protocol must be executed before full deployment.Warning: Localized substrate collapse likely if failure occurs.
Elaine snapped the book shut, her resolve hardening. "We have six hours to prepare. If we don't stop them, the guild—and everyone in it—will be wiped out."
Ferran smirked, his blade gleaming in the faint light. "Then let's make those six hours count."