The team huddled in their cramped quarters, the stolen book and Aria's journal spread across the table. Elaine sat at the center, her eyes darting between the diagrams of the constructs and the ominous notes about reclassification.
"Let's go over this again," Kael said, leaning over her shoulder. "You said the constructs draw power directly from the Nexus?"
Elaine nodded, tracing a line in the book with her finger. "Exactly. Their cores are synced to the Nexus's energy grid. That's what makes them so powerful—and so dangerous. But it's also their weakness."
Ferran crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "Weakness? They didn't seem very weak when we fought the first one."
"That's because we didn't know how they worked," Elaine countered. She tapped the diagram of a construct's core, a glowing sphere surrounded by intricate energy channels. "The core isn't just their power source—it's their anchor to this plane. If we disrupt the connection, the construct collapses."
"And how do we do that?" Lira asked, her tone sharp.
Elaine hesitated. "It won't be easy. The book mentions two ways: overloading the core with concentrated essence or using a destabilizing frequency to sever the link. Either way, we'll need precision and time—two things we don't have much of."
Kael frowned. "What about the guild? Can't we rally the overseers to help?"
Elaine let out a bitter laugh. "The overseers are too busy consolidating power after Aria's fall. They don't trust me, and even if they did, they'd never risk the guild's resources on a gamble like this."
"So, it's up to us," Ferran said, his tone resigned.
Elaine nodded, her chest tightening. "It always has been."
The Guild Fractures
As the group prepared their next steps, the tension within the guild compound became impossible to ignore. Rumors of Aria's downfall and Elaine's reclassification had spread like wildfire, and the halls buzzed with whispered conversations and furtive glances.
Elaine noticed how the other guild members avoided her gaze, their expressions wary or outright hostile. She was no longer just an anomaly—she was a pariah.
"They're scared of you," Lira murmured as they passed a group of alchemists who quickly averted their eyes.
Elaine's jaw tightened. "They should be scared of the constructs—not me."
"They don't know the difference," Kael said grimly.
As they turned a corner, a familiar voice stopped them in their tracks.
"Elaine."
Elaine turned to see Overseer Marreth—the silver-haired woman who had ordered Aria's confinement—approaching with two guards in tow. Her expression was stern, but not unkind.
"Overseer," Elaine said, inclining her head.
Marreth studied her for a moment before speaking. "I've heard whispers that you've been… active since our last meeting. Care to explain?"
Elaine hesitated, glancing at her team. She could lie, but Marreth was sharp—too sharp to fool easily.
"We've been preparing," Elaine said carefully. "The Nexus constructs are coming. If we don't act, the guild won't survive."
Marreth's eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to believe that the Nexus itself has sent constructs to destroy us?"
"Not the guild—me," Elaine said, her voice steady. "But the guild is collateral damage. If the constructs can't control me, they'll eliminate everything around me to ensure stability."
The overseer's expression didn't change, but her silence spoke volumes.
"You don't have to believe me," Elaine continued. "But when those constructs arrive, it won't matter what you believe. We need to act now."
Marreth exhaled sharply, her gaze flicking to the guards at her side. "What do you propose?"
The Plan
Elaine stepped forward, her voice firm. "We need to set a trap. The constructs will come for me, so we use that to our advantage. We lure them into a confined space—somewhere we can control the battlefield—and destabilize their cores."
"And how do you intend to destabilize them?" Marreth asked.
Elaine gestured to Lira. "We'll use concentrated essence to overload their systems. It's risky, but it's our best shot."
Marreth crossed her arms. "And what happens if you fail?"
"Then we die," Elaine said bluntly. "But if we don't try, we die anyway."
The overseer's gaze lingered on her for a long moment before she nodded. "You'll have your chance. But I'll need more than words to convince the others."
Elaine reached into her satchel and pulled out the stolen book. "Show them this. It has everything you need to know about the constructs—and why they can't be ignored."
Marreth took the book, her expression unreadable. "I'll do what I can. But don't expect miracles."
Elaine nodded. "We'll handle the rest."
Setting the Trap
The group spent the next several hours preparing the trap in an abandoned section of the compound—a vast, empty hall once used for alchemical storage. The space was perfect: wide enough to maneuver, with thick stone walls that could contain the constructs' energy blasts.
Lira worked tirelessly to prepare the essence charges, her hands steady despite the pressure. Kael and Ferran fortified the hall's entrances, setting up makeshift barriers and tripwires to slow the constructs' advance.
Elaine paced the length of the hall, her mind racing. The Nexus had gone quiet, but its earlier warnings still echoed in her thoughts.
Nexus Reminder:
CONSTRUCTS ETA: 4 HOURS.
Hostile incursion imminent.Success requires precision and coordination.
Elaine exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus. They had a plan. They had the tools. Now, they just needed to execute.
The Calm Before the Storm
As the final preparations were made, the team gathered in a small alcove at the edge of the hall. The air was thick with tension, each of them lost in their own thoughts.
Ferran broke the silence with a low chuckle. "You know, if we survive this, I'm taking the longest nap of my life."
Kael smirked. "If we survive this, you'll have earned it."
Lira glanced at Elaine, her expression softening. "Are you ready for this?"
Elaine met her gaze, her voice steady. "I don't have a choice."
Kael nodded. "Then let's make it count."
As the clock ticked down, Elaine's resolve hardened. The constructs were coming, and they would be ready.