The facility loomed ahead, its jagged silhouette carved into the rocky cliffs. Faint lights glowed along its edges, casting eerie shadows over the dense thickets surrounding it. The shard in Elaine's satchel pulsed steadily, its energy pulling her toward the heart of the structure.
Kael crouched beside her, his bow drawn as he scanned the area. "Guards on the outer perimeter. They're not messing around—trained fighters, not just fanatics."
Elaine nodded, her hand resting on her blade. "The Convergence knows what's inside. They're protecting something important."
Ferran crouched on Elaine's other side, his grip tight on his sword. "So, what's the plan? Walk in the front door and hope they don't notice us?"
"We sneak in," Elaine said. "Lira, can you get us past the perimeter?"
Lira adjusted her satchel, her tools clinking softly. "If I can find the right angle, I can disable the detection runes on their barriers. But it won't last long—they'll know something's wrong."
"Then we move fast," Elaine said. "Kael, cover us. Ferran, stay close to Lira."
The Infiltration
The group moved cautiously through the dense underbrush, the faint glow of the facility's lights casting shifting patterns on the ground. Lira knelt by the edge of the perimeter, her tools in hand as she examined the runes etched into the rocks.
"These are advanced," she murmured. "Whoever set these up knows what they're doing."
"Can you break them?" Elaine asked, her voice low.
Lira nodded, though her expression was tense. "I can, but it'll take a minute."
Kael positioned himself a few paces away, his bow drawn and ready. "Hurry. We're exposed out here."
Ferran kept his blade at the ready, his eyes scanning the treeline. "If anyone comes, they're not leaving alive."
Lira's hands moved quickly over the runes, her tools sparking faintly as she disrupted the energy flow. With a soft hum, the barrier flickered and went dark.
"Done," she said, her voice tight. "Let's move."
Inside the Facility
The interior of the facility was dark and cold, the air thick with the hum of dormant machinery. Faint lights illuminated the corridors, casting a pale glow over the smooth, metallic walls.
"This place is active," Kael said, his voice hushed.
Elaine nodded. "The Convergence is using it. Whatever they're doing here, it's tied to the fragments."
Lira studied the walls, her fingers brushing over faint etchings. "These designs—they're different from the other Nexus sites we've seen. This place wasn't meant for control. It was meant for… experimentation."
Ferran scowled. "Great. More nightmares waiting to wake up."
Elaine motioned for the group to move forward, the shard's pulse growing stronger as they neared the facility's core.
An Unexpected Ally
As they approached a large, central chamber, the sound of voices echoed through the corridors. Elaine motioned for the group to stop, her hand on her blade as she crept closer.
Peering into the chamber, she saw a group of Convergence operatives gathered around a console, their masks illuminated by the glow of the machinery. At the center of the room was a massive crystal, its dark energy pulsating in time with the shard in Elaine's satchel.
"This is it," Elaine whispered. "The source."
Kael frowned. "Too many of them to fight head-on. We need a distraction."
Before Elaine could respond, a voice spoke from the shadows behind them. "If you're here to stop them, I can help."
The group spun around, weapons drawn. Standing in the dim light was a woman dressed in Convergence armor, her mask tucked under one arm. Her sharp features and piercing gaze were framed by dark hair streaked with silver.
"Who are you?" Elaine demanded.
The woman raised her hands slowly. "A friend—for now. My name is Ardyn. I was part of the Convergence, but I've seen what they're trying to do. It's madness."
Elaine's eyes narrowed. "Why should we trust you?"
"Because I want to stop them as much as you do," Ardyn said. "And because if you go in there without me, you won't survive."
Revealing the Truth
Ardyn led the group to a hidden alcove, her voice low as she explained. "The Convergence isn't just collecting fragments. They're using them to create a new Nexus core—one they can control. They call it the Unity Engine."
Lira's eyes widened. "A new core? That's impossible. The original Nexus destroyed itself trying to maintain control."
"They think they've solved the problem," Ardyn said. "But they haven't. The Unity Engine is unstable—it'll tear itself apart, and everything around it with it."
Elaine's chest tightened. "Then why are they doing this?"
Ardyn hesitated before answering. "Because they don't care about the consequences. They're not trying to save the world—they're trying to rule it."
Kael frowned. "And you're just now deciding to switch sides?"
Ardyn's expression hardened. "I didn't sign up to watch the world burn. If you want to stop them, you'll need my help."
Elaine studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Fine. But if this is a trap, you won't live to regret it."
Ardyn smirked faintly. "Fair enough."
Preparing for the Battle
The group devised a plan to sabotage the Unity Engine, using Ardyn's knowledge of the facility's layout to gain access to the crystal chamber.
"The core is shielded," Ardyn explained. "You'll need to disrupt the power conduits around it before you can destroy it."
Lira nodded. "I can handle that. But we'll need to hold off their forces while I work."
Elaine turned to the others. "Kael, Ferran, you'll cover Lira. Ardyn and I will deal with the crystal."
Ferran smirked. "Finally, something I'm good at."
Kael gave a faint smile. "Let's just hope this doesn't blow up in our faces."
Elaine tightened her grip on her blade, the shard in her satchel pulsing faintly. "It's now or never. Let's finish this."
The group moved toward the central chamber, their steps silent as they prepared for the fight ahead. The glow of the Unity Engine grew brighter, its energy crackling through the air.
Elaine's heart pounded as she drew her blade, her resolve unshaken. The Convergence's plans would end here—no matter the cost.