The camp sprawled across the rocky plateau like a defiant scar against the wasteland. Rough-hewn barricades formed a jagged perimeter, and rows of makeshift shelters huddled under the pale light of the morning sun. Smoke curled from a central firepit, mingling with the sharp tang of metal and sweat.
Elaine adjusted the satchel holding the shard, its faint hum resonating in her ears. The weight of the shard felt heavier with every step, as though it could sense the tension simmering in the air.
"Let me do the talking," she said, glancing at her team.
Ardyn raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? These types don't usually go for diplomacy."
Elaine's jaw tightened. "We don't have a choice. If we're going to stop the Convergence, we need allies."
Kael scanned the camp, his sharp gaze lingering on the armed guards patrolling the perimeter. "Just remember—these aren't saints. They'll turn on us the second we stop being useful."
Elaine nodded grimly. "Let's make sure that doesn't happen."
The Warlord
They were led into the heart of the camp, where a massive tent stood surrounded by crates of salvaged weapons and supplies. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of leather and oil. A figure sat on a throne-like chair crafted from scavenged metal, their posture relaxed but commanding.
The warlord was a woman in her forties, her dark hair streaked with gray and her sharp eyes gleaming with intelligence. Her armor was cobbled together from mismatched pieces, yet it exuded an air of deadly precision.
"So," she said, her voice low and resonant. "You're the ones stirring up trouble in my territories."
Elaine stepped forward, meeting the warlord's gaze. "We're not here to cause trouble. We need your help."
The warlord leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Help, huh? That's a funny word coming from someone carrying Nexus tech. Do you know what I could do with a shard like that?"
Ardyn's hand moved toward her blade, but Elaine shot her a warning glance.
"We know what the shard can do," Elaine said. "And we know what happens if it falls into the wrong hands."
The warlord smirked. "And I suppose your hands are the right ones? Convince me."
A Delicate Negotiation
Elaine took a steadying breath. "The Convergence is regrouping. They're hunting the shards and using them to rebuild the Nexus. If that happens, we lose everything—our freedom, our lives, our future. We need to keep the shards out of their hands."
The warlord's smirk faded, her gaze sharpening. "You want me to risk my people for your mission. What do I get in return?"
"Protection," Elaine said. "If the Nexus rises again, it won't spare anyone—not you, not your people. We have a chance to stop it, but we can't do it alone."
The warlord studied her for a long moment, then leaned back in her chair. "You're not wrong. But protection doesn't fill bellies or keep bullets in chambers. I need more than promises."
Lira stepped forward hesitantly, holding out the field generator. "This… disruptor field. It can destabilize Nexus tech. We can give you the plans to build more. It's not much, but it's a start."
The warlord eyed the device, her expression thoughtful. "Interesting. But it's still not enough."
Elaine's grip on the satchel tightened. "What do you want?"
The warlord's smile was razor-sharp. "Simple. I want to know what else you're not telling me about that shard."
The Price of Trust
Elaine hesitated, the shard pulsing faintly in her hand. Sharing its secrets could tip the balance of power, but withholding them might cost them the alliance they desperately needed.
"It's a fragment of the Nexus," she said finally. "Even severed, it carries power—enough to change the course of a fight. But it's dangerous. If it's used the wrong way, it could destroy everything."
The warlord's eyes gleamed with interest. "And what's stopping me from taking it and using it the 'right' way?"
Elaine stepped closer, her voice low but firm. "Because if you try, you'll unleash something you can't control. This isn't just a weapon—it's a responsibility. And if you don't understand that, you're no better than the Convergence."
The warlord stared at her, the tension crackling between them like a live wire. Finally, she let out a sharp laugh.
"You've got guts. I'll give you that," she said, standing. "Fine. We'll help you. But if this goes south, don't expect me to go down with you."
Elaine nodded, relief flickering across her face. "We won't let you down."
The warlord smirked. "We'll see."
A Growing Threat
As the team left the tent, Ardyn muttered under her breath. "That could've gone worse."
"Or better," Kael added, his tone dry.
Elaine ignored them, her thoughts racing. The warlord's interest in the shard had been unnerving, but it was a risk they had to take. The Convergence was moving faster than they could, and time was running out.
Lira caught up to her, her voice hesitant. "Do you think we can trust them?"
Elaine glanced back at the camp, where the warlord's soldiers moved with practiced efficiency. "No. But right now, we don't have a choice."
As they prepared to leave, the shard pulsed again, its hum growing louder. Elaine froze, her heart pounding.
"What's wrong?" Kael asked, his hand on his bow.
Elaine's voice was barely above a whisper. "They're coming."
In the distance, the faint hum of Convergence engines filled the air.