Chereads / Veilshard Nexus: Chronicles of the Multiform Divergence / Chapter 100 - Chapter 2: Shifting Allegiances (I)

Chapter 100 - Chapter 2: Shifting Allegiances (I)

The desert stretched endlessly around them, the ruins now a distant silhouette against the shimmering horizon. The wind had died down, leaving an eerie stillness in its wake.

Elaine walked ahead of the group, the shard in her hand faintly pulsing with each step. Its energy felt heavier now, as though the recent encounter had left it drained—or wary.

"What the hell was that back there?" Ardyn asked, breaking the silence. "You let them walk off with a shard, and now we're just supposed to trust they'll keep it safe?"

Elaine's jaw tightened. "We didn't have a choice. If we fought them, we would've lost—and the shard would've been even more vulnerable."

Ardyn let out a sharp laugh, though it lacked humor. "So, what? We just hand it over to a bunch of masked strangers and hope for the best?"

"They know more about the shards than we do," Elaine said firmly. "And right now, knowledge is what we need."

"They're not allies," Ardyn countered. "They made that clear. We can't afford to let anyone get ahead of us."

Rivan, walking slightly ahead, glanced back. "Arguing about it isn't going to change anything. Let's focus on staying alive long enough to get to the next shard."

A Deadly Encounter

The faint hum of an engine broke through the stillness, growing louder as it approached. Elaine froze, motioning for the group to take cover behind a nearby dune.

"What is it?" Lira whispered, her voice trembling.

"Dominion," Rivan said, their tone grim.

The group peered over the edge of the dune, spotting a lone scout vehicle cutting through the sand. It was sleek and angular, its metallic surface reflecting the sun's harsh light. The Dominion insignia was emblazoned on its side—a stark reminder of their enemy's presence.

"Scout team," Rivan said quietly. "They're surveying the area. Probably looking for the shard."

Ardyn's hand went to her blade. "We take them out before they report back."

Elaine grabbed her arm, her voice low but firm. "We don't know how many more are out here. If we fight, we risk giving away our position."

"And if we let them go?" Ardyn shot back. "They'll call in reinforcements the second they find something."

Lira crouched lower, her voice shaky. "There's no right answer. Either way, they'll find us eventually."

Elaine's mind raced. The shard in her hand pulsed faintly, almost as if it were reacting to the tension.

"We intercept them," Elaine said finally. "Quickly, quietly. If we can take their vehicle, we'll have an advantage."

The Ambush

The team moved swiftly, positioning themselves along the scout vehicle's path. Rivan took point, their bow drawn, while Ardyn circled to the side with her blade at the ready. Elaine and Lira stayed back, the shard's light concealed beneath Elaine's cloak.

The vehicle slowed as it approached the ruins, its occupants scanning the area with handheld devices.

Rivan signaled, releasing an arrow that struck the engine with a sharp crack. Sparks flew, and the vehicle ground to a halt.

Ardyn lunged forward, her blade slicing through the scout on the passenger side before they could react. The driver scrambled for their weapon, but Elaine stepped forward, the shard flaring in her hand.

A wave of energy surged outward, knocking the driver back and disabling their weapon. They hit the ground hard, groaning in pain.

"Stay down," Elaine said, her voice cold.

The scout raised their hands in surrender, their expression wary. "You don't know what you're doing. Dominion will hunt you to the ends of the earth."

Ardyn pointed her blade at their throat. "Let them try."

"Enough," Elaine said sharply. She turned to the scout, her tone measured. "Why are you here? What's Dominion looking for?"

The scout hesitated, their gaze darting between Elaine and the shard in her hand. "You already know. The shards are everything. Dominion isn't just collecting them—they're rebuilding the Nexus."

A Dire Warning

Elaine's grip on the shard tightened. "How many shards do they have?"

The scout smirked faintly. "More than you think. And they're not just gathering them—they're weaponizing them. Every fracture you stabilize, they destabilize twice as many. You can't win this."

Lira's face paled. "They're undoing everything we've done?"

"Of course they are," the scout said. "You think you're the only ones who understand the shards' power? Dominion has the resources, the knowledge, and the will to do what you can't."

Ardyn pressed her blade closer to the scout's throat. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

The scout chuckled darkly. "It means you're too afraid to make the hard choices. The shards demand unity, and Dominion will give it to them—whether the world survives or not."

Elaine stepped closer, her voice cold. "Where are they now?"

The scout hesitated, but the sight of Ardyn's blade seemed to loosen their tongue. "There's a stronghold to the east. They've already set up conduits, linked to the shards they've gathered. If you're smart, you'll stay away."

Elaine exchanged a glance with Rivan, her expression hard. "We're done here."

Ardyn glanced at her, clearly reluctant. "We're letting them live?"

Elaine nodded. "They've told us what we need to know. Let's move."

The Next Step

As the team moved away from the ruined vehicle, the wind began to pick up again, scattering sand across their path. The scout's words lingered in the air, a grim reminder of the stakes they faced.

"They're ahead of us," Lira said quietly. "If Dominion's already weaponizing the shards…"

"We'll stop them," Elaine said firmly.

Ardyn let out a sharp breath. "You make it sound simple. They've got numbers, resources, and a head start. We've got—what? A glowing rock and a death wish?"

"We have a chance," Elaine said, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "As long as we keep moving, we still have a chance."

Rivan nodded, their voice calm. "Then we'd better make it count."

The shard in Elaine's hand pulsed faintly, its light steady despite the storm gathering around them.