The morning light cast long shadows across the desert, the wind carrying the faint scent of scorched metal from the previous day's battle. The team huddled near the remnants of their makeshift camp, exhaustion evident in their expressions.
Elaine sat apart from the others, the shard in her hand pulsing faintly. Its whispers were quieter now, but their weight lingered in her mind like an echo.
"Still brooding, I see," Ardyn said, approaching with her blade slung casually over her shoulder. "You're getting good at that."
Elaine didn't look up. "I'm thinking."
"Thinking isn't going to get us anywhere," Ardyn said sharply. "We need a plan—something better than 'follow the shards and hope Dominion doesn't catch us.'"
Elaine turned, meeting Ardyn's gaze. "We have a plan. The shards are leading us to the first fracture. That's where we'll find answers."
Ardyn scoffed. "And how do you know it's not a trap? How do you know we're not just doing exactly what the fractures—or Dominion—wants?"
"Enough," Rivan said, their tone calm but firm. They stood near the edge of the camp, their bow resting at their side. "Arguing doesn't change the fact that Dominion is gaining ground. We can't afford to waste time."
A New Lead
Lira emerged from the shelter of a jagged rock, the field generator in her hands humming faintly. "I think I've stabilized the shards for now," she said, her voice quiet. "But they're still… restless. They're pulling toward something, like before."
Elaine nodded, her grip on the shard tightening. "The first shard. The fractures keep pointing us there."
Rivan frowned, their gaze distant. "If we find it, then what? Do we try to unify the shards? Or just protect it from Dominion?"
Before Elaine could answer, a faint chirping sound broke through the air—a signal from the group's battered comm device. Lira rushed to it, her hands trembling as she adjusted the settings.
"It's a message," she said, her eyes widening. "Encrypted, but I can break it."
"Hurry," Elaine urged, standing beside her.
Lira worked quickly, the screen flickering as lines of code unraveled. Finally, the message resolved into text:
"Nexus site confirmed: Northern Plains. Fractures destabilizing. Move fast. Allies wait in shadow."
A Divided Path
Ardyn leaned over Lira's shoulder, her brow furrowing as she read the message. "Allies? Who the hell sent this?"
Rivan's voice was calm but cautious. "Whoever it is, they've given us a location. Dominion must be preparing to rebuild the Nexus there."
Elaine stared at the message, her mind racing. If Dominion succeeded in stabilizing the fractures through force, the damage would be catastrophic. But the shards were still pulling her toward the first fracture—toward the origin of it all.
"They're baiting us," Ardyn said flatly. "Dominion wants us to split up. They know we're stretched thin."
Elaine shook her head. "It doesn't matter. If Dominion is at the Northern Plains, we can't ignore it. But the shards—"
"—are leading us somewhere else," Rivan finished. "You're right. Either path leaves something undefended."
Lira's voice trembled as she spoke. "What if we're wrong? What if we choose the wrong one, and it's too late?"
Elaine closed her eyes, the weight of the shard heavy in her hand. "Balance demands sacrifice." The fractures' whispers echoed in her mind, their tone both urgent and unforgiving.
"We'll split up," Elaine said finally, her voice steady. "Rivan and Ardyn, you head to the Northern Plains. Find out what Dominion is doing and stop it if you can."
"And what about you?" Ardyn asked, crossing her arms.
"I'll take Lira and the shards to the first fracture," Elaine said. "If we can learn how this started, we'll know how to stop it."
Ardyn let out a sharp laugh, though there was no humor in it. "You're really going to risk everything on some ancient clue?"
Elaine met her gaze, unflinching. "It's not just a clue. It's the answer. Trust me."
Departure
The group spent the next hour preparing for their separate journeys. Supplies were divided carefully, and each member ensured their gear was in working order.
Rivan approached Elaine as the camp broke down, their expression calm but serious. "You're sure about this?"
"No," Elaine admitted. "But it's the only way we stand a chance."
Rivan nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Stay safe."
"You too," Elaine said, her voice soft.
Ardyn approached next, her usual sharpness tempered by a rare sincerity. "Don't get yourself killed out there. We're not done arguing yet."
Elaine managed a faint smile. "I'll keep that in mind."
The Road Ahead
As the two groups parted ways, Elaine and Lira pressed north, the shards' light growing brighter with each step. The fractures beneath the ground pulsed faintly, their rhythm syncing with the shards' energy.
Lira glanced at Elaine, her voice hesitant. "Do you think they'll be okay? Rivan and Ardyn?"
Elaine's jaw tightened as she stared at the horizon. "They're strong. They'll make it."
The shard in her hand pulsed faintly, its whispers a constant reminder of the fragile balance they were trying to maintain.
"Unity awaits, Custodian. But the path is treacherous."
Elaine exhaled slowly, her resolve hardening. "We'll make it. One step at a time."