The fractures beneath the ruin pulsed violently, their chaotic rhythm growing louder as Dominion's forces closed in. The commander barked orders from the rear, his voice sharp and unrelenting.
"Advance carefully!" he shouted. "Don't let the fractures destabilize the site. Secure the relic at all costs!"
The first wave of soldiers moved forward, their weapons glowing with Nexus energy as they aimed at the group.
"Rivan!" Ardyn called, her blade gleaming in the fractures' light. "They're pushing hard—we can't hold them off forever!"
Rivan notched an arrow, releasing it with precision. The projectile struck a Dominion soldier's weapon, sending a surge of disruptor energy that forced the others to retreat momentarily.
"We just need to hold them long enough," Rivan said, their tone calm but firm.
"Long enough for what?" Ardyn demanded, slicing through another advancing soldier.
"For her," Rivan said, gesturing toward Lira.
The Relic's Power
Lira stood at the center of the chamber, her hands trembling as she placed them on the crystalline relic. The shards in her pack flared brightly, their energy syncing with the fractures and the relic in chaotic waves.
The whispers in her mind grew louder, forming fragmented words and images that pulled at her consciousness.
"The fractures connect. The shards guide. Balance demands clarity. Act now."
Lira's breath came in uneven gasps as the relic's light spiraled upward, enveloping her in a shimmering aura.
"I can feel it," Lira said, her voice trembling. "It's… alive. It's pulling me in."
"Pull back!" Ardyn shouted, her voice edged with panic. "Whatever it's doing to you, it's not worth it!"
Lira shook her head, her eyes wide and unfocused. "No—it's not hurting me. It's showing me. The fractures—they want unity, but they're broken. This relic is trying to fix them—but it needs help."
The ground beneath her trembled violently as the fractures' chaotic rhythm grew erratic. The relic flared brighter, its energy spiraling outward in jagged waves.
Dominion Presses the Attack
Dominion's soldiers regrouped quickly, their movements disciplined as they advanced toward the relic. The commander pointed toward the glowing artifact, his tone filled with urgency.
"Take it now!" he shouted. "Whatever it's doing, we can't let them finish!"
Ardyn stepped in front of Lira, her blade raised defensively. "Not a chance," she growled.
Rivan released another arrow, the projectile striking a nearby conduit and sending sparks flying. The soldiers faltered, their advance disrupted as they scrambled for cover.
"Lira, whatever you're doing, do it faster!" Rivan called, their voice sharp.
Lira's grip on the relic tightened, her breathing shallow as its energy flowed through her. The shards in her pack pulsed violently, their chaotic rhythm syncing with the fractures.
"They're not ready," Lira said, her voice strained. "The fractures—they're still unstable. If I push too hard, they'll collapse."
"Then don't push," Ardyn snapped. "Just stop!"
"I can't," Lira said, her voice breaking. "It's not just me—the relic won't stop unless I guide it!"
The Fractures' Choice
The fractures' whispers grew louder, filling the chamber with a single, commanding voice.
"Unity demands strength. Chaos demands sacrifice. The Custodian must act."
Lira staggered, the relic's light enveloping her as the fractures' energy spiraled upward. Images filled her mind—visions of the Nexus whole and unbroken, its harmonious light flowing through the fractures. But the images shifted, showing the fractures collapsing under the weight of chaotic energy, their destruction spreading outward in jagged waves.
"They're asking for something," Lira said, her voice trembling. "Something big. They need—"
A deafening explosion interrupted her, shaking the ruin as Dominion's forces launched a final assault. The fractures beneath the ground pulsed violently, their chaotic rhythm reaching a deafening crescendo.
A Desperate Gambit
Rivan grabbed Lira's arm, their voice urgent. "If the relic needs you, then focus. But you can't let it consume you."
Lira nodded, tears streaming down her face as she steadied herself. The shards in her pack flared brightly, their energy syncing with the relic's chaotic light.
The fractures beneath the ruin trembled violently, their whispers echoing through the chamber.
"Act, Custodian. Balance or chaos. The choice is yours."
Ardyn moved to Rivan's side, her blade ready as Dominion's forces advanced again. "Whatever's going to happen, make it happen now. We're out of time."
Lira exhaled slowly, her resolve hardening. "I'm not letting them take this—not now, not ever."
The relic's light flared blindingly bright, its energy spiraling outward in a massive wave that forced Dominion's soldiers to retreat. The fractures beneath the ruin pulsed in harmony, their chaotic rhythm subsiding into a steady, resonant beat.
As the light dimmed, Lira collapsed to her knees, her breathing ragged. The relic's glow softened, its energy stabilizing as the fractures fell silent.
"It's done," Lira whispered, her voice faint.
Rivan knelt beside her, their expression filled with quiet relief. "You did it."
Ardyn glanced toward the ruin's entrance, her blade still raised. "For now. But they'll be back."
The fractures beneath them pulsed faintly, their chaotic energy whispering of unity, chaos, and the fragile balance between them.