The ground trembled violently as the wave of chaotic energy rippled across the fractured terrain. Shimmering distortions bent the air, twisting the landscape into a kaleidoscope of jagged light and shadow.
"Move!" Rivan shouted, their voice cutting through the rising hum.
Lira stumbled as the fractures beneath her feet pulsed erratically, their rhythm syncing with the shards in her pack. The energy surged upward, forming crackling arcs of light that spiraled around her.
"I can't control it!" Lira cried, clutching the shards tightly. "It's too much!"
Rivan grabbed her arm, steadying her as the energy flared brighter. "Focus on the fractures," they said urgently. "You've done this before—just breathe and let the shards guide you."
Ardyn slashed through a nearby distortion, her blade cutting cleanly through the crackling anomaly. "Whatever you're doing, do it faster," she growled. "This whole place is coming apart!"
The Storm Unleashed
The fractures' chaotic energy surged outward, forming a storm of blinding light and distorted sound. The ground cracked and shifted beneath the group, sending jagged shards of rock spiraling into the air.
Rivan notched an arrow, releasing it toward a nearby fissure. The projectile struck true, its disruptor energy stabilizing the immediate area.
"It's not enough," Rivan said, their tone grim. "The fractures are pulling everything toward the Nexus—they're trying to connect, but the energy is too unstable."
Lira staggered forward, her hands trembling as the shards flared brightly. The fractures' whispers filled her mind, overlapping into fragmented words.
"Unity... fragile. Chaos... inevitable. The Custodian must act."
"They're asking for something," Lira said, her voice strained. "They need—"
A deafening explosion interrupted her as a new wave of energy rippled across the terrain. Dominion's Fracture Amplifier appeared on the horizon, its jagged design glowing with chaotic light as it emitted powerful pulses of energy.
"What the hell is that?" Ardyn shouted, her voice filled with disbelief.
Rivan's gaze hardened. "Dominion's next move. They're trying to weaponize the fractures."
Dominion's Amplifier
The Fracture Amplifier emitted another pulse, its energy syncing with the fractures beneath the ground. The chaotic rhythm grew louder, reverberating through the terrain like a war drum.
From the amplifier's position, Dominion's commander watched the device with a satisfied expression. "Perfect," he said, his voice cold. "The fractures are responding to the amplifier—it's only a matter of time before they stabilize under our control."
A junior officer hesitated before speaking. "Sir, the device is pushing the fractures beyond their limit. If we continue at this rate—"
"I said, continue," the commander interrupted, his tone sharp. "We'll take the risk. Activate the next phase."
The officer nodded reluctantly, relaying the order. The amplifier flared brightly, its energy spiraling upward in jagged waves that rippled through the terrain.
A Dangerous Confrontation
Back in the storm, the group braced against the fractures' violent surges. The ground beneath them trembled, cracks spreading outward as the amplifier's pulses intensified.
"They're destabilizing everything," Rivan said, their tone grim. "If we don't stop that amplifier, the fractures will collapse—and take us with them."
"How do we stop it?" Lira asked, her voice trembling.
Rivan notched another arrow, their expression resolute. "We destroy it before they can do more damage."
"And how exactly do we get close enough to do that?" Ardyn snapped, slicing through another distortion.
Rivan's gaze shifted to Lira. "The shards. If you can sync with the fractures, you might be able to block the amplifier's signal—long enough for us to disable it."
Lira hesitated, her hands trembling. "I don't know if I can... It's too much."
"You can," Rivan said firmly. "You've done it before, and you can do it again. We'll cover you."
Ardyn let out a sharp breath, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. But if this goes sideways, don't expect me to pull punches."
The Fractures' Desperation
As the group moved toward the amplifier, the fractures beneath the ground pulsed erratically, their chaotic rhythm spiraling out of control. The shards in Lira's pack flared brightly, their energy syncing with the fractures in jagged waves.
The fractures' whispers filled the air, louder and more urgent than ever.
"Balance demands strength. Chaos spreads. Act now."
Lira stopped abruptly, clutching her head as the whispers became deafening. The shards burned hot against her skin, their chaotic energy spiraling upward.
"They're pushing too hard," Lira said, her voice breaking. "I can't... I can't hold it."
Rivan stepped beside her, their tone calm but firm. "You don't have to hold it—just guide it. Let the shards do the rest."
Lira nodded weakly, closing her eyes as she focused on the fractures' chaotic rhythm. The shards' light spiraled outward, syncing with the fractures and forming a shimmering barrier that deflected the amplifier's pulses.
"It's working," Rivan said, notching an arrow. "Now let's finish this."