The fractures pulsed faintly as the strange energy rippled through the air, its glow casting long, shifting shadows over the broken terrain. Rivan knelt beside the glowing fissures, their sharp eyes tracing the subtle patterns of light that danced across the fractured ground.
"These aren't random," Rivan said, their tone thoughtful. "The fractures are forming a pattern—something deliberate."
Ardyn crouched beside them, her gaze scanning the terrain. "Deliberate, huh? You mean like a map?"
Rivan nodded slowly. "Or a message."
The fractures' light flared briefly, their rhythm syncing with the shards in Lira's abandoned pack. A faint hum filled the air, growing louder as the shards pulsed with chaotic energy.
"They're trying to tell us something," Rivan said, their voice steady. "But it's incomplete—like it's waiting for us to find the missing piece."
Ardyn frowned, her grip tightening on her blade. "Great. Another scavenger hunt. Let me guess—it's probably in the most dangerous place imaginable."
Rivan managed a faint smile. "Probably."
A Hidden Artifact
As they moved deeper into the fractured landscape, the strange energy grew stronger, distorting the air with faint ripples of light. The fractures beneath their feet pulsed steadily, their glow forming intricate patterns that guided their path.
"There," Rivan said, pointing to a distant structure partially hidden by jagged outcrops. Its crystalline surface glinted faintly in the fractures' light, its jagged edges covered in glowing symbols.
"What is it?" Ardyn asked, her tone cautious.
"A piece of the Nexus," Rivan replied, their voice filled with quiet awe. "Or what's left of it."
As they approached, the shards in Lira's pack flared brightly, their energy syncing with the glowing symbols on the structure. The fractures beneath the ground pulsed in time with the shards, their rhythm growing louder.
"It's connected to the fractures," Rivan said, their voice steady. "Whatever this is, it's part of the network."
Ardyn stepped forward, her blade raised defensively. "And what happens if we touch it? Does it blow up, or just try to eat us alive?"
Rivan hesitated, their expression thoughtful. "Only one way to find out."
Dominion's Encroachment
Far behind, Dominion's forces moved steadily through the fractured terrain, their movements precise as they followed the faint signal emitted by the fractures.
The commander stood near the front of the convoy, his gaze fixed on a holo-map displaying the group's location. "They're heading toward another Nexus artifact," he said, his tone clipped. "This is our chance to intercept them."
A junior officer hesitated. "Sir, the energy readings in that area are unstable. If we push too hard—"
"I know the risks," the commander interrupted, his tone icy. "But we can't let them reach that artifact first. Send the vanguard ahead and prepare for engagement."
"Yes, sir," the officer replied, issuing the order.
The Artifact's Energy
Back at the site, Rivan placed a hand on the crystalline structure, their touch light and cautious. The fractures beneath their feet pulsed brightly, their chaotic rhythm syncing with the structure's faint hum.
"It's reacting to the shards," Rivan said, their voice steady. "They're amplifying the fractures' energy—and unlocking whatever's in this artifact."
Ardyn frowned, her grip tightening on her blade. "Let's hope it's not unlocking something that wants to kill us."
The fractures' light flared suddenly, casting the site in blinding brilliance. The shimmering energy spiraled upward, forming a jagged vortex that pulsed in time with the shards.
Rivan stepped back, their expression filled with awe. "It's a key. The fractures—this artifact—it's part of the Nexus network. It's guiding us to something bigger."
"And probably deadlier," Ardyn muttered. "Because that's how our luck works."
A Looming Threat
The faint hum of engines echoed in the distance, growing louder as Dominion's convoy approached. The fractures beneath the ground trembled slightly, their chaotic rhythm shifting in response to the encroaching forces.
"They're coming," Ardyn said, her tone sharp. "We need to move—now."
Rivan turned to her, their voice calm but resolute. "We can't leave yet. The fractures are connected to this artifact—it's part of the network. If we don't understand it, we'll lose our only advantage."
"And if we stay, Dominion takes us out before we figure it out," Ardyn snapped.
Rivan hesitated, their gaze shifting between the artifact and the distant sound of engines. "We hold them off. Just long enough to unlock the fractures' next message."
Ardyn sighed, unsheathing her blade. "You better be right about this."