The Corruption Engine trembled violently as Rivan's hand pressed against its jagged surface. The fractures' chaotic energy spiraled upward, clashing with the engine's destabilizing pulses in a storm of blinding light and deafening sound.
"The fractures are pushing back," Rivan said, their voice strained. "But they can't hold on much longer."
Ardyn deflected another barrage of energy blasts, her blade slicing cleanly through the nearest attacker. "Then hurry up and do something, because I can't keep this up forever!"
The fractures' whispers filled the air, overlapping into fragmented words that echoed through Rivan's mind.
"Chaos must... be contained. Balance demands... action. The Custodian must act."
Rivan's breathing steadied as they focused on the fractures' chaotic rhythm. The shards in their pack flared brightly, their energy syncing with the fractures in erratic pulses.
"They're guiding me," Rivan said, their tone calm despite the chaos. "I just need to disrupt the engine's output—long enough for the fractures to stabilize."
The Engine's Resistance
As Rivan adjusted their grip, the engine emitted a massive pulse of energy that sent shockwaves through the fractured terrain. The ground trembled violently, cracks spreading outward in jagged lines that glowed with chaotic light.
Rivan staggered, their hands trembling as the fractures' whispers grew louder. The shards in their pack burned hot, their chaotic energy spiraling upward in jagged waves.
"It's fighting back," Rivan said, their voice filled with quiet awe. "The engine—it's connected to the fractures, but it's trying to twist them, to corrupt them."
"Then twist it back," Ardyn shouted, slicing through another attacker with ruthless efficiency. "Because if you don't, we're all done for!"
The fractures' light flared brightly, their chaotic rhythm syncing with the shards in a resonant pulse. Rivan closed their eyes, focusing on the fractures' energy as it spiraled upward, clashing with the engine's destabilizing output.
Dominion's Escalation
The commander stood at the edge of the encampment, his expression dark as he watched the engine's erratic pulses. The chaotic energy rippling through the terrain was growing stronger, threatening to destabilize the entire area.
"Prepare the secondary amplifier," he ordered, his voice sharp.
A junior officer hesitated. "Sir, the fractures are already unstable. If we activate the secondary amplifier—"
"I know the risks," the commander interrupted, his tone icy. "But we're out of time. Activate it now."
The officer nodded reluctantly, relaying the order. A second device flared to life nearby, its jagged spires glowing with chaotic light that mirrored the Corruption Engine's destabilizing pulses.
The fractures beneath the ground trembled violently, their erratic rhythm spiraling out of control.
A Desperate Defense
The fractures' chaotic energy surged upward, casting the site in blinding brilliance as the secondary amplifier came online. Ardyn glanced toward the new device, her expression tense.
"They're doubling down," she said sharply. "Can you handle that, or do we need to run?"
Rivan shook their head, their focus locked on the engine. "If we run, the fractures will collapse completely. This is our only chance."
"Great," Ardyn muttered, gripping her blade tightly. "I'll hold them off—just don't take too long."
Dominion's soldiers advanced in waves, their weapons blazing with Nexus energy. Ardyn moved with precision, her blade cutting through the attackers with brutal efficiency. Despite her skill, the sheer number of soldiers threatened to overwhelm her.
"Rivan!" she shouted, deflecting another barrage of energy blasts. "Whatever you're doing, do it now!"
The Fractures' Choice
The fractures' whispers filled the air, their fragmented words forming a single, urgent plea.
"Contain chaos. Balance demands... sacrifice. Unity... fragile."
Rivan's hands trembled as the fractures' energy spiraled upward, syncing with the shards in a resonant pulse. The Corruption Engine groaned, its jagged spires trembling as the fractures' light flared brightly.
"I see it," Rivan said, their voice trembling. "The fractures—they're showing me how to stabilize them. But it's risky."
Ardyn glanced back at them, her expression fierce. "Risky is all we've got right now. Do it!"
Rivan exhaled slowly, their breathing steadying as they placed both hands on the engine's surface. The fractures' light pulsed brighter, their chaotic rhythm subsiding into a steady, harmonious beat.
The engine emitted a final, violent pulse of energy before falling silent. Its jagged spires dimmed, their chaotic light extinguished as the fractures' energy surged upward in a resonant wave.
The Aftermath
The fractured terrain grew still as the Corruption Engine collapsed, its destabilizing influence replaced by the fractures' steady, harmonious glow. The whispers in Rivan's mind quieted, their fragmented words replaced by a single, calming presence.
"It's done," Rivan said, their voice faint. "The fractures are stabilizing."
Ardyn sheathed her blade, her breathing uneven as she surveyed the wreckage. "For now," she said grimly. "But Dominion's not going to stop—they'll be back, and next time, they'll bring something worse."
The fractures beneath them pulsed faintly, their steady rhythm a quiet reminder of the fragile balance they had just preserved.
"We'll be ready," Rivan said, their tone resolute.
The fractures' light flared one final time, casting the site in an ethereal glow. The path ahead was uncertain, but the fractures' guidance was clear: their journey was far from over.