The hum of the deactivated constructs lingered in Jasrik Thorn's ears as the group pressed deeper into the Sovereign Vault. The air grew heavier with each step, thick with raw fragment energy that pulsed faintly in the walls and floor. The path ahead twisted like a vein in the earth, narrowing until even the faint glow of the crystalline walls seemed to press in on them.
Jas led the way, his bionic arm sparking faintly as the Havok Fragment stirred restlessly. The fragment's chaotic energy pulled at him, responding to the overwhelming power radiating from the vault. It wasn't just a physical sensation—it was a whisper in his mind, an urging he couldn't ignore.
Behind him, Sela Wren and Merrik Ironspire followed in uneasy silence. Sela's violet eyes darted between the shifting patterns in the walls, her wings flickering faintly with fragment energy. Merrik, ever the pessimist, muttered curses under his breath as he trailed behind, his wrench clutched tightly in his hand.
"Still think this is worth it?" Merrik asked, breaking the silence. "We almost got diced by those constructs back there, and we haven't even seen the worst of this place yet."
"It's worth it," Sela said sharply. "The Sovereigns didn't build this place to leave it forgotten. Whatever's in here, it's meant to be found."
"Or meant to stay buried," Jas muttered, his voice low. His gaze fixed ahead, his mind racing with possibilities—and risks.
The corridor opened into another chamber, smaller but no less imposing. At its center stood a solitary pedestal, surrounded by faintly glowing runes etched into the floor. Above the pedestal floated a fragment, larger than any they had seen before. It shimmered with a deep, swirling green light, and its energy rippled through the room like a living presence.
Sela stepped forward slowly, her boots echoing against the stone. Her eyes widened as she approached the pedestal, her expression a mix of awe and hunger. "That's no ordinary fragment," she murmured.
Jas could feel it too. The fragment's energy wasn't just powerful—it was alive, a force so overwhelming that it made his Havok Fragment feel small by comparison. The chaotic energy in his bionic arm surged, almost as if in recognition, and Jas clenched his fist to keep it under control.
"Stay back," Jas said, his voice strained. "That thing isn't stable."
Sela glanced at him, her brow furrowed. "We didn't come all this way to walk away empty-handed, Thorn. If this is what the Sovereigns were hiding, it's exactly what we need."
Jas stepped closer, his body tense. "You don't know what it'll do. Fragments like this—they don't just give you power. They take something, too."
Sela ignored him, reaching out toward the fragment. The moment her fingers brushed the edge of its glow, a shockwave erupted from the pedestal, hurling her backward. She hit the ground hard, her wings flickering weakly as she struggled to sit up.
"What the hell?" Merrik yelled, ducking instinctively as the shockwave echoed through the chamber.
Jas staggered but managed to stay on his feet. The green fragment's glow intensified, and the runes around the pedestal began to shift, their patterns rearranging rapidly. The room's energy spiked, and Jas's bionic arm roared to life, its chaotic sparks dancing wildly.
"It's reacting to you," Sela said, her voice hoarse. She pushed herself up, her gaze fixed on Jas. "The Havok Fragment. It's connected to this place."
Jas stepped closer to the pedestal, his bionic fingers trembling as the energy in the room surged around him. The fragment pulsed, each beat pulling at him harder, urging him to take it. He could feel its power—raw, untamed, and dangerous.
"What are you waiting for?" Sela demanded. "Take it!"
Jas hesitated. The fragment's energy was like a storm, promising strength but demanding control he wasn't sure he had. His heart pounded as he extended his hand toward it, the Havok Fragment roaring in response.
Before he could touch it, a faint sound reached his ears—distant, but growing louder. The hum of engines. Voices echoing down the corridor. He turned sharply, his instincts kicking in.
"Company," Merrik said grimly, gripping his wrench tighter.
The glow of approaching lights flickered against the walls, and the air grew colder. The telltale sound of fragment-powered weapons hummed through the corridor, sending a chill down Jas's spine.
"The Syndicate," Sela muttered, raising her rifle. "They must've tracked us."
"Or waited for us to clear the defenses," Merrik added bitterly.
Jas glanced at the fragment, then at the group. "We can't fight them here. This place is too unstable."
"And we can't leave this behind," Sela shot back, her eyes darting to the glowing shard.
Jas clenched his teeth. The fragment's pull was stronger now, the urge to take it almost overwhelming. But the risk was too great—not just for him, but for all of them.
"We come back for it," he said finally. "If we survive."
Sela didn't look convinced, but she nodded reluctantly. "Then we'd better move."
The group retreated down the corridor, the glow of the Syndicate's lights growing brighter behind them. The sound of boots on stone echoed through the vault, accompanied by the low murmur of voices and the hum of powered weapons.
Jas's pulse quickened as they neared the docking chamber where the Rusted Drake was waiting. He glanced back, his bionic arm sparking faintly in the dim light. The Syndicate was closing in fast, and they wouldn't stop until they had the fragment—or left no one alive.
Sela stopped suddenly, raising her rifle. "They're here."
The first Syndicate enforcer stepped into view, his weapon glowing with fragment energy. Sela fired first, her shot hitting the enforcer square in the chest and sending him sprawling. More enforcers poured into the corridor, their weapons blazing.
"Keep moving!" Jas shouted, firing his sidearm as he darted toward the docking bay. Sela's wings flared as she leapt into action, her rifle barking with precision as she covered their retreat. Merrik, weaponless and cursing, scrambled ahead, his voice rising in a stream of complaints.
Jas's bionic arm roared to life as another enforcer lunged at him. He slammed his fist into the man's chest, the chaotic energy sending him flying into the wall. Another attacker swung a blade at him, but Jas ducked, twisting and driving his elbow into the enforcer's stomach before finishing him with a swift punch.
"Thorn, we can't hold them forever!" Sela yelled, firing another shot.
"I know!" Jas growled. "Just keep moving!"
The group burst into the docking chamber, the Rusted Drake waiting like a lifeline. Merrik was already at the controls, the ship's engines glowing faintly as they powered up.
"Get on board!" Merrik shouted. "We're out of time!"
Jas and Sela scrambled onto the ship as the Syndicate forces poured into the chamber. The Drake's guns roared to life, laying down covering fire as Merrik lifted the ship off the ground.
Jas collapsed onto the deck, his breath ragged and his bionic arm sparking weakly. Sela slumped beside him, her wings flickering faintly.
"That was too close," she said, her voice tight.
"It's not over," Jas replied, his gaze fixed on the vault as it disappeared into the distance. The green fragment's image burned in his mind, its energy still pulling at him. "Not yet."