The wind screamed across the wasteland, carrying with it flecks of shimmering dust that clung to Kael's tattered cloak. Ahead, Rho moved with mechanical precision, its golden eyes scanning the horizon. The construct's presence had been unsettling at first, but Kael was beginning to see its value. If not for Rho's guidance, he doubted he'd have made it through the night.
Kael's hand drifted to his chest, where a faint, irregular thrum of energy pulsed beneath his skin. The loss of the Aether Crystal had destabilized his Resonance, leaving him vulnerable to the volatile currents of mana in the Expanse. Every step felt like a battle against an invisible tide, his strength ebbing with each passing moment.
"We must address your condition," Rho said, its voice cutting through the howling wind. "Without stabilization, your Resonance will collapse."
Kael grimaced. "And how do you propose we fix that? I don't exactly have a stash of Aether Crystals lying around."
Rho turned to face him, its golden eyes narrowing. "There is another way. Riskier, but feasible."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
The construct gestured to the faint, shimmering tendrils of mana that swirled through the air around them. "The Expanse is saturated with raw Aetheric energy. With my guidance, you can harness this energy directly to stabilize your Resonance."
Kael's jaw tightened. "That's insane. Direct absorption could kill me."
"Without intervention, your current state will also lead to death," Rho replied bluntly. "This is your best option. Trust is imperative."
Kael hesitated, his mind racing. He didn't trust Rho—not fully. But the alternative was a slow, agonizing decline. Gritting his teeth, he nodded. "Fine. What do I have to do?"
Rho stepped closer, its metallic hands raised as if to steady him. "Close your eyes and focus on your core. Visualize the energy within you as a flame, flickering but unbroken."
Kael did as instructed, his breathing shallow as he reached inward. The chaotic pulse of his Resonance flared in response, jagged and unstable.
"Good," Rho said. "Now, extend your awareness outward. Feel the currents of mana around you. They are wild, but they can be tamed."
Sweat beaded on Kael's brow as he followed Rho's guidance. The mana in the air was like a storm, chaotic and unyielding. He reached out cautiously, drawing a single thread of energy toward himself. The moment it touched his core, pain lanced through him, sharp and searing.
"Focus," Rho urged. "The pain is temporary. Bind the energy to your flame."
Kael's hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. The pain was overwhelming, but he forced himself to push through it, guiding the unruly thread of mana into his core. Slowly, the chaotic pulses began to steady, merging with his Resonance in a tenuous harmony.
When he opened his eyes, the world seemed sharper, more vivid. The currents of mana around him were no longer just a backdrop; he could see them, feel them, understand them.
"Stabilization achieved," Rho said, its tone almost approving. "Your Resonance is now temporarily balanced. However, the technique is incomplete. Prolonged exposure will be required to refine it."
Kael exhaled shakily, his legs trembling beneath him. "That was… intense."
"You performed adequately," Rho replied. "With further practice, your efficiency will improve."
Kael shot the construct a glare but didn't argue. He couldn't deny the results.
Their respite was short-lived. As they pressed deeper into the ruins, a low growl echoed through the air. Kael's hand went to his dagger, his eyes scanning the shadows. A pack of Lesser Mana Beasts emerged from the crumbled remains of a building, their crystalline hides glinting in the dim light.
The creatures moved as one, their glowing eyes fixed on Kael. He could feel their hunger, their predatory instincts sharpening as they closed in.
"Suggestions?" Kael muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.
"Utilize your enhanced Resonance," Rho said. "Channel it into a focused output. I will guide your technique."
Kael didn't have time to question the advice. The beasts charged, their claws ripping through the air. He raised his free hand, instinctively reaching for the mana around him. To his surprise, it responded, coalescing into a faint, glowing barrier that deflected the lead creature's strike.
The feedback jolted through him, but he gritted his teeth and pressed forward. Guided by Rho's instructions, he shaped the energy into a sharp arc, slashing through the air. The glowing blade of mana struck the nearest beast, sending it sprawling with a howl.
The remaining creatures hesitated, their movements wary. Kael seized the moment, darting between them with practiced agility. His dagger found its mark in the neck of one beast, while another fell to a concentrated blast of mana.
By the time the last creature lay motionless, Kael was gasping for breath, his body slick with sweat. He leaned against a crumbled wall, his hands trembling from the exertion.
"Effective," Rho said, stepping closer. "Your adaptability is commendable."
Kael snorted. "I'll take that as a compliment."
As they moved on, Kael's heightened senses caught a faint, rhythmic hum. He froze, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the horizon. In the distance, sleek, metallic shapes glinted in the fading light.
"Drones," he said under his breath.
Rho's gaze followed his, its eyes dimming slightly. "Citadel reconnaissance units. Their presence here is unexpected."
Kael's pulse quickened. The Citadel's reach was vast, but their drones rarely ventured into the Expanse. Whatever they were looking for, it couldn't be good.
"We need to move," he said, his voice tense. "If they're patrolling this area, we don't want to be here when they find whatever they're after."
Rho nodded. "Agreed. But their presence raises questions. The Citadel's interest in this region suggests significance beyond mere exploration."
Kael's jaw tightened. He didn't have the answers, but one thing was clear: the Citadel wasn't done with him yet. And if they were here, his journey was about to become far more dangerous.