The air was thin and cold as Jiang Xia and her team ascended the rugged mountain trail. The next stabilizer, one of Gao's hidden Rift transmitters, was buried deep within the mountain's core. According to Li Wen's data, it was smaller than the others but highly active, with energy readings spiking to dangerous levels.
"This isn't just another stabilizer," Li Wen said, his breath visible in the frosty air. "It's acting like a conduit. If we don't take it out, it might reactivate the dormant Rift energy."
"Gao's always two steps ahead," Xu Min muttered, scanning the jagged path ahead. "It's no coincidence he put this one out here, away from everything."
Jiang Xia adjusted her gear, her gaze steady. "Then we make sure it's the last thing he controls. Let's move."
---
The Hidden Facility
The entrance to the stabilizer site was carved into the mountainside, partially obscured by a rockslide. The team worked together to clear the debris, revealing a heavy steel door covered in faded symbols. The air around the entrance shimmered faintly, a telltale sign of Rift energy.
"This isn't just a hidden bunker," Li Wen said, running his scanner over the door. "It's shielded—designed to contain whatever's inside."
"Or keep something out," Qin Chuan muttered, his hand resting on his weapon.
Li Wen connected his laptop to the control panel, bypassing the security system with practiced ease. The door opened with a low hiss, revealing a dark tunnel leading into the mountain.
"Stay sharp," Jiang Xia said, leading the way inside.
---
The Tunnel's Secrets
The tunnel was damp and cold, the walls lined with cables and pipes glowing faintly with Rift energy. The deeper they went, the more the environment seemed to shift. Shadows flickered on the walls, and faint whispers echoed through the air.
"This place feels alive," Xu Min said, her voice low.
"It's the Rift energy," Li Wen replied. "It's bleeding into the structure, warping everything around it."
The team reached a large chamber where the stabilizer hummed with power. The cylindrical device pulsed with light, surrounded by conduits feeding into the mountain's core.
"There it is," Li Wen said, setting up his equipment. "But something's wrong. The energy levels are unstable—like it's building toward something."
"Can you shut it down?" Jiang Xia asked.
"I can try," Li Wen said, his voice tense. "But if it's this unstable, taking it offline might trigger a chain reaction."
"Then we handle it," Jiang Xia said. "Do what you need to do. We'll cover you."
---
The Rift Awakens
As Li Wen began his work, the stabilizer emitted a low, resonating hum. The conduits pulsed violently, and the air grew heavy with energy. Shadows coalesced at the edges of the chamber, forming into remnants larger and more aggressive than any the team had encountered before.
"Here they come!" Qin Chuan shouted, raising his weapon.
The battle was fierce. Jiang Xia moved with precision, her blade cutting through the remnants with calculated strikes. Xu Min and Qin Chuan held the line, their weapons blazing as they fought back the onslaught.
"Li Wen, how much longer?" Jiang Xia yelled, dodging a swipe from one of the remnants.
"I'm almost there!" Li Wen shouted, his fingers flying over his keyboard. "But the stabilizer's resisting. It's like it doesn't want to shut down."
---
Gao's Warning
As the stabilizer's energy spiked, a familiar voice echoed through the chamber. Gao's holographic projection appeared above the device, his expression calm and composed.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," he said, his tone almost amused. "But this stabilizer is different. It's not just transmitting energy—it's harnessing it. You destroy this, and you might destroy more than you realize."
"Better than letting you finish your plan," Jiang Xia snapped.
Gao smirked. "You still don't see the bigger picture, do you? The Architects were only the beginning. The Rift is evolving, and so am I."
The projection flickered and disappeared, leaving the team to face the chaos.
---
The Collapse
"Got it!" Li Wen shouted as the stabilizer emitted a high-pitched whine. The conduits began to rupture, releasing bursts of energy that shook the chamber violently.
"We need to move!" Xu Min yelled, firing at a remnant blocking their path.
The team sprinted toward the exit as the stabilizer collapsed in a blinding flash of light. The ground shook beneath them, and debris rained down from the ceiling. They barely made it out of the tunnel before the entrance caved in behind them.
---
Aftermath
The team stood outside the collapsed tunnel, catching their breath. The mountain was eerily silent, the stabilizer's energy gone.
"That's one less problem to deal with," Qin Chuan said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
Li Wen checked his laptop, his expression grim. "The energy readings are dropping, but Gao wasn't lying. This stabilizer wasn't just transmitting—it was evolving. We need to figure out what he meant before we take out the next one."
Jiang Xia stared at the horizon, her resolve hardening. "Whatever he's planning, we'll stop it. One step at a time."
With the mountain behind them, the team set their sights on the next target: the harbor.