Chapter 10: The Iron Order's Gambit
Deep in the heart of the Iron Order's headquarters, a sprawling underground facility known as The Bastion, Commander Veyra stood before a massive, glowing display. The air hummed with tension as dozens of high-ranking officers gathered in the circular war room. Holographic maps floated above the central table, marking locations where residual Shard energy had been detected.
At the head of the room sat High Overseer Rael, the enigmatic leader of the Iron Order. His face was hidden behind a featureless metal mask, its polished surface reflecting the faint blue light of the displays. His voice, distorted yet commanding, filled the chamber.
"Commander Veyra," Rael said, "your failure at the Sunken Hold cost us valuable time. Explain yourself."
Veyra straightened, her expression impassive despite the weight of his words. "Kael Draven and his ally were more formidable than anticipated. The Beacon was destroyed, but I've confirmed that the Wardens' records spoke the truth. The Shards are connected. If we recover one, it will lead us to the others."
Rael leaned forward, his masked visage tilting slightly. "And do you believe Draven will stop hunting for them?"
"No," Veyra replied. "But that will work to our advantage. We can use him."
Murmurs rippled through the room. One officer, a man with a heavily augmented body, sneered. "Draven is a liability, not a tool. He destroyed the Shard of Ascension. He cannot be trusted."
Veyra's icy gaze cut through him. "You underestimate him. Draven is strong, yes—but his strength comes from desperation. He doesn't understand the Shards, and that will be his downfall. If we track his movements, he'll lead us to the remaining fragments."
Rael raised a hand, silencing the room. "Your assessment is intriguing, Commander. But it's not enough to follow him. We need leverage."
Another officer, a wiry woman with sharp features, spoke up. "What of the corrupted remnants from the Shard of Ascension? Our scientists recovered traces of its energy. Perhaps we can harness it to… persuade him."
Project Dominion
Rael turned his attention to the holographic display, which shifted to show a laboratory filled with containment chambers. Inside one of the chambers was a figure writhing in pain, their body distorted by glowing veins of Shard energy.
"Project Dominion is progressing," the scientist overseeing the experiment announced, his voice crackling through the speakers. "The energy extracted from the Shard fragment has proven… unstable. Subjects show extreme aggression and a rapid decline in mental stability."
Rael watched the footage in silence as the subject howled, their body contorting before collapsing. The chamber's lights dimmed, signaling the failure of yet another experiment.
"It's imperfect," the scientist admitted, "but promising. If we can stabilize the energy, we could create soldiers capable of wielding Shard power without succumbing to its corruption."
"And if you can't?" Rael asked.
The scientist hesitated. "Then we'll use the unstable results as a weapon. Deploy them against Draven and his allies. They won't know how to counter it."
Rael considered this, his fingers tapping lightly on the edge of the table. "Continue your work. But do not lose sight of our true goal: recovering a complete Shard."
The Shard of Dominion
As the room quieted, Rael activated another display. A map appeared, highlighting a distant region deep within the Obsidian Wastes—a desolate, volcanic expanse said to be uninhabitable.
"Our scouts have confirmed the presence of a Shard buried within these lands," Rael announced. "The Shard of Dominion, once wielded by the tyrant-god who nearly destroyed this world. Its power is unmatched, and it will serve as the keystone for our plans."
Veyra stepped closer, studying the map. "If the Shard is buried there, why haven't we retrieved it yet?"
"The terrain is treacherous, and the energy emissions disrupt our equipment," Rael explained. "But the greatest obstacle is the Guardian."
At this, the hologram shifted to reveal a towering, armored figure standing amidst molten lava. Its body radiated heat, and its eyes glowed like embers.
"The Guardian was created to protect the Shard of Dominion," Rael said. "It is ancient, relentless, and impervious to conventional weapons."
Veyra's lips curled into a cold smile. "Then it's a good thing the Iron Order doesn't rely on 'conventional' methods."
A Race Against Time
As the meeting adjourned, Rael summoned Veyra privately.
"Commander," he said, his tone softer but no less menacing, "you've proven yourself resourceful. That's why I'm entrusting you with this mission."
Veyra inclined her head. "You want me to retrieve the Shard of Dominion."
"Yes," Rael confirmed. "But I also want Draven alive. His strength could serve us, and if it cannot, it will serve as an example of what happens to those who stand against the Order."
Veyra hesitated, a rare flicker of doubt crossing her face. "And if he destroys the Shard, as he did before?"
Rael's mask seemed to glint in the dim light. "Then we will ensure he pays the ultimate price. Either way, he will play his role in the rise of the new order."
The Hunt Begins
As the Iron Order prepared for their expedition into the Obsidian Wastes, their scientists worked tirelessly to perfect their experiments. Soldiers armed with advanced weaponry boarded transports, their faces grim with purpose.
And at the heart of it all, Commander Veyra stood ready, her icy resolve unwavering.
"This time," she murmured to herself, "Kael Draven won't escape."