Chapter 9: The Fallout
The Iron Order's acquisition of the Shard of Dominion reverberated across the continent, though few outside the Order's upper echelons understood the true implications. In the days following the mission, The Bastion buzzed with activity. Scientists worked tirelessly to study the Shard, while soldiers celebrated their apparent victory.
But beneath the surface, tensions simmered. The Shard of Dominion was unlike the Shard of Ascension. It pulsed with a malevolent energy that seemed to seep into everything around it. People in proximity to the Shard grew restless, irritable, and some even claimed to hear faint whispers—promises of power and control.
High Overseer Rael was no exception. Alone in his private chamber, he sat before the Shard, its energy reflecting off the smooth surface of his featureless mask. His gloved hand hovered just above its surface, the heat and energy radiating from the crystal both repelling and enticing him.
"Such potential," Rael murmured. "With you, we will remake this world."
The Shard pulsed, and for a brief moment, Rael felt something press against his mind—a presence. It wasn't like the whispers of the Shard of Ascension, subtle and manipulative. This was raw, overwhelming, and utterly alien. It felt as though the Shard itself was watching him, judging him.
Rael's hand trembled, but he refused to pull away. "I am no mere mortal. You will obey me."
The Shard's glow intensified, filling the room with blinding light. Rael staggered back, clutching his head as a voice echoed in his mind, deep and resonant.
"Mortal. You seek dominion, but you cannot comprehend the weight of power. Submit… or be consumed."
Unrest in the Ranks
Meanwhile, in the lower levels of The Bastion, unrest was spreading. Soldiers who had been part of the Obsidian Wastes expedition reported nightmares of fire and destruction. Some claimed to have seen the Guardian's glowing eyes in their dreams, watching them from the darkness.
Commander Veyra dismissed the concerns as battle fatigue, but even she couldn't deny the strange atmosphere permeating the facility. The Shard's influence was growing, reaching further with each passing day.
Late one night, Veyra found herself summoned to the high-security research lab where the Shard was being studied. The lead scientist, Dr. Alaric, met her at the entrance, his face pale and drawn.
"Commander, we have a situation," he said, his voice trembling.
"What kind of situation?" Veyra demanded.
Alaric led her into the lab, where the Shard of Dominion hovered within its containment field. Around it, the advanced equipment designed to stabilize its energy was sparking and malfunctioning. Technicians worked frantically to repair the systems, but the air was heavy with tension.
"It's the Shard," Alaric explained. "Its energy output has increased exponentially since we brought it here. We've already lost three containment rigs. If this continues—"
Before he could finish, the Shard flared, sending out a shockwave that knocked everyone to the ground. Alaric scrambled to his feet, staring in horror as the containment field around the Shard began to flicker.
"We can't control it!" he shouted.
The Shard Unleashed
As the containment field collapsed, the Shard's energy surged outward, engulfing the lab in a storm of glowing light. The technicians closest to the Shard screamed as their bodies were consumed by its power, their forms twisting into monstrous shapes.
Veyra stood her ground, activating her exosuit to shield herself from the worst of the blast. "Evacuate the lab! Now!" she ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos.
Alaric hesitated, his gaze fixed on the Shard. "We can't just abandon it! The research—"
Veyra grabbed him by the collar and shoved him toward the exit. "Move, or you'll end up like them!"
The transformed technicians turned toward Veyra, their glowing eyes filled with mindless rage. They lunged at her, their movements unnaturally fast and erratic. Veyra drew her blade, slashing through the nearest one, but more kept coming.
Outside the lab, alarms blared as the entire facility went into lockdown. Soldiers rushed to contain the outbreak, but the corrupted beings proved nearly unstoppable.
Rael's Revelation
In his chamber, High Overseer Rael watched the chaos unfold through holographic monitors. The Shard's voice echoed in his mind, relentless and insistent.
"This is but a fraction of my power. Unleash me, and the world will bow before you."
Rael clenched his fists, his thoughts a storm of ambition and fear. "This is not how I envisioned our rise. You will not control me!"
"Foolish mortal," the Shard replied. "Control is an illusion. You will serve me, or you will fall."
For the first time, doubt crept into Rael's mind. The Shard's power was undeniable, but it was also unpredictable—dangerous in ways he had not foreseen.
The Turning Point
By morning, The Bastion was in ruins. The corrupted beings had been contained, but not before causing catastrophic damage. Hundreds of soldiers and scientists lay dead, and whispers of dissent spread through the surviving ranks.
Commander Veyra stood in the war room, her armor scorched and battered. "We can't keep this up," she told Rael. "The Shard is too dangerous. If we lose control again, it won't just be The Bastion at risk—it'll be the entire region."
Rael's masked face betrayed no emotion, but his silence spoke volumes. Finally, he said, "The Shard is the key to everything. We cannot abandon it."
Veyra's eyes narrowed. "At what cost?"
Rael turned to her, his voice colder than ever. "At any cost, Commander. If you cannot see that, perhaps you are not fit to lead."
Veyra's jaw tightened, but she said nothing. As she left the room, her mind churned with doubt. The Shard was powerful, yes, but it was also tearing the Iron Order apart from within.
In the shadows of the corridor, a lone figure watched her go, their presence unseen. The Warden spy who had followed the Order to The Bastion knew what had to be done.
"The Shard will destroy them," the spy murmured to themselves. "And if Kael doesn't act soon, it'll destroy everything else too."