The makeshift container glowed faintly in Lyra's hands as she moved steadily through the damp, slippery terrain. The boots creaked on the soaked ground, each sound feeling like a muffled scream in the oppressive silence of the Dark Realm. In the distance, the black river flowed unnaturally calm, its opaque surface reflecting nothing but shadows.
"What percentage do you estimate we still need to get the ship running?" Lyra asked, glancing at the holographic screens that Lugh projected in the air beside her.
Lugh took a moment to respond as the three-dimensional map before her flickered, with distorted and blurry areas making it difficult to see where she was walking.
"Seventy percent at most... being optimistic," he answered, as if delivering bad news with a tone of relief.
Lyra stopped and turned her head toward the hologram, one eyebrow raised.
"Optimistic? Is that your way of comforting me, Lugh?" she asked, a mix of disbelief and sarcasm in her voice.
"I prefer to be realistic, but I thought a touch of optimism might motivate you," Lugh said, his voice bordering on irony. "Seems it didn't work. Besides, if we don't find more stable energy sources, even that thirty percent won't be enough to power the ship's basic systems."
Lyra pressed her lips together, staring at the container in her hands. The faint glow now seemed like an insult, a spark barely promising to survive.
"This won't do. We need more," she said, a mix of frustration and determination in her tone.
"Sure, because high-capacity energy reserves grow like mushrooms in this world," Lugh replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Maybe we should ask the shadows if they have a spare battery."
"Do you have anything useful to say, or are you just here to make annoying comments?" Lyra shot back, tightening her grip on the container.
"I'm just trying to ease the tension, Lyra. Though I must admit, your humor worsens when you're under pressure. It's fascinating, from a psychological standpoint."
Lyra let out a frustrated sigh and kept walking, adjusting the weight of the container as her eyes scanned the surroundings.
"There's no time for psychological analysis, Lugh. We need to find something else before the ship becomes completely inoperable."
A beep interrupted her march. The holographic screens flickered even more, and Lugh quickly adjusted the map parameters.
"Wait. I detect something... unusual two hundred meters ahead. It appears to be a source of energy, but there's alien radiation interference. It could be unstable."
"Everything here is unstable," Lyra murmured, adjusting the rifle on her back and continuing forward. "Lead the way."
"Of course, although I must warn you that the chances of finding a usable source are statistically low," Lugh said, returning to his neutral tone.
Lyra gave a bitter smile.
"As always, everything is more complicated than it should be. But at least I have my optimistic companion to cheer me up."
"That sounds like sarcasm, and you know I'm not good at interpreting it."
"Exactly," she responded, dropping any further attempts at conversation as her eyes focused on the path ahead of them.
The air grew denser with every step, the humidity soaking into her clothes and skin, but she didn't stop. Inside, a spark of determination grew despite the difficulties. She had to find that energy source. It didn't matter what guarded it or how unstable it might be. There was no room for failure. Not here, not now.
Lyra moved slowly among the ruins, each step calculated on the uneven terrain stretching before her. Her breathing, paced but tense, barely broke the heavy silence that enveloped the place. Suddenly, Lugh's voice resonated in her ear, like a whisper that seemed to emerge from the shadows themselves.
"This place has a fascinating structure," Lugh remarked, with a mix of admiration and caution. "It's clear it wasn't built by chance."
Lyra stopped by a fractured column, running her hand along the eroded surface. The symbols etched into it seemed to vibrate under her touch, as though alive.
"There's nothing in this world that's by chance, Lugh," she replied, her gaze fixed on the markings. "Every line, every curve, has a purpose."
"Exactly," Lugh responded, projecting a hologram that displayed the engravings in detail. "These patterns could be part of an energy system... or a map. We need more data."
"We always need more data," Lyra muttered with an ironic smile, not taking her eyes off the column. She crouched and picked up a fragment of stone that faintly glowed with a blue radiance. "Can you analyze this?"
The screen on her wrist flickered as Lugh processed the information.
"Interesting... It contains traces of concentrated paranormal energy. If we could replicate its configuration, maybe we could—"
The dry crack of breaking branches interrupted his words. Lyra spun around in an instant, her weapon ready in the blink of an eye.
"What was that?" she whispered, her eyes scanning the shadows between the nearby trees.
"Something's moving," Lugh warned, his voice now low. "I can't pinpoint it precisely, but you're not alone."
Lyra's heart raced, but her movements remained calculated. She took a step back, looking for a better position as she held her breath.
"Do you think we're being watched?"
"Without a doubt," Lugh responded. "There are multiple signals… they seem like sentinels. I wouldn't recommend engaging."
"And I wouldn't recommend running," Lyra replied firmly, her gaze fixed on the trees. Then she saw it: a tall, slender figure, barely visible against the shadows. Its eyes, two incandescent orbs, flared like torches in the dark.
"It's advancing," Lugh reported. "I suggest preparing an escape plan."
"I'm not going anywhere without finding out what this is," Lyra said, pointing at the circle of stones in the center of the clearing. "Whatever it is, they're protecting it."
The creatures began to emerge from between the trees, their elongated, distorted bodies moving with unnerving precision. Lyra watched them warily.
"They don't seem aggressive… yet," she remarked, more to herself than to Lugh.
"That could change at any moment," Lugh replied. "These entities seem to be part of the system. Custodians, perhaps."
Lyra adjusted her stance, pointing her weapon to the ground, indicating that she wasn't looking for an immediate confrontation.
"If they're protecting this place, it must be for something important. Can you get more readings from the node?"
"I'm working on it," Lugh confirmed. "But I'll need time. I suggest gaining some distance."
"Time is what we don't have," Lyra gritted her teeth as the creatures halted a few meters away from her, their eyes locked on her as if evaluating her. "Don't attack me, and I won't attack. How about that to start?"
"Talking to shadows might not be the best strategy."
"There's always a first time," Lyra replied, slowly lifting the stone fragment she had picked up. The creatures' eyes seemed to flicker in unison, as if they recognized the object. "Lugh... I think this fragment is the key."
"Then you'd better not lose it," Lugh responded. "But I must warn you, any misstep could trigger a hostile response."
Lyra gave a slight smile.
"As if my life isn't exciting enough already," she said, taking a step toward the circle of stones and watching as the blue light intensified. The glow illuminated the ruins as if challenging the surrounding darkness.
The creatures took a step back, their movements more cautious. Lyra remained calm, but her eyes never left the creatures, who were staring at her.
"Lugh... I think it worked."
"For now," the AI responded. "But I would recommend not letting your guard down."
"As if I ever do," Lyra murmured, as the node began emitting a faint hum that reverberated through her body. The sensation of having unleashed something much greater than she could comprehend became evident, but for the first time, she didn't feel fear. She felt hope.
Lyra slowly moved toward the pedestal, her steps echoing among the debris. Her eyes stayed fixed on the artifact resting in the center: a metallic cylinder that seemed to pulse with contained energy. Its surface emitted a faint, almost ghostly light, as if calling to her.
"This isn't just technology, is it?" Lyra said, not taking her eyes off the object.
"Correct," Lugh replied, his voice projected from the ship's speakers. "Preliminary analysis indicates a mix of physical and energetic properties that surpass any known design. If it is technology, it's light-years ahead."
Lyra extended her hand, letting her fingers brush the cold surface of the artifact. Nothing happened immediately, but an almost imperceptible current ran through her skin, as if the object were awakening.
"It's... as if it's alive," she murmured.
"Life, in this case, is a subjective term," Lugh replied. "Although I must admit, there's something peculiar. Its energy isn't constant, it fluctuates as if responding to external stimuli. For example... to you."
Lyra turned her head toward the corner of the room, where something in the shadows emitted a glow similar to that of the cylinder. She frowned and began to move.
"What are you doing, Lyra? We haven't determined if it's safe yet."
"When has it ever been safe here?" she replied with a half-smile. "Besides, if this is connected to the portal, I want to know more."
She leaned over a smaller pedestal, covered in inscriptions carved with intricate symbols. She ran her fingers over them, recognizing patterns similar to those she had seen on the column near the portal.
"Lugh, activate the scanner. I need a translation."
"I'm on it," the AI responded. Soon after, a hologram appeared in the air in front of her, displaying translated lines of text:
This sanctuary is a point of convergence. A place of balance between dimensions, where magic and logic intertwine. Here lies the key to uniting the worlds that the ancients traversed.
Lyra took a step back, processing each word cautiously.
"Unite the worlds? Destroy them? What the hell does that mean?"
"It means this place has a purpose," Lugh said, his usual calm tone present, though something in his voice seemed more unsettled than usual. "And that our actions here could have consequences far greater than we imagine."
Lyra crossed her arms, watching the artifact with a mix of awe and distrust.
"Do you think this has anything to do with why I'm here?"
Here is the translation of the text:
—"It would be statistically improbable that it weren't," Lugh replied logically. "Your arrival, the portal, these artifacts... Everything seems to be part of an interconnected system."
—"A system I don't understand," Lyra murmured, more to herself than to Lugh.
Silence stretched, heavy as a curtain falling between them, only interrupted by the distant whisper of the wind through the ruins. Finally, Lyra exhaled, her expression hardening. It seemed she had made a decision.
—"Fine, if this place wants answers, we'll rip them out. But, Lugh..."
—"Yes?"
—"Let it be clear: I have no intention of being just another piece in someone's game."
—"Your determination is remarkable," Lugh commented, with an almost admiring tone. "Although, technically, the odds are that you already are a piece..."
—"Don't say it!" Lyra interrupted, a frustrated snort escaping her. "Just worry about the next step."
—"As you wish. But a reminder: we still don't know how this artifact might respond... or react."
Lyra gazed at the cylinder once again, a defiant smile forming on her lips.
—"Then it better learn fast."
She walked forward with firm steps down the dark hallway, feeling the atmosphere of the place wrap around her. The shadows seemed to move with a life of their own, and the walls, covered in carvings, watched her with silent judgment. Imposing figures fought in the images, their faces distorted by the passage of time.
—"Do you see this, Lugh?" she asked, sliding her hand over one of the carvings. "These figures... guardians, perhaps warriors?"
—"Analysis indicates they are depictions of battles," Lugh replied, his voice technical and distant. "Although I can't pinpoint whether they are historical or symbolic. Their weapons and postures suggest they were guarding something important."
—"Something like what we're looking for?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, not expecting a real answer.
—"That would be speculation, but not improbable."
Lyra continued on until she reached a darker corner. There, among the rubble, she found a mural that made her stop. It depicted a blue and green planet, surrounded by portals. Some glowed with vibrant energy, while others seemed broken or sealed.
—"It's my planet," she whispered, the truth hitting her like an explosion. "It's Earth."
—"Confirmed," said Lugh, after a quick scan. "The characteristics match. But those portals... they're not terrestrial."
—"I know," Lyra murmured, studying every detail of the mural. "This is a map. Or a warning."
This thought led her to ponder the possibilities now before her. If these interdimensional portals could be activated, it would be a massive breakthrough, rendering space flights obsolete. But at the same time, an imminent invasion danger to all the farthest reaches of the world, if they fell into the wrong hands. The latter thought passed like a sinister shadow through her mind.
But then, like a flash through the mist, Lugh's voice pulled her from her reverie.
—"Lyra, wait. I've detected something," said Lugh, his usually calm tone now tinged with a spark of urgency. "On the ground, beneath you. A mineral."
Lyra frowned, not entirely understanding.
—"A mineral? What's so important about that?" she said, not taking her eyes off the vortex, which was starting to twist even more. The creatures were still advancing.
—"This is no ordinary mineral," Lugh explained, his holographic projections flickering as he processed the data. "Its properties are... exceptional. It contains a high concentration of energy. It's capable of generating an extremely high voltage, enough to activate emergency thermoelectric generators, and much more."
Lyra blinked. High voltage? That sounded like exactly what she needed.
—"Seriously? But how would we use it? The sun on this planet barely shines, and the solar generators only keep the basics running. I need something much more powerful to get the engines going," she said, glancing toward the horizon. The ship was practically waiting for a miracle.
—"Precisely. If you manage to obtain that mineral, you could use it to power the energy generator to a level sufficient to initiate lift-off," Lugh replied. "I'm analyzing the readings... This mineral should be more than enough."
Lyra tensed, her explorer's instinct taking control.
—"Where is it?" she asked quickly.
—"About one hundred meters northeast. It's buried under the ground, near a rock formation," Lugh replied, with the data projected in front of her.
—"Perfect. Let's go get it," Lyra said, a crooked smile forming, but a determined gleam in her eyes.
Before she could take a step, a shadow moved beside her. The creatures from the Dark Realm were already less than fifty meters away, their roars filling the air with a disturbing echo. A couple of the largest ones began to move slowly, as if savoring the tension in the air.
Lyra turned to them quickly, calculating her next move. The mineral would be the key, but she also needed to survive those monsters.
—"Well, it's not like the way back is easy," she murmured, more to herself than to Lugh, with an ironic laugh. In the blink of an eye, she activated her physical enhancements with a subtle blink. Her leg muscles tensed, her body preparing for action.
—"Don't worry, Lyra. I'll be monitoring everything," Lugh said with his usual calm tone.
—"I know, Lugh!" she replied as she ran toward the northeast, dodging rocks and brush, while the creatures advanced after her.
The energy in her body seemed to overflow as she moved at superhuman speed. She was used to moving fast, but now, with the magic of this dark world pulsing inside her, she felt a lightness that almost bordered on the supernatural. The creatures, heavy and clumsy, followed at a distance that was just perfect to give her time, but also close enough that danger was imminent.
—"Lyra, they're getting closer," warned Lugh.
"I know," she replied, her breath coming in rapid gasps as she continued running. The rocky terrain was covered in dust and debris, but she kept her course steady, guided by Lugh's coordinates.
Lyra stopped dead in her tracks, spinning around with the precision of a cornered predator. Her breathing, fast and shallow, was the only sound competing with the roars of the approaching creatures. She raised her laser rifle, feeling the familiar weight of the weapon in her hands, and aimed at the mass of shadows writhing at the edge of her vision.
"Lugh, any weak points?" she asked, adjusting the visor integrated into her helmet to lock onto the targets.
"Their heads, specifically the areas where the bones appear exposed," Lugh responded calmly, though his tone suggested time was running out. "But don't get distracted; they're fast when they attack."
Lyra squinted and let her finger rest on the trigger. A bright pulse lit up the area as the laser shot out, its trajectory perfect, guided by both her instinct and Lugh's calculations. The first creature was struck in the skull; a blinding spark marked the impact before it collapsed with a muffled roar.
The others didn't stop. The gap between them and Lyra closed quickly, their grotesque figures becoming clearer with each step.
"Another!" Lugh shouted.
Lyra swung the rifle swiftly, firing two consecutive bursts. One hit, taking down one of the beasts, but the other missed, striking a nearby rock and sending a shower of debris into the air.
"I can't hold this position much longer," she muttered, stepping back a few paces while continuing to fire.
"Run toward the opening to your left," Lugh instructed. "You'll gain some ground while reloading."
Lyra nodded, firing one last burst before turning and rushing toward the indicated spot. The laser still crackled in the air behind her as the creatures roared, maddened by the loss of their prey.
She finally reached the rocky formation where the mineral was buried. A violet glow began to emanate from a crack in the earth, as though the very ground was breathing.
"There it is. Now or never," Lyra said, eyeing the glow cautiously.
She knelt down and, with fierce determination, began to dig. The mineral soon appeared, a dark, gleaming crystal that seemed to absorb the light around it. She lifted it with surprising ease, thanks to the enhancements in her body.
"I've got it," Lyra said, breathing heavily, the crystal vibrating in her hand.
At that moment, the roar of the creatures reverberated louder. The massive shadow of one loomed over Lyra, its eyes shining like beacons in the darkness.
"Come on, Lyra, don't stop now," Lugh urged, almost like a whisper, but filled with urgency.
With the mineral in hand, Lyra quickly spun around and began to run back toward the ship. The creatures were still behind her, but she knew she had something far more important in her palm: the power needed to escape this nightmare of a planet.
Lyra Nyx was not going to stay there.