The Node’s hum grew louder in Clara’s hands as she stared into its pulsating glow. She felt its power, its desire to be wielded, but beneath that was a darker truth. The connection was alive, but it wasn’t hers to control—it had its own purpose, its own will.

“Kael,” she said quietly, “I can’t let this go on. The Node’s power is too dangerous. If I keep it, I’ll only invite more chaos. I need to destroy it.”

Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Destroy it? Do you understand what you’re saying? If you fail, the Node could unleash forces far worse than anything you’ve seen.”

Clara met his gaze, her resolve unwavering. “If I don’t try, it’ll destroy everything anyway. It’s not meant to exist.”

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Kael studied her for a long moment, then nodded. “If that’s your choice, then I’ll help you. But you need to understand—destroying the Node will require more than just willpower. You’ll have to sever its connection to every dimension it’s touched.”

“How?” Clara asked.

Kael reached into his pack and pulled out a small, crystalline shard. “This is a disruptor. It’s designed to sever connections to interdimensional bridges. If we can embed this into the Node’s core, it should collapse the network it’s built.”

Clara took the shard, its surface cold against her skin. “And the vial? The liquid?”

Kael’s expression darkened. “The liquid is the Node’s anchor. Destroying it will destabilize the Node further, but it’ll also make it more volatile. You’ll need to act quickly.”

Clara nodded, her determination growing. “Then let’s finish this.”