The platforms leading to the second storm node were even more treacherous than the first. The winds howled relentlessly, carrying shards of stinging energy that forced Koina, Aeris, and Vera to move cautiously.

“How many of these storm nodes do we have to deal with?” Aeris asked, her tone a mix of frustration and curiosity.

“Until the storm stops trying to kill us,” Vera replied bluntly, her shield raised to deflect an incoming gust.

Koina’s gaze lingered on the glowing symbols etched into the nearby platform. “The ley line core is testing us, seeing if we can endure its defenses. Each node we disable brings us closer to the core, but it also makes the storm more volatile.”

Aeris scoffed, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “Great. Love it when the stakes get higher for no reason.”

“It’s not for no reason,” Vera countered. “This realm thrives on unpredictability. To stabilize it, we have to prove we’re stronger than the storm.”

“Wonderful pep talk,” Aeris said with a smirk. “I’m feeling so inspired.”

The next platform was covered in glowing patterns, their shifting designs pulsing with ley line energy. As the group stepped forward, the patterns rippled, and a low hum filled the air.

“We need to tread carefully,” Koina warned.

“You don’t say,” Aeris quipped, watching as the patterns began to move, forming a spiraling maze across the platform.

From the center of the maze, a construct of shimmering wind and light emerged. Unlike the chaotic forms they had faced earlier, this one was precise, its edges sharp and symmetrical.

“Something’s different,” Vera said, her grip tightening on her sword. “This isn’t just chaos. It’s controlled.”

Before anyone could respond, the construct charged.

The group sprang into action. Vera stood firm, her shield absorbing the construct’s attacks as it unleashed precise strikes of concentrated wind. Koina’s chakrams spun outward, creating brief moments of calm that allowed Aeris to fire bolts into the construct’s core.

But no matter how many strikes they landed, the construct reformed, its energy surging back into place.

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“It’s drawing power from the maze,” Koina realized, her eyes scanning the shifting patterns. “We have to disrupt it.”

“Disrupt it how?” Aeris asked, dodging a blast of wind.

“We break the pattern,” Vera said decisively. “If the maze is feeding it, we dismantle the maze.”

As they began to target the glowing patterns, a sudden bolt of energy shot across the platform, striking the construct and destabilizing it.

“What was that?” Aeris asked, spinning around to find the source.

A figure emerged from the storm. Clad in elegant robes with silvery-white hair tied into a precise bun, Calia Ardent strode forward, her rapier glowing with ley line energy.

“That’s how you disrupt a pattern,” Calia said calmly, her piercing gray eyes scanning the battlefield.

“Who’s this one?” Aeris asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Calia Ardent,” she replied curtly, already analyzing the shifting maze. “And if you want to survive this storm, you’ll listen.”

Calia quickly took control of the situation. Her sharp gaze followed the maze’s shifting patterns, calculating their movements with precision.

“The maze isn’t random,” she explained, deflecting a wind blast with her rapier. “It follows a predictable sequence. If we strike the right points in the pattern, we can collapse it and weaken the construct.”

“And if we strike the wrong points?” Aeris asked, her tone skeptical.

“It gets worse,” Calia replied, unfazed. “So don’t miss.”

“You must be a hit at parties,” Aeris muttered, earning a smirk from Koina.

Under Calia’s direction, the group worked to dismantle the maze. Aeris darted between platforms, using her agility to reach the weaker points while Vera provided cover with her shield. Koina’s chakrams disrupted the maze’s energy flow, creating openings for Calia to strike.

Despite their efforts, the construct fought back fiercely, its attacks growing more precise with each passing moment.

“This thing really doesn’t want us to win,” Aeris said, narrowly dodging a gust of wind that splintered a nearby platform.

“That makes two of us,” Calia said, her voice steely as she landed a precise blow on a critical point in the maze.

The final moments of the battle were chaotic. The maze’s patterns began to collapse, their energy surging toward the construct.

“It’s drawing everything into one last attack!” Koina shouted.

“Then we finish this now,” Vera said, stepping forward with her shield raised.

Calia nodded, her rapier glowing brighter. “Focus your attacks on the core. It’s the only way to stop it.”

With coordinated strikes, the group overwhelmed the construct. Aeris’s bolts, Vera’s calculated strikes, Koina’s stabilizing chakrams, and Calia’s precision rapier dismantled the energy core. The construct shattered, its remnants dissolving into the storm.

As the platform stabilized, the group took a moment to catch their breath.

“Not bad,” Aeris said, giving Calia a nod. “You might actually be useful.”

Calia raised an eyebrow. “High praise coming from someone who shoots first and thinks later.”

“Hey, it works.”

“Enough,” Vera interjected, her tone firm. “We need to move. The storm is only going to get worse.”

Koina glanced at the storm’s edge, her gaze lingering. The sense of being watched was back, stronger than before. But as she scanned the swirling winds, there was no sign of anyone.

“Let’s go,” she said quietly, following the others toward the next node.

Above, hidden among the clouds, the shadowed figure watched them disappear into the storm, a faint smile tugging at their lips.