The storm churned around them, a relentless vortex of wind and energy that grew more chaotic with every step. The path ahead was treacherous, platforms shifting erratically, forcing the group to move carefully. Above, lightning streaked across the dark sky, illuminating the distant glow of the third node.

“The storm’s ramping up,” Aeris said, shielding her face as a gust tore past her. “I don’t suppose the last node will be easier than the first two?”

“Doubtful,” Vera replied, her shield braced against the wind. “We’re getting closer to the core. Whatever’s waiting for us will be stronger.”

“Great,” Aeris muttered, notching another bolt into her crossbow. “Why do I feel like we’re walking into a giant trap?”

“Because we are,” Kael said with a grin, his axes crackling faintly with energy. “The difference is, I like traps.”

“We’ll see how much you like it when we’re fighting for our lives,” Calia said dryly, her sharp gaze fixed on the storm’s patterns.

The third node’s platform loomed closer, but the storm intensified as if sensing their approach. Constructs materialized in the air, their forms larger and more defined than before. These weren’t the smaller, darting figures they’d faced earlier. These were hulking, humanoid shapes, their glowing forms crackling with lightning and wind.

“Those don’t look friendly,” Koina said, her chakrams spinning at her sides.

“Friendly’s overrated,” Kael replied, stepping forward. “Let’s see what they’ve got.”

Before anyone could stop him, Kael charged, his axes blazing with fiery energy. He swung wildly at the nearest construct, his strikes sending bursts of light into the storm.

“Reckless as ever,” Calia muttered, following close behind. Her rapier flickered with ley line energy as she moved with precision, striking at the constructs’ weak points.

“Stay focused,” Vera commanded, positioning herself to defend Koina and Aeris. “We need to disable that node.”

The battle was chaotic, the storm amplifying the constructs’ attacks. Kael fought with unrelenting ferocity, each swing of his axes tearing through the constructs’ defenses. Calia moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and calculated, dismantling the constructs with surgical precision.

Aeris leapt between platforms, firing bolts that distracted the constructs and created openings for the others. Vera held the center, her shield absorbing powerful gusts of wind as she directed the group’s movements.

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Koina worked tirelessly to stabilize the platforms, her chakrams emitting calming ripples of energy that counteracted the storm’s instability.

“They’re stronger than before,” Koina said, her voice strained as she sent her chakrams spinning toward a nearby construct.

“They’re buying time,” Calia replied, slicing through a glowing symbol etched into the platform. “The node’s defenses are adapting.”

“Then we break them faster,” Kael growled, smashing another construct with a fiery swing.

As the group fought, a new threat emerged. The storm shifted, coalescing into a massive whirlwind that hovered over the platform. From within the whirlwind, a figure began to take shape—a construct far larger and more powerful than any they’d faced so far.

The storm-formed giant roared, its voice reverberating across the platforms. Lightning arced from its body, striking the ground around it and forcing the group to scatter.

“What the hell is that?” Aeris shouted, narrowly avoiding a bolt of lightning.

“An enforcer,” Calia said, her voice calm but tense. “It’s guarding the node directly.”

“Good,” Kael said, his grin widening. “Let’s take it down.”

“Not so fast,” Vera said, grabbing his arm. “This isn’t something we can just smash through. We need a strategy.”

Kael pulled free, his axes glowing brighter. “Strategy’s for later. Right now, we fight.”

The battle against the enforcer was grueling. The construct’s strikes were devastating, each swing of its massive arms creating shockwaves that shook the platforms. The group worked together, their movements coordinated despite the chaos.

Aeris darted around the edges of the platform, firing bolts that disrupted the enforcer’s balance. Vera blocked its powerful strikes, her shield glowing with ley line energy as it absorbed the impact.

Calia focused on the storm’s patterns, her rapier glowing as she struck at the enforcer’s weak points. Kael attacked with relentless fury, his fiery strikes carving through the construct’s defenses.

Koina provided support, her chakrams creating zones of stability that allowed the group to regroup and recover.

“We need to disrupt its core!” Calia shouted, dodging a swing from the enforcer. “The storm is fueling it. If we break the connection, it’ll collapse.”

“Say no more,” Kael said, charging toward the enforcer.

Kael’s reckless charge drew the enforcer’s attention, giving the others a chance to strike. Vera and Aeris coordinated their attacks, distracting the construct long enough for Calia to identify its core.

“There!” Calia shouted, pointing to a glowing symbol on the enforcer’s chest.

Koina’s chakrams struck the symbol, disrupting its energy flow. The enforcer roared, its body flickering as the storm around it faltered.

“Now!” Vera commanded.

Kael’s axes blazed as he delivered the final blow, striking the enforcer’s core with all his strength. The construct shattered, its energy dissipating into the storm.

The platform stabilized, the node’s glow fading as the storm around it began to calm. The group stood in silence, catching their breath.

“That’s three,” Vera said, her tone steady but tired.

“And the storm’s still here,” Aeris added, gesturing to the swirling chaos around them. “What now?”

Calia stepped forward, her eyes on the distant glow of the ley line core. “We’ve weakened its defenses, but the core is still resisting. The hardest part is yet to come.”

Koina nodded, her expression determined. “Then we keep going.”

As the group moved toward the core, a shadowed figure watched from above. His piercing blue eyes lingered on the group, his gaze softening as he saw Koina’s resolve.

“Almost there,” he murmured to himself before vanishing into the storm.