The Iron Spire shrank behind us, its dark silhouette vanishing into the horizon as we pushed further into the wilderness. The faint hum of the crystal in my hand was the only reminder of what we had left behind—a stabilized Nexus, a fragmented creature of shadow, and Ecclesion forces that were surely regrouping as we moved.

The forest around us was dense and quiet, the kind of quiet that felt intentional. Every sound we made—the crunch of boots on fallen leaves, the rustle of branches—seemed to echo too loudly, as if the world itself was waiting for something to break the tension.

Ryla was the first to speak, her voice low and sharp. “You all felt it, didn’t you? That thing back in the Spire—it wasn’t just a creature. It was connected to something bigger.”

“Connected?” Farron asked, glancing over his shoulder. “It was the bigger thing, or at least part of it. Whatever’s on the other side of the barrier, it’s not waiting for an invitation anymore.”

Jessa led the way, her blade still unsheathed and ready at her side. “It wasn’t just trying to kill us,” she said, her voice tense. “It was feeding off the Nexus. Using it to grow stronger.”

“Which means the next Nexus is going to be worse,” Orin added, his tone grim.

“Not necessarily,” I said, gripping the crystal tighter. “The Nexuses respond to the energy around them. If we stabilize them before Ecclesion—or whatever else—is involved, we might be able to stop this from happening again.”

“That’s a big if,” Ryla said.

The group fell into silence again as we moved through the forest, the tension thick enough to cut.

I couldn’t shake the image of the creature from my mind—the way it had shifted and grown, drawing strength from the Nexus even as we fought to sever its connection. It hadn’t just been a mindless manifestation of energy. It had been deliberate, aware, and intent on breaking free.

And if that was only a fragment...

I forced the thought aside, focusing on the faint hum of the crystal in my hand. Its energy had stabilized, syncing with the Nexus at the Spire, but the pull toward the next Nexus was faint—distant.

“Where to next?” Jessa asked, breaking the silence.

“The crystal will guide us,” I said, though my confidence felt hollow.

We stopped near a stream as the sun began to set, its golden light filtering through the trees in broken patches. Ryla crouched near the water, filling a small flask while the rest of us dropped our packs and stretched our aching limbs.

“We can’t keep running forever,” she said, her gaze fixed on the stream. “Ecclesion is going to catch up eventually. If they get to the next Nexus before we do...”

“They won’t,” Jessa said firmly.

Ryla shot her a sharp look. “You don’t know that. They’ve been one step ahead of us this entire time. And now there’s this... thing pushing through the barrier? We don’t even know what we’re up against!”

“We do now,” I said, stepping forward. “The Nexuses aren’t just locks. They’re bridges. Conduits. And whatever’s on the other side is trying to use them to cross into our world.”

Farron leaned against a tree, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “So what’s the plan? Keep stabilizing these things and hope the barrier doesn’t completely fall apart?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “We’re not just stabilizing them anymore. We need to find a way to seal them permanently.”

Ryla frowned. “Seal them? How? The traveler said destroying a Nexus could break the barrier even faster.”

“The traveler also said it could delay the inevitable,” I said. “If we seal the connection to the void before destroying the Nexus, we might be able to buy ourselves time.”

“That’s a hell of a gamble,” Orin said.

“It’s the only choice we have,” Jessa said, her tone hard.

The mention of the traveler brought his words back into sharp focus: “The path widens, but only you can decide where it leads.”

I stared at the crystal in my hand, its faint hum a reminder of the power I carried—and the weight of the choices ahead.

“I don’t think the traveler’s done with us,” I said quietly. “He’ll show up again. He always does.”

“And when he does?” Jessa asked.

“We make him tell us the truth,” I said.

The forest grew darker as the sun dipped below the horizon, the shadows stretching long and deep around us. We lit a small fire, its flickering light barely cutting through the oppressive gloom.

The silence was uneasy, broken only by the crackle of flames and the distant rustle of leaves in the wind.

“Do you think the barrier’s already broken somewhere?” Farron asked, his voice low.

“No,” I said. “But it’s cracking. Every Nexus we stabilize buys us time, but it’s not enough. Whatever’s pushing against the barrier, it’s getting stronger.”

Ryla leaned back against a tree, her expression tense. “And if we can’t stop it?”

I didn’t answer right away. The truth was, I didn’t know if we could.

But I couldn’t say that.

“We will,” Jessa said, her voice cutting through the tension. “We don’t have another choice.”

Farron let out a dry laugh. “Optimistic as ever. Love that about you, Jessa.”

She didn’t smile.

As the fire burned lower, the crystal in my hand pulsed faintly, its rhythm syncing with the distant pull of the next Nexus.

“It’s further south,” I said, staring into the darkness. “Through the Deadlands.”

Ryla’s expression darkened. “The Deadlands? That’s Ecclesion territory. Their strongest outposts are stationed there.”

“That’s why the next Nexus is there,” I said. “They’re not just tracking the Nexuses—they’re fortifying them. Using their energy to power their war machine.”

“And if we go into the Deadlands,” Orin said, his voice grim, “we won’t just be fighting soldiers. We’ll be fighting their entire army.”

Jessa met his gaze, her expression unyielding. “Then we’ll fight. If Ecclesion controls the next Nexus, it’s over. We stop them there, or we don’t stop them at all.”

The weight of her words settled over us like a heavy cloak, but no one argued.

We extinguished the fire and prepared to move again, the pull of the crystal guiding us toward the next battle.

The Deadlands awaited—a place of ruin and death, where Ecclesion’s power was at its strongest.

And beyond that, the next step on the path.

A step we couldn’t afford to falter on.

The journey toward the Deadlands was a slow, grinding march through increasingly hostile terrain. The forest’s dense canopy began to thin, its ancient trees giving way to gnarled, skeletal remains that twisted upward like claws. The ground beneath our feet was dry and cracked, the air heavy with the faint metallic tang of decay and ash.

The pull of the crystal grew stronger with every step, its faint hum vibrating against my palm like a heartbeat. It was leading us closer to the next Nexus—closer to Ecclesion and their fortified hold in the Deadlands.

Ryla crouched near a cluster of jagged rocks, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. “We’re close to the border,” she said quietly. “Beyond this ridge, we’ll be in Ecclesion’s territory.”

“Great,” Farron muttered, crouching beside her. “And here I thought today couldn’t get any better.”

Jessa joined them, her expression grim as she surveyed the barren landscape stretching out below. “Ryla’s right. There’s no cover past this point. We’ll need to move carefully.”

I knelt beside her, following her gaze. The Deadlands were aptly named. The once-fertile valley below was a wasteland of cracked earth and scorched remnants of what had likely been farmland or villages. In the distance, the faint outline of an Ecclesion outpost rose against the horizon, its walls bristling with watchtowers and patrols.

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“Any ideas?” Orin asked, his voice low.

“Go around?” Farron offered, though his tone lacked conviction.

“No time,” Jessa said. “If Ecclesion’s already near the next Nexus, every second we waste is another chance for them to get there first.”

I gripped the crystal tightly, its hum steady and insistent. “The Nexus is close. We don’t need to take the outpost—we just need to get through.”

“And how do you suggest we do that?” Ryla asked, her voice sharp.

“The stream,” I said, pointing to a narrow river cutting through the valley. Its banks were jagged and overgrown with weeds, offering at least some cover.

Jessa nodded, her gaze following the stream’s path. “It leads toward the outpost, but it might get us close enough to slip past their patrols.”

Ryla frowned but didn’t argue. “If we’re doing this, we need to move now. The longer we wait, the harder it’ll be to avoid being seen.”

The descent into the valley was tense, every sound feeling too loud in the oppressive silence of the Deadlands. The stream offered some cover, its shallow banks dipping just enough to shield us from the watchtowers above.

Farron muttered under his breath as we moved, his usual sarcasm taking on a nervous edge. “Remind me again why we keep sneaking into places full of people who want to kill us?”

“Because you’re good at it,” Jessa said flatly, her focus fixed ahead.

Farron gave a dry chuckle. “Flattery will get you nowhere, boss.”

The stream led us closer to the outpost, its dark, sluggish water reflecting the faint glow of Ecclesion’s runes etched into the walls above. The closer we got, the more oppressive the air became. The faint hum of the Nexus was stronger now, resonating with the crystal in a way that made my chest ache.

“They’re using the Nexus’s energy,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jessa glanced back at me. “How can you tell?”

“The crystal,” I said, holding it up. Its faint light pulsed in sync with the runes on the walls, the connection between them undeniable. “The closer we get, the stronger it gets. They’ve tapped into the Nexus somehow.”

The outpost loomed above us as we reached the edge of the stream, its walls high and reinforced with dark stone. Ecclesion soldiers patrolled the battlements, their golden armor glinting faintly in the light of the runes.

“We can’t go through,” Ryla said, her voice tight. “Not with those patrols.”

“We don’t have to,” I said, pointing toward a narrow culvert near the base of the wall. Water from the stream trickled into it, disappearing into the darkness beyond.

“Another tunnel,” Farron said with a sigh. “Because that’s worked out so well for us so far.”

“It’s our best option,” Jessa said. “Stay close and keep quiet.”

The culvert was narrow and foul-smelling, its walls slick with moisture and algae. The faint sound of water dripping echoed through the tunnel as we moved, the dim light from the crystal our only guide.

The tension was palpable, every step feeling like it could give us away. But the sound of boots on stone and the occasional muffled voices from above told us we were still beneath the outpost—still hidden, for now.

The tunnel sloped upward, the air growing colder as we climbed. The hum of the Nexus was stronger now, its rhythm almost deafening in the confined space.

We emerged into a small chamber carved into the rock beneath the outpost. The walls were lined with machinery, their surfaces etched with Ecclesion’s glowing runes. At the center of the room was a conduit—a massive device connected to the Nexus’s energy.

“They’re harnessing it,” I said, my stomach twisting at the sight. “They’re using the Nexus to power this entire outpost.”

“And what happens if we destroy it?” Ryla asked, her bow drawn.

“The whole place goes dark,” Jessa said. “Including their defenses.”

The crystal in my hand flared brighter as I approached the conduit, its energy syncing with the chaotic hum of the machinery.

“This isn’t going to be quiet,” I said, glancing back at the others.

Jessa nodded, her blade in hand. “Do it. We’ll cover you.”

I pressed the crystal against the conduit, its energy surging into the machine. The reaction was immediate. The runes on the walls flared brightly, their light flickering erratically as the hum of the machinery grew louder.

The sound of shouting echoed from above, the soldiers realizing too late that something was wrong.

The conduit groaned, sparks flying as the crystal’s energy overwhelmed it. The runes dimmed and then went dark, the hum of the machinery fading into silence.

The room shook violently as the outpost’s defenses collapsed, the sound of stone grinding against stone filling the air.

“We need to move!” Jessa shouted, pulling me back as a section of the ceiling caved in.

The faint glow of the crystal guided us through the chaos, the sounds of shouting and collapsing stone fading behind us as we slipped back into the tunnel.

When we emerged on the other side, the outpost was in ruins, its walls crumbling and its defenses silenced.

But the pull of the Nexus was stronger than ever, its energy radiating from somewhere deeper in the Deadlands.

“We’re close,” I said, my breath ragged.

“Then let’s finish this,” Jessa said, her gaze hard.

We pressed on, the weight of the crystal in my hand a constant reminder of the battle still ahead.

The next Nexus waited.

And with it, the next step toward the barrier’s breaking point.

The Deadlands stretched out before us like a scar on the earth, the barren ground cracked and lifeless under a dim sky that seemed perpetually choked with ash. The oppressive air made every breath feel heavier, every step harder.

But the pull of the Nexus was unmistakable now. It tugged at the crystal in my hand like a magnet, its hum growing stronger with each passing moment.

Ryla crouched low near the edge of a crumbling ridge, her sharp eyes scanning the horizon. “There,” she said, pointing toward the ruins of what looked like an old temple, half-buried in the cracked earth. “That has to be it.”

I followed her gaze. The temple was a jagged mess of collapsed stone and leaning pillars, its once-grand structure marred by time and neglect. But even from here, I could see the faint glow emanating from its heart—a rhythmic pulse that matched the energy of the crystal.

“That’s the Nexus,” I said.

“Of course it’s in the middle of that,” Farron muttered, brushing dust off his cloak. “It couldn’t just be sitting in a nice open field, could it?”

“The ruins are our best cover,” Jessa said, her tone clipped. “If Ecclesion’s already there, we’ll need the element of surprise.”

“They’re here,” Orin said, his voice low. He gestured toward a group of figures moving near the temple’s entrance. Golden armor caught the dim light as Ecclesion soldiers moved in pairs, their patrols methodical.

Ryla squinted, her expression tightening. “It’s not just guards. Look there.”

She pointed to a robed figure standing near the entrance, their hands raised as they worked to inscribe runes into the stone. The runes pulsed faintly, their light spreading across the entrance like veins.

“They’re sealing it,” I said, the realization hitting me like a punch.

“Sealing it?” Jessa asked, frowning.

“They’re locking us out,” I said. “And locking the Nexus in.”

The faint hum of the crystal surged as I gripped it tighter, its energy pushing against the oppressive pull of the Nexus.

“They’re not just fortifying it,” I said, my voice grim. “They’re trying to control it. If they seal it and channel its energy, they’ll have complete control over the barrier. They’ll be able to weaken or break it at will.”

“And unleash whatever’s on the other side,” Orin added, his tone dark.

Jessa’s jaw tightened. “Then we don’t let them finish.”

We moved toward the temple, sticking to the shadows of the crumbling terrain. The patrols were regular but predictable, their movements easy to anticipate as we slipped closer to the ruins.

The robed figure continued their work at the entrance, the runes on the stone glowing brighter as they chanted in a low, guttural tone.

“We need to take them out first,” Jessa said, her eyes narrowing. “They’re the key to the seal. Without them, the runes will fail.”

“What about the guards?” Farron asked, his bow drawn.

“Leave them to us,” Jessa said. “Ash, Ryla—focus on the robed figure. The rest of us will handle the soldiers.”

We split into position, each of us taking cover behind the jagged remains of the temple’s outer walls. The air was heavy with tension, every sound amplified in the oppressive silence of the Deadlands.

Ryla was the first to strike, her arrow flying true and striking one of the guards in the neck before he could react. The second arrow followed immediately, finding its mark in another soldier’s chest.

Chaos erupted as the remaining guards scrambled to defend the temple. Jessa and Orin charged in, their blades flashing as they engaged the soldiers in brutal, close combat.

I moved toward the entrance, the hum of Shadow Veil cloaking me in darkness as I approached the robed figure. Ryla was beside me, her movements silent and precise as we closed the distance.

The figure turned sharply as we approached, their glowing eyes narrowing beneath their hood. “You should not be here,” they said, their voice layered and resonant.

“Neither should you,” I said, raising the crystal.

The figure raised a hand, and the runes on the stone flared violently, sending a wave of energy surging toward us. I activated Resonance Barrier, the faint shield absorbing the brunt of the attack but forcing me back a step.

Ryla loosed an arrow, but the figure moved with unnatural speed, their robes billowing as they avoided the strike. They raised both hands this time, and the air around them shimmered as shadows coalesced into familiar forms.

The Echoed.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered, gripping the crystal tighter as the shadowy figures surged forward.

Ryla cursed under her breath, her bow drawn as she fired at the nearest Echoed. The arrow struck its mark, dissolving into the figure’s form but slowing its advance.

“Keep them busy!” I shouted, focusing on the robed figure.

The crystal flared in my hand as I channeled its energy toward the runes on the stone. The hum grew louder, clashing with the figure’s chanting as the opposing forces fought for control.

“You do not understand what you are doing,” the figure said, their voice sharp and cutting. “The barrier must be broken. Only then can balance be restored.”

“Balance?” I snapped, pushing the crystal’s energy harder. “Destroying the barrier won’t restore anything. It’ll end everything!”

The figure’s glowing eyes burned brighter. “You are the anomaly. You do not belong here. You cannot comprehend what must be done.”

The runes on the stone flared again, their chaotic light lashing out like tendrils. I gritted my teeth, the crystal in my hand pushing back with its steady, rhythmic pulse.

The Echoed swarmed around us, their movements synchronized and relentless. Ryla fought fiercely beside me, her arrows striking true even as the shadowy figures closed in.

“Almost there!” I shouted, the energy from the crystal beginning to overwhelm the runes’ chaotic light.

The robed figure let out a guttural growl, their chanting growing more frantic as they raised both hands in a final, desperate surge of power.

The crystal’s light surged, its energy flooding into the runes and shattering their connection in a brilliant flash. The figure staggered, their chanting cut off as the runes dimmed and went dark.

The Echoed dissolved into wisps of shadow, their forms collapsing as the energy sustaining them faded.

The figure glared at me, their glowing eyes dimming. “You are delaying the inevitable,” they said, their voice cold. “The path will open, and you cannot stop it.”

“Watch me,” I said, stepping forward.

The figure raised a hand, but before they could strike, Ryla loosed an arrow that struck them squarely in the chest.

They crumpled to the ground, their body dissolving into ash as the Nexus’s pulse grew stronger.

The others regrouped at the entrance, their weapons bloodied but their resolve unshaken.

“It’s done,” Jessa said, breathing heavily.

“For now,” Orin said, glancing at the glowing heart of the temple.

The Nexus pulsed faintly, its chaotic energy stabilizing under the influence of the crystal.

But even as I stared at the fractured structure, I couldn’t shake the weight of the figure’s words.

The path will open.

And with each step we took, that truth became harder to ignore.