> [Location: NovaCore — Inner Sanctum]
[Time: 16:48 PM]
[System Log: Critical Instability — Core Nexus Integrity 21%]
Arin sprinted through the shattered corridors, dodging debris and collapsing walls. Behind him, Elira battled desperately, holding off the relentless Reclaimer Commander. Every strike she delivered rippled through the unstable dimension, but the Commander's regenerative abilities were overwhelming.
"Arin, move!" she shouted, launching a surge of violet energy that momentarily blocked the Commander's path.
The Core Relay chamber was ahead — a circular vault glowing with unstable Pulse energy. It was the heart of NovaCore, the only mechanism capable of cutting power to the Void Engine and preventing a full Reclaimer takeover.
---
> [System Notice: Core Relay Override Possible — High Risk Operation]
[Warning: Failure will result in systemic collapse]
Arin's breathing was ragged, but he didn't hesitate.
"Do it."
> [Override Accepted — Initiating Emergency Protocol: E-7]
The control pedestal extended. Arin placed his palm on the interface. The Forbidden Core within him synced with the Nexus, sending a surge of feedback through his body.
[System Link Established]
[Pulse Feedback Critical — Core Integrity 47%]
Pain lanced through him as the system attempted to reject his unauthorized access.
"Xyro… lock it down!"
Xyro's voice was sharp in his mind.
"Engaging Core Synchronization Override. Brace for surge."
---
Outside, Elira was pushed to her limits. The Reclaimer Commander raised a hand, summoning a Temporal Distortion Field that began to reverse the damage inflicted on the facility.
"I warned you," the Commander growled. "Your defiance changes nothing."
But Elira smiled weakly. "You're wrong. Because this isn't your system anymore."
---
Back inside the Relay Chamber —
Arin's veins lit up as Forbidden Core tendrils intertwined with the Relay's architecture. The walls shook, alarms blaring.
> [System Update: Core Lock Override 92%… 95%… 98%…]
"Almost there…" Arin gritted his teeth.
Then—
> [Reclaimer Interference Detected]
> [Void Engine Integration Spike — Countermeasures Failing]
The Commander was forcing a system reboot through the Void Engine. Time was almost up.
---
Elira's voice cracked through.
"Arin — now!"
With the last of his strength, Arin triggered the emergency shutdown.
> [EMERGENCY CORE REBOOT ENGAGED]
[System Lockdown — Full Spectrum Pulse Emission Imminent]
A blinding surge of Pulse energy exploded outward, flooding the facility. The Core Relay activated, cutting all system access — both to the Reclaimers and NovaCore's corrupted command units.
---
Outside the chamber —
The Reclaimer Commander howled as the Pulse surge engulfed it, its body dissolving into fractured light.
Elira collapsed beside Arin as the energy receded, leaving behind a strange, calm silence.
> [System Status: Core Lockdown Successful — Threat Neutralized]
[Remaining Nexus Stability: 13%]
They had done it.
---
Rhea's voice came in over the commline.
"Arin… Elira… NovaCore's collapse is halted. The Void Engine is offline."
Arin exhaled shakily, leaning against the pedestal.
"We stopped them. But at what cost?"
Elira looked at him, her eyes tired but resolute.
"Now… we start taking it all back."
---
> [Main Quest Updated]
Objective: Secure the Remaining Core Relays
Secondary: Identify Surviving Reclaimer Units
Time Limit: 72 Hours
As dawn broke over the battered facility, Arin realized the war wasn't over.
This was just the first victory.