The moment the core began to crack—
Everything spiraled out of control.
A deep, thunderous sound echoed through the chamber, vibrating through the metallic walls and into the bones of everyone present. It wasn't just a sound—it was a warning.
The balance had been broken.
Emily's body remained suspended in the air, surrounded by violently flickering golden light. The energy no longer moved in smooth currents—it surged unpredictably, like a storm that had lost direction.
Her breathing became uneven.
Her chest burned.
"It's… too much…" she whispered, her voice barely steady.
Below her, Alexander looked up, his expression tightening with urgency.
"Emily!" he called. "You have to let go!"
But she couldn't.
Letting go didn't feel like an option anymore.
It felt like destruction.
"If I stop…" she said weakly, "…it won't stop."
The core pulsed again.
Louder.
Stronger.
