The storm clouds rolled heavier as Kaela, Arin, and Riven pushed deeper into the ruins, following the map left behind in the Genesis Core's memory.
Their bodies still ached from the fight with Vraen.
Every breath was a struggle.
But the thought of hope kept them moving.
The Vault was supposed to house something ancient.
Something powerful enough to stop the Hollowborn — or at least slow it down.
If it even still existed.
---
The Last Steps
They reached the Vault at the bottom of a sunken crater —
an old temple-like structure, half-buried in sand and broken metal.
Massive stone doors, carved with strange runes, stood cracked open just enough for a person to slip through.
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
Far off, they could hear the Hollowborn's howls — distant but growing louder.
> "We're running out of time," Kaela muttered, clutching the Core tighter.
Without a word, they slipped inside.
---
Inside the Vault
Cold air blasted them as they entered.
The Vault was like a tomb —
Ancient machinery lined the walls.
Giant statues of forgotten warriors loomed from the shadows.
Strange tubes ran along the ceiling, glowing faintly with dying power.
At the far end, a pedestal —
and on it, a weapon unlike anything they had ever seen.
A spear.
Forged of black and silver metal, humming with sleeping energy.
> "That's it," Riven whispered.
"It has to be."
Arin stepped closer, inspecting the mechanism binding the spear.
> "It's locked. We need the Core to wake it up."
Kaela nodded grimly.
She pressed the Genesis Core against the pedestal.
A surge of energy raced through the room —
lights flickered to life —
the ground shook.
The seal began to break.
---
Enemy Factions Arrive
Suddenly—
Explosions rocked the Vault entrance.
Rubble fell from the ceiling.
The shadows filled with armed soldiers, cloaked assassins, rogue agents.
Multiple factions —
The Crimson Hands (mercenary killers)
The Pale Choir (tech-worshipping fanatics)
The Broken Chain (rebels who wanted the world reborn in chaos)
They all poured into the Vault, weapons drawn, eyes locked greedily on the Genesis Core.
> "Get it!"
"Kill the carriers!"
"Seize the weapon!"
Kaela cursed under her breath, drawing her sword.
> "They're here for the Core!"
Arin grinned wildly, even through his pain.
> "Good. I was starting to worry today would be boring."
Riven, already firing his pistol into the first wave of attackers, shouted:
> "We can't hold them forever!"
---
Desperate Battle
Chaos erupted.
Kaela parried a mercenary's blade, countering with a brutal slash across his chest.
Arin moved like a phantom, dodging and stabbing, keeping the assassins at bay.
Riven covered them both, sniping enemies before they even reached striking distance.
But there were too many.
For every one they dropped, three more flooded in.
The Genesis Core flickered in Kaela's hands — struggling to keep the weapon's awakening stable while they fought.
Sweat ran down her forehead.
If they failed now, it was all over.
---
A Greater Threat Approaches
And then...
Everything stopped.
A terrible, bone-deep growl echoed from the crater outside.
The air grew heavier —
choking, freezing.
All the fighting factions paused, turning toward the Vault entrance in horror.
Something massive was moving through the ruins.
Something that should not exist.
And it was coming straight for them.
---
The Hollowborn had found them.
But it wasn't the Hollowborn they had wounded before.
This one had changed.
Taller than the ruined spires.
Covered in jagged, armor-like bone.
Eyes burning like dying suns.
Its roars shattered stone.
Even the mercenaries and assassins who had fought without fear now trembled, many dropping their weapons and fleeing blindly.
It didn't matter.
The Hollowborn saw them.
It smelled the Genesis Core.
And it wanted it.
> "We're out of time!" Kaela screamed, pushing the Core harder into the pedestal.
The spear glowed brighter — almost there —
Almost—
The Hollowborn's claws tore through the Vault walls, dust and debris raining down.
Riven fired desperately, bullets bouncing harmlessly off its hide.
Arin slashed at a broken pillar to create a collapse to slow it down.
Kaela kept focusing on the Core, tears of frustration in her eyes.
> "Just a little more! Please...!"