The interior of Marcus's workshop was even more chaotic than when they had left it. The tremors had knocked several items from shelves, and a thin layer of dust covered everything. Marcus moved with purpose, pulling open drawers and cabinets, gathering an assortment of crystals of different sizes and colors.
"These are tuning crystals from various magical traditions," he explained, laying them out on a table that he hastily cleared. "Each resonates at a different frequency naturally, but they can be adjusted by a skilled practitioner."
Alan examined the collection with growing excitement. There were about a dozen crystals in total, ranging from the size of a pebble to one as large as his palm. They varied in color—clear, blue, amber, violet—and some seemed to have internal structures that refracted light in complex patterns.
"This is perfect," he said, already mentally calculating how to arrange them for maximum effect. "If we can create a network of interference patterns, we might be able to establish a safe corridor through the shadow entities."
Marcus watched him with interest. "You grasp the concept quickly for someone who claims magic doesn't exist in your world."
"It's not magic to me—it's applied physics," Alan replied, selecting a clear crystal that seemed to respond to his touch with a faint hum. "Wave interference is a fundamental principle where I come from. If two waves meet, they can either amplify each other or cancel each other out, depending on their phase relationship."
He arranged the crystals in a rough circle on the table. "What we need is a way to link these together, to synchronize their outputs while maintaining specific phase differences."
Marcus nodded thoughtfully and moved to another cabinet. "There are ritual configurations for harmonizing multiple energy sources." He returned with a roll of thin silver wire and a small hammer. "This wire is specially alloyed to conduct magical energy. We use it for complex spellwork that requires multiple focal points."
As Marcus began cutting lengths of the wire, Alan continued arranging the crystals, guided by his understanding of wave physics. "We'll need to create a primary resonance pattern first, then overlay secondary patterns to address different frequencies the entities might exhibit."
"You speak of magic as though it were a science," Marcus observed, handing him the first piece of wire.
Alan carefully connected two of the crystals. "Where I come from, any sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic, and vice versa. The principles are what matter, not what we call them."
Working together, they created an intricate network of crystals connected by the silver wire. Alan directed the arrangement based on wave theory, while Marcus provided insights on how magical energies typically flowed. The result was unlike anything either had created before—a hybrid of scientific precision and magical tradition.
"Now for the power source," Marcus said, producing a larger crystal from his satchel. This one was deep blue with swirling patterns inside, like a miniature galaxy captured in stone. "This is a stellar core crystal—rare and powerful. It can provide the energy needed to activate the entire array."
He placed it in the center of their creation. "Normally, activating such a configuration would require a complex ritual and possibly multiple spellcasters. But given your unique... resonance with these energies, you might be able to initiate it directly."
Alan looked uncertain. "I'm not sure how I did it with the single crystal. It was instinctive."
"That's often how magic begins," Marcus said with a hint of a smile. "Intention and visualization are key. Think of it as programming your quantum wave functions, if that helps."
Another violent tremor shook the building, stronger than any before. Dust and small debris rained down from the ceiling.
"We're running out of time," Marcus said grimly. "The Void Rifts are expanding faster than I've ever seen."
Alan took a deep breath and placed his hands on either side of the array, not quite touching it. He closed his eyes, trying to visualize the wave patterns he wanted to create—complex, interlocking fields of energy that would generate destructive interference against the shadow entities.
To his surprise, he could almost see the patterns forming in his mind, as if his consciousness was directly interfacing with the quantum field around him. It was similar to what he had experienced in his laboratory just before the accident, but more controlled, more directed.
"I can feel it," he murmured, eyes still closed. "The wave functions... they're responding."
Marcus watched in fascination as the crystals began to glow, first faintly, then with increasing brightness. The silver wires connecting them started to shimmer, energy visibly flowing through the network in precisely the pattern Alan had designed.
"Remarkable," Marcus whispered. "You're channeling energy like a master spellcaster, but the pattern is unlike anything I've seen."
The central stellar crystal pulsed with blue-white light, sending waves of energy through the connected smaller crystals. Each crystal began to emit a tone, barely audible individually but creating a complex chord when combined.
Alan opened his eyes, seeing the physical manifestation of what he had visualized. "It's working! The interference pattern is establishing itself." He could feel the energy field extending outward from the array, creating a bubble of altered quantum states around them.
"We need to move this to the southern road," Marcus said, already preparing a cloth to wrap the delicate arrangement. "Can you maintain the activation while we transport it?"
Alan nodded, keeping his focus on the energy flow. "I think so, as long as the physical configuration isn't disrupted too much."
Carefully, they wrapped the cloth around the array, leaving the top open so Alan could maintain visual contact. The crystals continued to glow and hum as Marcus lifted the bundle.
"Stay close to me," Marcus instructed as they headed for the door. "The village is likely in full evacuation now, and panic makes people unpredictable."