đ„ A Mission at Dawn
Before the sun rose, the team gatheredâArtemis clasping the Eidolon Shard in one hand, Beacon glowing on the other wrist. Elara checked gear, Nova glared toward the forest, Lyra adjusted crossbow tension, and Kael tightened straps on his pack.
"Our target: the third Rift vein, hidden in the Stormshard Gorge," Artemis announced, voice calm but determined.
đȘ The Gorge's Trials
They arrived at the canyon at middayâwind howled, Rift energy crackled overhead, and Riftspawn flew through gaps in floating shards of crystal.
Without warning: Hunters emerged from hidden outcroppings, deploying Rift-enhanced automata and rigged glyph traps.
Artemis tasted iron in her mouth. The siege would come from both sides.
â Rift-Enhanced Battle
Artemis roared into the fray, claws ablaze, glowing red. She deflected shard-blade strikes and tossed corrupted automatons aside.
Elara triggered Beacon-Eidolon energy disruptorsâpurification nets dropped around smaller beasts while Riftspawn convulsed and inverted into ash.
Nova defended Elara's flank, her blade catching rifthawks in mid-dive.
Lyra fired crossbow bolts to disable Hunter tech, each bolt bursting metallic vines to cleanse them.
Kael disabled glyph-run rigs, saving the Shard from overload.
Despite being outnumbered, the team's unity gave them control.
When the last Riftspawn screeched and fell, Artemis turned to the Eldron root crystal at the gorge's center.
đ Final Purification
Artemis placed the Shard upon the root. Elara activated the Beacon cusp, their hands sliding over the symbol in unison with Nova.
They recited their bond:
Artemis: "By bond and lightâŠ"
Elara: "By unity and hopeâŠ"
Nova: "By trust and strength."
Light pulsedâwaves of white energy swept the gorge. Rift veins rebounded, purged. Cracked rock mended. Rift crystals splintered and reintegrated.
đ Reckoning & Reflection
Breathing deeply, the team lowered their weaponsâwounded but triumphant.
Artemis stared at the dormant Rift site; the Beacon pulsed steadily, synced with Shard's fading glow.
Lyra claimed, "Our restoration travels in pulsesâjust like your bond."
Nova sighed. "We did good. But they'll answer."
𧩠A Bond Strengthened
On the walk back, Artemis found Nova lingering near an alcove. Nova's arm was wounded, but she held her head high.
Artemis approached quietly. "Hey."
Nova turned, surprise in her voice. "You're still here."
"I'm not going anywhere." Artemis sat, gently wrapping a cloth over her healed arm.
Nova paused, emotion flickering. "Thank youâfor not leaving me."
Artemis reached across, squeezing her hand. "We're stronger together."
Nova met her eyes, words whispered: "Together."
đ Preparation for War
Back at Hollowheart, Lyra outlined the last Rift veins. "Two remain. Each with stronger Guardiansâand Hunter presence."
Artemis nodded at each member. "Then we gather allies. We build sanctuaries near each vein."
She turned to Elara and Novaâwho stood side by side, hands still intertwined.
"This bond is our greatest weapon." Artemis pressed the Shard into Elara's palm.
Elara looked forward, heart firm. "Then we march with it glowing."