The formation array prepared by Klea had not been designed merely to weaken the aperture.
Its greater purpose was stabilization.
An ownerless aperture, especially one belonging to a fallen Three Cosmos expert, was inherently unstable. Once forced open, such a domain could collapse violently, destroying everything within. Klea's layered formation anchors continuously drained excess energy while preserving the core structure, keeping the fractured world intact long enough to be explored.
At the center of the chamber floated a pulsing mass of condensed energy, irregular in shape and wrapped in shifting mist. It throbbed like a wounded heart, releasing waves of unstable brilliance that distorted the surrounding air.
Emery stepped before it and placed his palm against the surface, then slowly channeled his spirit energy inside.
The reaction was immediate.
