A pause. Then Steve's tone darkened. "We overheat it. Force it to absorb more power than it can stabilize. You'll need to channel every node's residual energy back into the core. Problem is—someone's got to stay inside to keep the channels open."
Cain didn't hesitate. "I'll do it."
Roselle's voice cut in sharply. "The hell you will."
"Cain," Hunter growled. "We finish the fight together or not at all."
Cain clenched his jaw. He could hear the storm intensifying above them, the Tower's form distorting like a living wound in the sky. "You don't understand. If we all stay, it'll kill everyone within five kilometers."
Silence.
Then Roselle said quietly, "Then you better come back, or I'll kill you myself."
Cain almost laughed, but it came out as a cough. "Deal."
He broke into a sprint, boots hammering against cracked metal as he climbed toward the Tower's base. Ruby limped back into view, one wing dragging, eyes fierce. She crouched low, letting him mount once more.
