The world beyond the archway was unlike anything Artemis had ever seen. The sky was a swirling canvas of dark purples and fiery reds, streaked with lightning that danced without sound. Jagged mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks piercing the swirling clouds.
The air was thick and heavy, buzzing with raw energy that made Artemis's skin tingle. The Beacon's glow had intensified, pulsing wildly in her hand as if warning her.
"Elara, do you get this on your scanners?" Artemis asked, eyes narrowed.
Elara frowned, fiddling with her device. "It's… erratic. Almost like the laws of physics are bending here."
Nova tightened her grip on her weapon. "This place feels wrong. Like it's… bleeding."
Kira's gaze was sharp, scanning the twisted landscape ahead. "We need to find shelter—and fast. That storm isn't natural."
As they moved cautiously forward, memories flashed in Artemis's mind—the faces of those she'd lost, the promise she'd made to find others like her.
Suddenly, the ground trembled. From the shadows emerged a figure, tall and imposing, clad in armor that seemed fused with living metal. Her eyes glowed the same red as Artemis's.
"Artemis," the stranger's voice was a whisper and a roar all at once. "You were expected."
Artemis's heart raced. "Who are you?"
"I am Lyra," the woman said, stepping closer. "One of the first bonded. The one who watches over the fracture."
Elara exchanged a wary glance with Artemis. "The fracture?"
Lyra's gaze hardened. "The rift that tore our worlds apart. It's growing. And soon, it will consume everything."
Artemis swallowed hard. "Then we have to stop it."
Lyra nodded slowly. "But the path will demand sacrifice. Not all who walk it will survive."
The Beacon flared brightly in Artemis's hand, as if echoing Lyra's warning.
"We don't have a choice," Artemis said, voice steady. "We fight—for those we lost, and for those who still hope."
Lyra studied her for a long moment. Then, with a slight nod, she extended her hand.
"Then come. Let me show you what lies ahead."
Together, they stepped deeper into the storm.