The Resistance base buzzed with activity. Technicians scurried about, repairing damaged equipment, while medics tended to the wounded. Amidst the chaos, Ronan sat in the command center, eyes fixed on the holographic display of the Herald's remains.
Lyra approached, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "The data from the Herald's core is encrypted, but Kael believes he can crack it."
Ronan nodded, his thoughts elsewhere. "We need to understand what they're planning. The Judges won't wait forever."
Kael entered, holding a datapad. "I've managed to decrypt a fragment. It's a directive—'Initiate Protocol: Genesis Reclamation.'"
Lyra frowned. "Genesis Reclamation? What does that mean?"
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "It suggests they're trying to reset something. Perhaps the world itself."
Kael continued, "There's more. Coordinates pointing to a location deep within the Obsidian Wastes."
Ronan stood, determination in his gaze. "Then that's our next destination."
Ronan walked beside Lyra and Kael as they entered the Vault again, this time through a deeper route mapped by Resistance scouts. The atmosphere shifted—colder, older. Ancient mechanisms still hummed, alive with secrets.
A blast door halted them.
"Not responding to system override," Kael muttered, tapping his console.
Ronan stepped forward. His hand, now partially infused with proto-core energy, glowed faintly. He touched the door.
It opened.
Beyond, a vast archive chamber unfolded—floating memory shards, flickering holograms, and forgotten code etched into the walls.
Lyra moved toward a central terminal. "These… they're logs."
From the shimmering data, voices echoed—Circle members from the past.
"We never intended control," one said.
"But power corrupts," another replied.
"Terminate Project Legacy," came a third voice.
"No. Lock it away. Let time decide."
Ronan clenched his fists. "They created the system. Then buried it."
Suddenly, alarms screamed. A red hue bathed the chamber.
*[Foreign signature detected. Alert Level: RED.]*
Kael's eyes widened. "Something's still guarding this place!"
From shadows, a massive sentinel emerged—twice Ronan's height, forged of layered metal and glowing veins.
*[Sentinel Class: Vindicator. Legacy signature detected. Initiating trial.]*
Ronan didn't hesitate. He stepped forward.
"I'll face it."
Lyra grabbed his arm. "We fight together."
He nodded.
The chamber shook as the Vindicator lunged forward. Ronan's core flared, his power unleashed in sharp bursts, countering the titan's force. Lyra used her agility to distract its sensors, while Kael hacked side systems to disable its shielding.
It was teamwork, forged from trials.
Finally, with a final blast to its core, the Vindicator collapsed.
Silence returned.
Then, a hidden terminal powered on. A message scrolled across its screen:
*"Final Layer Protocol: Judge Awakening Sequence—Initiated."*
The Resistance base buzzed with activity. Technicians scurried about, repairing damaged equipment, while medics tended to the wounded. Amidst the chaos, Ronan sat in the command center, eyes fixed on the holographic display of the Herald's remains.
Lyra approached, her expression a mix of concern and determination. "The data from the Herald's core is encrypted, but Kael believes he can crack it."
Ronan nodded, his thoughts elsewhere. "We need to understand what they're planning. The Judges won't wait forever."
Kael entered, holding a datapad. "I've managed to decrypt a fragment. It's a directive—'Initiate Protocol: Genesis Reclamation.'"
Lyra frowned. "Genesis Reclamation? What does that mean?"
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "It suggests they're trying to reset something. Perhaps the world itself."
Kael continued, "There's more. Coordinates pointing to a location deep within the Obsidian Wastes."
Ronan stood, determination in his gaze. "Then that's our next destination."
Ronan walked beside Lyra and Kael as they entered the Vault again, this time through a deeper route mapped by Resistance scouts. The atmosphere shifted—colder, older. Ancient mechanisms still hummed, alive with secrets.
A blast door halted them.
"Not responding to system override," Kael muttered, tapping his console.
Ronan stepped forward. His hand, now partially infused with proto-core energy, glowed faintly. He touched the door.
It opened.
Beyond, a vast archive chamber unfolded—floating memory shards, flickering holograms, and forgotten code etched into the walls.
Lyra moved toward a central terminal. "These… they're logs."
From the shimmering data, voices echoed—Circle members from the past.
"We never intended control," one said.
"But power corrupts," another replied.
"Terminate Project Legacy," came a third voice.
"No. Lock it away. Let time decide."
Ronan clenched his fists. "They created the system. Then buried it."
Suddenly, alarms screamed. A red hue bathed the chamber.
*[Foreign signature detected. Alert Level: RED.]*
Kael's eyes widened. "Something's still guarding this place!"
From shadows, a massive sentinel emerged—twice Ronan's height, forged of layered metal and glowing veins.
*[Sentinel Class: Vindicator. Legacy signature detected. Initiating trial.]*
Ronan didn't hesitate. He stepped forward.
"I'll face it."
Lyra grabbed his arm. "We fight together."
He nodded.
The chamber shook as the Vindicator lunged forward. Ronan's core flared, his power unleashed in sharp bursts, countering the titan's force. Lyra used her agility to distract its sensors, while Kael hacked side systems to disable its shielding.
It was teamwork, forged from trials.
Finally, with a final blast to its core, the Vindicator collapsed.
Silence returned.
Then, a hidden terminal powered on. A message scrolled across its screen:
*"Final Layer Protocol: Judge Awakening Sequence—Initiated."*
---