Inside the Drill Snowship (VaultaCorp)
The cargo compartment of the Drill Snowship was an agonizing metal box. The air felt thick with the smell of burnt oil and cold ozone, and the massive drill's rhythm sent bone-jarring vibrations constantly through the floor. Red emergency lights flickered, casting shadows on the strained faces of ten VaultaCorp Soldiers in light armor.
Private Hans yelled, his voice struggling against the engine's roar. "I heard that Water Guardian can control water! And there's water everywhere down here!"
"Shut up, insect," Moris snapped, emerging from the control room door. The dagger tucked into his belt glowed fierce purple. "Focus, or I will dry you out in seconds! This dagger will dry them out in seconds. Focus!"
Moris retreated. A violent, sickening jolt suddenly hit—the Drill Snowship slammed hard against ice. Private Rico lost his footing on the slick steel floor. He swayed violently, ready to crash right into a valuable control panel.
Just as Rico went down, Private Vin (the Guiding Star in disguise) calmly took a step. He grabbed Rico's arm with an iron hold, steadying him with his strange balance. Vin seemed utterly untouched by the shock.
Rico gasped, looking at Vin with wide eyes. "Thanks, mate. Your balance is insane."
Vin only gave him a cold look. "Fear corrupts data," he said, his voice flat. "Focus on the intrusion point."
Suddenly, Evan's voice crackled over the loudspeaker. "Hold position! Fifty meters to go. Intrusion is coming soon. Remember, the Crystallis is the priority. Clear anything that gets in your way!"
Vin shifted his gaze from Rico to the Ship's diagnostic panel. He saw the overly optimistic sensor readings—he knew absolutely that the Drill Snowship would lose full control and create massive chaos immediately after breaking through.
In the Guardian's Keep (Rian and the Guardian)
In the deep part of the Guardian's Keep, the vast cavern felt damp and silent, save for the slow, rhythmic drip of subterranean water. The air was humid, carrying the deep chill of the earth.
Rian was busy in a corner, running his hand over the cold, rough stone of the Golem while installing the final cable. Suddenly, a handful of fine dust and small gravel fell from the ceiling, landing on Rian's shoulder. He snapped his head up, his eyes narrowing with worry, before forcing himself back to work.
Right after, the Old Guardian abruptly materialized beside him, perfectly still.
Rian powered down his tools. He looked into the Guardian's eyes, which were filled with ancient wisdom. No sound was made, but a sharp message flowed directly into Rian's mind.
[TELEPATHY TO RIAN]: "The Mechanic, your repairs are good, but they will not hold against this threat. When the time comes, you must make a choice: Remain the engineer fixing the past, or become the protector embracing your new destiny."
Rian froze, his body rigid, his gaze locked on the Guardian. He nodded slightly, accepting the heavy burden of that unspoken choice.
Anya, watching the defenses from a higher rampart, sensed the silent shift in the atmosphere. She walked closer. "Rian? What's going on? Why were you both silent?"
Rian flinched, slamming the Golem's panel shut. His voice was strained. "Nothing, Anya. We were just... discussing the Golem's relay cables. He said I had to 'make a choice' between manual or automatic systems."
Anya narrowed her eyes, suspicious of Rian's quick explanation. She glanced at the Guardian, who was already walking back towards Salsa. "Just about cables? Alright. Just remember to stay alert—"
Suddenly, the cavern shook violently. The mechanical drill's roar sounded deafeningly close, vibrating through their very bones. Dust and gravel began to rain down heavily.
Rian ignored Anya. Instantly, he looked towards Salsa's training area, his face tight with anxiety.
Anya (Nikolai's rifle slung over her shoulder) wasted no time. "They're here!" she yelled. She leaped and ran swiftly towards the machine gun emplacement.
A searing, thunderous explosion tore through the cavern ceiling. Boulders and ice fragments cascaded down, creating a blinding mist. From the gaping hole, the VaultaCorp Drill Snowship emerged, its bright lights searing the darkness and heating the humid air instantaneously. The ship paused momentarily, ready to disgorge its troops.