The drone spun violently through the storm, lightning flashing around it like the planet itself was alive. Elyra's hands danced over the controls, stabilizing its path. The crystal tower pulsed with Kael's signature, distorted and jagged, as if it were crying out in both warning and challenge.
"Hold it steady," she whispered, her eyes glued to the feed. "We're almost there."
The Marauder's shadow rippled along the ship's hull. "Careful. The fragment isn't just energy—it's… conscious. It will react to fear, hesitation, and intent."
The drone drew closer to the tower. For a moment, everything seemed still—time itself pausing between flashes of lightning. Then, from the crystalline structure, a form emerged—a figure radiating soft blue light. Its shape was humanoid, but with lines and edges that shifted like starlight in motion. Elyra's heart skipped a beat.
"The Guardian," the Marauder breathed. "Kael left part of himself here. Not the fragment itself, but a seed—a protector."
The figure hovered above the tower, its eyes glowing with recognition. It tilted its head, observing the drone with intelligence. Every pulse of energy from the fragment caused the Guardian to shimmer and adapt, maintaining balance between the storm and the tower.
Elyra's voice shook slightly. "It's… him. In a way. Kael's essence—he left this behind to guide or challenge whoever came for the fragment."
Suddenly, the Guardian extended its hand. A stream of blue energy shot toward the drone, not to destroy it, but to test it. Sensors flared with warnings, alarms blaring. Elyra had seconds to react.
"Brace yourself!" she shouted, redirecting the drone's shields. The energy struck, enveloping the machine in Kael's light, overloading its circuits temporarily—but when it cleared, the drone remained intact, its cameras recording the Guardian's every motion.
The Marauder's voice was tense. "It's evaluating us. If you pass its test, it may allow access to the fragment."
Elyra's eyes narrowed. "Then I need to send more than just the drone. I need to prove we're worthy."
She connected her neural interface remotely to the drone, linking her intentions directly to its actions. The Guardian's eyes glowed brighter, scanning the signal. It recognized the essence of Kael's ally—someone willing to act with purpose, courage, and balance.
The crystal tower pulsed violently. The fragment reacted, sending waves of energy into the storm. The Guardian moved swiftly to shield it, reshaping the surrounding clouds, lightning, and winds to maintain equilibrium.
Elyra whispered into the comms, barely audible over the storm. "We're here to protect it, not take it. We want to contain the Void, not unleash more chaos."
The Guardian paused, its form stabilizing. Then, slowly, it stepped aside, revealing a glowing core within the tower—the fragment itself, pulsing like a heartbeat.
The Marauder exhaled. "It accepted your intent. Now, you can extract the fragment—but beware. It will not leave without its guardian."
Elyra swallowed. "Then we do this together."
Lightning cracked overhead as the drone descended, the Guardian hovering protectively beside it, ready to test every choice Elyra made. The true challenge was just beginning.