The massive, glowing center loomed before them, a pulsating mass of light and crystalline tendrils that radiated power trapped in a hollow, transparent tube.
It was both beautiful and electrifying as she watched the unimaginable power radiating in a contained space.
“Here’s where we separate,” Vaeloryx announced. “We’ll take care of the Energy Crux while the two of you head to the Nexus Core.” He nodded his aquamarine head to a hallway on the left. “Tharion will guide you through your Sub-Node.” His clear eyes landed on Toni before darting back to Azazel. “As you Earthers say, good luck.”
“Yeah… meet you on the flip side.” Toni gave him a two-fingered salute.
“Hurry, then, there isn’t much time,” Vaeloryx warned, his tone clipped. “I suspect Baelon’s Elites are sending more sentries our way.”
Azazel’s presence brushed against Toni’s mind as his soft voice whispered,“Ready?”
Her eyes widened. She nodded.How did he do that?Not wanting to delve into that possibility, her gaze darted around the chamber, trying to uncover any threats.Like she could do something if anything attacked.
JR14 wiggled on Azazel’s shoulder as if to steady himself.
A sudden pulse of energy slammed into Toni’s mind, making her stagger. She gasped, clutching her head as the suit’s shields flared in response.
Azazel was beside her in an instant, his hand steadying her shoulder. “Baelon knows we’re here,” he said, his voice grim. “We’re out of time.”
The chamber shuddered as an alarm blared. Crimson lights bathed the hallway. The sound of stampeding footsteps echoed through the corridor.
“They’re coming,” Kaelith growled, his blades forming once again where his hands were. “Saphirae, Vaeloryx… into the engine room now!”
With that command, the three Krystalii rushed into the blazing chamber, leaving Toni and Azazel alone in the hallway with JR14.
Azazel grabbed Toni’s hand, pulling her toward the exit on the left. “Let’s go!”
Sprinting alongside the man holding her in an iron grip, they raced down the corridor as the sound of pursuing forces grew louder. Toni’s heart pounded as she struggled to keep up, her mind racing. The suit’s shields held strong, but the psychic pressure was unmistakable and relentless.
“Turn left!” Tharion’s voice barked from the Sub-Node clipped on Azazel’s waist.
With a quick turn, Azazel darted into a narrower passage.
They rounded the corner, and a group of Elites blocked their path.
The air crackled with psychic energy as the crystalline soldiers advanced, their forms radiating menace.
“I’ll handle them.” Azazel stepped forward. His psychic energy surged, colliding with the Elites in a visible wave of power. “Go!”
“Azazel—” Toni began, but he cut her off with a sharp look.
“Go! Use the dampening rig like Saphirae showed you! Trust me, I’ve got this.”
“Go!” Tharion’s disembodied shout from the sub-node repeated Azazel’s command. “Be sure to keep the dampening rig out of the Elites’ hands!” His frantic voice echoed loud and clear.
A sense of déjà vu tightened her chest as she Azazel take his katana from the harness on his back and leap to fight the Elite guards blocking their path.
The ear-piercing shrill of the ship’s alarms in the background turned into a blaring taunt.
Toni held her breath as she watched Azazel battle the Elites in a coordinated frenzy, then they disappeared in a cloud of crystalline dust.
She took a step forward with her hand outstretched, but Azazel’s voice echoed in her head.
I’m fine!Even though he spoke to her mentally, she’d have to be an idiot to miss the tension in his tone.Take JR14 with you. He’ll help you place the dampening rig in the right place.She hesitated, but jumped when he shouted,GO!
“All right, already. Sheesh.” Toni groused out loud and glanced over her shoulder, then looked around her. “Now, where’s that freakin’ bug?”
“Comparing me to an air-breathing arthropod is neither conducive nor correct.”
