Taming the void

against the cold stone wall, his head leaning back as he tried to block out the pounding rhythm of his pulse. His eyes were fixed on Bella, who lay motionless on the makeshift b

She had been quiet for hours now, only speaking when necessary. The weight of

through, right?" Finn asked, hi

ce was low, hesitant. "I don't know, Finn. The Shard... it's not just a power source. It's a par

twisted. "She's

on softening for a moment. "Mayb

nto fists as frustration and fear threatened to overwhelm him. He couldn't lose her

back to her work. "We need to keep her cal

they were supposed to keep her calm when the who

ced as he thought about their next move. They couldn't stay here forever. The Strynx queen was down, but t

the darkened horizon. The ex-soldier's sharp eyes never left the distance. He had been quie

ding area?" Finn asked, his voice

e've been in these caves too long. The Strynx will be drawn

expected as much. They couldn

Bella's side, his fingers brushing her cold skin. Her pulse was weak, but still s

hought. "We don't know if moving her is a good idea.

voice impossible to ignore. "If we stay here, we're just waiting for the Strynx

thrilled by the idea of venturing out agai

ity nearby. It used to be a research station. If it's

g the place is still intact, and even if it is, you're asking

arp. "I'm telling you. Bella's condition is

he felt the weight of the decision settle on his shoulders. This wasn't just a

to move fast, and we'll need to be careful.

f washing over him

ss with only the faint glow of the twin moons overhead to guide them. Finn and Chloe took turns carrying Bella, her frail f

Every so often, Finn would glance at Bella, worried that she wasn't getting better, that they were

y. It was a crumbling structure, its once-pristine walls now covered in vines and debris. The

s they approached the entrance.

what might be waiting inside kept him on edge. They crept inside, moving cautiously through the dark, aban

a functional bed and a few old medical supplies strewn about. Chloe immediately set to work,

lding, every gust of wind, sent his nerves into overdrive. The Strynx co

s stable for now, but the Shard's grip on her is stronger tha

hat we need. We'll take whatever the facility ha

ut there's something else, Finn. S

r, his brow furro

is... this Shard? It's not just a weapon. It's connected to something bigger. There's a reason it's

ghtened. "What

after it. And it's not just because of its power. They know something

t of her words sinking in. "W

n finding out. And I think we need to figure