The station, though under the team's control, still trembled from the earlier shocks. The echo of the artifact in Kael pulsed more calmly, but every movement in the core rooms caused subtle vibrations, reminding them that not everything had been resolved.
Zara led the way, her guns glinting in the dim light. "I don't think anyone is watching us out of curiosity. Someone here must want the artifact for themselves."
Kael nodded. "You're right. But now we have the advantage. The station's core responds to our energy field. We can control the security systems and emergency doors."
Rex took a breath and glanced at the station map. "We don't know how many people are still lurking in these corridors. We'd better be ready for anything."
Lira ran her fingers over the sensor panels, deactivating some of the traps. "There are still many sections of the station where the systems may be operating autonomously. We must move quickly and carefully."
Taro set up the terminal at the entrance to the next sector. "If we can synchronize the core with this entire level, we can clear the station of threats and secure the artifact."
Kael quickened his pace. "We can't let anyone get ahead of us. The artifact must remain in our hands."
A metallic clang echoed in the distance. The corridor ahead began to vibrate, and the air trembled with an invisible force.
"What the hell now?" Zara snorted, aiming at the space in front of them.
"The station's system is reacting to the presence of the artifact," Kael replied. "The echo isn't just in me anymore. The entire station is feeling it."
Rex pressed himself against the wall. "So the station can attack us if it doesn't like something?"
"Not exactly," Lira replied. "But any movement out of sync with the core could trigger a defensive reaction. The system treats it as a threat."
Kael quickened his pace, leading the team through the narrow corridors. The echo of the artifact pulsed in his head, helping him avoid traps and predict the system's reactions.
Zara rolled her eyes. "Looks like it's not just humans who want the artifact. The entire station wants to keep it for itself."
Rex snorted. "And that's not funny."
A door appeared before them, accompanied by the hum of machinery. Kael reached out and synchronized the core's energy with the terminal on the door. The light of the artifact in his hand flashed briefly, and the door slowly opened.
"Finally," Zara muttered. "Let's go before something gets us."
Kael nodded and entered first, the echo of the artifact within him pulsing in time with the team's footsteps. He knew their mission was just beginning, and the challenges were becoming increasingly unpredictable.
A shadow lurked deep within the station. Someone who watched their every move. Someone who knew the power of the artifact and waited for the right moment to strike.
The corridors were quiet now, at least at first glance. The echo of the artifact within Kael pulsed gently, giving him a sense of control over the station, but every second of silence was suspicious.
Zara moved to the side, scanning the area around her. "Silence is worse than an alarm," she said quietly. "Someone is waiting here."
Rex nodded. "There's no chance we're alone. The station's systems could still activate traps, and someone else could come in from outside."
Kael drew in a breath and focused on the echoes of the artifact. Every pulse, every vibration in the station was now read like a map. "Stay close. Any false move could trigger a system response."
Lira approached the panel at the entrance to the next section. "The synchronization is working, but the system is testing us at every turn. The readings show an increase in energy tension. The station is analyzing our actions."
Taro frowned. "If we don't hurry, the traps will activate on their own. Kael, we have to go now."
Kael nodded and moved forward, leading the team through the narrow corridors. The artifact's echo helped him predict the system's reactions and avoid traps.
Suddenly, a metallic clang and crash woke the defense system. The door slammed shut behind them. The artifact's light flared in Kael's hand, reacting to the danger.
"This isn't good," Rex said, aiming at the space in front of him. "Looks like something's following us."
Zara rolled her eyes as she jumped over the metal fragments on the floor. "I don't like this. Everything is shaking, the light is pulsing… it's like the station has a life of its own."
Lira ran her fingers over the sensor panel. "The system is trying to predict our movements. If we don't synchronize with the core, it may attack."
Kael took a deep breath and synchronized the artifact's energy with the station's core. The light from the artifact in his hand spread throughout the room, and the crackling of the mechanisms subsided.
"It worked for a moment," he said quietly. "But we have to hurry."
A figure appeared in the distance of the corridor, its silhouette partially hidden in shadow. It moved slowly, watching the team's every move.
Zara hissed. "Finally, someone has revealed themselves."
Kael raised his hand, and the echo of the artifact within it pulsed more strongly. "Don't act rashly. We need to know who we're dealing with."
The figure approached them, its aura cool, precise, almost mechanical. It seemed to know their every move, to anticipate their every step.
Rex muttered. "Doesn't look friendly."
Kael looked at the team. "This is no ordinary opponent. We must act together. The echo within us can help us if we remain in sync."
Zara stepped closer. "What if it doesn't? What if it surpasses us in strength and speed?"
Kael looked into the pulsing light of the artifact. "What we have is an advantage that no one should underestimate. But we must be vigilant. Every step, every decision—everything matters now."
A metallic sound echoed in the distance. The station was still alive, and the shadow of the figure was closing in faster and faster.
The shadow moved slowly, each movement precise, almost synchronized with the station's vibrations. Kael felt the artifact's pulse within him, now reacting to the presence of the creature in the room.
"I don't know what it is," Zara whispered, aiming at the silhouette. "But it seems to know our every move."
Rex clenched his hands on his rifle. "So, something better than us? Great."
Kael focused harder. The echo of the artifact flowed through his body, synchronizing with the station's core. He could sense every possible movement of the shadow, every reaction of the mechanisms.
"Stay close to me," he said calmly. "We can't let the station—or it—separate us."
Lira approached the panel, manipulating the station's systems in real time. "The station responds to our actions. If we work together, we have the advantage."
Taro watched the systems on the terminal. "But if we split up… even for a second… the echo will betray us."
The shadow stopped suddenly, as if analyzing the team. Its movements were fluid, almost silent. Kael felt the artifact inside him react, warning of a possible attack.
Zara muttered. "Is it time to act, or are we waiting for it to kill us?"
Kael nodded. "We have to move. But do exactly what the synchronization tells you."
Kael's first step caused the artifact's echo to spread throughout the room, creating a subtle network of predictions for the entire team. Their every move was now synchronized with the system, and it was difficult for the shadow to predict their decisions.
Rex moved forward, covering the team's flank, while Zara curled between the metal pillars, firing at invisible traps.
The shadow moved in rhythm with their pulses, trying to find a weak spot. But Kael knew that the artifact gave them an advantage. His pulse quickened as the station's systems responded to the team's every move.
Lira activated additional sensors. "I can see the shadow's movement patterns. We can predict its next attacks if we stay in sync."
Taro added, "But if we make a mistake… even a tiny one… it could tear us apart."
Kael felt the artifact vibrate at full intensity. "We won't make a mistake. Echo is guiding us."
The shadow lunged suddenly toward Kael, moving faster than they had expected. Zara rolled out of the way at the last moment, avoiding its attack, and Rex fired at it, dispersing the system's energy.
Kael reached out toward the station's core, and the artifact's pulse increased rapidly. The room shook, and the station's system reacted to the shadow's energy, slowing its movements.
"Hold on!" Zara shouted, jumping over the obstacle.
Rex added, "One more slip-up and it's over."
Kael looked into the pulsing light of the artifact. "It's not over yet. But now we have the advantage. The station and the artifact together are our weapons."
The shadow paused for a moment, assessing the situation. Then it moved again, but now the team was prepared. Echo anticipated its every move, and their synchronization gave them speed and confidence.