The Sub-Basement was cold, but the air was electric with tension.
"This place feels... forbidden," Julian whispered, looking at the rows of silent stone pillars and the copper lines etched into the floor.
"It's not forbidden," Arthur said, clearing off a large stone table. "It's just powered down."
Alice, the spirit construct, floated nearby. She was flickering, her form transparent and static-filled.
"Energy levels critical," Alice droned. "Hibernation imminent."
"We're losing her," Arthur said. "Zack, is the circuit ready?"
Zack was on his knees, connecting thick copper cables to a central pedestal. "I think so! But Arthur, if we overload the conduit, the copper will melt!"
"Then we manage the flow," Arthur pointed to the pedestal. It was a Mana Inverter. It took raw magical energy and converted it into a steady DC (direct current) signal that the ancient machines used.
Arthur turned to Julian.
"Stand there," Arthur pointed to a copper plate on the floor. "Place your hands on the conductive pads. When I say 'Go,' I need you to push your mana into the floor. Don't shape it. Just push. Maximum output."
"I am not a mule," Julian grumbled, stepping onto the plate. "But fine. Prepare to be amazed."
"Zack, monitor the gauges," Arthur commanded. "I'll handle the frequency modulation."
"Initiating start up sequence," Arthur announced. "3... 2... 1... MARK."
Julian closed his eyes and roared. A massive aura of red mana erupted from his body. It flowed down his arms and into the copper pads.
HUMMMMMMM.
The room began to vibrate. The copper lines on the floor lit up, glowing bright orange. The light raced along the floor, up the pillars, and into the walls.
"Output at 40%!" Zack yelled over the hum. "The needles are rising!"
"More!" Arthur shouted. "Julian, push harder! We need 80% to wake the Core!"
"I am... trying!" Julian gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face. "This machine... it's hungry! It's draining me!"
"It's an Atherian Mainframe," Arthur yelled, adjusting a valve on the Inverter. "It eats mana for breakfast! GIVE ME 100%!"
Julian screamed and unleashed everything he had. The room turned blindingly bright.
CLICK-WHIR-THUNK.
Deep inside the walls, gears began to turn. The hum changed from a low vibration to a steady, powerful thrum.
Alice's form suddenly snapped into focus. She became solid, crisp, and blue. The static vanished.
"Power restored," Alice said, her voice clear and melodic. "Node 4 Online. Welcome back, Maintainer."
Julian collapsed to his knees, panting. "I... I think I hate engineering."
Arthur looked at the glowing room. The stone pillars were now projecting holographic runes into the air. Data. Thousands of lines of data.
"Good work, Battery," Arthur smiled. "Now, let's see what this machine knows."
End of Chapter 27