The Hollowheart Enclave hummed with urgent whispers as Artemis, Elara, Lyra, and the others gathered around a sprawling table of ancient stone, overlaid with glowing maps and shifting holograms.
The air was thick with exhaustion—and determination.
Artemis traced the pulsing Rift breach on the map. "They're hitting us harder and faster. We can't just react anymore."
Elara tapped a cluster of red blips. "Hunter patrols have doubled near the southern corridor. Their tech is adapting — energy shields, bio-drones. Recon won't be enough."
Lyra clenched her fists. "We need to strike their supply lines, disrupt their reinforcements. Cut off their advantage."
Artemis nodded. "Agreed. But we also have to protect the bonded here. The Hunters want to fracture us—turn our own power against us."
A low murmur rippled through the room.
"We can't fight fire with fire," Elara said quietly. "Our bond is our strength, not a weapon."
From the shadows, a new voice spoke — steady and calm.
"I may have a way."
All eyes turned.
It was Kael, a veteran bonded warrior who had been silent since their arrival.
He stepped forward, revealing a compact device pulsing with eerie blue light.
"This is a Rift jammer," he explained. "It disrupts portal energy. If we can deploy enough of these around their staging areas, we can slow their advances—maybe even seal a breach temporarily."
Artemis studied the device. "Where do we get more?"
Kael shrugged. "That's the hard part. We'll have to raid one of their caches. High risk. High reward."
Elara exchanged a glance with Artemis.
"We need a strike team," Artemis said, resolve sharpening her tone. "Fast, precise, prepared for anything."
Lyra's eyes gleamed. "Count me in."
"I'm with you," Elara added.
Kael nodded. "I'll lead. I know their routes."
The plan began to form, a fragile hope amidst the shadows.
Artemis looked around the room at the faces of her allies—scarred but unbroken.
"We fight not just for survival, but for the chance to reclaim what's lost."
She tightened her grip on the Beacon.
"The Rift is a storm on the horizon. And we're the calm before it breaks."