Few hours passed since earthquake as everyone regrouped near gate with tension thick despite calm exterior, Northern Ice Field's cracked surface serving as reminder of geological violence.
Draven stood before assembled group with three Overlords in human forms, pack surrounding him protectively, Genesis Codex floating nearby as green-gold light pulsed intensely.
"Malvorn said earthquake felt unnatural, wrong, that Theia itself is unstable." Looking at earth Overlord directly. "Explain. What exactly is happening to our world?"
Active leadership demanding answers as he drove conversation forward.
Malvorn's crystalline features were grave as earth communion still extended, reading planetary depths continuously since tremor. "Mana isn't just magical energy for spells or beast evolution. It's planetary lifeblood, Theia's fundamental essence flowing through geological structures, atmospheric systems, ecological networks. Everything, everything depends on mana to maintain stability."
Silver eyes met Draven's. "Tectonic plates held stable by mana pressure. Magma flows regulated by mana currents. Continental foundations reinforced by mana saturation. Remove that reinforcement..." Gesturing toward cracked ice. "Pressure systems fail. Stability collapses. Earthquakes just beginning. Geological infrastructure weakening continuously as gate drains mana from Theia to Earth. Foundation literally crumbling beneath us."
Moderate detail explaining mechanics without overwhelming as mana equaled everything.
"More earthquakes coming. Worse earthquakes. Volcanic eruptions likely. Continental shifts possible. Planetary geological collapse underway."
Adhivar's voice resonated from Genesis Codex as Worldroot Dragon's presence manifested, cosmic being speaking from within artifact. *"Malvorn's assessment correct. As cosmic entity existing before pocket dimension's creation, I witnessed Theia's formation. Mana woven into foundational structure intentionally. Not afterthought, design principle."*
Dragon's ancient knowledge surfaced. *"Pocket dimension engineered differently than original universe. Theia requires constant mana saturation maintaining reality itself. Original universe self-sustaining. Theia, artificial construct. Remove mana, construct destabilizes."*
Cosmic perspective different from Malvorn's geological focus as dimensional mechanics emerged.
*"Planetary collapse inevitable if drain continues. Timeline uncertain. But urgent."*
Then different voice emerged, not Adhivar but Genesis Codex itself communicating as artifact's stored knowledge accessed, cosmic fragment's records surfacing. *"Records indicate: similar mana depletion occurred during merger failure attempt. Dimensional instability caused catastrophic environmental disruption both worlds. Earth: mass extinction. Theia: corruption zones manifesting. Current drain mirrors historical pattern. Outcome predictable."*
Artifact speaking separate from dragon guardian with data-driven assessment.
*"Geological collapse phase one. Atmospheric destabilization phase two. Ecological extinction phase three. Magical systems failure phase four. Total planetary death final phase."*
Progression outlined scientifically as stored records confirmed worst fears.
***
Frostina's concentric ice-ring eyes brightened suddenly as Overlord network activated, connection spanning Theia toward volcanic regions northeast. "Raziel communicating."
Three Overlords' eyes glowed simultaneously with Malvorn's silver, Frostina's ice-blue, Naelvorn's teal as network established, fire Overlord's presence manifesting through dimensional resonance.
Raziel's message transmitted clearly: *Volcanic instability confirmed. Magma pressure destabilizing across Ruins of Chain region. Eruptions imminent. Lava flows unpredictable. Earth tremors constant. Matching geological collapse pattern. Planetary systems failing. Situation critical.*
Brief and direct with Raziel's characteristic efficiency confirming Malvorn's assessment from fire domain perspective.
*Ready to coordinate search. Awaiting territorial assignments.*
Naelvorn's boisterous energy was completely absent as ocean Overlord stood rigid with teal eyes serious. "Ocean currents disrupting. Temperature gradients failing. Marine ecosystems showing stress. If geological systems collapsing, everything collapses. My domain, Frostina's frozen north, Raziel's volcanic regions, Malvorn's continental foundations. All of Theia."
Fear was evident despite Overlord power.
Feyra's small voice trembled. "How long? How long does Theia have?"
Silence.
Malvorn's grim response followed. "Unknown. Could be weeks. Could be months. Could be days. Collapse accelerating. Can't predict timeline precisely."
Velnar's experienced voice was quiet. "But not years. Certainly not years. We have very little time."
Desperation rose as planet died with no time left.
Draven stepped forward as bearer took charge, leadership instinct engaging despite overwhelming crisis. "Then we don't have time to waste. Five Pillars needed for merger. Locations unknown. Entire planet to search. We divide territories. Systematic survey. Cover maximum ground efficiently."
Looking at each Overlord. "Malvorn, you search Western regions. Earth communion advantage detecting buried objects. Frostina, Northern territories, your domain, your followers assisting. Naelvorn, oceanic zones, underwater search. Raziel—" addressing network, "—volcanic regions, Ruins of Chain area, fire domain."
Active decision-making as he assigned territories, organizing desperate search.
"My pack and I, Southern regions, stable zones we haven't fully explored. Genesis Codex guiding. We coordinate via Overlord network. Share discoveries immediately."
Leadership clear and decisive.
"We find those Pillars. However long it takes. Starting now."
***
Sylvara's analytical voice cut through tension. "Even if we find all five Pillars, merger success not guaranteed. Curse stopping not confirmed. Planetary collapse halting uncertain."
Reality check with no promises, just desperate hope.
Malvorn's steady response came. "But only option available. Theia collapsing. Finding Pillars, attempting merger, only conceivable path preventing total extinction."
Frostina's composed addition followed. "Uncertainty acknowledged. But inaction guarantees failure. Action provides possibility. Possibility preferable to certainty of death."
Grim logic as trying beat dying with no alternative.
Draven nodded. "We pursue possibility. Find Pillars. Enable merger. Hope it works. Because if it doesn't..."
Silence.
Unspoken conclusion: everyone dies as Theia becomes lifeless rock with total extinction.
Four Overlords, Malvorn present, Naelvorn committed, Frostina resolute, Raziel connected remotely, unified purpose despite impossible odds.
Raziel's final network transmission arrived: *Departing for systematic volcanic region search immediately. Will report findings. Coordinate as necessary. Theia's survival depends on success.*
Fire Overlord mobilizing.
Naelvorn shifted to oceanic form as seven-story serpentine leviathan manifested with bioluminescent markings glowing. "Ocean search starting NOW, bros. Every trench, every reef, every underwater cave. If Pillar's in my domain, I FIND IT."
Boisterous determination replaced humor as serious commitment emerged.
Frostina's sapphire wings spread as fifteen stories of elegant power prepared for flight. "Northern territories surveyed thoroughly. Followers mobilized. Ice domain contributing fully."
Composed resolve as Glacial Queen accepted responsibility.
Malvorn's earth communion extended across continental scale. "Western regions. Beginning immediately."
Alliance mobilized as four Overlords began desperate search.
Draven looked at pack with Velnar's experienced bulk steady despite crisis, Sylvara's analytical mind processing, Feyra's small form trembling but determined, Zor's tactical focus sharpening.
His family, his responsibility, his mission.
Genesis Codex pulsed beside him as Adhivar's presence manifested briefly. *"Worldroot Dragon's knowledge available. Cosmic guidance provided. But ultimate success depends on your determination, bearer."*
Then Genesis Codex added: *"Records accessed. Historical data compiled. Search parameters optimized. Southern stable zones priority targets based on dimensional resonance analysis."*
Two voices as dragon and artifact both committed.
Draven exhaled slowly, accepting burden, accepting impossibility, accepting that trying was only option.
"Southern regions. Stable zones. Unexplored ruins. We search systematically. Find those Pillars."
Looking toward gate as dimensional bridge drained Theia's lifeblood continuously, Fate's plan advancing, planet dying.
"We save this world. Or die trying."
Grim determination.
No other choice.
The race against planetary collapse begins.
Gate swirled behind them.
Time running out.
Theia dying.
---