The operation to secure the fragnt quickly entered its most delicate stage. Across the basin the mages remained stationed at their assigned positions while streams of silver and blue energy flowed continuously between the formations they had constructed.
The crystal pylons surrounding the fragnt pulsed rhythmically, each one of them acting as an anchor point for the containnt network.
Intricate runes spread across the ground in overlapping circles and geotric patterns, glowed brighter with each minute passing as more Magic poured into the system.
The fragnt itself remained suspended above the center of the site. Silver-blue rings continued rotating around it while ancient runes drifted endlessly across its surface.
Occasionally, a surge of energy pulsed out from the fragnt. Whenever that happened the containnt formations reacted imdiately. Entire sections of the runic network brightened while senior mages shouted adjustnts to one another.
"Increase stabilization on the eastern pylon!" one of the senior mages said.
"Energy fluctuation rising!" the other mage on the corner replied in a frantic tone.
"Compensating!"
"Synchronization holding!"
The operation moved forward steadily despite the difficulties.
Erend remained near the edge of the basin and watched everything happen. He deliberately chose not to interfere.
This was the work of the mages. They had trained for this and understood the containnt arrays far better than he ever could. If he attempted to involve himself directly, he would likely cause more problems.
So he simply observed. His eyes moved across the site while his senses remained focused on the fragnt and the surrounding terrain.
If anything threatened the operation, he would act imdiately. But for now, the mages had everything under control.
Then Erend closed his eyes. A mont later, his consciousness expanded through the telepathic network connecting the Dragonborn.
Almost imdiately, several familiar presences appeared within his mind. Eccar, Aesa, and Sylven was connected.
The connection stabilized quickly despite the Void Architect’s interference. The interference still existed but the bond between Dragonborns had proven far more resilient than ordinary communication thods.
Erend spoke first. "We’ve started the containnt process."
A brief pause followed before Eccar answered. "Sa here. My expedition reached the site a few minutes ago. The mages already started securing the fragnt."
Aesa’s voice followed soon after. "My expedition just arrived. We’re entering the site now."
"I arrived too. We found the fragnt and we’re preparing the containnt arrays. We’ll begin shortly." Then Sylven joined.
A small sense of relief passed through Erend. All four expeditions had successfully reached their destinations.
"Good," Erend said. "That’s exactly what we needed to do quickly right now."
"The kingdoms might not make it if we take too long." Eccar then said.
Silence followed. None of them argued because they all knew it was true.
The fragnted ssages Velrion had shared still lingered in their minds. He talked about the endless portals and many more. Every passing minute allowed the situation to worsen.
Erend lowered his gaze. His thoughts drifted away from the fragnt and toward the larger problem. How was he supposed to save them? Even if they secured every fragnt, transported them back, that would not imdiately stop the destruction currently unfolding across the kingdoms.
The Void Architect remained untouched and hidden.
His fingers slowly tightened. Then another thought surfaced.
He thought about Veyrun, the Administrator. The being in charge of the System itself for now. Erend had contacted him before. If anyone possessed knowledge beyond what they currently understood about the Void Architect it would be Veyrun. They needed it badly right now.
Perhaps there was another possibility. Maybe Veyrun could trace the Void Architect’s connection to the Creation and identify his source.
Perhaps there was a way to strike directly at the Void Architect instead of rely responding to his attacks.
The thought remained uncertain. It was little more than an idea. But right now it was the only lead Erend had.
"Once this is done, I need to speak with Veyrun again."
The thought settled firmly inside his mind.
Then Erend pushed those concerns aside and returned his attention to the telepathic connection.
"For now, focus on the fragnts," he said. "We need to secure them, transport them back, and get the expeditions back to the kingdoms as quickly as possible."
"Agreed." Aesa imdiately responded.
"There’s nothing else we can do right now." Sylven said.
"Yeah. First we get the fragnts ho. Then we figure out the next step."
Erend looked toward the fragnt hovering within the containnt network. Its ancient light continued illuminating the basin.
The operation was progressing. The other expeditions had reached their objectives. For the mont, this was the only path available to them.
"Alright," Erend said firmly. "Then let’s finish this."
One by one, the Dragonborns ended the conversation and returned their full attention to their respective expeditions.
Across five different corners of the corrupted world, containnt formations continued glowing brighter around fragnts of the Sky Anchor.
—
Far beyond the dying world and hidden within a dinsion of endless blackness, the Void Architect endured the consequences of his own actions. The vast realm surrounding him contained nothing except darkness and rivers of crimson corruption drifting through that void.
At the center of that emptiness, his body continuously twisted and changed. Masses of darkness and red energy coalesced together unnaturally before portions of them broke apart and dissolved.
Each ti the cycle repeated, his overall presence diminished slightly. This happened because the enormous campaign he had launched against the five kingdoms demanded a trendous amount of power.
Maintaining countless portals across multiple capitals while continuously forcing corrupted creatures into the world placed an imnse burden upon him. Even a being like the Void Architect could not ignore such a cost.
He wanted to do more. He wanted to strike directly at the Dragonborn expeditions and prevent them from securing the fragnts. However, he understood his current limitations. Pushing further now would risk weakening himself before the final stage of his plan could begin.
But remaining inactive was unacceptable.
A cold realization settled within his mind. While he lacked the strength to open new fronts, he still possessed another weapon. Fear, doubt, and despair.
Crimson fractures throughout the void brightened as he gathered what power he could spare.
His consciousness expanded toward that world. Across battlefields, cities, shelters, and ruined streets, his presence spread silently through millions of minds.
Then the Void Architect began broadcasting his voice to the entire world.
—
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