The Price of Salvation

The night air outside the damaged Nexus room became unnaturally quiet, yet the worry pressed down on Lucas, Marcus, and Elena like an invisible burden. The silence was not tranquility; it was the kind that came before something tragic.

"She's still in there," Lucas said again, pacing along the edge of the gap. His jaw tightened, and his fists clenched, as if he were resisting the temptation to rate the debris.

Marcus' tone was sharper than usual. "She's holding the balance," he remarked. "If we pull her out, everything should collapse."

"Then we go back and help her stabilize it," Lucas responded.

Marcus improved, and his voice rose. "What happens if the Nexus consumes you, too? Or me? Or virtually everyone that comes close?"