chamber

The air in the chamber hung thick with tension, as if the world itself was holding its breath. Emily stood still, catching her breath after the draining effort of stabilizing the machine. She could feel the reverberations of its power beneath her feet, steady and calm now, unlike the wild surge that had nearly overwhelmed her moments before. But even though the machine was under control, a heavy sense of dread lingered in the atmosphere. They weren't finished yet.

Mara and Calem exchanged a glance, their faces taut with determination. It had been a long journey to this point, fraught with danger and loss, but now the real test awaited them.