The Nexus chamber fell silent, but it was a deceptive quiet—the kind that hinted at mayhem beneath the surface. The muttered warning echoed in Avery's thoughts: "Watch out for the go back."
Lucas slumped against the chamber wall, his face pale and strained. He appeared to be struggling to reconcile loss and impending catastrophe at the same time. Avery could see it in the tension in his jaw, the way his fists remained clenched as his breathing slowed.
"What now?" he inquired, finally breaking the silence.
Avery did not provide an immediate remedy. Her gaze became fixed on the Nexus, the throbbing light reflecting in her eyes. The shard buried in her hand began to light softly, and a steady hum vibrated through her palm.
Marcus moved forward, his countenance stern. "We do not have time to mourn. The Architect is most likely no longer alive, but his influence lives on. "The Nexus is volatile."