The air in the central hall of Meta-Origin Mountain was thick with tension, each breath feeling like a struggle against the weight of impending doom.
The news of Elder Pingzi's death had sent shockwaves through the group, and the realization that the Qian Palace Spirit Key was now lost had shattered their carefully laid plans.
The fragile hope of unsealing the Meta-Origin Spirit Key with all nine Palace Spirit Keys was now impossible.
The stakes had never been higher, and time was slipping through their fingers like sand.
Shawn clenched his fists, his mind racing. "Without the Qian Palace Spirit Key, the balance is broken. The Seal can't be unsealed, but it also can't be stabilized. The Rift… it's going to tear everything apart."
Kent's expression was grim, his usual composure cracking under the pressure. "We need to adapt. If we can't unseal the Meta-Origin Spirit Key, we have to find another way to contain the Rift. Or destroy it."
Grand Hierophant Ranzi's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Destroying the Rift is not an option. Its energy is intertwined with the fabric of reality itself. If we attempt to destroy it, we risk unraveling existence as we know it."
Kennedy, standing beside Ranzi, crossed his arms, his jaw tight. "Then we find another way to stabilize it. The Chairman's actions have already set things in motion. We can't afford to wait."
Shawn's gaze shifted to Kennedy. "What about Grace? If she's still out there with the Dui Palace Spirit Key, she's in even greater danger now. The Chairman will stop at nothing to get his hands on it."
Ranzi nodded, his piercing eyes narrowing. "Kennedy, you will continue the search for Grace. She is our only hope of maintaining some semblance of balance. If the Chairman secures the Dui Palace Spirit Key, he will have two of the nine keys. That could give him enough power to destabilize the Seal further."
Kennedy gave a curt nod. "I'll leave immediately. But if the Chairman's forces are already on the move, I'll need backup."
Kent stepped forward. "I'll go with you. Elder Pingzi's death needs to be investigated, but finding Grace takes priority. If the Chairman was behind his death, we'll uncover the truth along the way."
Shawn hesitated, his thoughts swirling. "What about me? I can't just stand here and do nothing."
Ranzi's gaze softened slightly, though his voice remained firm. "Shawn, your connection to Lucy and the Rift makes you unique. You've felt its energy more intimately than anyone else. I need you to stay here and work with our scholars. We must find a way to stabilize the Seal without all nine keys. If anyone can uncover a solution, it's you."
Shawn wanted to argue, to demand a more active role, but he knew Ranzi was right. His knowledge of the Rift and his bond with Lucy gave him insights that others lacked. Reluctantly, he nodded. "I'll do what I can. But if Lucy returns… if she's still out there…"
Ranzi placed a hand on Shawn's shoulder, a rare gesture of reassurance. "We will find her. But for now, we must focus on the immediate threat."
---
The journey to Sunzen was a blur of motion and tension. Kennedy and Kent moved swiftly, their communicators buzzing with updates from their network of informants. The Chairman's forces were on the move, and the once-hidden factions of the AGI-ST Program were now openly clashing in the streets of the Earth Metaverse. The fragile peace that had held for years was crumbling, and the Rift's instability was only making things worse.
As they approached the outskirts of Sunzen, Kent's communicator chimed. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening. "We've got a problem. The Chairman's enforcers are already in the city. They're searching for Grace, and they're not being subtle about it."
Kennedy cursed under his breath. "We need to find her before they do. Any leads?"
Kent nodded. "One of our contacts spotted a woman matching Grace's description near the old Sunzen Archives. It's a long shot, but it's the best we've got."
The Sunzen Archives were a relic of the past, a sprawling complex of crumbling buildings filled with ancient texts and forgotten technology. It was the perfect place to hide, but also a dangerous one. The archives were unstable, and the Chairman's enforcers were known for their ruthlessness.
As they approached the archives, the signs of conflict were everywhere. Burned-out vehicles littered the streets, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke. The once-bustling city was now a war zone, its inhabitants either hiding or fleeing.
Kennedy and Kent moved cautiously, their weapons drawn. The archives loomed ahead, its massive stone walls cracked and weathered. The entrance was partially collapsed, but they could see signs of recent activity—footprints in the dust, discarded equipment.
Kent gestured toward a side entrance. "This way. If Grace is here, she'll be deep inside."
They slipped through the entrance, their footsteps echoing in the empty halls. The air was damp and cold, and the only light came from their handheld torches. The archives were a maze of corridors and chambers, each one filled with towering shelves of ancient books and artifacts.
As they moved deeper into the complex, Kennedy's communicator buzzed again. He glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing. "We've got company. The Chairman's enforcers are closing in."
Kent cursed. "We need to find Grace, now."
They quickened their pace, their torches casting flickering shadows on the walls. The sound of distant footsteps echoed through the halls, growing louder with each passing moment.
Finally, they reached a large chamber at the heart of the archives. The room was filled with ancient machinery, its walls covered in glowing symbols similar to those in Meta-Origin Mountain. In the center of the room stood a woman, her back to them, her hands resting on a large, ornate console.
"Grace," Kennedy called out, his voice low but urgent.
The woman turned, her eyes wide with surprise and relief. "Kennedy! Thank the stars you're here."
Kent stepped forward, his expression grim. "We don't have much time. The Chairman's enforcers are right behind us. Do you have the Dui Palace Spirit Key?"
Grace nodded, holding up a small, intricately carved object that pulsed with a soft, golden light. "I've been trying to stabilize it, but without the other keys, it's unstable. If the Chairman gets his hands on this…"
Kennedy cut her off. "We know. Let's move. We need to get you out of here."
As they turned to leave, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the chamber. A group of enforcers burst into the room, their weapons raised. At their head was a tall, imposing figure clad in black armor—the Chairman's right-hand enforcer, known only as Vex.
Vex's voice was cold and mocking. "Hand over the key, and we'll make this quick."
Kennedy and Kent stepped in front of Grace, their weapons at the ready. "Not a chance," Kennedy growled.
The enforcers opened fire, and the chamber erupted into chaos. Kennedy and Kent returned fire, their movements precise and calculated. Grace ducked behind the console, clutching the Dui Palace Spirit Key tightly.
The battle was fierce, but the enforcers were heavily armed and well-trained. Kennedy and Kent were outnumbered, and it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
As the fight raged on, Grace's eyes fell on the ancient machinery surrounding her. The symbols on the walls seemed to pulse in time with the key in her hands. An idea began to form in her mind—a desperate, dangerous idea.
"Kennedy! Kent!" she shouted over the noise. "I can use the key to activate the machinery! It might buy us some time!"
Kennedy glanced at her, his expression torn. "Do it!"
Grace placed the Dui Palace Spirit Key into a slot on the console. The machinery roared to life, the symbols on the walls glowing brighter and brighter. The enforcers hesitated, their weapons lowering as the room began to shake.
Vex's eyes widened in realization. "Shut it down! Now!"
But it was too late. The machinery reached a crescendo, and a blinding light filled the chamber. When the light faded, Grace, Kennedy, and Kent were gone, leaving the enforcers alone in the silent, empty room.
---
Back at Meta-Origin Mountain, Shawn felt a sudden, inexplicable surge of energy. He turned to Ranzi, his eyes wide. "Something's happened. I can feel it."
Ranzi's expression was grave. "The balance has shifted. The Dui Palace Spirit Key has been activated."
Shawn's heart raced. "Grace…?"
Before Ranzi could respond, the ground beneath them began to tremble. The ancient symbols on the walls flickered erratically, and the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy.
Shawn's communicator buzzed, and he quickly answered. It was Kent, his voice strained but urgent. "Shawn, we've got Grace, but we're not out of the woods yet. The Chairman's forces are everywhere, and the Rift… it's getting worse."
Shawn's mind raced. "Where are you?"
"We're in the Sunzen Archives, but we've activated some kind of ancient machinery. It's unstable, and we need to get out of here before it collapses."
Shawn turned to Ranzi. "We need to send a team to extract them. Now."
Ranzi nodded, his expression grim. "I'll mobilize our forces. But Shawn… if the Rift's instability is spreading, we may be out of time."
Shawn's fists clenched. "Then we make every second count."
As Ranzi issued orders, Shawn stared out at the horizon, his thoughts consumed by the growing chaos. The Rift's energy was spiraling out of control, and the Chairman's ambitions threatened to tear reality apart. The loss of the Qian Palace Spirit Key had shattered their plans, but Shawn refused to give up. Somewhere, out there, Lucy was still fighting. And so would he.
The shadows over Meta-Origin were deepening, but Shawn vowed to find a way to bring light back to the world—no matter the cost.