Chapter 36: Mission in the Dark
Several more days passed in the relatively calm Aether Cavern. Tian Heng devoted most of his time and mental energy to deciphering the precious data he had acquired. The Builders' language was complex and alien, but with the core's assistance in comparing and analyzing patterns—alongside Elara's cautious contributions about ancient runic roots and Faela's occasionally sarcastic hints about energy symbols she had seen in other dark ruins—he was making slow but steady progress. He now had a clearer understanding of the enhanced condenser's design, the core principles behind the purification unit's activation protocol, and even some of the steps needed to repair the regulation node.
But knowledge alone wasn't enough. The repair logs and schematics revealed a need for specific components and materials. While he could manufacture some substitutes using the basic fabrication unit (once it was reactivated), others—especially those required for the low-resistance aether-conductive alloy needed to fix the regulation node or improve the condensers' efficiency—seemed rare and would have to be found naturally.
[Core, based on local material analysis and partially extracted Builder data, identify the nearest potential source of 'Smoky Quartz Crystals' or any mineral vein exhibiting aether conductivity above 0.8 sigma with high thermal resistance.]That was the rough specification of one of the key materials he had inferred from the node's repair logs.
The reply came after a scan and analysis of available ancient geological data:[Nearest potential match (quartz crystals with unidentified dark inclusions, estimated conductivity ~0.75 sigma) lies approximately 5.3 kilometers northeast of this location via tunnel network. Area classified in old records as "High Environmental Hazard – Severe Structural Instability and Unknown Subterranean Activity." Data confidence level: Low.]
A dangerous area, uncertain data, and not a short distance through these twisted tunnels. But it was the only lead to acquiring the material needed to repair the regulation node—and thereby secure a stable, strong energy flow from this cavern to the central core.
Tian Heng summoned the three elves before him. Lilith and Faela stood nearby, observing.
"I've identified a possible source for a material we urgently need to accelerate infrastructure repairs," Tian Heng said coolly, projecting a mental image of the location and estimated path through the core—a visualization that the elves, and possibly Faela and Lilith, could sense or partially perceive due to their faint connection to the Vault or their sensitivity to energy. "The site lies roughly five kilometers in this direction."
"Five kilometers? Through the northeastern tunnels?" Elara asked with visible concern, her face paling slightly. "That region… we've heard strange sounds from there. We've always avoided it. Our old legends speak of Blind Stone Worms that dwell in those depths."
"Legends are irrelevant," Tian Heng replied coldly and definitively. "The material is essential for our progress—for everyone's progress here."He emphasized everyone slowly, his gaze sweeping across the three elves."Elara, you will lead a team consisting of yourself, Lyra, and Faelar to these coordinates. Your mission is to locate the material and retrieve as many high-quality samples as possible. The area may be dangerous, as you noted, so expect resistance."
"Just the three of us? In that area?" Faelar protested with restrained anger. "That's insane! We may not return!"
It was then that a side of Tian Heng emerged that they hadn't fully seen before—a side cold as polar ice and hard as stone. He spoke quietly, but his words carried a lethal weight:"Your combined elven capabilities, along with your weapons, should be more than sufficient to deal with any expected threats in that zone. Lilith and Faela will remain here with me to secure this vital location—and because I need their help deciphering the Builders' complex language. This is not a request. It is an order. Return with the required materials—or do not return at all. Your continued access to aether, your very survival here, depends on proving your usefulness."
The three elves were stunned by his blunt cruelty. He had treated them like disposable tools, making it clear their lives were meaningless to him compared to achieving his goals. There was no room for argument. A quick glance at Lilith—who now wore a cold, satisfied smile—and Faela, who raised an eyebrow as if to say "Typical", made them realize they were trapped. Refusal meant death—or exile into the deadly dark.
"We'll go," Elara finally said in a low, choked voice, her eyes filled with a mix of fear, resentment, and resignation.
The three elves prepared for the mission with grim faces and heavy hearts. They gathered their weapons, a small supply of water and fungi, and silently departed toward the dark northeastern passage, leaving behind the Aether Cavern and their transformed human leader—who didn't spare them even a farewell glance.
Once they vanished into the shadows, Tian Heng turned away as if nothing had happened. No trace of concern showed on his face. He turned to Faela.
"Now, while they're occupied, I want you to focus with me on this cluster of symbols."He pointed to a segment of the data he projected mentally."Your dark legends may hold the key to understanding their energetic context—something the core's logic-based analysis is struggling with."
Faela agreed, albeit reluctantly, and sat across from him. The two began working on decoding the ancient symbols, while Lilith sat nearby, watching everything with her ever-alert crimson eyes.
At the same time, Tian Heng dedicated a portion of his awareness to continuing his training in the Froststar Refinement Style, using the relative calm to push his power further. He also began cautiously probing the limits and nature of the dark draconic energy coursing through him, seeking to understand and control it more deeply in his relative solitude.
Time passed quietly in the Aether Cavern—filled with focus and labor—but the unknown fate of the three elves hung overhead like a shadow. A reminder of the steep price that power demanded in this dark world, and of the ruthless, decisive nature of the entity that was beginning to fully awaken within the heart of the Vault.