Crossing the first bridge of light was a trial of nerves.
Each step on the translucent crystalline surface, which vibrated slightly under their weight and emitted a diffuse heat.
The gaping void stretched on either side, and the ominous glow rising from the depths of the cavern constantly reminded them of the mana shadow's presence, even if it remained invisible for now.
"Keep your balance, Khan," Scott snapped, his voice tighter than usual.
"This is no time for a pirouette."
"Understood," Alden replied, although the thought of abandoning Scott to a fatal fall was distasteful to him.
But the situation left no room for sentimentality. Their individual survival took precedence if one of them made a fatal mistake.
They reached the end of the first bridge, a small black crystal platform similar to the pillars, which served as a junction with two other luminous walkways branching off in slightly different directions. The beacon, according to Alden's memories and the brief observation he had been able to make, was on a bridge accessible via the right-hand branch.
"That way," Alden indicated, relying as much on his memory as on his senses which, despite the interference, seemed to confirm this direction as that of a more artificial energy concentration, potentially the beacon.
The second bridge was narrower than the previous one, and its surface seemed less stable, sometimes rippling like water under the effect of the matronic energy currents coursing through the cavern.
"I'm liking this place less and less," Scott muttered, testing each foothold with the caution of an old soldier.
It was then that the first major incident occurred.
One of the enormous black crystal pillars closest to them began to vibrate intensely, emitting a deep, dissonant sound.
Almost immediately, an arc of blinding electric blue energy shot out from the top of the pillar and struck the bridge of light just a few meters in front of them.
The affected section sizzled violently, dematerializing for a fraction of a second before reforming, but visibly weakened, luminous cracks running across its surface.
"Random energy discharge!" Scott yelled, instinctively throwing himself prone onto the bridge, which swayed dangerously.
"The System was right!" Alden, more agile, had leaped back. He observed the pillar. There seemed to be no pattern to these discharges.
It was truly random, unpredictable.
We have to cross this section quickly, before it starts again, or the bridge gives way!" Alden shouted.
"Easier said than done, kid!" Scott retorted, struggling to his feet.
"You got a brilliant idea, or do we wait for it to calm down?"
"Waiting could be worse. The Labyrinth is unstable. We have to take advantage of every lull."
Alden observed the damaged section. It seemed to be holding, but for how long? He made a quick decision.
"I'll run across. If the pillar fires again, try to warn me. You, wait for my signal to cross." Without waiting for Scott's reply, he dashed forward.
He ran as fast as the uncertain surface allowed, his gaze fixed on the other end of the weakened section.
He felt the vibrations of the bridge beneath his feet, heard the crystal pillar emit a new threatening hum.
He redoubled his speed, adrenaline pumping furiously through his veins. Just as he reached the sound part of the bridge, a new electrical arc shot out, striking the exact spot where he had been a second before.
The shockwave almost unbalanced him, but he managed to recover.
"Scott! Now!" he yelled. Scott, despite his build, showed surprising speed. He crossed the dangerous area in a few powerful strides, joining Alden.
"Twice…" Scott panted.
"Twice you've made me risk my skin on your hunches, Khan." They continued their progress, more tense than ever.
The Labyrinth seemed to be playing with them, testing their courage and luck at every moment. Several other discharges struck the bridges around them, forcing them into sudden stops or desperate sprints.
Some sections of the luminous walkways even disappeared for a few seconds, forcing them into perilous leaps over the void.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of this macabre dance with the cavern's wild energies, they reached the hexagonal platform where Alden had spotted the beacon.
It was there, in the center, a small metal casing emitting its faint, flickering green light, almost incongruous in this environment. But it was not unguarded. Four figures stood motionless around the platform, like sentinels.
They were tall, slender, their vaguely humanoid forms seeming woven from shadows and condensed matronic light.
Their faces were smooth, featureless, except for two luminous slits of icy white that stared at an invisible point before them.
An aura of intense cold and silent power emanated from them.
"Reverse Guardians?" Scott whispered, his voice suddenly low and respectful, an almost superstitious fear on his face.
"I heard about them during my time at Xerx. They were said to be invulnerable to physical weapons. And they're not supposed to be here."
Alden felt his own heart clench.
These entities were unlike anything he had faced so far. They weren't mechanical like the drones or automatons, nor visibly organic.
They seemed to belong to another dimension.
"System, what do you know about Reverse Guardians," Alden thought, his inner voice tighter than ever.
[Analysis in progress…
Entities identified: Advanced autonomous matronic constructs, type "Specter".
Semi-corporeal energy nature.
Highly resistant, even immune, to conventional forms of physical damage.
Main vulnerabilities: high-frequency energy disturbances, direct attacks of pure Mana, or specific anti-matronic technologies.
Their structural cohesion and power seem linked to a local high-power matronic energy source. Interrupting or disrupting this source could weaken or temporarily neutralize them.]
Local energy source… Alden looked up.
Just above the beacon platform, suspended by energy cables that seemed to feed it, floated a metal sphere about two meters in diameter, its surface covered in complex luminous circuits.
This was clearly the heart of the device.
The four Reverse Guardians still hadn't moved, as if waiting for a provocation, or an order.
Reaching the beacon meant going through them, or neutralizing them.