I Got a Notification on my Laptop and Got Legendary Powers

The group emerged from the archive into the chilling stillness of the Glass Wastes. Above them, the sky was an ominous blend of dark clouds streaked with red—an unnatural phenomenon that Yumi noted with concern.

"We've rattled something," she said, scanning the horizon. "Azrael knows we're digging."

Eli adjusted the strap of his weapon holster, eyes scanning the jagged terrain. "Good. Let him sweat."

"This isn't just about Azrael anymore," Arjun interjected, his voice thoughtful but heavy. "The Echo is more than a tool; it's alive, evolving. We're running out of time to figure out its purpose."

"And Azrael wants it awake," Yumi said, gripping the shard tightly. "Whatever he's planning, it's tied to this thing."

Eli let out a low whistle. "Great. So we're fighting the mad scientist and his pet apocalypse."

Arjun stopped in his tracks. "Not if we're smart about this. We need to divide and conquer."

Yumi frowned. "What are you suggesting?"

"I'll head to the Eastern Corridor," Arjun explained. "There's another archive there—a smaller one, but it's rumored to have schematics tied to the Echo's core. I can go through the data without risking the whole team."

"And us?" Eli asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You two need to head north to the Iron Nexus," Arjun said, gesturing to a point on his interface's map. "It's where the system's infrastructure is strongest. If there's a way to disrupt Azrael's hold on the shards—or even weaken the Echo—that's where we'll find it."

Yumi hesitated. "Splitting up is risky. If Azrael targets one of us..."

"I know the risks," Arjun said, meeting her gaze. "But it's the only way. We're too visible as a group. If we separate, it'll be harder for him to track us."

Eli gave a half-smile. "You just want to play the lone wolf again, don't you?"

Arjun's lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile. "Maybe. But I trust you two to hold your own."

The group lingered for a moment near a crumbling outcropping of glass and stone. The air was heavy with unspoken words.

"Be careful," Yumi finally said, her voice softer than usual.

Arjun nodded. "I will. You too."

Eli extended a hand. "Don't get yourself killed, man. We'll need your big brain for the endgame."

Arjun shook his hand firmly. "Same to you. Keep her safe."

"Hey," Yumi interjected, crossing her arms. "I don't need anyone to keep me safe."

Eli chuckled. "I know. I just need someone to blame if you get into trouble."

With that, Arjun activated his teleport beacon, the swirling blue light enveloping him before he disappeared.

Yumi stared at the empty space for a moment before turning to Eli. "We should get moving. The longer we wait, the more ground Azrael gains."

Eli nodded, the usual levity absent from his expression. "Let's go."

The journey north was grueling. The landscape shifted from crystalline ruins to jagged mountains of rust-colored metal. The air grew heavier, filled with the acrid smell of burning machinery.

As they crested a ridge, the Iron Nexus came into view. It was a massive, sprawling complex of interconnected towers, each one pulsing with veins of glowing energy. Giant gears turned slowly along its outer walls, and the sound of grinding metal echoed across the valley.

"This place looks like a bad idea," Eli muttered.

Yumi ignored him, her eyes narrowing as she studied the structure. "The system's core functions are centralized here. If we can get inside, we might find a way to disrupt Azrael's control."

"Or we might walk straight into a trap," Eli pointed out.

Yumi shot him a glare. "Do you have a better plan?"

Eli shrugged. "Nope. Lead the way, captain."

They made their way down the ridge, sticking to the shadows. The entrance to the Nexus was guarded by enforcers—tall, faceless figures encased in metallic armor. Their movements were eerily precise, and their weapons hummed with lethal energy.

"Stealth is our best option," Yumi whispered, scanning the patrol patterns.

Eli smirked. "Your kind of stealth, or mine?"

"Quiet and calculated," Yumi replied sharply.

"Boring," Eli muttered, but he followed her lead as they slipped past the guards.

Inside the Nexus, the atmosphere was oppressive. The walls pulsed with energy, and streams of code flickered across holographic panels. The deeper they went, the more Yumi felt the weight of the system pressing down on her.

"This place is alive," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Eli glanced around, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "Creepy alive or 'going to eat us alive' alive?"

"Both," Yumi said grimly.

They reached a massive chamber at the heart of the Nexus. A glowing console stood in the center, surrounded by intricate circuits that spiraled outward like veins.

"This is it," Yumi said, stepping forward.

As she began interfacing with the console, the room trembled. A low, mechanical voice echoed from the walls.

"Unauthorized access detected. Initiating lockdown."

Eli drew his sword as heavy doors slammed shut around them. "Well, that's not good."

Yumi's fingers flew across the console. "I need time to break through the defenses. Keep them off me!"

Before Eli could respond, the enforcers arrived—three of them, their glowing weapons casting eerie light across the chamber.

Eli stepped forward, his stance shifting into a fighting posture. "You heard the lady. Time to dance."

The enforcers moved with inhuman speed, their strikes precise and relentless. Eli ducked and weaved, using the narrow space to his advantage. His blade clashed against theirs, sparks flying with every impact.

"You're taking your sweet time!" Eli shouted over his shoulder as he narrowly dodged a crushing blow.

"Maybe if you stopped talking, I could focus!" Yumi shot back, her hands a blur on the console.

Eli grinned despite the chaos. "You're learning to banter. I'm so proud."

One of the enforcers lunged at him, its blade slicing through the air. Eli sidestepped and countered, driving his sword into the gap between its armor plates. The enforcer crumbled, but two more emerged to take its place.

"I can't hold them forever!" Eli called out.

"Almost there!" Yumi replied, her voice tense.

With a final keystroke, the console emitted a sharp chime. The energy in the room shifted, and the enforcers froze mid-attack before disintegrating into particles of light.

Eli staggered back, breathing hard. "What did you do?"

Yumi turned, her face pale but triumphant. "I disrupted their command signal. We're in."

As the console's interface opened fully, a new message appeared:

"Echo Subsystems: Access Granted."

Yumi stared at the screen, her heart pounding. "This… this is everything. The Echo's design, its weaknesses, its connection to Azrael. It's all here."

Eli leaned over her shoulder, his expression grim. "So, what's the catch?"

Before Yumi could answer, the chamber shuddered violently. The mechanical voice returned, louder this time.

"Intrusion detected. Purge protocol initiated."

The walls began to shift, closing in around them.

"Time to go!" Eli shouted, grabbing Yumi's arm.

She clutched a data crystal she'd loaded with the Echo's files and followed him as they raced toward the exit. The Nexus groaned and crumbled behind them, but they didn't stop running.

As they emerged into the open air, the Nexus collapsed into a heap of twisted metal.

Yumi held up the crystal, her eyes shining with determination. "We have what we need."

Eli grinned, though his exhaustion was evident. "Great. Now let's figure out how to use it before the system kills us first."