The Research Sector buzzed with tension as Darling and his team prepared for their second attempt at establishing a stable link with the Plane. Despite the temporary stabilization achieved earlier, something about the Plane's reaction lingered in the back of Darling's mind—a persistent hum, like a half-finished sentence waiting to be spoken.

"Field generators online," Underhill announced, her voice clipped but steady. "Threshold anchors are holding at eighty percent."

Darling checked his console, eyes scanning the fluctuating readings. "Good. Maintain the current levels. Marshall, any updates on environmental distortions?"

Marshall's voice crackled over the comms. "Minimal so far, but we're keeping an eye on the junction points. Don't give it a reason to act up."

Darling allowed himself a brief smile. He appreciated Marshall's bluntness, especially in moments like this. "Understood. Beginning primary sequence. All personnel, be on alert."

The air grew thick with an almost tangible tension as Darling initiated the link. The conduit flared once more, casting an eerie glow across the room. Energy rippled outward, and for a moment, everything seemed to stabilize.

"Energy output holding," Underhill reported, fingers flying over her console. "Threshold anchors reinforced. We're ready to push forward."

Darling took a deep breath. "Alright. Initiating full synchronization."

The moment he entered the final command, the air shifted. A low, resonant tone filled the room, similar to the one they had heard earlier. This time, however, it was deeper, more structured.

"That's it again," Underhill said, her voice hushed. "It's... clearer now."

Darling focused on the patterns forming on his screen. The vibrations translated into sequences of data, forming a message far more coherent than before. "It's giving us coordinates," he murmured, brow furrowing in concentration.

"Coordinates?" Marshall's voice came through sharply. "To where?"

"Not in our reality," Darling replied. "These point deeper into the Plane, beyond the usual mapped regions." He hesitated before adding, "If we follow these, we might find out what's causing the disturbance."

Marshall sighed audibly over the line. "Let me guess—you want to go there."

"We don't have a choice," Darling said, his tone resolute. "If we don't, we risk losing control entirely. This might be our only shot at understanding what's happening."

There was a pause before Trench's voice cut in, calm and authoritative. "Do it. But Darling—take every precaution. We can't afford mistakes."

"Understood, Director." Darling turned to his team. "Prepare for phase three. We're moving in."

As the team scrambled into action, Darling felt the weight of the moment pressing down on him. The Astral Plane's mysteries were vast and perilous, but this time, something felt different. This wasn't just another expedition.

This was a step into the unknown, and whatever lay beyond those coordinates would either provide answers or raise questions they weren't prepared to face.

"Field stability at ninety percent," Underhill reported. "We're ready when you are."

Darling adjusted his visor, giving one final nod to his team. "Alright. Let's see what the Plane wants to show us."

With that, they activated the portal, stepping forward into the shimmering void. The air crackled with tension as they crossed the threshold, each step echoing into the vast emptiness beyond.

And as the light enveloped them, Darling couldn't help but wonder if they were walking into a revelation—or a trap.