The Astral Plane stretched endlessly in every direction, a void punctuated by floating shards of obsidian and ivory structures that defied gravity. The air—or whatever passed for air in this place—hummed with latent energy, each pulse vibrating through the suits of the expedition team.
"Steady," Darling said over the comms, his voice strained but composed. He led the group carefully across a narrow platform suspended in the void. Every step sent ripples through the strange surface beneath their feet.
"Readings are stable," Underhill reported, though her voice carried an edge of unease. "But there's something... off. The geometry around us is shifting faster than anticipated."
"Stay alert," Darling instructed. "We're close to the coordinates."
As they advanced, the environment grew more unstable. Shards of black rock floated past them, vibrating with unnatural energy. Then, without warning, a massive tremor shook the platform.
"Look out!" Ashton shouted, but it was too late. One of the floating shards exploded, sending a shockwave that knocked Darling off his feet. He tumbled backward, his tether straining to hold him.
"Darling!" Underhill cried, rushing forward.
Darling gasped as he tried to steady himself, but before he could regain balance, another tremor struck. This time, a jagged fragment of obsidian shot toward him, slamming into his side with brutal force. He cried out in pain as the impact sent him sprawling.
"He's hit!" Underhill shouted. "Get him back!"
"I'm... fine," Darling said through gritted teeth, though the sharp pain in his ribs told a different story. Blood seeped through a tear in his suit, staining the shimmering material.
"Negative," Marshall's voice cut through the comms. "Pull him out. We can't risk losing him."
"No," Darling protested weakly. "We're too close. Keep moving. I'll manage."
Underhill hesitated, torn between her duty to protect him and the mission's importance. Finally, she nodded to Ashton. "Support him. We keep going, but at the first sign of further instability, we extract."
Ashton moved to Darling's side, helping him to his feet. "You're lucky that thing didn't impale you, Doc. Let's not push it."
Darling forced a weak smile. "Noted."
The team pressed on, each step more treacherous than the last. Despite the pain, Darling kept his focus on the scanner, which now pulsed with increasing intensity.
"We're here," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. Before them, a massive structure loomed—a monolithic tower of shifting light and shadow, radiating a palpable energy.
"That's the source," Underhill said, her eyes wide.
"It's beautiful," Darling murmured, though the pain in his side made it hard to appreciate the sight fully. "Let's set up the stabilizers. Quickly."
As the team began their work, the ground trembled again, but this time, the tremors felt... deliberate, as if the Plane itself was watching, waiting.
Darling clutched his side, suppressing a wince. Whatever was at the heart of this disturbance, he knew one thing for certain—they were running out of time.