Ascension Protocol: Rouge System

Keiran and Lira left the chamber. Keiran tucked the Orb of Resonance into a small satchel from which its soft, blue glow filtered out and cast an eerie light across dark corridors down to the surface: oppressively silent but for the sound of footsteps and intermittent creaking stone.

"We should have known better," Lira grumbled, staring down at the orb. "The Zenith System doesn't give away anything for nothing."

Keiran blew a sigh out. "You think this orb is a disaster waiting to happen?"

"Not a disaster, but at least a headache. Things generally in the realm of magical artifacts don't have 'easy' instructions."

Keiran let out a dry chuckle. "Thanks for the reassurance."

The system spoke to him inside his head as he walked, its cold mechanical voice slicing through his thoughts.

[Orb of Resonance acquired. Function: To attune with latent abilities and provide insight into future challenges. Warning: Prolonged exposure may alter mental states.]

Keiran froze.

"What now?" Lira asked, noticing his pause.

He rubbed his temple. "The system says the orb could mess with our minds. Something about 'prolonged exposure.'

Lira groaned aloud, setting her hands on her hips. "Great, and we're just to carry it around? Why can't these things come with a warning label before we pick it up?"

Keiran said nothing for a moment, his gaze straying wistfully to the satchel, where the orb pulsed softly. A very strange sensation stirred in his chest, a mix of curiosity and unease.

Let's just get back to the surface," he said finally. "Perhaps the orb's effects won't be so strong up there."

Lira nodded. "Fine, but if you start acting weird, I'm locking you in a room until we figure this out.

The return was no less uneventful than had been expected, and though it seemed a lifetime, the tension remained. It was already low in the west and stretching out the shadows across the desolate landscape as they emerged from the ruins.

She stood at the entrance of the largest structure, arms crossed over her chest, a no-nonsense expression etched into her face. Sharp eyes cut through Keiran and Lira as they approached, latching onto the satchel Keiran was carrying.

"You're late," she said shortly. "And you look like you've been through hell.

"Nice to see you too," Keiran replied, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging his lips upward.

Jessica's face relaxed a little. "I'm glad you're both back in one piece. What did you find?"

Lira jerked her head at the satchel. "Some sort of artifact. The Orb of Resonance, apparently. It's supposed to help with. something."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Vague and ominous. Sounds like your kind of luck."

Keiran let out a sigh. "It's more than that, actually. The system said it could mess with our minds if we keep it close for too long."

Jessica's brow furrowed. "And you brought it here? To the base?"

"What were we supposed to do? Leave it behind?" Lira jumped in. "We barely made it out of there without the statues grinding us into dust.

Jessica pinched the bridge of her nose. "Alright. One thing at a time. Take it inside, but away from the others. I'll get a secured area ready for us to analyze it.

Inside the base, Jessica led them to a secured room in the central building. It was small, plain, with a table and chairs and shelves lining the walls with ancient books and devices on them. She nodded to Keiran to set the satchel on the table.

"Now," she said, turning to Lira, "start at the beginning. What exactly happened in those ruins?

Lira told them everything: the strange golden trail, the trial with the moving statues-Keiran added in detail the visions of the orb and the cryptic messages from the system. Jessica listened to what they said, her face unreadable.

She breathed long when they were done. "This orb. so powerful, yet so dangerous. First, we have to understand it, and then we will know the next course of action."

Any idea where to start? Keiran asked.

Jessica tapped her chin in thoughtfulness. "In the eastern quadrant of the city resides an old scholar. Her specialty is ancient artifacts, so if anyone can shed light on this, it's her."

Lira frowned. "It's not exactly safe, traveling in the eastern quadrant. The wraiths have been more active as of late."

Jessica nodded. "I know. All the more reason for you to be very careful. Take only what you need, and no risks not necessary."

Keiran cast a glance at Lira. "Guess we're headed out again."

Lira groaned. "Of course we are. No rest for the wicked, right?

Keiran quickly rushed to go check up on his sick sister Ella, who was still lying in the ward, had gotten worse; one could see the radiation from one part of her body.

He approached her and laid his hand over her head. "Hey, little sis, it's me, Keiran." He said it, but she was very weak to wake up to say anything.

" Sorry, taking so much time from you all, but promise I would make all that alright very soon; ok? He got up and went away into the room while dropping tears down his eyes.

Later that night, Keiran sat in his quarters, staring at the satchel. The glow of the orb seeped through the fabric, casting strange patterns on the walls. He could not shake off this feeling that the orb stared back at him, speaking in some language he knew nothing about.

The system chimed once more.

[The Orb of Resonance seeks harmony. Proximity to its bearer will unlock hidden potential.,

Keiran frowned. "Hidden potential, eh? What's the catch?"

Of course, it didn't answer him. Sighing, Keiran leaned back in his chair. His mind began to wander to Ella and Lira-they were all he had, really, counting on him, believing he would make the right call. The weight of their trust felt heavier than the satchel itself.

A knock at the door pulled him from his reverie. Lira stepped inside; a hint of softness played at her mouth.

"You okay?" she asked.

Keiran nodded. "Just thinking."

"About the orb?"

"About everything," Keiran replied.

Lira sat down opposite to him, her gaze sure in his. "We figure this out, Keiran. We always do."

He smiled thinly. "Thanks, Lira."

After she was gone, Keiran had turned back toward the satchel. The orb pulsed once as if acknowledging his thoughts.

"Let's hope you're worth the trouble," he muttered, snuffing out the light.