0222 -

Mara, keeping her guard up, scanned the chamber for any signs of movement. "We haven't seen any Covenant forces yet, but they might be lurking nearby or preparing for a response."

Kaito joined Wei Lin, his gaze fixed on the central circle. "We should work on deactivating this energy source. If it's connected to the ritual, stopping it might weaken their hold on the dark forces."

Wei Lin nodded and began to carefully trace the patterns within the circle, looking for any inconsistencies or anomalies. "If we can identify the source of the energy flow, we might be able to sever it."

As the group worked, the chamber's oppressive atmosphere seemed to close in around them. The rhythmic thudding grew louder and more insistent, creating a sense of urgency. The dark energy swirled in the center of the circle, its pulsating force making the walls tremble slightly.