0227 -

The chamber seemed to pulse with a life of its own, the swirling dark energy creating a maelstrom of shadows and light. Wei Lin, sweat trickling down her temples, adjusted the symbols with precise, measured movements. Her focus was intense, her mind attuned to the erratic rhythm of the dark energy.

Selene, standing close by, worked in tandem with Wei Lin. "We're so close to destabilizing it. If we can just keep this alignment for a few more moments, we might just manage it."

Jian, his eyes fixed on the dagger and the symbols, maintained a steady grip. "I'm aligning the dagger with the core symbols. The final adjustment has to be perfect or we risk reinforcing the ritual instead of disrupting it."

The chamber shook again, a deep rumble reverberating through the walls. The dark energy's pulses grew erratic, creating a turbulent whirlpool of shadows that flickered across the walls and ceiling. Dust and debris rained down from the trembling stonework.