Traking the unknown

As they approached the pedestal, Ethan glanced at Alex and said, "You know, we're still three member short."

Alex nodded, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor. "I've got someone in mind. Follow me."

They navigated the winding hallways, the scent of aged parchment and dust thick in the air. The flickering torchlight cast long shadows as they stopped before a worn tapestry depicting a battle long forgotten. Alex knocked three times on the hidden door behind it.

A muffled voice called out, "Enter!"

Inside, the room was a chaotic blend of machinery and ancient texts. Gears whirred softly as sparks crackled from a half-built contraption. At the center of it all, hunched over a cluttered workbench, sat Liam. His thick-rimmed glasses reflected the glow of a holographic blueprint as he tinkered with a small device.

Startled by their arrival, Liam spun around, eyes wide before breaking into a grin. "Alex! What brings you here? And—" He adjusted his glasses, glancing at the others. "Who are your friends?"

Alex smirked. "Liam, meet Vile, Kira, and Ethan. We're on a mission—to find the Cosmic Force."

Liam's expression shifted from surprise to excitement, his fingers twitching as if already calculating possibilities. "You're serious? I've studied the legends. If the Cosmic Force is real, I can help you track it down!"

Vile crossed his arms, studying him with skepticism. "And what makes you think you can handle what we're up against?"

Liam didn't hesitate. "Because I understand the science behind the myths. I've been working on something—an energy tracker that detects anomalies. If the Cosmic Force exists, this will find it." He held up a small device, its screen flickering with unknown signals.

Kira leaned against the workbench, unimpressed. "Sounds risky. You sure you're up for this?"

Liam met her gaze, his usual grin replaced with determination. "I know the risks. But if we don't act now, someone else will—someone who shouldn't."

Alex exchanged a glance with Ethan before nodding. "Then welcome to the team."

Liam's grin returned as he grabbed his gear. "Let's find the impossible."

As the group turned to leave, a sudden tremor shook the room, sending dust cascading from the ceiling. Liam's gadgets sparked violently, and the energy tracker let out a shrill beep. "That's… not normal," he muttered, adjusting his glasses.

Ethan drew his weapon instinctively, eyes scanning the dim room. "What did you do, genius?"

Liam quickly typed into his device. "It's not me—there's something triggering a disturbance nearby. An energy spike unlike anything I've seen before."

Vile narrowed his eyes. "Could it be related to the Cosmic Force?"

Before Liam could answer, a deafening boom echoed through the corridors, followed by an eerie silence. The group tensed as the torches flickered erratically. Then, in the distance, a slow, deliberate footstep broke the quiet.

Kira unsheathed her blade. "We've got company."

Alex clenched his fists, his mind racing. Their mission had just gotten a lot more dangerous.