Chapter 20: The Descent Into Madness

The Storm Reaper shook violently as the mechanical beast's claws scraped against its hull. Lucien's heart raced as he gripped the wheel with both hands, eyes focused ahead, trying to outrun the monster's crushing grip. The crew scrambled, responding to his orders with military precision despite the chaos.

"Rosie, give us some firepower!" Lucien shouted, barely able to hear himself over the deafening roars of the mechanical dragon.

"Already on it!" Rosie's voice rang through the comms, and a series of explosive blasts erupted from the Storm Reaper's cannons. The massive creature hissed in response, recoiling slightly but then retaliating with a powerful tail swipe that sent the ship rocking dangerously.

"Hold steady!" Lucien barked, but his stomach dropped as the ship tilted at an alarming angle. He could feel the weight of the artifact in his hand, its pulse growing stronger, almost as if it were alive—alive and angry.

"Lucien, we need to figure this out!" Marion's voice cut through the noise. Her eyes were wide with concern, her hands bracing herself against a nearby railing as the ship threatened to plummet.

"I know!" Lucien shouted back. His mind raced, the memories flooding back to him: the artifact, the woman who had once been part of his crew, the secrets it held. The truth about the ancient war between humanity and the Deep Ones—the horrific creatures locked away beneath the earth.

"Maybe we can use the artifact against it!" Professor Valeria Steinbeck piped up, her wild eyes flashing with excitement despite the gravity of the situation. She was fiddling with her alchemy tools, trying to make sense of the chaos. "It could have some kind of counterforce—something that can repel it!"

Lucien stared down at the pulsating crystal heart in his hand. Could it really do that? Could it actually protect them from something so powerful? Or was it simply another tool that would bring more destruction?

Before he could respond, Selene's voice came through, sharp and cold. "Don't listen to her. The artifact is too dangerous. It's corrupted you already. The more you use it, the more it takes control. You can't trust it."

The words hit him like a slap in the face. Selene was right—the artifact had already changed him. It had changed all of them. He could feel it, deep within his bones. The pull, the whisper, the promise of power and secrets he could barely begin to understand.

But if they didn't use it, they were all dead.

The creature's claws scraped the side of the ship again, sending a shudder through the hull. The crew scrambled to adjust, but Lucien could see the monster was closing in for the kill. It was too strong, too fast.

The artifact pulsed again, more violently this time. Lucien's hand tightened instinctively around it, and a surge of power rushed through him. He stumbled back, almost dropping the artifact, but instead of letting go, he steadied himself.

"Hold on!" Lucien shouted, his voice unrecognizable, filled with urgency and desperation. "Get ready to fire on my mark!"

The storm raged around them, the winds howling as if the world itself were being torn apart. The artifact seemed to hum louder now, filling the air with an ominous energy. Lucien's breath quickened as he focused on the pulsing light coming from the artifact. His fingers traced the edges of the crystal, trying to decipher its hidden messages.

"Lucien!" Evelyn's voice cut through the air, her words sharp and desperate. "You're not thinking clearly. This is not the way."

Lucien could barely hear her. The pressure in his mind, the madness of the situation, and the artifact's call were overwhelming. It felt as if something inside him was waking up—something primal. Something dangerous.

The mechanical dragon's maw opened wide, revealing rows of jagged, metallic teeth, ready to tear the Storm Reaper to pieces. The massive creature was closer than ever, and its tail swung back again, poised to strike.

With a final, deep breath, Lucien made a decision. He had no choice.

"Now!" he yelled.

A torrent of firepower erupted from the Storm Reaper's cannons, but it was not enough. The ship jolted violently as the dragon swung its tail once more, knocking the cannons off course. Lucien's hands were on fire with the artifact's energy, and he felt his mind unraveling as the pulsing beat reached a deafening crescendo.

Then, in an instant, everything went dark.

---

Lucien blinked, disoriented, his breath ragged. He was on the deck of the ship, but something was different. The storm had calmed. The mechanical dragon was gone.

"Lucien?" Marion's voice was soft, filled with confusion and fear. "What happened? Are you alright?"

Lucien's chest heaved as he tried to gather his bearings. The artifact was still in his hand, but it felt… lighter. The weight of it had changed, its pulse slowed to a faint throb.

"I… I don't know." Lucien's voice was hoarse as he stood up, his eyes scanning the horizon. The skies were clear now, the chaos over—but at what cost?

"Are we… safe?" Valeria asked, her voice trembling.

"I don't know," Lucien replied, staring at the artifact, a sense of dread creeping up his spine. "I don't know."

Suddenly, there was a loud hiss, and the deck trembled beneath them. Lucien whipped around, his heart sinking. Another figure stood at the edge of the ship—a tall, dark silhouette. Her eyes glinted with an unnerving familiarity.

"Not quite finished yet, are we?" Selene's voice was low, almost mocking.

Lucien's mind whirled. They hadn't escaped. The storm, the dragon, the artifact—it wasn't over. This was just the beginning.