Chapter 34: The Trial of Resolve

The Nexus groaned around them, its crystalline walls shuddering as fractures spiderwebbed through the glowing surfaces. Max staggered forward, his arm slung over James' shoulder, Lyra's grip steady on his other side. The pendant hung heavy against his chest, its light a faint flicker—drained but not extinguished. Behind them, Zorin and Hughes covered their retreat, staff and rifle poised as the echoes of Drayce's trapped soldiers clashed against the sealed portals.

"We've got minutes, maybe less," Hughes barked, his voice cutting through the din. "Those seals won't hold forever."

James nodded, his gaunt face tight with determination despite the exhaustion hollowing his eyes. "The Nexus exit's close—I saw it when they brought me in. Keep moving."

The corridor twisted ahead, its light dimming as the Makers' ancient power faltered under the strain of Max's gambit. Every step sent a jolt of pain through his legs, his super strength a distant memory, but James' presence fueled him. His brother—alive, here—after months of searching. He wouldn't lose him again.

Lyra's staff pulsed, casting emerald light to guide their path. "Max, the pendant's weak. If Drayce breaks through—"

"He won't," Max cut in, his voice hoarse but resolute. "Not yet. We've got time to get out."

Zorin snorted, his amber eyes scanning the shadows. "Optimism's cute, Carter. Hope it's not misplaced."

The air grew colder, the corridor narrowing until it spat them into a hexagonal chamber. At its center glowed a circular platform, its surface etched with swirling runes—the Nexus' exit. Above it, a vortex of blue and gold churned, a gateway back to Mars' surface. Relief surged in Max's chest, but it died fast.

A low hum filled the chamber, rising to a scream as the walls pulsed red. Nexthar's towering form flickered into view, its light erratic. "The seals fracture. Earth's Disruptor Arrays pierce the Nexus. You must depart—now."

James tightened his grip on Max. "That's our cue. Let's—"

The chamber quaked, the floor buckling as a portal tore open behind them. Drayce's voice slithered through, cold and venomous. "Leaving so soon, Carter?" His armored silhouette emerged, visor glinting, flanked by two exosuits that had slipped through before the seals fully collapsed. Their cannons whirred, locking onto the team.

Max shoved James toward the platform, raising a trembling shield with the pendant's last dregs of power. "Go! I'll hold them!"

Lyra's staff flared, her light merging with his shield. "Not alone, you won't."

Zorin spun, slamming his staff into the ground, a shockwave rippling toward Drayce. "Move, you idiots! We'll cover you!"

Hughes unloaded a barrage of rounds, forcing the exosuits to stagger. "Get to the platform—now!"

James hesitated, his hazel eyes locked on Max. "I'm not leaving you again."

Max met his gaze, the pendant sparking faintly. "You're not. We're going together." He grabbed James' arm, dragging him toward the platform as Lyra's light held the shield.

Drayce lunged, disruptor slashing through Zorin's shockwave, his suit's thrusters roaring. "You think you've won? Mars falls next!" His blade met Max's shield, energy crackling as it strained to hold.

"Zorin, Hughes—fall back!" Max shouted, his voice breaking. The pendant pulsed, a final surge of will flooding through him. He thrust it forward, the shield exploding outward in a wave that shoved Drayce back, buying seconds.

Zorin and Hughes sprinted to the platform, Lyra dragging Max and James with her. The vortex above flared, pulling them in as Drayce's roar echoed: "This isn't the end!"

Light swallowed them, the Nexus vanishing in a blur. Max hit the ground hard, red Martian soil crunching beneath him. The team sprawled around him—James coughing beside him, Lyra's staff dimming, Zorin and Hughes already on their feet, scanning the horizon.

Above, the sky burned with streaks of light—Earth's ships descending, their assault resuming. The Nexus' spire loomed in the distance, its peak flickering as the seals gave way entirely.

James gripped Max's shoulder, his voice raw. "You got me out. But this war—it's just starting."

Max rose, leaning on Lyra, the pendant's glow a stubborn ember. "Then we fight. Together."

Zorin smirked, twirling his staff. "About time we took the offensive."

Hughes reloaded his rifle, his eyes hard. "Earth wants a war? They'll get one."

Lyra's hand found Max's, her emerald gaze fierce. "We've got each other. That's enough."

The pendant pulsed, syncing with Max's heartbeat. Drayce was coming. Earth was coming. But with James back, and his team unbroken, Max felt something stronger than fear—hope.

"Let's move," he said, voice steady. "We've got a world to save."

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