Draven moved systematically, gathering crystal fragments from destroyed golems as core shards contained draconic essence while elemental samples represented all five corruptions.
Sylvara assisted as druid's analytical mind organized samples, separating fire, thunder, water, earth, air fragments into distinct groups.
Velnar used Soilshaper Pulse gently as earth communion located intact pieces buried beneath rubble, extracting cleanly without further damage.
Feyra's Radiant Instinct identified fragments with strongest draconic aura, selecting optimal samples for analysis.
Zor circled overhead as Storm Sense confirmed no additional threats while chamber stayed secure for collection.
Dozen fragments total meant enough for comprehensive study, small enough for portable transport while representing full spectrum of dragon's elemental essence.
Genesis Codex hovered as Adhivar's presence observed while cosmic entity approved evidence preservation.
Draven retrieved smartphone as Earth device stored in Warden's Mantle pouch showed alien technology on Theia while screen glowed softly.
Genesis Codex powered device as Original Universe connection interfaced while cosmic artifact charged Earth electronics seamlessly, battery full.
Photographing fragments came with multiple angles as close-ups showed elemental veins while wider shots displayed full collection, documentation thorough.
Photographing ruins interior captured crystalline architecture as corruption patterns on walls showed golem debris scattered while chamber layout was recorded.
Digital evidence preserved as dozens of images stored in Earth-format data, eventually uploadable when dimensional breach allowed while visual proof of dragon discovery remained.
Technology advantage clear as Theia lacked photography while Earth's digital preservation proved superior for evidence.
Sylvara manifested vine pouch as druidic magic wove organic container, protective yet breathable while nature-element preserved crystal samples.
Fragments stored carefully as wrapped individually, insulated from friction while separated by element to prevent resonance interference.
Draven secured smartphone as device returned to Warden's Mantle pouch, protected by Lord-tier armor's enchantments.
Pack ready as evidence collected with documentation complete while investigation concluded for now.
"Let's exit. Share findings with Malvorn. Coordinate alliance investigation."
Purposeful departure.
***
Pack retraced path through central chamber, past destroyed golem debris as corridors still glowed faintly with corruption's fading veins.
Crystalline walls pulsed weakly as orange-red, electric blue, aqua-cyan, brown-green, silver-white elemental signatures lingered despite guardian destruction.
Stable zone compromised as protective magic inverted while ancient sanctuary was vulnerable, Southern ruins no longer safe for knowledge preservation.
Draven noted deterioration as walls cracked while architecture destabilized, corruption spreading even without active golems as dimensional wrongness persisted.
Sylvara's Druidic Clairsense was disturbed as balance was ruined while natural harmony shattered, ruins dying slowly.
Leaving behind failure as no Pillar location found while investigation was interrupted by combat and dragon mystery, original objective incomplete.
Tomorrow, different ruins.
Ruins entrance emerged as pack stepped into afternoon sunlight while Southern landscape spread before them, forests and plains stretching toward distant mountains.
Fresh air contrasted stale corruption-tainted ruins interior as clean mana flowed naturally outside stable zone's compromised boundaries.
Zor launched skyward as ten-meter wingspan caught wind while Thunder Raven soared, Storm Sense relieved to escape confined space.
Velnar settled onto solid ground as massive scorpion was comfortable on natural earth while Leyline Instinct reconnected with planetary rhythms outside corrupted zone.
Feyra stretched as golden Fennec shook off tension while Blessing of Dawn brightened in natural environment.
Sylvara breathed deeply as druid appreciated untainted nature while forest scents comforted after crystalline sterility.
Draven paused, checking smartphone, checking samples, preparing communication.
***
Draven addressed Genesis Codex. "Adhivar, I need to contact Malvorn. Can you establish connection through the bond network?"
Genesis Codex pulsed as green-gold light intensified.
Adhivar's natural voice responded. "Of course. The Genesis Codex records every bond you've formed—not just with your immediate pack, but with all beasts you've connected to through Chainbreaker abilities. Malvorn's bond is registered. I can serve as a communication medium, transmitting your thoughts and voice across the dimensional network."
Explanation continued. "Think of it as a telepathic relay. You speak through me, I transmit through the bond connection, Malvorn receives. Distance irrelevant. Dimensional interference minimal. Effective across continental ranges. The bond itself serves as the pathway—unbreakable, inherent, part of Fragment-bearer abilities."
Draven nodded, understanding mechanism as familiar with bond-sense but not long-range communication application.
"Establish connection. I'll share our findings."
Genesis Codex glowed brighter as network activated while bond pathways opened, dimensional transmission beginning.
Connection established as presence of earth Overlord manifested in Draven's awareness while Malvorn's consciousness was receptive, bond linking across hundreds of miles separating Southern ruins from Western mountains.
Draven spoke as voice transmitted through Genesis Codex network. "Malvorn. Investigation complete at Southern ruins. Findings unprecedented. Crystal golems we've encountered across all stable zones—Western, Sunken Archives, Northern, Southern—we now know their origin."
Transmitting summary. "They're fragments of a Crystal Dragon. Epic-tier being from the First Merger era, sixty-five million years ago. The dragon died—cause unknown—and merger architects used its body to create guardians. Every crystal golem across Theia is literally a piece of the same ancient dragon."
Information flowed as details transmitted efficiently with dragon discovery, elemental essence, merger-era hypothesis, Adhivar's analysis, corruption mystery.
Malvorn's response arrived as earth communion carried recognition while Ancient's vast experience processed revelation.
"Dragon. Epic-tier. Explains much. Crystalline structure. Universal presence. Four hundred years never understood. Now clear."
Draven continued. "Southern golems were corrupted—attacked despite peaceful approach. But Western, Sunken, Northern golems remained peaceful when we visited. I need you to investigate Western ruins specifically. Find crystal golems there. Examine them. Are they corrupted now? Still peaceful? Any changes since we last explored?"
Request clear. "If corruption spreading to other stable zones, we need to know. If Western golems remain stable, that information matters too. You're closest to Western ruins—can reach quickly via earth communion."
Malvorn's acknowledgment came. "Understood. Will investigate immediately. Western mountains familiar territory. Golems observed previously but never examined closely. Now will analyze thoroughly. Report findings."
Coordination established.
***
Perspective shift—Malvorn.
Western mountain range showed Malvorn's crystalline human form standing on rocky outcrop as silver eyes stayed distant while earth communion extended across mountainous terrain.
Draven's transmission received as information was profound while dragon revelation recontextualized four centuries of observation.
Crystal golems seen dozens of times as Western ruins visited repeatedly over Malvorn's long existence, guardians noticed but never understood while transparent constructs simply were accepted as ancient security.
Now understanding.
Dragon fragments.
Epic-tier being's corpse.
Merger-era desperation.
Everything connected.
Ancient's mind processed implications as corruption spreading, stable zones vulnerable, dragon mystery unsolved while alliance needed coordination.
Overlord network activating.
Earth communion connected to ice domain, ocean network as planetary awareness linked Overlords while consciousness touched across continental distances.
Malvorn's earth-deep voice resonated. "Frostina. Naelvorn. Raziel. Draven's investigation at Southern ruins revealed significant findings. Sharing information now."
Network receptive as three Overlord presences manifested in shared awareness.
Frostina's composed ice-cold consciousness from Northern territories.
Naelvorn's boisterous oceanic energy from deep sea trenches.
Raziel's efficient fire-aligned presence from volcanic regions.
Malvorn transmitted as dragon discovery, golem origin, Epic-tier being, merger-era death, crystal fragments, universal presence explained, corruption mystery, coordination request.
Information flowed through planetary network as earth, ice, ocean, fire domains synchronized while alliance informed simultaneously, knowledge distributed instantly.
Ancient magic.
Overlord coordination.
Unprecedented discovery shared.
Frostina's measured response came. "Northern golems will be examined. Ice domain awareness extending. Will report corruption status."
Naelvorn's energetic confirmation followed. "Ocean checking Sunken Archives golems! Underwater constructs—will investigate thoroughly! Dragon fragments in MY domain? Need to KNOW!"
Raziel's brief acknowledgment. "Volcanic regions searched. Ruins of Chain proximity. Will investigate."
Malvorn concluded. "Western ruins investigating immediately. Alliance coordinated. Knowledge shared. Will report findings individually."
Network consensus as four Overlords mobilized while coordinated investigation began, dragon mystery expanding alliance-wide.
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