**Chapter 4: Descent into Chaos**

As they burst into the elevator, Korra felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The doors slid shut behind them, and Hiroshi punched in a code on the control panel. The elevator lurched into motion, and Korra stumbled, her balance wavering. Mako caught her by the elbow, steadying her. "What's happening?" Korra asked, her voice tight with anxiety. "The Eclipse Protocol is causing a chain reaction," Hiroshi explained, his eyes fixed on the control panel. "The facility is self-destructing. We have to get out before it's too late." The elevator hurtled through the depths of the facility, the lights flickering ominously. Korra's stomach dropped as they plummeted downwards, the air pressure building in her ears. Mako's face was set in a grim expression. "How much time do we have?" Hiroshi's eyes flicked to the control panel. "Less than five minutes. The escape pods are designed to withstand extreme conditions, but we need to reach them before the facility implodes." Korra's mind racing, she thought back to Asami. Was she still alive? Was she trapped somewhere in the facility? The uncertainty was suffocating, but Korra pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. The elevator jolted to a stop, and the doors slid open with a hiss. A bright light spilled in, illuminating a cramped corridor lined with metallic walls and emergency exit signs. "Out here," Hiroshi said, his voice urgent. "The escape pods are just down the corridor." As they sprinted down the corridor, the air grew thick with smoke. Alarms blared, and the sound of groaning metal filled the air. Korra's heart pounded in her chest, her senses on high alert. Suddenly, a section of the corridor ahead of them gave way, plunging the area into darkness. Korra skidded to a stop, her eyes straining to adjust to the sudden absence of light. Mako's voice was calm, reassuring. "I've got this." A soft blue glow emanated from his hands, illuminating the darkened corridor. Korra's eyes widened as Mako's firebending abilities revealed a mangled mess of twisted metal and debris. Hiroshi's face was grim. "We have to find another way. This route is blocked." Korra's eyes scanned the area, her mind racing. They couldn't afford to waste any more time. Asami's fate, and possibly the fate of the world, hung in the balance. A faint cry for help echoed through the corridor, sending a shiver down Korra's spine. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the voice – it was Asami. "Asami?" Korra called out, her voice shaking with hope. "Is that you?" The cry came again, louder this time, and Korra's eyes locked onto Mako's. "We have to find her," she said, her voice firm. Mako nodded, his face set in a determined expression. "We will." With newfound resolve, Korra led the way, her senses guiding her through the smoke-filled corridors. They had to find Asami, no matter what dangers lay ahead. The fate of the world depended on it.