The air was taut with unease, the kind that clung to the back of the throat and refused to be swallowed. Ayane stood at the edge of the Nexus corridor, her arms crossed tightly against her chest, staring down the dimly lit path. Each step forward felt heavier than the last, as though the Nexus itself weighed on her shoulders.

"You're quieter than usual," Ethan said, his voice breaking through the silence.

Ayane glanced at him, the faint glow of her crystal illuminating his sharp features. "I'm thinking."

"That’s a first," Dey quipped from behind them, his blade resting against his shoulder.

Ayane shot him a glare. "Keep it up, Dey, and you’ll be the next one I throw at a Fragment."

"Promises, promises," he retorted, but his smirk didn’t quite reach his eyes.

The three of them had been walking for what felt like hours. The Nexus corridor stretched endlessly ahead, its crystalline walls pulsating faintly with a rhythm that seemed to mirror Ayane's heartbeat. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, though every glance over her shoulder revealed only shadows.

"How much farther?" she asked, her voice sharper than she intended.

Ethan didn’t look at her. "Not far. The signal is getting stronger."

"And more unstable," Dey muttered.

Ethan nodded grimly. "The Core’s fractures are spreading. We’re running out of time."

Ayane clenched her fists, her gaze falling to the crystal around her neck. It was warm against her skin, a constant reminder of the power she carried—and the responsibility that came with it. She hadn’t chosen this path, but there was no turning back now.

The corridor finally opened into a vast chamber, its walls glittering with shards of fractured light. In the center of the room stood a figure, cloaked in shadows and barely distinguishable from the darkness around them.

"Finally," the figure said, their voice echoing unnaturally. "I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it."

Ayane’s hand instinctively went to her blade. "Who are you?"

The figure stepped forward, and as the light caught their face, Ayane’s breath caught in her throat. It was a face she knew—a face she trusted.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Riven?" she whispered.

Ethan stiffened beside her, his expression darkening. "That’s not Riven. Not anymore."

The man who had once been Riven smiled, though there was no warmth in it. His eyes glowed with the same chaotic energy that radiated from the Core, and his movements were unnervingly fluid, like a puppet on invisible strings.

"You’re quick, Ethan," Riven said, his voice laced with mockery. "But you’re wrong. I am still me. I’ve just... evolved."

"That’s what they all say," Dey muttered, his grip tightening on his weapon.

Riven’s gaze shifted to Ayane, and his smile widened. "And you... You’re the key, aren’t you? The chosen one, the bearer of the crystal. I can feel its power from here."

Ayane took a step back, her heart pounding. "What happened to you, Riven? This isn’t you."

"This is me," he said, spreading his arms. "For the first time in my life, I see clearly. The Nexus showed me the truth. It’s not broken—it’s perfect. And I’m going to make sure it stays that way."

"By destroying everything else?" Ethan snapped.

Riven’s eyes flashed. "By eliminating the chaos. By stabilizing the system, no matter the cost. You of all people should understand that, Ethan."

Ethan took a step forward, his blade drawn. "I understand enough to know you’re a threat. Stand down, Riven, or I’ll make you."

Riven laughed, a hollow sound that sent chills down Ayane’s spine. "You always were predictable."

Before anyone could react, Riven moved, faster than Ayane thought possible. He was on Ethan in an instant, their blades clashing with a deafening clang. Sparks flew as the two men fought, their movements a blur of steel and light.

Dey leapt into the fray, his blade slicing through the air, but Riven was faster. He sidestepped the attack with ease, his movements almost... inhuman.

Ayane stood frozen, her hand gripping her crystal. She could feel its power surging, begging to be unleashed, but fear held her back. What if she couldn’t control it? What if she hurt Ethan or Dey—or herself?

"Snap out of it, Ayane!" Ethan shouted, dodging another strike.

Riven turned to her, his eyes glowing brighter. "Yes, Ayane. Show me what you can do."

His words were like a taunt, and something inside her snapped. She closed her eyes, focusing on the crystal’s energy. It responded instantly, flooding her with warmth and light.

When she opened her eyes, the world seemed sharper, more vibrant. She could see the faint threads of energy connecting Riven to the Nexus, pulsing with chaotic rhythm.

Taking a deep breath, Ayane stepped forward, the crystal in her hand glowing brighter with each step. Riven turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

"That’s it," he said softly. "Show me."

Ayane didn’t hesitate. She raised the crystal, channeling its power into a focused beam of light. It struck Riven square in the chest, and for a moment, he faltered. The glow in his eyes dimmed, and his movements became sluggish.

But then he laughed, the sound filled with both pain and triumph. "You’re stronger than I thought," he said, his voice strained. "But you’re not strong enough."

The energy around him surged, and Ayane was thrown back by the force of it. She hit the ground hard, the crystal slipping from her grasp.

"Ayane!" Ethan shouted, rushing to her side.

Riven stood over them, his expression cold. "You can’t stop me. None of you can."

Dey charged at him again, his blade cutting through the air, but Riven caught it effortlessly, twisting it out of his hands. He knocked Dey to the ground with a single blow, leaving him dazed and bleeding.

Ayane struggled to her feet, her vision blurry. She could see the crystal lying a few feet away, its light flickering weakly. She crawled toward it, her fingers brushing against its surface just as Riven raised his blade.

"Goodbye, Ayane," he said.

But before he could strike, a surge of energy erupted from the crystal, enveloping Ayane in a protective barrier of light. Riven recoiled, his eyes narrowing.

"You’re more resilient than I thought," he said, his tone almost admiring. "This isn’t over."

With a final burst of energy, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving the chamber eerily silent once more.

Ayane collapsed to the ground, her body trembling. Ethan and Dey hurried to her side, both looking battered but alive.

"You okay?" Dey asked, his voice uncharacteristically gentle.

She nodded, though her entire body ached. "I think so."

Ethan’s gaze was fixed on the spot where Riven had vanished. "We have to stop him. Whatever he’s planning, it’s only going to make things worse."

Ayane clenched the crystal in her hand, its warmth giving her a small measure of comfort. "We will," she said, her voice firm. "No matter what it takes."