The space-time ripple shimmered in the glade, a glowing distortion in reality that seemed alive, breathing with an otherworldly rhythm. Riry and Jun stood transfixed, their beast companions—the Sleeping Leviathan and Yogundr—stirring with unusual energy. The ripple pulsed in sync with the creatures, as if responding to their presence.
Do you feel that? Riry breathed, her voice quiet. Her Leviathan drifted closer to the ripple, its ethereal form glowing more brightly with every pulse.
Jun nodded, the shadow snake that coiled him tightening further around his body. "It's like they're. connected.".
The Leviathan hummed softly, its glow now deep azure, matching the pulse of light in the ripple. Yogundr's scales began to shimmer weakly. The darkness that was their normal sheen was giving way to an understated iridescence. The pulsing of the ripple appeared steadier, as if tuning in.
Riry looked at Jun. "What do you think is going on?
"No clue," Jun said, his eyes still on the ripple. "But I feel like they are trying to show us something."
The Leviathan came closer, its shine growing brighter as it crossed into the ripple. The distortion expanded outward, covering the creature in a spate of light. Yogundr whispered, a hiss that resonated in Jun's mind.
"Follow, but tread lightly. The void and the ripple are cousins—both endless, both perilous."
Jun looked at Riry. "Yogundr says we have to follow it. Cautiously."
Riry smiled at that. "Careful doesn't really feel like me, but I can try."
Both of them crossed the threshold over the ripple as its light touched them. Reality seemed to turn inside out and then flip around again within a blur of colors and outlines. Time dragged and stretched inside this, creating a disorienting yet oddly still sense.
---
When the distortions cleared up, they appeared in a tremendous, open flat under a liquid silver sky, and in the distance, light pulsed on towering crystalline structures that sent their rhythm up in echo through the ripple in the air as it buzzed with energy from mana and mystery.
"Where are we?" Riry asked, turning around in a slow circle. Above her, a Leviathan float glowed brightly.
"Not on Gaia anymore," Jun said, his voice wary. "At least, not the Gaia we know."
Yogundr's voice echoed inside his mind. "This is a nexus, a place where the threads of space and time converge. The ripple brought you here because you are tethered to us."
Riry's Leviathan hummed, and she frowned. "It's saying something similar. That this place exists because of ancient bonds between creatures like them and the magic of Gaia. Apparently, we're… compatible."
"Compatible?" Jun echoed, raising an eyebrow.
She shrugged, her usual grin returning. "Guess we're special. Let's figure out what that means."
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They came upon crystalline structures. They advanced by design. These structures hummed a soft resonant sound as their vibrations mirrored that of the creature's energy. The two halted at the base of the largest spire, gazing upon a swirl of light around it.
"They want us to touch it," Riry observed, staring upon the core.
"Are you kidding me?" Jun asked, his voice skeptical. "Last time we touched something weird, it didn't end well."
Riry smirked. "No risk, no reward. And if this explodes, we're probably already in another dimension. What's the worst that could happen?"
Jun sighed, shaking his head. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," she quipped, winking at him.
Jun ignored the heat rising in his face, extending his hand toward the core. Riry did the same, their fingers brushing briefly before making contact with the swirling light. A jolt of energy shot through them, and the world around them shifted once again.
When the light receded, they stood in a chamber filled with intricate carvings and glowing runes. The air was heavy with mana, and the beasts' energy seemed heightened, their forms almost ethereal.
"Welcome," a deep voice echoed, startling them. A figure materialized before them, humanoid but wreathed in shimmering light. Its features were indistinct, as though it existed between states of being.
"Who are you?" Jun asked, his tone guarded.
"A guardian of the nexus," the figure replied. "You have been brought here because of your bonds with these creatures. The ripples are a gift, but they are unstable. They must be harnessed, or they will consume Gaia."
Riry stepped forward. "Harnessed how? We're not exactly ripple experts."
The guardian gestured to the beasts. "They are the key. The ripples resonate with their energy, and through them, you may stabilize these anomalies. But it will require trust, focus, and strength."
Jun furrowed his brow. "And if we fail?"
"Then the ripples will grow unchecked, and Gaia will fracture under their weight," the guardian said gravely. "You must decide if you are willing to take this burden.".
Riry gazed over at Jun, her brashness abandoned now that the moment was upon them. "Well, it looks like we're in a jam together, shadow boy."
Jun nodded, his determination hardening. "We will do it. Tell us what we need to do."
---
The protector guided them through a series of trials for the next few hours, aiming to attune them further to their beast companions. Riry's Leviathan taught her how to manipulate mana flows with precision, weaving them into intricate patterns that mirrored the ripple's rhythms. Jun's training focused on harmonizing his void magic with Yogundr's energy, creating a balance between light and shadow.
After sitting there for a bit, Riry flumped herself on the floor of the room. Her breath was coming in jagged jerks. "This's tougher than I'd anticipated, I assumed it'd take a while and my forehead had been running in sweat with water.
Jun settled beside her; his pity-tinged features were all over his face. "You're doing good. Better than me probably.
She nugged him softly. "Don't sell yourself short. You have that whole shadow warrior, dark and brooding, thing going on. Pretty impressive."
Jun grinned. "Thanks, I guess." He fell silent for a moment before he said, "I am glad you are here. I don't think I could do this alone."
Riry's smile dulled a little. "Me too. You make the whole saving the world thing just a little less terrifying."
They shared a moment of quiet, the space between them growing palpable within that silence.
---
When the trials concluded, the guardian spoke to them once more. "You are ready. The ripples are connected to Gaia's mana network. Through your bond with these creatures, you can even out their energy. But that is just the beginning. It will be arduous and long."
"We'll be fine," Jun said firmly.
Riry nodded. "Together."
The guardian's form faded. "Go now, and may your bonds remain strong. Gaia's fate rests in your hands."
The room melted into light, and they were back in the forest glade. The ripple shone dimly, its energy now steady and calm. Riry's Leviathan and Yogundr seemed brighter, their connection to their humans more prominent than ever.
Jun exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. "We did it. At least for now.".
Riry grinned, her confidence coming back. "Told you we'd figure it out."
He shook his head, grinning. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," she teased, brushing past him as they started packing up their camp.
Jun didn't answer, but the warmth in his chest told him she wasn't wrong. Together, they headed back toward Evergreen Falls, ready to face whatever came next.