When Alexander, in his hare form, plunged into the deep void, he expected to find himself in the Border. But instead he came face to face with Death. She appeared before him in the form of a woman with transparent flesh through which her bones were visible. Half-turning to Alexander, she stood in her cloak fluttering lightly in the wind. Her bony hand reached out to Alexander, as if inviting him to follow her.

- You belong to me! Accept your fate. - she said, and her finger almost touched Alexander, when suddenly he was pulled into the reality of the Edge.

He opened his eyes and saw the faces of his friends above him - Ivan, Andrey and Sofia, who looked at him with excitement and relief, thinking that he was dead. The air in Grani was filled with anxiety and tension, but the sight of their faces reminded Alexander that he was not alone in this strange and dangerous world.

When Alexander opened his eyes, Sofia hugged him tenderly, her voice trembling from the emotions overwhelming her:

“You lay motionless for thirty minutes, I thought that you wouldn’t wake up and crumble into dust.” - Her eyes filled with tears that streamed down her cheeks while she continued to hold the hare tightly in her arms. Ivan, with relief in his voice, said:

- Andrei and I have already begun to think about how we will explain to the colonel that his experiment with the hare was a failure. - although he spoke laughing, his eyes were full of concern and joy at the same time. Andrey, smiling slightly, added:

- Buddy, you gave us a good scare. Don't do that again, okay? - His voice sounded calm, but there was genuine concern in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Alexander looked around. The Edge was a chaotic world where everything seemed confused and unreal. Before his gaze lay a landscape where the sky was painted in unnatural shades of purple and green, creating the feeling of a world in a dream. The ground below them was littered with rocks and cracks, as if the ground had just experienced an earthquake. In the distance, vague, distorted silhouettes of buildings and trees could be seen, as if they had been drawn by someone who saw the world through the prism of dreams.

There was an aura of mysticism and the unknown in the air. The sounds around them were muffled and distorted, making it feel like the world around them was inside a giant bubble. Every rustle, every whisper seemed distant and unclear, like sounds from another dimension.

Unpredictability and mystery reigned in the Edge, and every element of this world seemed to be snatched from fantasies and nightmares. Despite the external chaos, this world had its own order - strange and incomprehensible.

Alexander, looking around, felt mixed feelings. He was surprised and at the same time attracted by this unusual reality. Despite his small hare form, he felt strong and determined. Death met him, but could not hold him, and now he again stood on the threshold of adventure in the Edge.

Around him, his friends had already begun to rise, preparing for the task ahead. Their looks showed determination and readiness to confront the challenges that had to be overcome in this mysterious world. Together they were stronger, and this gave Alexander confidence that they could overcome any obstacles. There was not just friendly support, but real unity and mutual understanding, which was extremely important in such conditions as the Border.

Everything around reminded Alexander that the Edge is a place where reality and fantasy intertwine, creating a unique and inimitable atmosphere. Here, every step could lead to unexpected discoveries or incredible dangers.

Ivan's group moved decisively towards the chosen hill, every step in the Edge was shrouded in a feeling of uncertainty and the possibility of the unexpected. Ivan, leading the group, noted:

“We have thirty minutes left before the signal from Petrov’s group.” Andrey, watch closely for the bursts of energy, and we will look with all our eyes.

Andrey, concentrating on his task, asked a question:

- Won’t Charon attack our guys? Still, we are following the merchant, although not the guide of souls... - his voice was filled with concern and vigilance.

- God knows, let's hope everything goes smoothly. - Ivan answered, reaching the top of the hill and showing Sofia the direction. He looked out across the vastness of the Verge, where every stone and every tree could hide danger or opportunity.

They were on alert, realizing that the Edge was a huge and complex world where every action could lead to unpredictable consequences. If they find themselves too far from Charon, they will have to return to the real world and try again. Petrov's team, operating in a different sector, followed a specially developed protocol for inter-team operations in Grani, which provided additional confidence in the success of the mission.

In every movement, in every look of the group members, one could feel the readiness to fight and survive in this mysterious and dangerous world, where everyone could become a key factor in the success or failure of the operation.

With every minute of waiting, the tension in the group increased. Ivan, usually calm and collected, began to get nervous, since it was known that Petrov was one of the most disciplined and accurate operatives. A delay of more than ten minutes could not be accidental, and this made everyone here anxious.

- Do you feel anything? - Ivan turned to Andrey, who was endowed with the ability to sense unusual energy bursts. Andrei shook his head negatively, his skill did not react to the surrounding environment.

Alexander, in his hare form, felt that something unusual had happened. His new body had special senses capable of capturing what was inaccessible to ordinary human perception. Concentrating, he caught a thin, barely perceptible sound that seemed inaudible to others.

The sound was a faint but steady pulsating whisper that seemed to come from the ground below them. It was like the sound of a receding heartbeat, as if the heart of the earth itself was beating in the Edge. This whisper was rhythmic and monotonous, reminiscent of the distant beat of drums, sounding somewhere in the depths of this strange world. The sound seemed muffled, as if coming from underground or through the air of the Edge, creating the feeling that something large and powerful was hiding in this world.

Alexander tried to determine the source of the sound, but this proved difficult due to the chaotic nature of the Edge. He turned to Ivan and Andrey, signaling that he had discovered something important. Ivan peered carefully at the hare, trying to understand his intentions.

- There... I hear... The heartbeat of the earth. - Alexander tried to explain, using his limited methods of communication. His behavior was unusual and aroused the interest of the rest of the group.

Ivan and Andrey looked at each other, realizing that in the Edge much remains beyond their perception, and that Businka’s instincts and feelings could be the key to understanding what is happening in this world. They decided to follow him, relying on his unusual ability to hear what is inaccessible to the human ear. The group moved slowly in the direction Alexander had indicated, moving through the landscape of the Edge with caution and vigilance.

Sofia, still holding the hare in her arms, pressed him tightly to her, as if seeking comfort and safety in him. They walked through this mysterious world, where every bush and every stone could hide the unknown and danger. But together, as a team, they felt more confident and ready to face what the Edge had in store for them.

There was silence, interrupted only by the sounds of their footsteps and the quiet whisper that continued to guide Alexander. Each of them was absorbed in their own thoughts, but together they were focused on one goal - to find and complete their task, despite all the unknowns that could await them.

As the group moved through the Edge, their path took them through a huge crater, where rivers of water and lava flowed into its deep bowl. The air around was electrified, and along the entire perimeter of the crater traces of lightning were visible, cutting up the earth and rocks. The landscape in this place looked like a scene from an apocalyptic film, where the forces of nature showed their indomitable power.

In the center of the crater, the source of the mysterious sound was the figure of a girl, whom Alexander recognized as one of the Sisters - Vetsu, the Lady of Fates. She lay motionless, killed by a lightning strike. Her chest was singed and pierced through, and her face expressed peaceful calm, despite the violent death. The skin on her face was as pale as a marble statue, and her long dark hair spread around her like a dark cloud.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“This is terrible...” Sofia said quietly, looking at Wetsu’s body. Alexander, in turn, realized what the sound was.

- The threads of fate are torn without a mistress! - he thought to himself.

And then, as confirmation of his thoughts, another sound was heard, and puffs of hot air began to burst out of the ground. The portals previously located on the approaches to this place changed their appearance, and three terrifying chimeras began to appear from there. These creatures were a mixture of several animals and mythical beasts, each with their own unique and menacing appearance.

The first chimera had the body of a lion, powerful wings of an eagle and fiery red eyes. Her fur was dark, as if charred, and smoke came from her mouth, giving her the appearance of living fire.

The second chimera resembled a giant scorpion with the head of a wolf and sharp spines covering its shell. Her movements were fast and sharp, and her eyes sparkled with cold rage.

The third chimera combined the features of an eagle and a snake. Her body was covered with scales that glistened in the sun, and her powerful claws and sharp teeth revealed her as a dangerous predator.

Each of these creatures made threatening sounds, and their appearance caused a wave of anxiety in the group. Ivan's group, realizing that a battle was coming, took up fighting positions, preparing to clash with these mythical creatures.

Alexander, at the center of this chaos, felt that the death of Wetsu had caused an imbalance in the Edge, and now they faced not only a physical threat, but also a deeper, otherworldly imbalance.

Ivan stood in front, tensing every muscle in his body to take the first blow. Sofia, acting quickly, carefully threw Alexander the bunny around her neck and summoned the element of cold in her hands, preparing to use her powers.

The two chimeras instantly rushed in different directions, creating chaos and destruction in their path. However, the chimera, combining the features of an eagle and a snake, focused on Ivan's group. This creature moved with incredible grace and speed, reminiscent of a deadly dancer. Her scaly body shimmered in all shades of green and black, and her eyes burned with cold fire. The wings rose and fell powerfully, lifting her into the air, where she hovered as if searching for the best point to attack.

The chimera's sharp claws glinted in the sun as it swooped down, aiming straight for the group's heart. Sofia was immediately hit by a wave of cold, and Ivan created a shield step forward, but the monster quickly changed direction. Her movements were precise and fast, and she expertly maneuvered through the air, using her wings and long snake-like body to dodge retaliatory attacks. She chose the tactics of quick and accurate strikes, trying to frustrate the group's defenses and find a weak spot for a decisive blow.

Ivan’s group, although taken by surprise, did not lose the ability to coordinate actions. Ivan, focused and determined, stayed at the forefront, trying to divert the chimera's attention to himself. Sofia, despite the strain of having Alexander the Hare around her neck, made smart use of her cold control abilities, creating ice barriers and protective walls to slow and weaken the chimera's attacks. Andrey analyzed and helped Sofia in aiming, which has already borne fruit. A couple of hits and the creature’s scream echoed across the crater.

Alexander, being with Sofia, acutely felt every movement of the creature. His bestial instincts and enhanced vision allowed him to monitor the chimera's maneuvers, warning of possible attacks. He created an ice shield, blocking attacks from behind. He could have tried to attack, but the enemy was out of his hands.

Andrey, in turn, used his skills to analyze the behavior of the chimera, trying to find weak points in its defenses. His attention was focused on the creature's movements, and he tried to predict the enemy's next move.

Together they created a coordinated defense, each using their unique abilities to provide protection and mutual aid. This cohesion and understanding became their main weapon against the chimera, which, although a powerful and agile opponent, was beginning to have difficulty in its attacks due to the team's well-coordinated work.

Just as the group seemed to be finally getting closer to defeating the chimera, two more similar creatures emerged from the same portal from which the first chimera emerged. They growled and charged with unexpected ferocity.

“Well, great, now there are three of them...” Ivan commented sarcastically, stepping back.

- Looks like our luck is not great today! - Andrei added, dodging the attack of one of the chimeras.

- We need to retreat, we can’t cope with everyone at once! - Sofia exclaimed, hugging Alexander tightly to her.

The group retreated, trying to get away from the superior enemy forces. Along the way, they saw that the entire Edge was plunged into chaos and battle. In all corners of this world, people with superpowers fought against various creatures. From somewhere the undead appeared, whose elongated, pale figures with a cold gleam in their eyes attacked the Reposed and Rejected. Walking trees, as if coming to life from ancient legends, with branches like arms, grabbed and squeezed everything that came their way. Other creatures were also seen, some of them looked like huge birds with flames instead of feathers, others like giant snakes with human faces.

The superhumans who were in the Edge fought a desperate struggle. They used a variety of abilities - from lightning strikes and protective barriers to elemental control and telekinetic attacks. Despite their power and skill, many of them were overwhelmed by the number and strength of their unusual enemies.

- We need to find a way to the portal back to the real world. This is too much for us! - Ivan said, leading the group through the chaos and destruction.

They quickened their pace, trying to avoid direct clashes, but at the same time helping each other and protecting each other from attacks. Fear and determination pulsed in their hearts, knowing that every moment in this world could be their last. But together, they remained hopeful of finding a way out and escaping the impending chaos.

Ivan, focused on his goal of reaching the portal, led the group, skillfully manipulating his hemispherical shield to protect them from attacks. However, as they approached the portal, Ivan discovered that they were not the only ones seeking to leave the Edge. Several people had already entered the portal, but suddenly it collapsed, throwing out everyone except one of those who tried to pass through it.

Quickly realizing that this path was inaccessible, Ivan led the group in a different direction, fighting off attacks from flying snakes that whistled through the air like arrows. In the chaos of the battle, where every step could be the last, Alexander noticed a powerful explosion of water nearby. This explosion was very similar to Charon's signature attacks.

With his movements and sounds, Alexander attracted the attention of his comrades to this place. Ivan, realizing the importance of the situation, immediately led the group towards the explosion. They ran through the battle arena, avoiding the undead and walking trees that attacked everyone in their path.

Sofia, holding Alexander in her arms, remained on alert, ready to use her abilities to defend or attack. Andrey, in turn, directed his sensory abilities to find a safe route, trying to avoid direct contact with enemies.

As they approached the site of the explosion, the situation became increasingly tense. The water element shot up into the air, creating an impressive whirlpool. It was indeed similar to Charon's attack, and Alexander knew that if they could get close to him, they would have a chance to complete the task and perhaps find a way to leave the Fringe.

- It must be Charon! - Ivan exclaimed, directing the group towards the whirlpool.

“Be on your guard, we don’t know what awaits us...” Sofia warned, strengthening her cold aura around herself and Alexander.

The group continued on its way, being in constant tension and ready for battle. And ahead could be seen explosions of the water element and the screams of chimeras.