The aftermath of the Siege of Valdris left the city in a fragile peace. The victory over the Rift Colossus and its army had given the people hope, but for Damien and the Council of Four, the horizon only grew darker. Scouts and messengers began pouring in with grim tidings: the Rifts were spreading faster than ever, and new clusters had appeared across the continent.
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THE COUNCIL’S WARNING
In the war room, the Council gathered to analyze the latest reports. Morganna Nightraven was the first to speak, her tone grave. “The Rifts aren’t retreating—they’re multiplying. Entire regions are being swallowed by this new surge.”
Lyanna Silverthorn traced the map with her finger, pointing to several newly marked locations. “These Rift clusters aren’t random. They’re forming a pattern, converging toward a central point.”
Damien frowned, his eyes fixed on the growing threat. “They’re reorganizing. Whatever we faced before was just the beginning. They’re preparing for something bigger.”
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Garrick Drakenshield slammed his fist on the table. “Then we need to hit them harder and faster. We’ve broken their lines before; we can do it again.”
But Morganna’s expression darkened. “It won’t be that simple. We’ve also received reports of new enemy types—creatures with abilities we’ve never seen before. They’re adapting.”
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THE RIFTBLADE'S PROPHECY
Eryndor, the Citadel’s Rift scholar, entered with a set of ancient scrolls. “There’s more,” he said, his voice filled with urgency. “I’ve been studying the crystal you retrieved from the Order of the Shattered Star, and it’s revealed something troubling.”
He unrolled a scroll covered in glowing symbols. “The Prophecy of the Riftblade. It speaks of a time when the Rifts will no longer be confined to isolated incidents. They’ll spread like wildfire, consuming entire worlds.”
Damien’s jaw tightened. “And the solution?”
Eryndor hesitated. “It also mentions the rise of other Bladebearers—champions chosen to wield Celestial Blades like yours. Together, they’re the only force capable of sealing the Rifts completely.”