The Citadel’s dimly lit study room was filled with the hum of magical instruments. Ancient texts and maps cluttered the wooden tables, and the walls were lined with shelves of glowing crystals. Master Eryndor stood in the center, his long fingers delicately tracing the runes etched into the containment shard.
Damien and his team watched silently, the weight of the mission pressing heavily on them. The shard pulsed faintly in Eryndor’s hands, its dark energy resisting his efforts to unravel its secrets.
“Fascinating,” Eryndor muttered, his voice a mix of awe and concern. “This shard contains more than just the essence of the Rift Knight. It’s a conduit, a fragment of something much larger.”
Damien stepped forward, Ebonfang strapped to his back. “What do you mean?”
Eryndor turned, his eyes sharp. “The Rifts aren’t random tears in reality. They’re connected by a vast, unseen network of energy. This shard acts as a beacon, transmitting information back to its source.”
Lyra crossed her arms, her expression tense. “So, someone—or something—is receiving that information?”
“Precisely,” Eryndor said. “And if we can trace the signal, we might uncover the location of their command center.”
Cassian raised an eyebrow. “That’s a big if. What happens if they realize we’re poking around?”
Eryndor gave a thin smile. “That’s why we’ll be careful. I’ve devised a ritual to cloak our presence, but it will require focus and time. During the process, the shard’s defenses will weaken, and the Rift forces may sense the disruption.”
Damien nodded, his mind already racing through battle strategies. “How long do you need?”
“Several hours,” Eryndor replied. “You’ll need to defend this chamber until the ritual is complete.”
Roland let out a low chuckle, hefting his shield. “Defending tight spaces? My kind of fight.”
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THE RITUAL BEGINS
That evening, the team prepared for battle. The study was fortified with barricades, and every entry point was covered. Cassian positioned himself near a narrow window, his arrows ready. Lyra and Roland stood near the main entrance, while Damien remained close to Eryndor, Ebonfang glowing faintly in anticipation.
Eryndor placed the shard on a pedestal surrounded by runic symbols. He began to chant, his voice low and resonant. The runes flared to life, casting an eerie blue light across the room.
As the ritual progressed, the shard’s pulsing grew erratic. The air around it seemed to vibrate, and a low, otherworldly hum filled the chamber.
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Then came the first attack.
The windows shattered as Rift creatures clawed their way inside. They were smaller than those from Greyveil, but their numbers made up for their lack of strength. Cassian’s arrows flew, each shot finding its mark, but more kept coming.
“Front line!” Damien shouted, drawing Ebonfang.
Lyra and Roland moved in sync, cutting down the creatures as they poured through the door. Damien joined the fray, his blade slicing through the shadows with deadly precision. Astral Slash carved through multiple enemies, the energy wave illuminating the darkened room.
“Keep them off me!” Eryndor called out, his voice strained as he maintained the ritual.
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A NEW THREAT
Hours passed, and the waves of creatures intensified. Each attack was more coordinated than the last, as if the Rift forces were testing their defenses.
Then, the ground beneath them trembled.
From the largest window emerged a hulking figure, its crystalline body glinting in the runic light. It stood twice as tall as a man, wielding a massive axe crackling with dark energy.
“A Rift Champion,” Lyra said, her voice low.
Roland stepped forward, his shield raised. “I’ll keep it busy.”
The Champion roared and charged, its axe crashing against Roland’s shield with enough force to send him sliding back. Lyra darted in, her blades striking at its exposed joints, but the creature’s armor was nearly impenetrable.
Damien activated Phase Step, appearing behind the Champion. He aimed for the gap between its shoulder plates, driving Ebonfang into the joint. The creature howled, swinging its axe in a wild arc that forced Damien to blink away.
Cassian’s arrows peppered the Champion’s head, one finally striking its eye. It staggered, giving Roland and Lyra an opening to attack. Together, they focused their strikes, chipping away at its defenses.
“Damien!” Lyra shouted. “Now!”
Damien channeled his energy into Ebonfang, the blade’s runes flaring brightly. He leapt forward, unleashing a devastating Void Cleave. The energy sliced through the Champion, splitting its form in half. The creature let out a final roar before disintegrating into mist.
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REVELATION
With the Champion defeated, the remaining creatures retreated. Eryndor’s voice reached a crescendo, the runes glowing brighter than ever. The shard pulsed one final time before falling silent.
“It is done,” Eryndor said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
The team gathered around as Eryndor studied the shard. A holographic map flickered to life above it, showing a network of lines converging on a single point.
“The source,” Eryndor said, pointing to a distant mountain range. “This is where the Rift forces are coordinating their attacks.”
Damien clenched his fist. “Then that’s our next target.”
Eryndor nodded. “Be cautious. If this is truly their command center, you’ll be walking into the heart of their power.”
Roland grinned. “Sounds like fun.”
Lyra smirked. “We’ve handled worse.”
Damien looked at his team, his resolve unwavering. “Prepare for the journey. We’re taking this fight to them.”