LEVEL UP! +1

LEVEL UP! +1

A translucent blue window materialized before Alaric's eyes – a notification from the Eye of Chronos. It displayed a simple message: "Emergency Quest Completed: accompanied by a satisfying chime and the reward of two levels. But Alaric barely registered the information, his gaze fixed on the fallen Selena.

Just as he took a step towards her, the ground began to tremble violently. The air itself crackled with raw energy, a feeling of impending doom settling over the battlefield.

"What's happening?!" Alaric shouted, his voice barely audible over the growing roar of the earth.

In a flash of light, Lumina materialized beside him, her brow creased with worry. "Alaric, we need to get out of here, now!" her voice laced with urgency.

"What do you mean? What's going on?!" Alaric demanded, his heart pounding in his chest.

"This is a Cascade!" Lumina explained, wasting no time. "It happens when a rift is opened without the Wayfinder's consent! This dimension can't handle the conflicting realities, and it's on the verge of collapsing!"

Alaric's mind raced. He didn't fully grasp the technicalities, but the urgency in Lumina's voice sent a jolt of fear through him.

"We need to use the Temporal Breach and get out of here!" Lumina continued, her voice rising above the growing chaos. "Now!"

Thankfully, the cooldown period on the Temporal Breach had reset. With a surge of will, Alaric activated the ability. A swirling portal of golden light materialized before him, a gateway back to Earth. His priority was clear – to get Selena's body back.

But as he turned towards her, a flicker of movement caught his eye. The Vermin Claw grunts he'd knocked unconscious lay sprawled a few meters away, vulnerable to the impending destruction. Despite everything, a sliver of empathy flickered within Alaric. He couldn't leave them to die.

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"Alaric! Where are you going?!" Lumina's voice cut through the din, a note of panic creeping in.

Alaric sprang into action. Ignoring the ever-growing tremors and the nauseating pull of the collapsing rift, he raced towards the unconscious Vermin Claw grunts. They were enemies, yes, but leaving them to die here went against everything Selena had stood for. Gritting his teeth, he hoisted each one onto his shoulder, grunting with exertion as he flung them one by one through the shimmering portal.

With each sent back to Earth, a sliver of relief chipped away at the growing fear gnawing at Alaric. Finally, only Selena remained. He scooped her fragile form into his arms, her weight a stark reminder of the loss he carried.

One last time, Alaric turned his gaze back towards the fracturing world behind him. The once-vibrant landscape had become a twisted nightmare, reality itself tearing apart. The bodies of Barrera and Locust lay amidst the debris, stark reminders of the vengeance he'd craved. But now, it tasted as hollow as the collapsing dimension.

A choked sob escaped Alaric's lips as he stepped back through the portal. The world dissolved into swirling golden light, and just as abruptly, reformed around him. He found himself back on familiar earth, the cool night air a stark contrast to the inferno he'd just left behind.

But even with safety secured, Alaric felt a crushing weight settle on his chest. Selena, his friend, his mentor, lay lifeless in his arms.

The first rays of dawn peeked over the horizon, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. Alaric sat beside Selena's still form, a monument of grief etched on his face. The rescued Vermin Claw grunts were now bound to a nearby tree, their unconscious forms oblivious to the rising sun.

Selena. An only child, orphaned by the Hybrid Eclipse, devoid of a true home in this world. Yet, she had found a place where she belonged – a place that resonated with her spirit: their raiding team. Now, that place felt incomplete without her laughter echoing through the halls.

With a heavy heart, Alaric rose to his feet. He couldn't give her a family she never had, but he could give her a resting place she deserved. A place beyond the chaos, a place of serenity. Activating the Eye of Chronos, he initiated the Temporal Breach. This time, however, he wasn't searching for vengeance or escape – he sought solace, a final goodbye.

Golden light swirled around them, transporting Alaric and his precious burden. As his vision cleared, a gasp escaped his lips. A gentle smile bloomed on his face, tinged with bittersweet sorrow. The landscape before him mirrored the first rift they had raided together - a vast green field stretching towards a majestic mountain range, with the endless blue of the ocean shimmering in the distance. It was a scene of breathtaking beauty, a peaceful haven untouched by the world's turmoil.

This, Alaric knew, was where Selena belonged. A place that whispered her name, echoing the countless adventures they had shared. He gently laid her down amidst the wildflowers, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the pallor of her face. With trembling hands, he brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead, the memory of her warmth a phantom touch on his skin.

"Goodbye, my friend," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "May you find peace here, beyond the reach of shadows."

A lone tear rolled down his cheek, a silent tribute to a warrior, a friend, a life cut short. As the sun bathed the meadow in its golden light, Alaric knew this wasn't truly an ending. It was a farewell, a promise to carry her memory within his heart, forever a part of the adventures yet to come.