Michael's eyes glowed a vivid crimson, a clear indication that he was activating his newly acquired ability. The power coursed through him, a strange and exhilarating sensation that both thrilled and unsettled him. Nearby, Uriel sat cross-legged on the ground, her eyes closed as she meditated, waiting patiently for him to finish.
Finally, Michael's eyes dimmed, turning into a light red hue. He blinked a few times, still adjusting to the sensation of the Divine Eyes.
"Finally! You actually did it, even though it took you long enough." Uriel said, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. Despite her teasing tone, there was genuine relief that he had succeeded.
Michael, still trying to make sense of what he had just experienced, glanced over at her. "You should stop using those eyes for now," Uriel advised. "You don't have much mana, and if you run out, you'll pass out. Trust me, it's not a pleasant experience."
Michael nodded and took her advice, allowing his eyes to return to their normal color. The urge to keep using the power was strong, but he knew he needed to conserve his strength for what was to come.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "Are you able to recall any of Alicia's memories?"
Uriel opened one eye, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Yes, everything from the moment she was five years old. Why? Do you want me to tell you about all her secrets?"
Michael shook his head, though there was a part of him that was curious about the girl he had so coldly sacrificed. He pushed the thought away, focusing on the task at hand. "I need to know where the beginner's rift is located. Now that I know how to devour, we should get started and not waste any more time playing games."
Uriel's playful demeanor faded as she picked up on Michael's seriousness. "Fine, human. It's a forty-minute walk to an area close to the hospital we just left. Are you sure you want to go back? There's a chance we might run into someone who could recognize us."
Michael's expression hardened. "Uriel, I said let's stop wasting time and go."
His voice carried a cold edge, a reflection of the anxious energy building inside him. He had tasted power for the first time and was eager—perhaps too eager—to continue down this path.
As they began walking, a thought struck Michael, and he turned to Uriel. "Also, how do the rifts work? I realize I'm jumping ahead of myself without all the information."
Uriel glanced at him, her expression thoughtful. "Rifts are essentially collisions between worlds. They're places where two dimensions merge. If left unchecked, the monsters from those rifts will spill over into this world. Entering a rift allows you to step into their world instead, where you can fight and collect resources. Every monster you kill has a core, and once you defeat them, you can devour the energy within that core to become stronger."
Michael considered this, piecing together what she had told him. "So when they talk about resources, they're referring to these monster cores? But how do they manage ownership of these rifts? They must be incredibly valuable."
Uriel nodded. "The ruling powers of this world manage them with a combination of strength and politics, as usual. The threat of a world calamity—a SS-ranked rift—forces even the most powerful to cooperate. World calamities are so dangerous that they require the strongest from across the globe to band together to deal with them. Because of that, conflicts over resources are usually limited to A-rank or below. S-rank battles are strictly one-on-one and require approval from both involved countries."
"That seems like a reasonable approach, though I'd bet there are still plenty of shadow wars going on." Michael's experience as a soldier made him certain of this.
"Of course," Uriel agreed, "but as long as they remain within certain boundaries, they're tolerated. We're getting close to the rift now."
As they approached the area, the atmosphere grew tense. The bustling streets gave way to a quieter, more controlled environment. Ahead, they saw a large, shimmering blue portal sitting atop a sturdy gray platform. The portal was mesmerizing, its surface rippling like water disturbed by an unseen wind. Around it, several security guards patrolled the area, their uniforms crisp and their expressions stern. A line of teenagers, all looking eager and nervous, stretched out before the portal, each waiting their turn to enter. At the front of the line, a guard checked something from each individual before allowing them through.
Michael patted his pockets, searching for some form of identification but only finding a necklace with a pendant—two thunderbolts crossing over a flame. He frowned, uncertain of how they were going to get past security.
"Do you have any ideas on how to get in?" he asked, his voice low. "I don't think I have whatever it is they're looking for."
Uriel smirked, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Heh, let me show you a little trick, human."
She raised her hand, and light began to gather around them, swirling and shimmering in the air. Slowly, the light enveloped both Michael and Uriel, forming a cocoon of glowing particles. Within moments, their bodies faded from sight, becoming invisible to anyone who might look their way.
"Now this is impressive," Michael murmured, genuinely awed by the display. "Let's hurry."
They moved forward, stepping carefully around the guards and the other teenagers. The line of waiting students, unaware of their presence, shuffled forward as they each took their turn at the portal. Michael and Uriel slipped through unnoticed, the light magic concealing their entry.
As they passed through the portal, the world around them dissolved into a blur of colors and sensations. Michael felt a brief moment of disorientation, as though he were being stretched and compressed at the same time. Then, just as quickly, the sensation faded, and they found themselves standing in an entirely different place.
The air here was thick and heavy, carrying the scent of damp earth and something else—something metallic, like blood. The sky above was a deep, swirling vortex of dark clouds, with streaks of lightning illuminating the landscape. The ground was uneven, covered in jagged rocks and twisted vegetation that looked as though it had been scorched by fire.
Before them, a narrow path wound its way through a dense, foreboding forest. The trees were tall and ancient, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The sound of distant growls and the rustle of unseen creatures filled the air, a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in this place.
Michael took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline surge through him. This was it—the beginning of his journey, the first real test of his abilities.
"Stay alert," Uriel whispered, her voice barely audible over the ambient noise of the rift. "This is just a beginner's rift, but don't underestimate it. The creatures here are still dangerous."
Michael nodded, his senses heightened as he stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He could feel the weight of the pendant around his neck, its presence oddly comforting in this hostile environment.
As they ventured deeper into the forest, the path grew narrower, and the sounds of the creatures grew louder. Michael's heart pounded in his chest, the thrill of the unknown driving him forward. He knew he was still at the very beginning of his journey, but already he could feel the pull of power—an intoxicating lure that urged him to keep pushing forward, to keep devouring, to keep growing stronger.
And so, with Uriel at his side, Michael took his first steps into the rift, ready to face whatever lay ahead.