At some point, sleep took me, which was a shock because of how closeInsomniaa and I are. But then I remembered why I sometimes…most of the time hate my dreams. I always get these random and extremely vivid images…flashes…a cinematic tape played in reverse.
This one though was more like a nightmare. After the day we stupidly took Nico to the nexus, the day everyone called "Tiamat's Cry" due to the abnormal rain that began to pour from the sky causing what scientists called "Genesis." This came from the mention of lost books found in rifts. Scientists have studied the rain and concluded that it is the key to human evolution to its highest degree. But the power is too uncontrollable…
I was sent on a mission by Rose to investigate the aftermath of the rain. What I found out was that many of the small cities and towns were overrun by phantasms or the environment around them. Trees and plants started to grow and mutate creating new types of flora. In some areas, a "Veil Tear" is what I call them since they're not like rifts since rifts are still being contained by the veil. If left unattended it becomes a Tear which allows for more raw energy to pour from the space beyond the tear, allow creatures to come through, as well as augment certain areas depending on the energy.
There was also a new… anomaly…people started coming from the rifts. Like kids, sometimes adults. But it was primarily kids, and what was making the situation worse was that some of them resembled some of those who died in the rifts in the recent raids. They were different though they couldn't remember any of the people that knew them once they came out. Even the very few that came out adults their minds seemed fractured.
"Shadow Imperium" a sickening Syndicate started to take these people who were later called "Riftborns" or "Rifters" and use them however they saw fit. When I say however I mean that. The first image That flashed through my brain was when I caught a black market deal happening and it was a line of riftborns. Some seemed to have weird appendages like a third twisted amalgamated arm where there shouldn't be one, or distorted or black sclera eyes.
They were beating these kids, torturing them, I could see one of them had a healing ability but there were still way too many scars on her body…they carved her face up. All of them showed joy and satisfaction at the actions that they took. So I killed them all… But not in a quick way by any means. I went on a criminal killing spree.
"From here on all kinds under the age of 18 should leave I ain't getting blamed for giving suggestions. ABlamethe creator he's the sick bastard…yep…him."
For the people at that deal, I shot paper-thin water needles into all their skins, triggering osmosis at max effect while having the water needles pierce their skin like a thousand biting serpents, each carrying the scorching heat of a sun's core. Their screams were music to my rage as I orchestrated their torment, a maestro in a symphony of justice.". Others were able to hhandlethat which to me made me happy to know there were still strong ones left. Right before Osmosis was finished I canceled it and now that their weak enough they couldn't muster enough aether to stop me. I healed all the riftborns the best I could, Used water tendrils to hold all the body of all the dealers and goons up and with the most elegance I had for these people. I locked them in the water tendrils as they coiled around their bodies in a cycle of healing, burning from 4900 degrees celsius water, and Osmosis slowly draining them until they liquefied. I called Rose to inform her about the situation, she got people to retrieve the kids and I went and continued. I cleared all of "Banalby" a city close to the HQ of Vermillion Pheasant of the surface and mid-level crime groups and syndicates.
Rose told me not to kill any more people as for a16-year-old she should have paid more attention to my mental post Nico. I was fine though I don't know what the problem was. All those that died deserved it, they killed, raped, trafficked, and played with people's lives like they were toys.
"Those who hunt should also prepare to be hunted." Was always my motto. So if the time comes for me to be hunted then so be it.
On top of that for some reason, it felt like they were calling out to me. Or something wascomingg out to me to help them. I just think those who do sick things like that don't deserve breath.
I did listen though, I stopped killing people. I started to get a reputation that had to be granted by Rose's Logistics division leader Tommia Wright. Who always did cover-apps? There was wea lotlot. It was like thinking about abwhatthat triggered something else. With the sounds of waves rushing into my mind, I hear…
"Cover it up? Why should I help you?" A random voice echoed.
"Because if you don't I'll tell her you've been conspiriagainstter her." Another voice replied.
"That's fine and all but one she wouldn't believe that and two I'm not I'ming that. You said you wanted to talk so I'm here." The first voice replied.
My mind was now starting to shift to something I don't know but it was all too vivid like before. I could hear some people speaking. I can't see much but I hear the ocean, it's all blurry, but I smell the salt of the sand ea, the sound of the rushing waves and s, tranquiliwasheshed over me. I still hear some voices but I can't move around to see who's talking.
All I can hear is the voices continuing, "Once she's gone the seat will be empty. We just need to split her up and take it from her." The second voice continued.
"She's too strong for that though, this plan is a fool's errand. The amount of followers she has amounted is vast. Even if she's against the Celestial Order she's still the one blessed by Chaos The Singularity." The first softer voice said.
"That is true but I made a deal with thecouncill and they gave me the power of a King. I can now foster her a new legend that will be passed down. This is how we can break her." The first voice replied. It sounded more rough so I'm now assuming it's a man. But it was distorted in a way. It felt like my mind was numbing while I continued to listen. It sounded like it carried a low, rumbling sound.
"To rewrite her fable is to invoke Karma itself. Do you truly believe the Order will save you when it comes?" The soft voice said. This one offsets the other completely like opposites. This one soothed my ears and mind making it bearable.
"Karma? When I rise as King, even Chaos will kneel. " He replied.
"If she finds out you're dead. I'd rather that not be an outcome" The soft voice replied.
"As if if be wied for I am destined to be King, the only one worth of that throne. You will see my friend…Kainis her fable will shatter under my hand," the conversation ended but right before the sounds vanished my vision twisted to face the directions of the voices.
"Oh, so we have an eavesdrop, per huh, and one so far away at that. As King, I demand that you reveal yourself but if you don't this hat is also fine. For if you have the power to do this you may be strong enough for a good fight later on. Grow stronger for when we meet I will be a True God." The man said laughing at the end, falling quickly into the water and being dragged down fast. I still can't move.
I woke drenched, torrents of water spewing wildly around me, tents scattered like leaves in a storm. The air buzzed with tension—fear, awe, contempt—all directed at me. I didn't notice at first. My mind was stuck on one question:
"What the fuck was that?" I spoke to myself.
"That's what we'd like to ask as well. Delmar," I looked over with a glare to ee who was talking and as I looked to see Idris I also saw the mayhem.
"Oops…nightmare…hehe." I laughed sheepishly.
"What's next, you flood the whole Rift? Keep your nightmares to yourself, Delmar," Idris said.
"Nightmare, huh? That's the understatement of the year," Mara added.
"You're welcome for the free shower," I replied.
"Was it just a dream, or was the Rift messing with my head? The Sea's pull felt stronger here—like it was thinning the Veil between memory and reality." I thought.
Every time Tiamat's Cry happened, the Veil thinned, and the Sea pulled me deeper. The more I fought it, the harder it pulled. I couldn't tell if it was showing me the truth or tearing me apart.
"I don't think that was a dream… At all. That seemed way too realistic. Plus whoever that was spoke to me or at least I think I'm who he was referring to." I spoke low to myself.
"Quit talking to yourself and help clean up your mess. We have to get ready and get closer to the cenwaterfallrfal if we stay past tonight some may begin to experience psychosis. We have to avoid that so move there. That's where we think the boss is," Caelum Sai Yeah, I can feel it's aether from h,r e ." Mara said.
"Quit talking to yourself and help clean up your mess," Caelus snapped, his tone cutting through the awkward silence. He didn't bother to hide the irritation in his gaze. "We have to get ready and move closer to the central waterfall. If we stay past tonight, some of us might start experiencing psychosis. We can't afford to let that happen."
"Psychosis?" Idris scoffed, though there was a faint unease in his voice. "You're saying nightmares like his—" he jabbed a thumb in my direction, "—are just the warm-up act?"
Caelus adjusted his gear, his expression grim. "Exactly. The longer we stay in this Rift, the more the Aether begins to warp our minds. Lucian's—" he stopped himself, correcting, "Delmar's dreams might be the first sign. Prolonged exposure varies depending on the Rift rank, and this one's Orange. At this rate, we'll all be seeing things by tomorrow night."
"Yay. More dream fun," I muttered sarcastically, stretching out my arms. "I was already besties with insomnia; now I get to add hallucinations to the mix."
"This isn't a joke," Caelus said sharply. "The Rift doesn't just spawn Phantasms—it knows we're here. The longer we stay, the more it adapts to us. Strategies that worked yesterday won't save us today. The Phantasms are learning." His eyes scanned the group, lingering on me for a moment longer than the others. "We need to move. Now."
"Great," Idris said, slinging his bow across his back. "So not only do we have smarter monsters, but the Rift's also trying to break our brains. Fantastic. Can't wait."
"I can already feel the shift," Mara added, her voice quieter. She rubbed her temples, her usually sharp tone softened by the strain. "The Aether's thicker today. It's almost… oppressive."
I nodded absentmindedly, already sensing the changes in the air. The ambient Genesis energy around us wasn't just thicker—it was alive, almost sentient. I could feel it pressing against my skin, wrapping around my thoughts like a fog that wouldn't lift. Even with the Sea's constant pull, this was different. Stronger. More invasive.
"I can feel it too," I said, my voice low. "The Aether here isn't just adapting—it's hunting."
That shut them up. For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of energy in the distance and the soft crackle of the fire as we finished packing up camp.
"It will only take a few more minutes. We've been in here a day already, so only twelve hours have passed in real-time," Caelus stated, adjusting his gear. His voice was steady, but the weight of the Rift's energy had everyone on edge. "According to the time dilation reader, the time flow is faster here."
"Ooo, is that the new device from QuinStella?" Astra's eyes lit up, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "I heard their syndicate's technological division is always pushing the limits of Nexus Tech. I'd love to visit one day."
Caelus raised an eyebrow, his usual stern demeanor softening into a rare smirk. "Yeah, I got it through my family's connections to the Republic. But you, a tech nerd? With that idiotic brute of a leader, I never would've guessed."
"Hey, I am not a tech nerd!" Astra's face turned crimson, her hands flailing defensively. "I just… think some of the stuff they make is cool. That's all."
Mara chuckled softly, adjusting her vines. "You're blushing, Astra."
"Shut up!" Astra snapped, burying her face in her hands.
I leaned against a nearby boulder, watching the exchange with mild amusement. "So, what's Quin Stella? And this Republic?" I asked, my tone casual but curious.
Caelus blinked, surprised. "For someone who acts like a know-it-all, you don't know that? The QuinStella Republic is a faction the size of a small country, located in a subspace near the Kármán line. They specialize in studying phenomena like Rifts and Veil Tears and build most of the Nexus Tech we use today. They're the reason half the Syndicates even function."
"They're the brains of the world," Mara added. "But they're also ridiculously exclusive. You can't just walk in. You need an official invitation to even think about setting foot there. They've got some secret teleportation Art that only their elite members know how to use."
"Hmm. Cool, I guess," I replied, shrugging. "I'll check it out one day."
"Yeah, good luck with that." Caelus adjusted his gear with a smirk. "Unless you've got an in with their Council or some ridiculous reputation, you'll be waiting a while."
"Enough small talk," Vael cut in, his tone clipped as he secured the last piece of his armor. "Camp's set up, but we can't waste any more time. At most, we have one more day to clear this Rift before the Aether levels spike past safe thresholds. We need to purify it by then."
"Fair enough," I said, pushing off the boulder. "But since we're sharing plans…" I paused, letting the group's attention settle on me. "The Boss. I scouted it last night."
Astra blinked. "You did what?"
"I scouted," I repeated, ignoring her tone. "It's a Karp King. That waterfall you're so eager to climb? It's its territory. Everything we've fought so far—the reptiles, the phantasms—they're tied to it."
"You scouted out the boss?" Vael's golden armor gleamed as he turned to face me fully. "And you're only telling us now?"
I shrugged. "I wanted to see how good your team is without a head start. Besides, I figured a little extra tension would do you all some good."
Idris groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You're insufferable. But fine, oh wise one. Care to share anything useful about the boss?"
I smirked. "It's a Karp. You've seen what the evolved Phantasms can do, and now you know the boss is tied to them. Work out the rest yourselves, Raid Leaders."
The air grew heavy with tension, my words settling over the group like a challenge. Vael's eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on his sword hilt, but he didn't rise to the bait. Instead, he turned to his team.
"Alright," he said, his voice steady. "We've got our work cut out for us. Let's move."
As the group began to pack up, Caelus lingered, his calculating gaze fixed on me. "You're holding back," he said quietly, his tone devoid of its usual sharpness. "You always do. I don't know where you came from, but someone with your skills doesn't just wander into a Rift like this without a reason. So what's yours?"
I met his gaze, the playful facade slipping for a moment. "My reason?" I repeated, my tone colder than I intended. "Maybe I'm just here to watch you all struggle."
His eyes narrowed, but he didn't push further. "Fair enough. But you're not fooling anyone, Delmar. Keep that in mind." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with my thoughts—and the faint pull of the Sea whispering at the edges of my mind.
The trek to the central waterfall was tense, the usual banter among the group reduced to occasional muttered complaints. Even Idris, who never missed a chance to make a snide comment, stayed unusually quiet, his eyes darting toward the shadows.
The terrain grew more treacherous the closer we got. The ground was slick with glowing moss, the air heavy with moisture and the faint tang of Genesis energy. Every step felt like wading through syrup, the weight of the Rift pressing down harder with each passing hour.
"Does anyone else feel… itchy?" Astra asked suddenly, her voice breaking the uneasy silence. She scratched at her arm, her movements restless. "Like something's crawling under your skin?"
"It's the first stage," Caelus said grimly. "Mild paranoia, physical discomfort. The Rift's energy is starting to seep in. Keep your mind focused. The more you let it in, the faster it takes hold."
"Comforting," Idris muttered, his fingers tightening on his bow. "Thanks for the pep talk, Caelus."
Mara stopped abruptly, her eyes narrowing as she stared ahead. "Wait. Do you hear that?"
We all froze, straining to listen. At first, there was nothing but the distant roar of the waterfall. Then came the sound—a faint, rhythmic clicking, like claws tappinagainstsa t stone. It grew louder, closer, accompanied by a low, guttural growl that sent a shiver down my spine.
"They're here," Vael said, unsheathing his sword. The golden blade glowed faintly, reflecting the ambient Aether.
I let out a slow, measured breath, feeling the familiar tension coil in my chest. "Looks like the warm-up's over."
The first wave hit hard—too hard. The Phantasms weren't just stronger; they were smarter. The scaled Tigers from the previous day now had thicker, shimmering hides that reflected Aether's attacks. The Lizardmen moved in coordinated formations, flanking us with military precision. Even the flying Storm Crawlers had evolved, their lightning attacks now spreading across multiple targets in crackling arcs.
"This isn't right," Astra said, her voice strained as she threw up a barrier just in time to deflect a lunge from a Tiger. "They shouldn't be this strong—"
"The rifts have been studying us," Caelus cut in, his voice tight. "They're using yesterday's battles to counter our tactics. Keep moving! Don't let them pin us down!"
"Easier said than done!" Mara shouted, her vines lashing out to entangle a charging Lizardman. It roared, snapping through the restraints with brutal strength.
I stayed back, observing the chaos for a moment before stepping in. With a flick of my wrist, I sent a spiraling wave of water crashing into a cluster of Tigers, freezing them in place. "New rule," I called out. "If it moves, drown it."
"Thanks for the obvious advice, Delmar!" Idris snapped, firing an arrow that ricocheted off a Tiger's shimmering hide. "Maybe next time you can try not letting them adapt to you, genius!"
"Adapt to this," I muttered, turning the frozen Tigers into a storm of razor-sharp ice shards that shredded through the advancing Lizardmen.
"Good to see that's still effective," I smirked.
"Keep moving, idiot! We don't have time for sightseeing," Idris snapped, releasing a volley of arrows that streaked through the air like glowing comets. In one fluid motion, he dropped his bow and pulled out two sleek submachine guns, each engraved with the crest of a roaring lion. The Aether cores embedded in the weapons glowed crimson and blue, casting an eerie light across the battlefield.
"Let's speed this up and make it rain!" Idris shouted, launching himself high into the air. He unleashed a storm of bullets, the ricocheting rounds pinging off the Phantasms' hardened scales. The seemingly random scatter of shots found their marks as the bullets rebounded into exposed weak points, blowing clean holes through the creatures.
I whistled, impressed despite myself. "Cool trick. What kind of Art is that? Might have to borrow it."
Idris landed with a flourish, his guns still smoking. He shot me a withering glare. "Like I'd tell you, dumbass. Figure it out yourself."
"Someone's in a mood," I replied with a smirk, my tone dripping with mock pity. "You know, asking nicely would've been easier. Not that it matters—I'll figure it out anyway."
He scoffed, his crimson and blue Aether flaring as he readied for another attack. "I don't like your attitude."
I chuckled, stepping forward as water began to coil around my feet. "Right back at you. Let's see who clears more this round, shall we?"
The tension between Idris and me hung in the air, the kind you couldn't ignore even if you tried. Each wave that came at us only fueled the fire, his sharp remarks matched by my smirking retorts as we tore through the battlefield with escalating intensity.
The next wave was a dense swarm of scaled Lizardmen, their claws crackling with residual Aether. They moved as one, a coordinated assault that targeted weak points in our formation.
Idris didn't wait for instructions. He dashed ahead, dual submachine guns blazing. "Try to keep up, Delmar!" he shouted, his shots ricocheting like precision-guided missiles, each round finding a soft spot and exploding in bursts of blue and crimson light.
Not to be outdone, I moved alongside him, water flowing from my hands like living tendrils. "Hydra Spiral," I muttered, forming a vortex of spinning water that expanded outward. The force ripped through the front line of Lizardmen, sweeping them into the air before slamming them back to the ground in a wet, broken heap.
"Two to one," Idris called over his shoulder, grinning. "Better step it up."
"Watch and learn," I replied, forming a blade of condensed water in my hand. I surged forward, weaving through the remaining Lizardmen with calculated strikes, each slash aimed at a vital point. The water blade shimmered as it sliced cleanly through armor and flesh alike.
We were neck and neck. Idris gave me a grudging nod, though his smirk never wavered. "Not bad for a wannabe."
I shrugged. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Along with the Lizardmen wave descended from above—a mass of winged Phantasms resembling hornets with elongated stingers that glowed with venomous Aether.
Idris was in his element, flipping his guns into compact-mode pistols for rapid bursts. "Storm Veil," he called, activating an Art that sent his bullets curving mid-flight like guided missiles. The hornets fell from the sky in clusters, their shattered bodies sparking with unstable energy.
I grinned, summoning a rainstorm above us. "Rainfall Resonance," I announced, each drop of water acting as a miniature explosive on contact. The hornets screeched as the rain bombarded them, disorienting their swarm patterns.
One broke through, diving toward Idris. Before he could react, I caught it mid-air with a water tendril and crushed it. "You're welcome," I said, raising an eyebrow.
He rolled his eyes, his pistols switching back into submachine guns. "Don't expect me to return the favor."
By the third wave, the terrain shifted, the ground rumbling as massive stone serpents erupted from below. Their scales shimmered like molten rock, and their strikes shook the battlefield with each coiled lunge.
Idris leaped onto a serpent's back, his guns blazing point-blank into the creature's head. "Die already!" he growled, emptying clip after clip as the serpent thrashed beneath him.
I watched with a smirk, then extended my hand. "Tidal Fang," I called, forming a spear of super-heated water. I hurled it with precision, piercing the serpent's open mouth and exiting through the back of its skull.
Idris glared at me from atop the now-dead serpent. "Cheap shot."
"You're welcome again," I replied, casually flipping a smaller serpent over my shoulder with a water-enhanced throw. They slammed into one another, both creatures crumbling into rubble.
The air grew thick with decay as the fourth wave emerged—wolves with fur of black ichor and glowing yellow eyes that burned like sulfur. They moved in erratic patterns, their claws leaving trails of corrupted Aether in their wake.
Idris switched back to his bow, firing arrows tipped with explosive Aether shards. Each impact sent the wolves scattering, their bodies dissolving into pools of black liquid. "How's that for precision?" he called, his tone smug.
"Not bad," I admitted, crouching low as I gathered water beneath me. "Aqua Burst," I muttered, launching myself into the air. From above, I formed a ring of spinning water blades, each one slicing through the wolves with surgical accuracy as I descended.
When I landed, Idris gave a low whistle. "Showoff."
I grinned. "Jealous?"
The final wave before the waterfall was the toughest yet—hulking Phantasms resembling humanoid shadows, their bodies shifting and rippling with unstable Aether. They towered over us, their movements deceptively fast for their size.
Idris wasted no time, activating an Art that created an Aether shield around him. He charged one of the Titans head-on, his submachine guns blazing as he aimed for the creature's glowing core. The bullets penetrated, the core shattering in an explosion of black light.
I decided to go bigger. Gathering water around me, I created a massive dragon-shaped construct, its eyes glowing with condensed Aether. "Draconic Surge," I roared, sending the construct crashing into the Titans. The impact was catastrophic, the force obliterating two of the creatures in one strike.
"Okay, that was cool," Idris admitted grudgingly as he took down the last Titan with a perfectly timed shot to its core.
"Glad you think so," I replied, dusting myself off as the battlefield fell silent.
By the time we reached the base of the waterfall, the air was thick with Genesis energy, the sound of rushing water nearly deafening. The group gathered in the clearing, their exhaustion palpable. Idris leaned against a rock, his bow slung over his shoulder.
"For the record," he said, pointing a finger at me, "I won."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pretty sure I outnumbered you by at least five."
"Details," he replied with a smirk.
Vael stepped forward, his golden armor gleaming faintly in the ambient light. "Enough. We're here. Get ready. The next fight will make those waves look like child's play."
I glanced at the waterfall, its cascading energy pulsing with an ominous glow. "Can't wait," I muttered, the faint pull of the Sea whispering at the edges of my mind once more.
"We'll camp here," Vael said, his voice firm despite his obvious fatigue. "We'll need to regroup before we push any further."
"We don't have time for this," I said, my gaze fixed on the waterfall. "The longer we wait, the worse it gets."
"Delmar, I know you like to act like you're invincible," Caelus said, his tone cutting, "but even you can't fight off psychosis. We're staying."
I met his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in. He was right, of course. But the pull of the Sea, the whisper of something calling to me from beyond the waterfall, was too strong to ignore.
"We'll camp here," Vael repeated, louder this time. His commanding tone left no room for argument, though his weariness was clear. The golden armor he wore seemed duller, and the faint tremor in his hand didn't escape my notice. "Everyone, gather. We need to plan this properly."
The group moved sluggishly but complied, forming a loose circle around the campfire. The dim glow of the Genesis waterfall loomed behind us, bathing everything in an eerie blue light. The roar of its cascading energy filled the silence between our heavy breaths.
"Alright," Vael began, planting his sword into the ground for emphasis. "This is the final stretch. The waves have gotten stronger, and the boss is waiting for us at the top of that waterfall. If we don't coordinate, we'll be done before we even get there."
"No kidding," Idris muttered, slumping against a rock. His usually sharp eyes looked dull, but his fingers still fidgeted with one of his pistols. "I'm down to half mags for my guns. Bow's fine, but it's going to be slower."
"Aether reserves are at fifty percent for me too," Astra admitted, her voice quieter than usual. She sat cross-legged, absentmindedly tracing the runes on her staff. "I can still put up barriers, but I'll need to save my strength for the boss fight."
Mara crossed her arms, her expression tense. "Vines are fine, but if I overextend, I won't be able to heal. I'm already burning through too much Aether keeping the group in one piece."
Garath grunted, the weight of his shield resting against his broad shoulder. "Front line's still holding. I'll take the hits, but if the boss hits like those Titans, don't expect me to walk it off without backup."
Vael nodded grimly. "Good. Here's the plan—Idris and Mara, you'll cover our flanks during the climb. Astra, you'll be on barrier duty. Protect the group and watch for any ambushes from above."
"And me?" Garath asked, his tone gruff but steady.
"You're the anchor," Vael replied. "Stay at the front with me. If anything big comes at us, we hold the line and give the others time to regroup."
The strategy was sound on the surface. Everyone nodded in reluctant agreement, though the exhaustion was palpable. That as, until I spoke up.
"Sounds solid," I said, leaning back against a boulder with a lazy grin. "Except for one glaring problem."
All eyes turned to me, a mix of irritation and skepticism. Vael's jaw tightened. "And what's that?"
"You're treating the climb like it's just another obstacle," I said, gesturing toward the waterfall. "But look at it. That thing isn't just water—it's pure, condensed Aether. If it's affecting us from this far, imagine what it'll do when we're in it."
Astra frowned, her hand pausing mid-rune. "He's… not wrong. The density alone could mess with our senses."
"Exactly," I continued. "You're counting on barriers and brute force to get through, but if that Aether overloads us, we're sitting ducks for whatever comes next."
Vael glared at me, his frustration barely contained. "And what do you suggest, Delmar? That we just sit here and wait?"
"No," I said, sitting up straighter. "I'm saying we adapt. Use the waterfall to our advantage. Aether is energy—it's not just going to hurt us; it can boost us if we handle it right. But that means keeping the climb short and efficient. No dragging your feet or fighting off Phantasms for half an hour."
"Boost us?" Idris asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What, you're suggesting we drink the magic water?"
I smirked. "Not drink, genius. Channel. The right techniques can stabilize the energy. But hey, if you want to chug glowing Aether juice, don't let me stop you."
Caelus, who'd been silent until now, finally spoke up. "Delmar has a point. The Aether density will be a factor. If we're not careful, it could throw off our coordination."
"So, what do you propose?" Vael asked, his tone edged with impatience.
"Simple," I said, leaning forward. "Divide the group into short bursts. Instead of all of us climbing together, split into pairs. One group pushes ahead while the other defends from below. Rotate as we climb. That way, no one gets overloaded, and we can cover each other if things go south."
There was a tense silence as the group considered my suggestion. Vael's gaze shifted to Caelus, silently asking for his input.
"It's risky," Caelus admitted, his eyes narrowing in thought. "But it's better than all of us being overloaded at once. If we're careful, it could work."
Vael exhaled sharply, clearly unhappy but unwilling to argue further. "Fine. We'll try it your way. But if this falls apart—"
"Then it's your fault for not listening earlier," I interrupted with a grin. "Relax, Goldilocks. We've got this."
"Why do I let you talk?" Vael muttered under his breath before addressing the group. "You heard him. Pairs for the climb. I'll take the lead with Garath. Astra and Idris, you're next. Mara and Caelus, you'll cover the rear."
"And me?" I asked, feigning innocence.
"You can float around and be annoying, as usual," Vael snapped. "Just try not to drown in the Aether."
The tension broke slightly with a few chuckles, even from Idris. The humor was a welcome distraction from the looming danger.
As the group began checking their gear and reviewing the plan, I found myself gazing up at the waterfall. The roar of its cascading energy filled my ears, the glow of its condensed Genesis energy reflecting in my eyes. The pull of the Sea whispered at the edges of my mind, teasing me with fragments of something just out of reach.
"You're quiet," Caelus said, stepping up beside me.
"Don't get used to it," I replied without looking at him. "Just thinking."
"About the climb? Or something else?"
I glanced at him, my smirk fading slightly. "Both. You feel it, don't you? The pull."
Caelus nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. And I don't trust it."
"Smart," I said, turning back to the waterfall. "Neither do I."
As the group gathered, Vael gave one final nod. "Everyone ready? Once we start, there's no turning back."
"Let's make it quick," I said, stretching lazily. "I've got places to be."
"Yeah," Idris muttered, slinging his bow over his shoulder. "Like the bottom of the waterfall if you keep running your mouth."
"Touché," I replied with a grin.
The group began their approach, the sound of the waterfall growing deafening as we stepped into the spray. The air buzzed with raw energy, the weight of the Rift pressing down harder with each step.
The final climb had begun.