Rin's hands trembled as he reached the edge of the clearing where the third spire stood, its dark energy pulsing like a heartbeat. The Rift Beasts around it were larger than before, more feral and vicious. Their glowing eyes scanned the area, guarding the spire with an intensity that told Rin they sensed their master's influence more than ever.
His vision blurred, and he could barely feel the energy left within him. His body was close to shutting down, and he knew he wouldn't survive much longer if he kept pushing himself like this.
But there was no choice.
*I can't stop. Not now,* Rin thought, gritting his teeth.
Summoning the last reserves of his power, Rin activated *Rift Cloak*, vanishing into the shadows. The energy from the cloak felt thinner, less reliable, but it was enough to slip past the patrolling Rift Beasts without being noticed. He reached the base of the spire, his heart pounding in his chest.
The spire seemed more alive than the others, its energy warping the air around it, distorting reality itself. Rin hesitated. He knew the moment he attacked it, he would be exposed, and the beasts would converge on him in an instant.
Still, he had no other option.
With a deep breath, Rin let the *Rift Cloak* fall. His body flickered back into existence as he placed his hand on the spire's surface. The dark energy vibrated under his touch, pulsing with malevolence. He could feel the Rift Master's presence even more strongly here, like an overwhelming weight pressing down on his mind.
Rin raised his hand, channeling all the energy he had left into one final *Energy Strike*. His hand glowed with a flickering light, unstable and weak, but it was enough.
He slammed the strike into the spire.
The explosion rocked the clearing, sending cracks across the surface of the spire as the rift energy within it began to destabilize. The Rift Beasts let out enraged howls, their bodies flickering as the spire's power began to wane.
But before Rin could react, something went wrong.
The spire pulsed violently, dark energy erupting from its core and lashing out in all directions. One of the tendrils of energy slammed into Rin, throwing him backward and sending him crashing into the ground. Pain shot through his body, and his vision darkened for a moment as he struggled to breathe.
Through the haze of pain, Rin saw the spire shudder, its surface cracking more and more until, with a deafening roar, it exploded in a cloud of dark energy.
**Rift Spire Destroyed (3/5)**
Rin barely registered the notification. His body was screaming in agony, his energy completely drained. He could feel the darkness closing in around him, the Rift Beasts circling like predators sensing weakness.
*I… I can't…* Rin's thoughts were jumbled, his body refusing to move.
The beasts closed in, their glowing eyes fixed on him. One lunged, its claws aimed directly at Rin's throat.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted in front of him, cutting through the dark energy of the spire. The Rift Beast recoiled, shrieking as the light struck it, reducing it to nothing.
Rin's eyes widened as he struggled to sit up. Through the haze of pain, he saw a figure standing between him and the beasts—a figure bathed in radiant light, wielding a glowing sword of pure energy.
"Stay down," the figure said, their voice firm but calm.
The figure moved with grace and precision, cutting down the remaining Rift Beasts in quick, fluid motions. The light of their sword cut through the dark energy of the rift, purifying it with every strike. Within moments, the area was clear, and the beasts were gone.
Rin's head spun as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. The figure turned toward him, their face partially obscured by the glow of their sword.
"You're pushing yourself too hard," they said, kneeling beside him. "You'll die if you keep going like this."
"Who… who are you?" Rin managed to gasp, his chest heaving with the effort of speaking.
The figure smiled faintly, though there was a seriousness in their eyes. "I'm here to help. You can't face the Rift Master alone."
Before Rin could ask anything else, the figure reached out, placing a hand on his chest. A warm light spread through Rin's body, and he felt the pain ease, his strength returning just enough to keep him conscious.
"We don't have much time," the figure said, standing up. "The rift is still expanding, and the last two spires are more dangerous than anything you've faced so far. But together, we might stand a chance."
Rin stared up at them, trying to piece together what was happening. But one thing was clear—they knew more about the rift than he did, and right now, they were his only hope of survival.
"Can you stand?" the figure asked, extending a hand.
Rin hesitated for a moment before nodding. He grabbed their hand and, with their help, got to his feet. His legs were shaky, but the warmth of their healing energy had given him just enough strength to move.
"What's your name?" Rin asked, his voice hoarse.
The figure smiled, their eyes glowing with the same radiant light as their sword. "Call me, Kai."