Ariana and I stood on familiar ground, enveloped by a long-missed tranquility. The air was no longer filled with the volatile energy waves of the Rift, yet I could still feel the power coursing through the ring—a constant reminder of the responsibility I now bore.
"We've truly returned," Ariana said softly, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "The world seems so much calmer now."
"Yes," I nodded, a sense of grounded relief settling over me. "But the Rift device's power is still active. I can feel the faint energy ripples—it's as if the balance is stable but not absolute."
"Does that mean the Rift's connection hasn't been entirely severed?" Ariana asked, her tone tinged with concern.
"It's balanced but not closed," I replied, my gaze shifting to the horizon. "This world's Rift still requires constant monitoring and maintenance."
