Ethan and I trudged back toward the kingdom, exhaustion weighing heavily on us. Though the energy tower's light had faded, we both knew that the battle to uncover the Rift device's secrets was far from over.
"What do you think your father will do?" I asked, glancing at the spear in his hand. The runes etched on it glimmered faintly under the sunlight.
"He'll be suspicious," Ethan replied coldly, his expression flickering with complexity. "But if I bring back news of success, he won't have a reason to challenge me—at least not openly."
"Not openly?" I raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't sound like he's the forgiving type."
"Far from it." Ethan let out a bitter laugh. "Too many eyes are on that throne. He can't tolerate any challengers. And me? I was born to be his enemy."
I didn't respond, but I couldn't shake the feeling that we were headed toward not only the dangers of the Rift but also a deeper struggle for power.
