The journey to the valley was slow and fraught with challenges. The terrain grew harsher with each passing mile, the air heavier with the Rift's energy. Kiran's sigil glowed more frequently now, pulsing in tandem with the strange hum that seemed to emanate from the distant valley.
Drayk moved with practiced ease, his eyes scanning every shadow. Kiran tried to match his pace, but the growing weight of the Key's energy made each step harder.
"You're quiet," Drayk said, breaking the silence.
"I'm trying to figure it out," Kiran admitted, glancing at the glowing map Selara had given them. "The Key, the Rift, what it all means. It's like every step we take, the more I feel… connected to it."
Drayk nodded. "That connection is your greatest weapon—and your greatest risk. The Rift feeds on weakness, Kiran. If you let it, it'll drown you in its chaos."
"Not exactly comforting," Kiran said with a weak smile.
"I'm not here to comfort you," Drayk said bluntly. "I'm here to make sure you survive."
By the third day, they reached the edge of the valley. It was unlike anything Kiran had ever seen. Jagged crystalline formations jutted from the ground, glowing faintly with the same energy as his sigil. The air shimmered, and the faint sound of whispers floated on the breeze.
"This place is alive," Kiran said, shivering.
"It's a Rift scar," Drayk explained. "A place where the Rift's energy broke through into our world. These shards are what's left."
As they moved deeper into the valley, Kiran felt the energy grow stronger. The sigil on his wrist burned brighter, and the Rift Shard Selara had given him pulsed in his pocket.
Then the whispers grew louder.
"Do you hear that?" Kiran asked, stopping.
Drayk drew his blade, his expression tense. "We're not alone."
A sudden gust of wind swept through the valley, and the whispers turned into a low, menacing laugh. The air shimmered, and a figure materialized in their path.
The Riftlord was tall and cloaked in dark energy, its face obscured by a shifting mask that seemed to be made of shadows. The air around it crackled with power, and its presence sent a wave of nausea through Kiran.
"So, the Bearer finally arrives," the Riftlord said, its voice a chilling mix of tones. "I wondered if you'd make it this far."
Drayk stepped in front of Kiran, his blade gleaming. "Who are you?"
The Riftlord tilted its head. "Names are meaningless here, but you may call me Morvas. And you, old soldier, should step aside. The Key is not yours to protect."
Kiran's heart pounded as Morvas's gaze shifted to him. The sigil on his wrist flared in response, its light clashing with the Riftlord's dark energy.
"You've barely scratched the surface of the Key's power," Morvas said, taking a step closer. "Do you even understand what you hold? The chaos you could unleash?"
"I'm learning," Kiran said, trying to sound braver than he felt.
Morvas laughed, the sound grating like metal on stone. "Learning? Then let me teach you."
Morvas raised a hand, and the crystalline shards around them exploded into motion. Razor-sharp fragments flew toward them, forcing Drayk to dive to the side and Kiran to throw up a shield of energy from the Key.
"Focus!" Drayk shouted, deflecting a shard with his blade. "You've got the power—use it!"
Kiran gritted his teeth, feeling the Key's energy surge through him. He extended his hand, and a wave of light shot out, shattering the incoming shards.
Morvas clapped mockingly. "Impressive—for a novice. But power alone won't save you."
The Riftlord vanished, reappearing behind Kiran in a burst of dark energy. Before Kiran could react, Morvas struck, sending him sprawling.
Drayk lunged, his blade cutting through the shadows, but Morvas caught it with a hand wreathed in darkness. The Riftlord flung Drayk aside as if he weighed nothing.
"You're out of your depth," Morvas said, looming over Kiran. "But the Rift is merciful. Surrender the Key, and I'll spare your life."
Kiran pushed himself to his feet, the sigil on his wrist blazing. "I'm not giving up."
Morvas sneered. "Then you'll die like the others."
Kiran felt the Rift Shard in his pocket pulse in sync with the sigil. In a moment of clarity, he grabbed the shard and held it against the sigil. The two energies fused, sending a shockwave of light through the valley.
Morvas recoiled, shielding himself from the light. "What is this?"
Kiran felt the power surge through him, more intense than ever before. The Key's energy formed a glowing weapon in his hand—a blade of pure light.
Drayk scrambled to his feet, a smirk on his face. "Now we're talking."
Kiran swung the blade, the energy slicing through Morvas's shadowy form. The Riftlord let out a roar of pain, retreating.
"This isn't over, Bearer," Morvas hissed before vanishing into the shadows.
The valley fell silent, the shards' glow dimming. Kiran collapsed to his knees, the blade of light fading as the sigil's glow returned to normal.
Drayk approached, offering him a hand. "Not bad for a first fight with a Riftlord."
"Is it always like this?" Kiran asked, panting.
Drayk chuckled. "No. Sometimes it's worse."
Kiran groaned, but a small smile tugged at his lips. Despite the danger, he'd taken a step forward—both in mastering the Key and in proving to himself that he could face what lay ahead.
As they prepared to leave the valley, Kiran glanced at the distant horizon, where the next challenge awaited.