The air in the Forgotten Zone grew heavier as the trio pushed deeper into its heart. Every step felt like wading through a storm of invisible energy. The faint hum of the rift grew louder, resonating in Kael's chest. He tightened his grip on his plasma blade, his mind still reeling from the encounter with the Echo.
Ahead of them, the broken remains of a towering facility loomed, its jagged silhouette framed by flickering arcs of energy spilling from the rift. The building had once been an energy station, a hub of technological marvels designed to harness power from alternate dimensions. Now it stood as a hollow monument to humanity's ambition—and its failure.
"That's our destination," Ardin said, pointing to the facility. "The rift's core influence is centered there. If we can disrupt it, we might weaken the breaches in this region."
Kael nodded but couldn't shake the unease curling in his stomach. "You think we'll run into another Envoy?"
Maris smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I'm sure there's something nasty waiting for us in there. Just try not to get us killed, rookie."
"Enough," Ardin snapped, cutting through the tension. "Stay focused. This isn't a game."
The group pressed on, navigating through the rubble and twisted metal. The closer they got, the more unstable the environment became. Shadows shifted where they shouldn't, and bursts of static energy crackled in the air, singeing anything too close.
---
The Warden Appears
As they entered the remains of the facility, the rift's influence became almost unbearable. The walls shimmered, their surfaces warping as if reality itself was bending. The glow of the rift in the center of the chamber bathed everything in an eerie, otherworldly light.
Kael felt his energy stir again, more insistent than before. He clenched his fists, trying to keep it in check.
"Something's here," Ardin said, his voice low.
Before anyone could respond, the rift pulsed violently, sending out a shockwave that knocked them off their feet. Kael scrambled to his knees, coughing as the air filled with a metallic tang.
From the rift, a figure emerged.
It was massive, easily twice the size of a man, its form covered in sleek, black armor that seemed to absorb the light around it. Its head was crowned with jagged spikes, and its glowing crimson eyes locked onto the group with an intensity that made Kael's blood run cold.
"The Warden," Ardin said grimly, rising to his feet. "A guardian of the rift. It won't let us interfere."
The Warden raised its hand, and a massive, blade-like weapon formed from the shadows around it. Without hesitation, it lunged at them with terrifying speed.
Ardin met the charge head-on, his blade clashing against the Warden's weapon in a burst of sparks. The force of the impact reverberated through the chamber, shaking the unstable walls.
"Kael! Maris! Spread out!" Ardin barked, his voice strained as he pushed against the Warden's relentless assault.
Maris darted to the side, firing bursts of plasma from her rifle. The energy bolts struck the Warden's armor but dissipated harmlessly, as if absorbed by the shadows.
Kael hesitated for a moment, watching as Ardin struggled to hold his ground. He could feel the energy within him responding to the Warden's presence, growing hotter and more volatile.
"Move, Kael!" Maris shouted, snapping him out of his trance.
He darted to the other side of the chamber, searching for an opening. The Warden's movements were precise, calculated, each strike of its weapon forcing Ardin back step by step.
---
Unlocking Potential
Kael's hands trembled as he activated his blade. He knew he wasn't ready for this fight—not truly—but he couldn't stand by while Ardin bore the brunt of the battle.
He focused on the energy within him, letting it flow through his body. This time, he didn't try to control it. Instead, he let it guide him.
The glow returned, brighter than before, enveloping his blade in a shimmering blue aura. Kael felt a surge of confidence, his fear replaced by a burning determination.
He charged at the Warden, his blade slicing through the air. The Warden turned, almost lazily, to block his attack. Their weapons clashed, and Kael felt the shockwave ripple through his arms. But instead of retreating, he pressed forward, the energy in his blade pulsing with each strike.
Maris took advantage of the distraction, circling around to target the exposed joints in the Warden's armor. Her shots hit their mark, and the Warden let out a low, guttural growl, its movements faltering for the first time.
"Keep going!" Ardin shouted, capitalizing on the opening. He launched a flurry of strikes, his blade carving glowing arcs through the air.
The Warden retaliated with a powerful sweep of its weapon, forcing all three of them back. Kael hit the ground hard, gasping for breath as the Warden loomed over him.
"Kael!" Maris's voice was distant, panic lacing her tone.
The Warden raised its blade, shadows coiling around it like a living thing. Kael's mind raced, the energy within him surging to a breaking point. He didn't think—he acted.
With a shout, he thrust his blade upward, releasing the energy in a blinding wave of light. The force slammed into the Warden, sending it stumbling backward. For a moment, its form flickered, the shadows around it peeling away to reveal a hollow, metallic core.
Ardin didn't hesitate. He surged forward, his blade slicing cleanly through the exposed core. The Warden froze, its crimson eyes dimming before it dissolved into a cloud of shadows, vanishing into the rift.
---
Aftermath
The chamber fell silent, save for the hum of the rift. Kael collapsed to his knees, his body trembling from the effort.
"You did it," Maris said, kneeling beside him. Her tone was a mix of relief and amazement.
Kael looked up at Ardin, who stood over the rift, his blade still drawn. "Is it… over?"
Ardin shook his head. "No. This was just a sentinel, a guard dog. The rift is still active—and there will be more."
Kael swallowed hard, the weight of Ardin's words settling on him. He had won this battle, but the war was far from over.
Ardin turned to him, his expression serious. "You're getting stronger, Kael. But strength alone won't be enough. If we're going to stand a chance against the Exiled, you'll need to master the connection to the rift. That's the only way to tip the scales."
Kael nodded, determination flaring in his chest despite the exhaustion. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain: he wouldn't let the rift—or the Exiled—win.