"Somewhere near Nervill." Kellen said.
"That makes no sense. I live there... but I wasn't here when I went into a rift." The village wasn't in sight.
"That happens."
"Is there a chance of getting sent across the damn globe, too?"
Kellen wondered. "No. Not unless you're super unlucky, I guess."
Andrew sighed. "Whatever. It doesn't matter. That city, let's head to it."
Kellen was confused. "You won't say bye to your people. Pack some stuff?"
"I should hold extra clothes... But I can buy some in the city. I always hold money on me."
"You ignored the people part."
"There isn't anyone there I would care to say bye to. Unless I am going to disappear for a long time."
Kellen made various facial expressions before shrugging and walking forward.
The dry, rocky path stretched ahead, dotted with trees. Andrew walked beside Kellen, who carried himself with a calm ease.
"I was wondering, how did you end up in the same realm as me?" Andrew asked.
"I mean rifts are just gates to other worlds. I simply happened to enter into the same rift as you. If you're asking why I was around the area, then that's different. I heard Nervil had a lot of unstable rifts cropping up. Figured it'd be a good chance to check things out. Level up a bit while I'm at it."
"Oh, I guess that makes sense."
Kellen said casually, "Rifts are dangerous, sure, but they're also prime hunting grounds if you know what you're doing."
He then asked Andrew, "That makes me wonder, why didn't you have someone with you?"
"Didn't think about it, and I was excited to get my ability."
"Tons of people die like that."
"What can I say? I'm blessed." Andrew grinned.
Hours later, the rhythmic clatter of their boots on the dirt road faltered as a shape appeared in the distance. It was a carriage—though the creature stood out. It was a horse-like creature with six muscular legs that moved with grace. The claws on its wide, padded feet left distinct impressions in the dirt.
Andrew squinted. "That's not a horse."
"No," Kellen said with a half-smile. "It's a land-strider. Stronger, faster, and smarter than horses, though twice as stubborn."
He cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Hey there!"
The driver, a wiry old man with a patchy beard and a wide-brimmed hat that had seen better days, pulled the reins, bringing the creature to a smooth halt. He squinted down at them.
"Coin first," he said, his voice gravelly as he extended a calloused hand.
Kellen handed over 20 dull bronze coins.
The driver bit one for good measure, his yellowed teeth leaving a faint imprint. "Good enough."
"We're headed to Nerthudan," Andrew said. "Will this get us there?"
"Gets you as far as the hill before it. Any further, and you'll need more coin."
"Fine."
The driver gestured to the back of the carriage with a lazy wave. "Hop on. Don't break anything."
The ride was rough. Wooden wheels clattered against every rock and rut in the road, and the wooden benches groaned under their weight. Andrew clung to the edge, his muscles tense as the land-strider accelerated up a slight incline with surprising speed.
The towering walls of Nerthudan came into view, a fortress of black stone that rose imperiously against the horizon. Andrew leaned out of the carriage, his eyes locking onto the black translucent barrier shimmering above the city.
"That's the city's barrier?" Andrew asked. "Never seen of that color."
"Yep."
The carriage stopped, and the two hopped off it.
As they approached the gates, the sound of bustling activity grew louder. The line of travelers was surprisingly short.
Two armored guards stood at attention.
One of the guards stepped forward, his sharp eyes scanning them. "Kellen," he said with a curt nod.
"He's with me," Kellen said, jerking his thumb at Andrew.
The guard's gaze lingered on Andrew, narrowing slightly. Andrew met his eyes evenly. After a moment, the guard stepped aside, waving them through.
The city swallowed them whole. Nerthudan buzzed with life, its streets crowded.
Merchant stalls lined the market square, their wares illuminated by enchanted lanterns that cast a golden glow. Crates of shimmering ores reflected the light in dazzling hues, while smithies roared with heat and life, sending bursts of sparks into the air like tiny fireworks.
Andrew's attention darted from one marvel to another: a vendor hawking plastic bottles that had liquid glowing faintly green, a towering stone building where images of items floated above the entrance, and street performers juggling orbs of light that crackled like miniature storms.
"Why are there so many people with... system abilities?"
"I mean, it's a hub for guys like us. Not everyone wants to be a warrior, to fight rifts."
"So they'd rather do this... Interesting."
"You can check out those things later," Kellen said, pulling him out of his trance. "You have something to check first."
Andrew tore his gaze from a particularly fascinating smithy where molten metal swirled midair, shaped by invisible hands. "What's that?"
"You need to register as a rift fighter if you want rights to operate here," Kellen had told him earlier before heading off. "I've got other things to take care of. You'll manage."
"Oh, right. Thanks a lot."
"No problem, man." Kellen waved, walking away.
Andrew approached the tower. Up close, it was even taller than he'd expected, its sheer height making him crane his neck until he could no longer see the top.
He climbed the marble steps to the entrance. The heavy doors opened as he approached.
At the center of the large hall was a desk, and behind it sat a woman who looked up at his approach. Her expression was unreadable, but her tone was brisk.
"New registrant?"
Andrew nodded. "Yes."
She reached under the desk and placed a stack of parchment in front of him, along with a quill. "Fill these out. Name, abilities, and affiliations. Leave nothing blank."
Andrew picked up the quill.
"Please be thorough," she said, already returning her attention to a ledger in front of her.
Andrew lowered his head and began to write.