The rift loomed ahead, its swirling vortex of green and black energy crackling like an endless storm. Ryn could feel its pull even from a distance, a heavy pressure pressing down on his chest and filling the air with a low, ominous hum.
The Spirit Fox growled softly, its fur glowing brighter as it stepped closer to Ryn's side. The bond pulsed sharply, its rhythm erratic but strong, and Ryn couldn't tell if it was warning him or reassuring him.
"Stay focused," Bryn said, his voice steady but tense. He adjusted his sword on his shoulder, his eyes fixed on the rift. "This close to the rift, the corruption's effects are unpredictable. Stick together, and don't trust anything you see or hear."
"That's comforting," Jek muttered, flipping his dagger between his fingers. "What are we supposed to do if something tries to mess with our heads?"
"Fight it," Bryn said bluntly.
Ryn clenched his fists, his gaze shifting to the twisted landscape ahead. The ground was cracked and scorched, and strange, jagged growths jutted out of the earth like the broken bones of some long-dead beast. Pools of green liquid bubbled ominously, sending up tendrils of mist that shimmered in the distorted light.
"It feels... alive," Mira said, her voice low. She had her bow in hand, an arrow nocked but not yet drawn. "Like it's watching us."
"It probably is," Bryn said grimly.
Ryn glanced at the Spirit Fox. Its glowing eyes were locked on the rift, and its fur bristled as if it sensed something no one else could.
"Do you feel it too?" Ryn whispered.
The fox chirped softly, its tail swishing as the bond pulsed again.
They moved cautiously, picking their way through the corrupted terrain. Every step felt heavier, as though the ground itself was trying to pull them down. The air grew colder, and Ryn's breath fogged in front of him despite the lack of wind.
"Look at this," Mira said, crouching beside a twisted tree. Its bark was blackened and cracked, and faint green veins pulsed beneath its surface, as though the corruption had turned it into something living.
"It's spreading faster than we thought," Bryn said, his jaw tightening. "If we don't stop this, it'll consume everything."
Jek chuckled darkly. "Assuming it doesn't consume us first."
"Stay positive, Jek," Mira muttered, standing. "You're such a joy to have around."
"I aim to please," Jek replied with a smirk.
Ryn ignored their banter, his focus on the Spirit Fox. The bond had been pulsing more frequently as they approached the rift, and he could feel a strange warmth spreading through him, like the fox's energy was trying to shield him from the corruption's effects.
"Are you okay?" Ryn asked softly, reaching out to touch the fox's back.
The fox chirped, its fur flaring slightly brighter at his touch.
"Whatever happens," Ryn murmured, "we'll get through it together."
The bond pulsed warmly, a quiet echo of the fox's trust.
They stopped at the base of a rocky outcrop, the rift now less than a hundred yards away. The energy radiating from it was almost overwhelming, filling the air with a low, vibrating hum that seemed to sink into Ryn's bones.
"This is as close as we can get without a plan," Bryn said, scanning the area. "Anything closer, and the corruption could—"
A sudden, sharp noise cut him off—a high-pitched, distorted scream that echoed across the landscape.
Ryn froze, his heart racing. "What was that?"
"Probably a beast," Mira said, though her voice was uneasy. She raised her bow, her eyes darting to the shadows.
"That didn't sound like a beast," Jek muttered, gripping his dagger tightly. "It sounded like—"
The scream came again, louder this time, and Ryn felt the bond flare sharply. The Spirit Fox growled, its glowing eyes narrowing as it crouched low.
"Get ready," Bryn ordered, drawing his sword. "We've got company."
The ground trembled, and a dark shape emerged from the mist ahead. It was massive, its twisted, hulking form pulsing with green light. Its limbs were elongated and jagged, and its glowing eyes burned with an unnatural intensity.
"A Rift Spawn," Bryn said grimly. "Big one."
"Great," Jek muttered. "Just what we needed."
The Rift Spawn let out a guttural roar, and the air around it shimmered as smaller, shadowy forms began to emerge from the ground.
"They've got reinforcements," Mira said, loosing an arrow that struck one of the shadowy beasts, dispersing it into smoke. "We need to move!"
"Hold the line!" Bryn shouted, charging toward the Rift Spawn with his sword raised.
The Spirit Fox let out a sharp cry, its fur flaring brightly as it darted forward. Ryn followed, his knife in hand, the bond pulsing with adrenaline as he moved in sync with the fox.
The smaller shadow beasts swarmed toward them, their distorted forms flickering like they weren't entirely solid. Ryn slashed at one, his knife cutting through it with surprising ease as the Spirit Fox struck another with its glowing claws.
"They're weak!" Ryn shouted. "Focus on the big one!"
The Rift Spawn roared again, its massive claws slamming into the ground and sending a shockwave through the battlefield. Ryn stumbled, barely keeping his balance as the Spirit Fox blinked away with Radiant Step, reappearing behind the creature and slashing at its back.
The bond flared, and Ryn felt a surge of energy as the fox's claws left glowing trails of light across the Rift Spawn's body.
"Keep it up!" Mira shouted, loosing another arrow that struck the creature's shoulder.
Bryn slammed his sword into the Rift Spawn's leg, the blade glowing faintly as he channeled energy through it. The creature bellowed in pain, its movements slowing as cracks began to form in its corrupted flesh.
"We've got it!" Bryn shouted. "Finish it off!"
The Spirit Fox let out a fierce cry, its glow intensifying as it leapt onto the Rift Spawn's back. The bond pulsed sharply, and Ryn felt its determination echo through him.
With a final surge of energy, the fox drove its claws into the Rift Spawn's neck, the light from its attack spreading through the creature like veins of fire.
The Rift Spawn let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into black mist.
Ryn stood over the fading remains, his chest heaving. The Spirit Fox trotted back to his side, its fur dimming slightly as it nuzzled against his leg.
"Is everyone okay?" Bryn asked, wiping ichor from his sword.
"Still breathing," Jek said, though he looked shaken.
Mira nodded, lowering her bow. "For now."
Ryn glanced at the rift, its swirling energy as ominous as ever.
"That wasn't even the worst of it," he said quietly.
The bond pulsed faintly, and the Spirit Fox let out a soft chirp, its eyes fixed on the rift.
"No," Ryn murmured, his gaze hardening. "This is just the beginning."