The pulsing energy from the rift grew stronger with every passing second, the vibrations humming through the ground and into Ryn's chest. It wasn't just the sound or the oppressive air—it was a feeling, a crawling sense of wrongness that seeped into everything around them.
Bryn adjusted his grip on his sword, his scarred face set in grim determination. "We can't wait any longer. The longer we stay here, the more unstable it gets."
"Unstable is an understatement," Mira said, her voice tight as she scanned the twisted landscape. "It's like the rift's about to explode."
Jek twirled his dagger absently, though the tension in his posture betrayed his unease. "You sure we're ready for this? Because it feels like we're walking into a deathtrap."
"We're never going to be ready," Ryn said, stepping forward. His knife was already in hand, the Spirit Fox trotting at his side. The bond pulsed faintly, the fox's glow steady but sharper, almost aggressive. "But we can't just stand here and wait for something worse to happen."
Bryn nodded, though his expression didn't soften. "Then we go in together. Watch each other's backs, and don't take risks you can't recover from."
"Don't fall behind," Mira added, her bow ready.
The group moved as one, stepping carefully over the jagged terrain that surrounded the rift. The ground was cracked and uneven, with pools of green liquid bubbling ominously in the hollows. The closer they got, the colder the air became, their breaths fogging in front of them despite the absence of wind.
The Spirit Fox growled softly, its glowing fur flaring briefly as it sniffed the air. The bond pulsed sharply, and Ryn felt a flicker of unease echo through his mind.
"What's wrong?" Ryn asked, crouching beside the fox.
The fox let out a low chirp, its tail swishing as it stared at the rift. Its glowing eyes narrowed, and Ryn could feel its tension through the bond.
"It knows something," Ryn murmured, glancing back at the others.
"Something's coming," Bryn said, his tone grim.
As if on cue, a low, guttural growl echoed through the air.
The shadows around the rift shifted, coalescing into massive, distorted forms. Four hulking beasts emerged from the mist, their bodies twisted and pulsing with green energy. Their jagged claws scraped against the ground, and their glowing eyes burned with an unnatural intensity.
"Guardians," Mira said, her voice barely above a whisper. She raised her bow, drawing an arrow. "Of course there are more of them."
Bryn tightened his grip on his sword. "Stay focused. Take them one at a time."
Jek chuckled darkly. "One at a time? That's optimistic."
The Spirit Fox crouched low, its glowing fur flaring as it prepared to strike. The bond pulsed sharply, filling Ryn with a rush of adrenaline.
"Let's move," Ryn said, stepping forward.
The first beast lunged, its massive claws slamming into the ground where Bryn had been standing moments before. He dodged to the side, bringing his sword down in a powerful arc that carved into the creature's shoulder. Green ichor sprayed from the wound, but the beast barely seemed to notice.
Ryn and the Spirit Fox moved in tandem, flanking another beast as it charged toward Mira. The fox blinked forward with Radiant Step, its claws glowing brightly as it slashed at the beast's legs. Ryn followed, driving his knife into its side as it stumbled.
The bond flared, and Ryn felt the fox's strength surge through him, guiding his movements as they dodged the beast's retaliatory swipe.
"These things are tougher than the last one!" Ryn shouted, slashing at the beast again.
"They're stronger the closer we get to the rift!" Bryn called back, driving his sword into another creature's chest. "The corruption's feeding them!"
"Then we need to finish this fast," Mira said, loosing an arrow that struck one of the beasts in the eye.
The battle was chaotic, the air filled with the sounds of growls, shouts, and the clash of weapons against corrupted flesh. The Spirit Fox moved like a blur, its glowing fur leaving streaks of light in its wake as it darted between the beasts.
Ryn followed its lead, the bond pulsing in time with his movements. But the beasts kept coming, their relentless attacks forcing the group to fall back toward the rift.
"This isn't working!" Jek shouted, his voice strained as he narrowly avoided a swipe from one of the creatures. "We're getting pushed back!"
Ryn glanced at the rift, its swirling energy crackling more violently with each passing moment. The Spirit Fox let out a sharp cry, its glow intensifying as it stared at the vortex.
"We're being forced toward it," Ryn said, realization dawning.
Bryn growled, cutting down another beast. "It's intentional. The rift is drawing us in."
"Then we either go through it or get torn apart out here," Mira said, her tone grim.
The Spirit Fox barked sharply, its tail flaring brightly as it darted toward the rift.
"Wait!" Ryn shouted, chasing after it.
The fox stopped at the rift's edge, its glowing eyes locked on the swirling energy. The bond pulsed wildly, a chaotic rhythm that filled Ryn's mind with a mixture of fear and determination.
"What are you doing?" Ryn asked, his voice trembling.
The fox chirped softly, glancing back at him.
"It wants us to go through," Mira said, her voice filled with disbelief.
"That's insane," Jek said. "We don't even know what's on the other side!"
"We don't have a choice," Ryn said, his gaze locked on the fox. The bond pulsed again, and he felt its determination echo through him.
"Ryn, don't—" Bryn started, but it was too late.
Ryn stepped forward, the Spirit Fox at his side.
"We'll find out together," Ryn said softly, his voice steady.
The fox let out a sharp cry, and the two of them crossed into the rift.