At sunrise, the morning sun arose over the rolling hills, and the sky took the colours pink and gold. Kael and Lira sauntered down a dirt track, the gentle hum of the Starforged Blade resonating against Kael's back, always there, a phantom of their destiny. Yet their common ground was clear, the joviality that once kept them company was now but shallow air, forced silences.
"You're awfully quiet," Lira finally said, her voice breaking the stillness. She glanced at Kael, her usual smirk absent. "What's eating at you, star-child?"
Kael hesitated, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I've been thinking. About the rifts, the Order... everything. We're barely keeping up."
Lira stopped walking, her hands resting on her hips. "That's a first. Normally you just hack around with that glowing sword of yours and make it up as you go.
Kael wore a slight smile but wouldn't make eye contact. "This is different. The stakes are higher than we thought. And I can't keep dragging you into this."
Lira's brow furrowed, her sharp features softening with concern. "Drag me into this? I signed up for this, remember?"
Kael shook his head. "You've been at my side since the palace. You've saved my life more times than I can count. But this... this is my fight. I can't ask you to stay behind the front line for something that might be a losing proposition.
Lira's jaw tightened, her expression unreadable. Almost for a while it seemed that she might have opposition, however at last she sighed, and shoulders deflated. "You're a fool, Kael. But you're also right."
Kael blinked, surprised. "I am?"
Lira rolled her eyes. "Don't let it go to your head. Look, I've got my own reasons for staying, but maybe it's time we walk in different directions (at least for a while). You've got your star in the sky, whatever it is, and I've got. stuff to do.
"Things?" Kael echoed, his tone laced with curiosity.
Lira smirked, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Don't worry about it, star-child. Just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
She stepped closer, her voice low and serious. "Don't get yourself killed."
Kael nodded, his throat tight. "I'll try."
Their farewell was brief but heartfelt. When Lira turned eastwards, the shape of her body receded with each step, pushing her further out to the horizon. Kael saw her depart and a ball of feeling filled his own heart. Alone at last for the first time in weeks.
[Alert: Companion departure logged. Host operating solo. Recommendation: Adjust tactics and preparation for independent engagement.]
Kael sighed as did the system's clinical register with the effect being minor to relieve his heart. "Thanks for the reminder," he muttered, hefting the Starforged Blade and continuing down the path.
Walking, his mind will went back to Calrys, and the puzzling agreement of the mysterious stranger that he had been presented. A celestial convergence, Kael mused. What does that even mean? The idea of relying on someone as shadowy as Calrys left a sour taste in his mouth, but the man had hinted at knowledge and power that could be critical to stopping the Order.
"System," Kael said aloud, hoping for guidance. "What's your take on him?"
[Analysis incomplete. Subject's motivations unclear. Potential ally or threat contingent upon future actions. Recommendation: Proceed with caution.]
Kael frowned. "Helpful as always."
The future road was flat, and the scene transited from grassland to densely carpeted forest. The air was crisper and the ground was shaded by a canopy. As Kael walked, the system chimed again.
[New functionality unlocked: Celestial Pulse. Description: Emits a shock wave of stellar power to push back enemies and break rifts. Activation requires synchronization level of 35%. Current synchronization: 33%.]
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Celestial Pulse, huh? Guess I'll have to work for it."
The opportunity came sooner than expected. Entering a clearing, Kael experienced the familiar crispness of the air—an inescapable indicator of rift activity. The earth shook beneath him and ragged lines of power writhed up, swirling into a monstrous riftspawn. Due to its jagged limbs and glowing red eyes like a flame, Kael's stomach split open into the feeling of discomfort.
"System," he said, drawing the Starforged Blade, "any advice?"
[Threat assessment: Riftspawn Berserker. Enhanced durability and aggression. Weak points: Core joints and energy conduits. Recommendation: Target mobility and the core with precision strikes. Warning: Dimensional instability detected—prolonged engagement may attract additional entities.]
Kael tightened his grip on the blade. "Let's do this."
The riftspawn lunged, its huge claws through the gap, cutting. Kael sidestepped, the system guiding his movements with precision. He fired at one of its legs, and the spellbinged force ripped into me, at a weak spot. The creature roared, staggering but not falling.
[Synchronization increased by 1%. Current synchronization: 34%.]
Kael gritted his teeth. "Almost there."
It was a fierce fight with ricochet noises of energy clashing and growling roars resounding in the clearing. Kael maneuvered with an ease that both astonished and delighted him, each blow and parry becoming more natural all the time. Finally, as the riftspawn prepared to unleash a devastating blow, Kael felt a surge of power course through him.
[Synchronization milestone achieved. Celestial Pulse available for activation.]
Kael didn't hesitate. Holding up the Starforged Blade, he harnessed the newly attainable ability. Waves of golden energy emanated from the blade and struck the riftspawn, propelling the creature back. The beast spluttered one last, pained roar as and then dissolved into black smoke.
Kael lowered the blade, his breathing heavy but steady. The clearing was again dead quiet, but for the soft thrumming of the Starforged Blade.
"Not bad," he murmured, a smile spreading across his features.
Walking, Kael was held up by the uncanny sensation of standing at the precipice of something vast. The rifts were growing stronger, the stakes higher. But for the first time, he felt a spark of confidence—a belief that he could face whatever lay ahead.
But one thought lingered: the Order of the Veil. Although there is now a reduction due to their earlier contact with them, they were not, and would not have been, shattered. Kael decided to discover what their next step is, to think about that step more in depth and at the end of the day to actually finish their game as well.
And although he was sorry to be without Lira's keen intellect and firm support, Kael understood he had to walk this path unaided. For now.