Chapter 52: Shadows in the Light
The atmosphere inside the rift felt heavier as Arlen and his companions stood at the edge of where Kaorath had vanished. The light still pulsed faintly, its rhythm like a heartbeat, reminding them that the fight was far from over.
"This isn't a retreat," Arlen muttered, his gaze fixed on the fading energy. "Kaorath's regrouping. He'll come back stronger."
Liora stepped beside him, wiping sweat from her brow. "Then we'll need to prepare. That power he wielded… it wasn't something we can take lightly."
Caden crouched near the ground, studying the residual energy left behind. His expression was unusually grave. "This isn't ordinary magic. It's tied directly to the rift, as if Kaorath and this realm are one and the same."
Kaelis grunted, gripping his axe tightly. "So what? We'll cleave through him and the rift if we have to. Arlen's done the impossible before."
But Arlen remained quiet. He could feel Kaorath's lingering presence, a venomous promise etched into his very core. The fight had awakened something within him—a deep, primal urge to destroy, to dominate. Yet, at the same time, he felt the entity's overwhelming strength. It was a reminder that despite all his power, there were still foes beyond his grasp.
"What now?" Kaelis pressed.
Arlen turned to face his team, his eyes blazing with determination. "We're not done here. This rift isn't just a gateway—it's a battlefield. If Kaorath's power is tied to this place, then we'll sever that connection. We'll destroy this entire realm if we have to."
Liora hesitated. "That could destabilize everything. What if the rift collapses and takes us with it?"
Arlen's voice was calm, but there was steel in his tone. "Then we make sure it doesn't. We've come too far to stop now."
Caden stood, his calculations clear in his mind. "I'll analyze the patterns of the energy here. If we can find Kaorath's core, we might have a chance to sever his link to the rift."
"Good," Arlen said. "Liora, Kaelis—stay close. This isn't over."
As they moved deeper into the rift, the environment became more erratic. Platforms twisted and shifted, forcing them to adapt quickly. Strange whispers filled the air, unintelligible but unnervingly persistent.
"Do you hear that?" Liora whispered.
Arlen nodded, gripping his blade. "It's the rift. It's alive."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled, and an eerie silence fell. Ahead, the light grew brighter, and the whispers turned into a low, guttural chant.
Kaelis raised his weapon, his eyes narrowing. "He's here."
Arlen stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "Let him come. This time, I'll finish it."
The light intensified, and the air crackled with energy. Kaorath's voice echoed from the depths.
"Come, mortals. Prove your worth, or perish."