Chapter 45 : The Fox's Radiance

The light of the collapsing rift had faded, but its impact lingered in the heavy silence that followed. The ground around them was cracked and scorched, faint trails of green mist rising into the air like smoke from a dying fire.

Ryn sat on the ground, his chest heaving as he tried to steady his breathing. The Spirit Fox rested beside him, its glowing fur dim but steady, its sides rising and falling with slow, labored breaths.

The bond pulsed faintly, weaker than before, and Ryn winced as a dull ache spread through his chest.

"You okay?" Mira asked, crouching beside him. Her bow was still in hand, but her sharp gaze softened as she scanned him and the fox.

"We're fine," Ryn said, though his voice lacked conviction.

Mira's eyes lingered on the Spirit Fox, its glow a shadow of what it had been. "It's changing, isn't it?"

Ryn nodded slowly. "The bond feels... heavier. Stronger, but harder to handle."

Bryn walked over, his sword resting on his shoulder. His scarred face was unreadable, but his tone was firm. "That's not just the bond. It's the shard."

"The shard?" Ryn asked, frowning.

"It's fused with the fox," Bryn said. "That burst of energy—it wasn't just the bond evolving. The shard's power is tied to it now. And if we're not careful, it could burn both of you out."

Ryn's stomach tightened, and he glanced at the fox. The bond pulsed faintly, and he felt the fox's quiet determination ripple through him.

"I can handle it," Ryn said firmly.

"Can you?" Bryn asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're one misstep away from losing control."

The tension was thick as the group settled near the ruins of the collapsed rift. Jek leaned against a jagged rock, flipping a dagger idly between his fingers as Mira and Bryn stood a short distance away, their voices low but tense as they debated their next move.

Ryn stayed with the Spirit Fox, his hand resting on its side. The bond pulsed softly, a steady rhythm that calmed his racing thoughts.

"You scared me back there," Ryn murmured, running a hand through the fox's fur. "That burst—it was incredible, but... I wasn't ready for it."

The fox chirped softly, nuzzling against his leg. The bond flared briefly, a quiet reassurance that brought a faint smile to Ryn's face.

"We'll figure it out," Ryn said. "One step at a time."

The fox barked softly, its glowing eyes fixed on him.

"Hey," Jek called, breaking the quiet. "You're going to want to see this."

Ryn stood, his legs shaky as he followed Jek toward the edge of the ruins. Bryn and Mira were already there, their expressions grim as they stared at something partially buried in the cracked earth.

"What is it?" Ryn asked, stepping closer.

Bryn knelt, brushing away the loose dirt to reveal what looked like a broken shard of crystal, similar to the one that had fused with the Spirit Fox. Its faint green glow pulsed weakly, and the air around it was heavy with the same oppressive energy that had surrounded the rift.

"It's not from the rift we just collapsed," Mira said, her tone uneasy. "It's older. Different."

"Another shard?" Ryn asked, his stomach twisting.

Bryn nodded. "Looks like it. And if this one was here, it means there's more out there."

"More rifts," Jek muttered, his smirk fading. "Perfect."

Ryn stared at the shard, his chest tightening. The bond pulsed faintly, and he felt the Spirit Fox's unease echo through him.

"What do we do with it?" Mira asked, glancing at Bryn.

"We can't leave it here," Bryn said. "Even dormant, it's too dangerous."

"And if we take it?" Jek asked, raising an eyebrow. "You really want to carry something like that around?"

Bryn frowned, his gaze shifting to Ryn. "It's up to you, kid. Your fox is already tied to one shard. Another might make it stronger—or it might make things worse."

Ryn hesitated, his hand tightening into a fist. The Spirit Fox let out a soft growl, its glowing eyes locked on the shard.

The bond pulsed sharply, and Ryn felt a flicker of resolve ripple through him.

"We can't leave it," Ryn said firmly. "If it falls into the wrong hands—or if it activates on its own—it'll just cause more destruction."

Bryn nodded slowly. "Then take it. But be ready for the consequences."

Ryn reached out, his fingers brushing against the shard. The moment he touched it, a sharp jolt of energy surged through him, and the bond flared wildly.

The Spirit Fox barked sharply, its fur blazing with light as the shard's energy pulsed in sync with the bond.

Ryn gasped, his vision blurring as a flood of fragmented images rushed through his mind—visions of rifts, beasts, and a swirling void of green and black energy.

"Ryn!" Mira's voice cut through the haze, pulling him back.

He stumbled, clutching the shard tightly as the Spirit Fox pressed against him, its glow steadying him.

"I'm fine," Ryn said, his voice shaking. "It's... it's connected to the others. To the rifts. I saw them."

"Where?" Bryn asked sharply.

Ryn closed his eyes, focusing on the images that lingered in his mind. "Everywhere," he said softly. "The shards—they're scattered across the Wildlands. And each one is tied to a rift."

Jek sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fantastic. A scavenger hunt for shards of doom. Just what I needed."

"We'll deal with it," Bryn said firmly. "One rift at a time."

Ryn nodded, his grip on the shard tightening. The bond pulsed warmly, and he felt the Spirit Fox's determination flood his mind.

"We'll stop this," Ryn said quietly, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "No matter what it takes."