Fractures in the Veil

The castle fell in their wake as Kael and Lira stepped out of the valley into the open plain as the evening sky bled out certain oranges and purples. The smell of ozone lingered in the air, a reminder of the breakdown of the rift stabilizer. Kael's legs felt like lead, his body heavy with exhaustion, but his mind churned with unease.

"You okay?" Lira said, and looked at him the two of them started approaching a group of rocks to sit down. Her voice was relaxed, but Kael could hear the menace lurking beneath it.

Kael nodded, but his tightness in his chest betrayed him. "I'm fine. Just... it feels like the rifts are getting worse. Like we're barely keeping up."

Lira landed upon one of the boulders, extending her limbs out in front of her, along with her arms. "That's because we are barely keeping up. But hey, we're still here, and so is the world. I'd call that a win."

Kael gave her a faint smile, but his gaze remained distant. Hypnotic images produced by the system, bits of the heavens' records—they were getting to him. He leaned on a rock, and gripped the Starforged Blade with a firm hand. "The system said the stabilizer was just one anchor. If the Order of the Veil is successful at exploiting these to enlarge rifts, there will be even more in the rift somewhere. A lot more."

Lira grunted, the familiar smirk gone and replaced by a somber look. "So, what's the plan? Track them all down and smash them to pieces? As I'm game, but it feels like a job for one particular person.

Kael let out a tired chuckle. "Something like that."

While quiet, the voice of the system interrupted the quietude in the mind of Kael.

[Alert: Synchronization threshold approaching. Additional system functions available upon next milestone. Suggestion: Complete synchronization by protracted battle or object.]

Kael's brow furrowed. "The system's saying something about a new synchronization milestone. It wants me to keep pushing, but... I don't even know what that looks like."

Lira shrugged, tossing a pebble into the nearby grass. "Well, lucky for you, the world's full of things that want to kill us. You'll have plenty of opportunities to figure it out."

"No," Kael shook his head but smiled acknowledging the impassive pragmatism of the woman himself. "Thanks for the encouragement."

As the sun rose they began anew, with the golden light flooding in from the morning haze. It lead them deep into the tangled forest, where the canopy above them shed mottled light upon the forest floor. The air was crisp but in the stillness of the moment, there was a prickling feeling in the air which made Kael all too tense.

Soon afterwards they uncovered the origin of that strain. The trees in front of us were black and charred, with leaded trunks that seemed to be the result of punishment by some unseen being. The earth also carried witness to the possibility of a camp in burnt tents, broken pulp pots, and, of course, the acrid smell of sulphur.

Crumpled to the ground, Lira approached one of the charred tents, a look of seriousness on her face. "Whatever happened here, it wasn't pretty."

Kael crept cautiously behind the debris, Starforged Blade at the ready. "There are no active rifts detected by the system, but residual energy radiated off. Whatever caused this is still close."

Just like, a deep moan went through the trees, the sound of twigs cracking on springs up. Kael and Lira came to a halt, their eyes scanning the woods in search of knock. Seconds later, a nightmare of a creature slammed open the shadows—riftspawn, its shape grotesquely inhuman and monstrous. Its sharp claws dug into the soil, while it growled, with terrifying light emitting from its pupils.

"I hate being right," Lira muttered, drawing her daggers.

Kael drew the Starforged Blade, pulsing with heavenly energy. "System, analysis."

[Threat assessment: Riftspawn Alpha. Enhanced durability and aggression. Weak points detected: Neck and lower abdomen. Recommendation: Coordinate attacks to exploit weaknesses. Caution: Prolonged engagement may attract additional rift entities.]

Kael nodded, his grip tightening on the blade. "Lira, go for the legs. I'll aim for its neck."

"Got it," she replied, already moving. Her lithe form dodged the creature's intent, as did she, as her blades spun in bees' clothes, stinging the creature in its fierce back. The riftspawn roared in fury, swiping at her with its massive claws, but Lira's speed kept her just out of reach.

Seizing the chance, Kael rushed forward, Starforged Blade held high charging ahead. He attacked the neck of the creature and the celestial energy stabbed it in deep flesh. The riftspawn shrieked in agony, its actions increasingly random as it flailed in the hope of escape.

"Keep at it!" Kael shouted, and dodged a swipe which nicked his left shoulder. "We're wearing it down!"

Lira bit her tongue and delivered an accurate blow to the creature's abdomen. "Any chance your system has a 'kill it faster' button?"

Kael couldn't help but laugh despite the chaos. "I'll ask."

The fighting went on, with each blow from Kael and Lira slowly weakening the riftspawn's defences. Last, in a concerted action, Kael delivered a powerful blow to its neck and Lira delivered another to its abdomen. The beast let out one final, painful roar, and then it collapsed in a cloud of smoke, body gone.

Kael blinked backward, clutching his heaving chest while the Starforged Blade faded. Lira leaned against a tree, catching her breath. "That... was not fun."

Kael managed a tired grin. "Speak for yourself."

The system's voice chimed in his mind.

[Synchronization milestone achieved. New system functions unlocked: Rift Detection and Celestial Surge. Recommendation: Test new abilities in controlled conditions.]

Kael's eyes flashed a little when the information washed over him. "The system unlocked something new. Rift Detection and... Celestial Surge."

Lira arched an eyebrow. "Celestial Surge? Sounds fancy. What's it do?"

Kael hesitated, sorting through the system's data. "It's... a combat enhancement. Temporarily amplifies my speed, strength, and the blade's power."

Lira smirked. "So, basically, you're even more impossible to kill now."

Kael chuckled softly. "Something like that."

Leaving the burned-out campsite in the rear, Kael just knew they were being pulled toward the centre of something enormously bigger than they could have dreamt. Those chasms were only the beginning and with every step the level of danger grew.