Chapter 6: Echoes of the Rift

The candlelight flickered softly within the wooden house, casting elongated shadows against the walls. Ezren lay on a simple cot in the corner of the room, his mind restless despite the exhaustion seeping into his bones.

The Riftborn was gone, erased from existence, yet the encounter lingered—burned into his thoughts like an unanswered question.

They don't belong to any Realm.

Seraphine's words echoed in his mind. The Riftborn was not just another monster—it was something beyond the natural order. And it had been drawn to him.

Ezren exhaled sharply. His body still buzzed from the power he had wielded, the Shadow responding as if it had been waiting for him all along. He flexed his fingers, recalling the sensation of raw essence bending to his will. It had felt instinctive. Natural.

And that was the most unsettling part of all.

His gaze drifted toward Seraphine, who sat by the wooden table, a faint glow illuminating her features. Her sword rested beside her, but she had summoned a translucent System window, scanning its contents with a pensive expression.

She noticed his gaze. "Can't sleep?"

Ezren shook his head. "Too many questions."

Seraphine gave a knowing smile. "That's what happens when you come face to face with something outside your understanding." She leaned back slightly. "I've seen Riftborn before, but never this deep in the hunting grounds. That was abnormal."

Ezren frowned. "You said you've seen them a handful of times. Where?"

Her gaze flickered with hesitation before she answered, "In places where reality is weakest. Old ruins. Forbidden territories. Places where the fabric of the Realms is stretched too thin." She studied him for a moment. "But this… this was different. It wasn't just a Riftborn appearing. It was summoned."

Ezren's breath stilled. "Summoned?"

Seraphine nodded. "The Rift itself didn't open naturally. Something—or someone—triggered it."

A heavy silence settled between them. If she was right, then this wasn't just some anomaly. Someone had intentionally caused the Riftborn to appear. And if it had been drawn to him specifically…

Ezren's fists clenched. Who else knows about the Shadow?

Seraphine's gaze sharpened. "You're not some ordinary Awakener who just happened to stumble into this mess, are you?"

Ezren met her gaze but said nothing.

She sighed. "Figured as much. Well, whatever the case, you should be careful. If the Riftborn was called here, it won't be the last."

The air between them grew heavy. Ezren knew she was right. Whatever had begun tonight—whatever unseen forces had set this into motion—it was only the beginning.

A Stranger's Arrival

The morning sun barely crested the horizon when a distant sound cut through the stillness. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against dirt.

Ezren and Seraphine were outside in an instant.

A lone figure approached on horseback, their cloak billowing behind them. The horse slowed to a trot as the rider neared the house, and with a smooth motion, they dismounted.

Ezren's eyes narrowed. The man was clad in deep gray armor, lined with intricate silver sigils that pulsed faintly with energy. His presence was commanding—controlled, yet exuding the quiet confidence of someone who had seen battle.

Seraphine tensed beside him. "I recognize that insignia," she muttered under her breath.

Ezren followed her gaze, spotting the emblem engraved onto the rider's gauntlet—a swirling mark resembling a black vortex.

The man pulled back his hood, revealing sharp features and piercing blue eyes. He studied them both before speaking.

"You must be Ezren Veydrion."

Ezren's stance shifted subtly. "Who's asking?"

The man's lips curled slightly. "I am Kael Veyne, an Emissary of the Awakener Association."

Ezren's pulse quickened. The Awakener Association.

Kael's gaze flickered briefly to Seraphine. "And you… Seraphine Vael, correct?"

She crossed her arms. "You seem well-informed."

Kael offered a small nod. "That's my job." His expression darkened slightly. "I received word that a Rift appeared here last night. And I have reason to believe that the entity it released was not an isolated occurrence."

Ezren exchanged a glance with Seraphine.

Kael continued, his voice calm but weighted. "The Riftborn are appearing in multiple regions. And the Association is investigating why."

Ezren studied the man. If the Association was involved, this was bigger than he had thought.

Kael took a step closer. "I came here because I believe you hold answers, Ezren."

Ezren stiffened. "And why would you think that?"

Kael's gaze locked onto him. "Because your name appeared in the Rift's residual energy. As if the Rift itself recognized you."

A cold chill ran down Ezren's spine.

Seraphine cursed under her breath.

Kael exhaled. "So, tell me—" His expression was unreadable, but there was something keen behind his gaze. "What exactly are you?"

Ezren had no answer.

But one thing was clear.

The world was starting to notice him. And soon, it wouldn't just be the Riftborn that came searching.