A Shore Unknown

Surya's body twisted through space. The Rift had accepted him—but that acceptance came at a cost. The surge of spatial energy overwhelmed his senses, his flame core flaring once, then folding in on itself like a star collapsing.

Darkness claimed him.

When he woke, it was to warmth. Not the harsh heat of combat or the oppressive pressure of artifacts, but the muted comfort of sunlight streaming through a half-covered window. He was in a bed—soft, foreign linens tucked around him. The scent of salt drifted through the air, mingled with the perfume of sea herbs.

His body ached, but he could move. Slowly, he sat up.

The room was small, stone-walled, lined with carved sigils that glowed faintly—warding runes. A single wooden door stood closed across from him.

Muffled voices reached him.

He recognized them.

Kaelen. Dazhra.

"…still weak from the Rift passage," Dazhra was saying.

"He survived what would have shredded most initiates," Kaelen replied. "That says enough."

Surya swung his legs off the bed, the cool stone floor grounding him. Just as he rose to stand, the door creaked open.

Kaelen stepped inside, nodding once in approval. "You're awake."

Surya managed a small smile. "Barely."

Kaelen crossed the room and offered a shoulder to lean on. "You held longer than most. You broke a tether meant to lock even harmonized cores. That's not nothing."

Surya leaned on him, his voice rough. "Where are we?"

Kaelen guided him to a carved bench by the window. Outside, ocean waves crashed against black cliffs. A line of silver ships rested near the docks, Sanctum banners fluttering faintly in the distance.

"We're in Vel Drakos. A coastal settlement on the far edge of the Eastern Reach," Kaelen said. "Another continent. You made it."

Surya stared out. "So we're far from that canyon. The Veiled agents?"

"Scattered. Routed. But not gone," Kaelen said grimly. "Some scouts are still holding the Rift gate. A few others are tracking possible Veiled remnants along the leyshore."

Surya looked down at his hands. "And the artifact?"

Kaelen's gaze darkened. "The woman who struck down the commander—the one with the brand across her brow—took it. The semi-level 6 rift-lock was too unstable for containment scrolls. It was trying to resonate with the leyline even sealed. She sealed it herself and returned directly to the Academy."

Surya blinked. "It nearly broke me."

Kaelen nodded. "You were lucky. The man wielding it hadn't fully attuned to it. He was mid-sync with another artifact in a previous battle. And the lock itself was stretched thin trying to fight the Rift's natural flow. That gave you the window. You broke its grip because it was already straining."

Surya leaned back, letting that settle. "So we're safe?"

Kaelen gave a rare smile. "For now. You've got a few days. Then, we travel again. The ships are preparing."

"A ship? We're going by sea?"

"To reach the Academy, yes. There are no gates this deep outside the Spiral Sanctum. The seas are watched. And dangerous. But it's the only route."

Surya's eyes narrowed. "Kaelen… what are these artifacts? Levels? Why have I never heard about them before?"

Kaelen opened his mouth to answer—

But the door opened sharply.

Dazhra stepped in. "Kaelen. The briefing is starting. You're needed now."

Kaelen sighed and gave Surya a final look. "I'll explain later. Rest. You've earned it."

He followed Dazhra out, leaving Surya with questions.

And the crash of waves below.