The Rift was dark now—sealed under a crimson lattice of runes, its shimmer snuffed out by the Veiled Hand's lock. Surya could barely move. The artifact's influence gripped him like chains of heatless fire, wrapping around his core, his limbs, his mind. The tall figure with the black glass staff, clearly the commander, lifted the weapon once more. Its structure pulsed ominously—an artifact of power and origin.
"A semi-level 6 artifact," Dazhra spat. "No wonder it's this strong."
Kaelen's blade struck again, but this time it rebounded harmlessly off the protective ring forming around the tall figure.
"That's a level 8 staff," Dazhra said grimly. "His subordinates use level 9 Null Fangs. That alone is rare in this region."
Kaelen grunted. "I only carry a level 9 Vyransteel edge. And you?"
"My spear—Vanyel's Mark—it's a solid level 8. Enough to counter, not enough to destroy."
"Then we outmatch their grunts, but not the commander," Kaelen said, sweeping low and disarming a lunging agent with a blast of runic light from his dagger.
Another Veiled agent threw a hand forward, revealing a glyph-etched shard. It detonated in midair, unleashing a black pulse that staggered Kaelen. The man barely rolled in time to avoid the finishing blow.
Dazhra vaulted over him, wind-wrapped flames trailing her spear as she slammed into the attacker's chest. The Veiled agent screamed and dissolved into smoke.
"They're giving everything," she said.
"Desperate," Kaelen replied. "Because they know if he gets through the Rift, they lose the conduit."
Two more agents charged. One wielded twin curved daggers laced with decay—a side effect of corrupted essence binding. The other raised a crossbow-like weapon that fired bolts of shadow-wrapped steel.
Kaelen parried the bolt with his rune-dagger. The second attacker drove him back.
Dazhra turned back to the Rift, hands flaring with twin spirals of flame.
"I can't hold them off forever!" she shouted. "Surya—break the lock!"
Surya writhed against the artifact's grip. The flame inside him was barely audible now, muted by the seal. But even in the silence, he sensed something else. A different voice. Older. Sharper.
You were not born to be shackled. Burn.
The bindings strained.
Then snapped.
A shockwave erupted from Surya's body—not power, but resistance itself breaking.
The lock cracked slightly.
The tall figure snarled and raised his staff.
Before the final blow could land, a thunderous crack shook the sky.
And then they arrived.
From the heights above the Rift, five figures descended in a spiral of silver and violet light. Robes of Spiral Sanctum fluttered in defiance of gravity. Emblems glowed on their chests—each a different elemental sigil.
Their leader stepped forward, blade humming with energy.
"Sanctum Fourth Circle. This breach ends now."
Kaelen let out a breath. "Took your time."
Dazhra staggered back behind their line.
The clash that followed was swift and brutal.
Sanctum scouts unleashed elemental techniques layered with focused artifacts. One wielded a level 8 compression gauntlet, turning each punch into a localized quake. Another channeled level 9 etherthreads, slicing through Veiled ranks with surgical precision.
Veiled agents retaliated savagely. One self-destructed in a flare of voidfire, taking two scouts with him. Another hurled a corrosive orb that exploded midair, tearing the stone ledge apart.
The tall figure tried to retreat, dragging the staff and shouting ancient commands. But one scout—woman with a glowing brand of flame across her brow intercepted.
Her blade gleamed. "You carry death into our sky? Then let flame judge you."
She cut through his barrier with a burning crescent slash.
The black glass staff clattered to the ground.
The Rift shuddered.
Kaelen moved fast, seizing the semi-level 6 artifact and tossing it to Dazhra. She sealed it inside a containment sphere.
"Artifact secured," she breathed. "Rift stabilizing."
The remaining Veiled agents, now leaderless, scattered. Two were incinerated by coordinated attacks. One more fell into the abyss below.
Silence returned.
Surya stood at the edge, panting.
Kaelen placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's time."
The scouts nodded and cleared the path.
Surya stepped forward. The Rift pulsed—not resisting, but accepting.
He walked into the light.
And vanished.