At the city's center, the Nexus Arcanum was born: a grand council chamber, temple, and control core all woven into one—a place where the fabric of the Rift could be safely studied, shaped, and defended.
But even as Aethralun flourished, the Rift remained a wild, breathing entity. It whispered with possibilities—and dangers.
****
One evening, as the Tideheart pulsed with its steady heartbeat, Aqua stood at the highest balcony of the Nexus Arcanum, feeling the currents of the Rift twist in unnatural ways.
Liliana joined her, a frown creasing her brow."I've been running simulations," she said, her voice serious. "There's a... distortion building at the outer edges of the Rift."
"Another anomaly?" Aqua asked.
Liliana shook her head. "No. Worse. It's like a scar... a wound trying to heal wrong. If we don't intervene, it could birth something far more dangerous than the Ravelers."
