The Abyss had gone silent.
For the first time since Kael fell into its depths, there were no whispers, no pulses of ancient malice. Just a cold, endless hush… like the universe holding its breath.
Kael stood at the edge of the sealed Gate. Behind him, the newly forged Throne of the Rift shimmered faintly—no longer a source of chaos, but a symbol of control.
Taren approached, eyes wary.
> "It's done… isn't it?"
Kael didn't answer immediately. He could feel something had changed—not just in the Abyss, but beyond it.
Then the system returned.
> [Notification: Surface World Shift Detected]
Echoes of your Sovereignty have breached the veil.
Entities Above are beginning to respond.
---
Suddenly, the darkness shimmered—like a mirror cracking.
A rift opened.
But it wasn't like before.
It was stable, and through it, Kael could see something that made his chest tighten—
The Surface.
The ruins of the Citadel. The great spires of the old world.
Kael stepped forward, breath caught.
Lyria whispered behind him:
> "Is that... our world?"
Kael turned to her, slowly nodding.
> "We're going back."
---
As the trio stepped through the veil, they weren't met by sunlight… but smoke.
The world they had known was gone. Cities lay in ashes. The sky was veined with streaks of violet lightning. Floating islands drifted where once there was land.
And worst of all…
> Creatures of the Rift were already here.
Taren swore under his breath. "What did we miss?"
A shadow burst from the air—a creature with no face, wings of flickering black fire, and a scream that bent metal.
Kael didn't flinch.
He raised his hand. The mark of the Keeper lit up in brilliant silver-black.
The creature froze, mid-air.
> [Command: Return to the Rift]
With a flash, it vanished.
Lyria stared at him. "They're listening to you... even here."
Kael nodded grimly.
> "The Abyss may be sealed... but its children are loose."
---
> [New Status: Riftwalker]
You walk between worlds. Both obey you. Neither trusts you.
> [New Objective: Restore the Balance]
Cleanse the Surface. Rebuild the Citadel. Choose your side: Ruler, Savior... or Destroyer.
---
That night, Kael stood atop the broken tower of the old council hall. Below him, survivors had started gathering—drawn by rumor, fear… and hope.
He clenched his fists.
He wasn't a pawn anymore.
Not of fate, the Abyss, or the gods.
He was the Keeper.
And his next war… was here.
---