The sun was still low in the sky when Hassan met Patrick by the Rift's edge. The air smelled of damp moss and earth, but beneath it lingered a subtle tension — something heavier than the usual Rift magic.
Patrick's brow was furrowed, his gaze distant. "Hassan, I've been watching the Rift closely," he began, voice low. "Something's coming through. Something dark."
Hassan frowned. "Dark? Like a spirit?"
Patrick shook his head. "Not like any spirit we know. This feels different. More... dangerous. It moves with purpose — like it's hunting."
For weeks, Patrick had been studying the Rift, sensing tremors in its energy. The once-quiet portal now rippled with shadows that twisted and shifted. Villagers nearby whispered of strange noises at night and sudden chills.
Hassan felt a cold knot tighten in his stomach. The Rift had always been a gateway between worlds — a source of both blessing and peril. But this felt like a warning.
"We can't face this alone," Hassan said firmly. "We need the Guild to prepare. Everyone must be ready."
Patrick nodded. "I'll gather what information I can. But we must act fast."
Together, they returned to the farm where Hassan called a meeting of the Rift Farmers' Guild. Around the fire, farmers and magical beings listened intently as Patrick described the threat.
Eyes narrowed and hands gripped tools, the community steeled themselves.
Hassan raised his voice over the murmurs. "We defend this land, no matter what comes through. The Rift is our home — and we will protect it."
As the stars emerged overhead, Hassan felt the weight of the coming storm. The Rift's danger was no longer distant. It was at their doorstep.
And Hassan was ready to fight for the future of both worlds.