Kai struck—not with rage, but with clarity.
He didn't kill Lucien.
Instead, he severed the corruption tying him to Elias. With a precise dimensional cut, he sliced between timelines, freeing Lucien from the Rift's influence.
Lucien collapsed, sobbing.
"I was trying to protect the future…"
"I know," Kai said quietly. "So am I."
> [Lucien Recovered. Loyalty Status: Uncertain.]
With the Riftborn retreating, the Vanguard stood in the chamber of the final Counter-Core.
Elias's voice echoed, omnipresent.
"You think you've won, Riftwalker? You've only gathered the keys. Now the gate opens."
High above, the sky tore like paper.
And descending from beyond it—
The Rift Throne. Complete. Anchored. And opening.
> [System Override: Global Rift Cascade in T-minus 24 Hours]
The final battle approaches.