Volume 43
Writer: Sabbir Ahmed
Chapter 18: Allies of the Rifts
The mountains were quiet for the first time in days. Lina stood at the edge of the northern Rift, silver light from her pendant reflecting off the jagged cliffs. Elyra hovered beside her, eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the returning Hunters.
"They'll strike again," Kael said grimly. "Stronger. Smarter. They won't underestimate you twice."
Lina nodded. She felt the pulse of the Rift beneath her feet, steady now, as if acknowledging her command. But she also sensed something else—faint flickers of energy in the distance, other Rifts responding to her presence.
"Other Rifts?" Elyra asked, noticing Lina's gaze.
"Yes," Lina whispered, heart racing. "I can feel them. They're reaching out… almost like they recognize me."
Before they could act, three figures emerged from the mist, cloaked in silver energy. Lina's pendant flared. These weren't Hunters—they were Guardians.
"We sensed the awakening," the first figure said, voice melodic but firm. "The Rifts called us. You are not alone, Lina."
The second stepped forward, a tall youth with pale eyes. "We have watched from other regions. Maltheris seeks to control every Rift. If he succeeds, the balance of the world will shatter."
Lina felt a surge of hope—and responsibility. "Then we fight together. I can't do this alone anymore."
The third figure, a woman whose hair shimmered like starlight, placed her hand on Lina's shoulder. "You have begun to awaken your ultimate power—the ability to harmonize multiple Rifts at once. With our help, you can amplify your control and counter the Hunters' plan."
Lina's pendant pulsed violently, responding to the combined energy of the new allies. She could feel the connection to the other Rifts growing, their power flowing into her, intertwining with her own.
Kael's eyes widened. "That's… incredible. You can actually channel multiple Rifts at once?"
"I'm starting to," Lina said, determination shining in her eyes. "And with them, we can take the fight to the Hunters. We can stop Maltheris before he consolidates the fragments."
The Guardians nodded, forming a circle of light around her. Lina closed her eyes, letting the energy flow, synchronizing her own power with theirs. A radiant wave of silver and blue light shot upward, touching the sky, signaling the awakening of a force the Hunters could not anticipate.
Elyra grinned. "Looks like we've got our first offensive ready."
Lina opened her eyes, glowing brighter than ever. "Then let's move. It's time the Hunters learned what happens when the Rifts fight back."
Far above, the silver skies shimmered in response, echoing the awakening of a power that could change the fate of the world forever.