Chapter 5 – Into the Rift
The Rift tore open the sky, a jagged wound that swallowed the remains of old Earth. Floating debris hovered in the air, suspended by chaotic energy, while arcs of violet lightning cracked across the void. The air pressed against them, heavy with unnatural power, each breath tasting like metal and ozone.
Kael stepped forward first, sword drawn. The golden aura of the Goddess of War, Astrid, shimmered along its edge. Every swing of the blade left trails of light, cutting through the Rift's energy. His eyes swept over Alex, narrowing in irritation. "Don't trip over yourself," he barked. "One mistake, and you'll die before the monsters even reach you."
Tavik readied his bow, the Goddess of Hunt blessing guiding his every shot. He fired several test arrows at floating debris, each hitting with unerring precision. He smirked at Alex. "Try not to slow us down, weakling."
Mara's eyes scanned the Rift, calculating every floating platform, every energy fissure. The God of Wisdom sharpened her perception, allowing her to anticipate dangers invisible to normal eyes. "Stay out of the way, Alex," she said flatly. "If you fall, I won't stop it."
Liora hovered close to Alex, her minor God of Protection blessing creating a faint shield around him. "It's alright," she said softly. "Stick near me. You'll be fine." Her gentle tone was the only comfort in the chaos, though her eyes betrayed subtle curiosity, as if studying him.
Alex followed at the back, legs shaking and hands trembling. Every gust of the Rift's energy made him stumble. His heart pounded with terror. He had no blessing, no power, and nothing to protect himself. He could only cling to Liora's side, hoping her minor protection would be enough.
The Rift itself seemed alive, humming and twisting. Shadows shifted unnaturally, stretching across the floating debris. Then came a guttural roar that made Alex freeze.
From the shadows emerged a Corrupted Earth Creature, one of the monsters from the folder. Its limbs were jagged and blackened, dripping with Rift energy, and its eyes glowed molten red. It stalked toward them, a guttural snarl vibrating through the air.
Alex's knees buckled. His stomach twisted. He had nothing to fight with. His dagger, scavenged from ruins, was useless. Terror rooted him to the spot.
Kael swung his sword in a blazing arc of golden light. The creature's claw struck the air where Alex had been standing seconds ago. "Move!" Kael shouted, irritation clear in his voice. "Stay out of my way!"
Tavik released a volley of arrows, each guided by the Goddess of Hunt. They struck the creature's joints, its glowing eyes, and its chest, slowing its advance. He looked at Alex and rolled his eyes. "This is your chance to actually do something. Don't die."
Mara leapt across a floating shard of rock, dagger flashing with lethal precision, striking at the creature's flank. "Move faster, or you'll get yourself killed," she snapped. Her eyes barely registered Alex's trembling form at her side.
Liora's shield pulsed around Alex, absorbing the energy from the creature's strikes. "Stay close!" she whispered, her hand brushing his shoulder. Her protection kept him alive, but she didn't stop him from seeing just how powerless he truly was.
The creature twisted unnaturally, claws slashing in impossible angles. Alex stumbled backward, terror rooting him in place. Kael intercepted another attack, shoving the monster away with a swing of his sword. Tavik fired another arrow, embedding it deep into the creature's arm. Mara's dagger punctured its side. Liora's shield flared, throwing back the force of its swipe.
Alex could do nothing but watch, frozen. His chest tightened with fear, his legs refused to move. Every swing, every shot, every calculated move reminded him that he was utterly helpless, entirely reliant on the Gods' blessings flowing through his companions.
The creature roared and lunged at Alex directly. He froze completely, paralyzed by terror. Kael shoved him aside roughly, glaring. "I said move!" The blade of Astrid's blessing struck the creature's claw, knocking it off balance.
Tavik's arrows flew with perfect aim, piercing the creature's glowing eyes. Mara's dagger struck its chest with precision, drawing blood. Liora's shield surged, a wave of energy that slammed into the creature, sending it tumbling backward into the Rift. The energy from the void swallowed it, dissolving it entirely.
Alex collapsed onto a floating rock, knees shaking, gasping for breath. Kael crouched beside him, eyes hard. "You're alive. Barely."
Tavik snorted. "Not bad… for a scared little meat sack."
Mara rolled her eyes. "Try not to die next time. It slows us down, and we can't keep babysitting you."
Alex looked at Liora, relief flooding him. She knelt beside him, her hand on his shoulder. "You survived," she said softly. "That's what matters."
He swallowed, powerless, weak, and terrified, fully reliant on the team and the Gods' blessings. Kael, Tavik, and Mara were harsh, mocking, and unforgiving, but their skill and divine powers had kept him alive. Liora's subtle protection was the only reason he hadn't been consumed by the Rift.
As they moved deeper, the Rift vibrated violently. Energy streaked across the void like jagged blades. Alex felt every step as though walking through fire. He knew painfully that without them—and their blessings—he would not survive for even a second in this world.