Bruno and Raine ran, their breaths ragged as they raced through the ruined streets. The vision still lingered in Bruno's mind—the golden-blue door standing alone amidst the destruction. Something about it pulled him forward, as if an unseen force was guiding him.
Raine struggled to keep pace, but she didn't complain. She could sense it too—something was waiting for them at the gate.
The fractured stone beneath their feet told stories of past battles. The echoes of the Abyss whispered in the wind, but for once, they weren't alone in the unknown.
As they turned the corner, the sight of the grand door came into view.
Bruno slowed, taking in the gathering of warriors before them.
A woman clad in golden armor stood at the front, exuding authority. Her piercing blue eyes swept over the group, her posture rigid yet composed. A massive man, broad-shouldered and built like a fortress, leaned casually on his greatsword, waiting.
A lean figure with a katana idly twirled a small flower between his fingers, his eyes sharp yet amused.
Silas was already there, arms crossed, scroll in hand. Varen stood beside him, his normal sword unsheathed, the relic blade still strapped to his back.
The moment Bruno and Raine arrived, all eyes turned to them.
The golden-armored woman narrowed her gaze. "You two—you're late."
Bruno exhaled, stepping forward. "We had a little trouble."
The muscle-headed man smirked. "Yeah? You still breathing, so I'd say it wasn't real trouble."
Bruno ignored him. His attention was on the gate, looming over them like an ancient relic of a forgotten world. He turned to the armored woman, sensing she was the one in charge.
"Who are you?" he asked.
She straightened, nodding once. "Elyria."
The katana wielder tilted his head, introducing himself with an easygoing smirk. "Kaito."
The muscle-bound man thumped his greatsword on the ground. "Name's Dain."
Varen gave a simple nod. "You already know me."
Silas barely acknowledged the introductions. "Silas."
Bruno turned to Raine, who hesitated before speaking. "Raine."
Elyria folded her arms. "You all should listen carefully. We don't have time to waste."
Her voice was commanding, and everyone instinctively fell silent.
"This place is barely holding together," she continued, glancing toward the golden-blue door. "The bearer—whoever maintains this dimension—won't last much longer. If we don't clear this place soon, it will collapse, and everything in this district will go with it."
Bruno's brows furrowed. "Collapse?"
Kaito sighed, tossing the flower aside. "It means we all die."
"Not just us," Elyria added. "Everything here will be consumed by the Abyss. The Rift is unstable. If we don't finish this in time, there won't be a way back."
Silas tapped the scroll against his palm. "So what's stopping us? Let's open it already."
Dain cracked his knuckles. "Yeah. Just throw the damn thing and get on with it."
Kaito rolled his eyes. "And what if the scroll contains something important? Maybe a condition for entering, maybe a warning? Do you always charge in blind?"
Dain scoffed. "I charge in knowing I can break whatever's in my way."
Bruno could already tell these two weren't going to get along.
Elyria sighed. "Enough. We're wasting time."
Her gaze locked onto Raine. "But before we go—why is she here?"
Raine stiffened. "What?"
Elyria stepped forward, inspecting her closely. "You have no weapon. No Abyssal energy. You're unarmed and powerless." Her expression was unreadable. "Why are you even coming?"
Raine swallowed, clenching her fists. "I can fight."
Elyria didn't look convinced. "With what? Hope?"
Bruno stepped between them. "She's stronger than you think."
Elyria regarded him carefully. There was a flicker of interest in her eyes. "Is that so?"
Bruno nodded. "She's survived this long. That should tell you enough."
Elyria studied Raine for another moment, then sighed. "Fine. But I won't have dead weight slowing us down." She reached to her side and tossed a small dagger toward Raine.
Raine caught it, gripping the hilt tightly.
Bruno expected Elyria to question his lack of a weapon next, but before she could, he spoke first.
"I'll fight with my hands."
Elyria blinked. "That's stupid."
Bruno shrugged. "It's worked so far."
She looked like she wanted to argue, but the urgency of the situation won out. "Fine. Just don't die before we clear this place."
Silas unrolled the scroll. "Let's get this over with."
As soon as he started reading, the parchment ignited in blue flames.
"Shit." Silas flung it aside.
The gate trembled. A deep, guttural groan echoed as the golden-blue surface cracked open slightly.
Dain wasted no time. "I'll handle this part."
With one massive push, he shoved the doors open entirely.
A thick, dark void waited beyond the threshold.
For a moment, there was hesitation. Then—one by one, they stepped through.
The darkness swallowed them.
Bruno's feet touched solid ground.
The air shifted. The suffocating darkness shattered—
And suddenly—
Light.
The world transformed before their eyes.
A vast expanse stretched in all directions, filled with vibrant colors that shouldn't exist in the Abyss. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, scattered with soft, wispy clouds. A gentle breeze caressed their skin, carrying the scent of flowers—real flowers, blooming in every color imaginable.
Rolling green hills stretched across the land, with towering mountains standing proudly in the distance. The air was fresh, crisp, untouched by decay.
It was beautiful. Too beautiful.
The warriors stood still, absorbing the impossible scenery.
Kaito was the first to break the silence. "Well… this is unexpected."
Dain grunted. "This doesn't feel right."
Elyria frowned, scanning the horizon. "No… It feels too right."
Raine exhaled in awe. "It's like a dream."
Silas remained silent, his gaze unreadable.
Bruno knelt, brushing his fingers against the petals of a soft white flower. It felt real. But the Abyss had taught him that beauty was often the most dangerous illusion.
Varen finally spoke. "We should move. Standing around admiring the view won't clear this place."
Elyria nodded, stepping forward. "He's right. Whatever's waiting for us… It won't stay hidden for long."
They pressed on, venturing into the unknown—
Unaware that the land itself was already watching them.