Chapter 53 – Beyond the Worlds

  The rift shimmered before them, pulsating with a dark glow, like a living entity awaiting its guests. Its edges trembled, flickering between shades of violet, black, and silver, while its depths were veiled in swirling mist, making it impossible to see what lay beyond.

  “We’re here,” Reina murmured.

  “And we came all this way for this?” Stan crossed his arms.

  “What now?” Ethan carefully examined the space around them.

  Leonel stepped closer, the fire of his blade faintly reflecting in the rift.

  “If it’s open, that means we need to enter.”

  “Well, it does look terrifying,” Ethan muttered.

  “Everything is ready. Who’s first?” Reina glanced at the others.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Not me,” Stan immediately took a step back.

  “What’s wrong? Afraid of the dark?” Ethan teased.

  “No, I just don’t want to be the first one to get eaten,” Stan grumbled.

  “Well, then I’ll go first!” Ethan declared boldly and stepped forward… only to stop a second later. “Actually, no, someone else should go first.”

  “Ethan!” Reina protested.

  “Alright, alright,” he sighed. “Let’s just go.”

  One by one, they stepped into the rift.

  ---

  A whirlwind swept them up.

  Their bodies spun in a vortex of unseen force, the air thickened, becoming viscous, and whispering voices echoed around them.

  “I don’t want to die!” Stan yelled.

  “We’re not even dead yet,” Leonel replied.

  “Exactly! I’m panicking in advance!”

  And then it was over.

  They crashed onto solid ground.

  Ethan was the first to rise and immediately squinted at Mirellis.

  “You remind me of someone…”

  Mirellis gave him a questioning look.

  “I don’t know who exactly, but I’m sure there was someone…”

  Ethan pondered, then smacked his forehead.

  “Oh! That’s it! You look like—”

  Leonel suddenly turned his head and gave him an icy glare.

  Ethan swallowed.

  “…Like… a magnificent warrior with immense power and a noble heart!”

  Leonel slowly turned away.

  Ethan wiped sweat from his brow.

  “You’re living on the edge,” Stan muttered.

  “I’m living on instincts,” Ethan whispered back.

  But there was no time for chatter.

  Silhouettes emerged from the mist. Tall, hunched figures with glowing eyes. They moved silently, but their presence was felt in every fiber of their beings.

  “Looks like they were expecting us,” Reina said calmly, gripping her staff.

  “Prepare yourselves,” Leonel raised his sword, fire igniting, illuminating the approaching creatures.

  “Can I just hide behind someone?” Stan asked.

  “No!” everyone shouted in unison.

  The shadows lunged forward.