Chaotic Existance

The streets of Vesperia buzzed with energy, as always. Hawkers lined the sidewalks, selling Aether-infused talismans and Rift-dipped weapons—most of it overpriced junk that wouldn't last five minutes against a true Phantasm. Overhead, holograms floated in the smoggy air, displaying recruitment ads for the latest Rift Raiding syndicates, each one promising wealth, glory, or—most likely—a quick death.

"Heroes rise and fall in the Rifts," the narrator's voice echoed in my head, the ad's cheesy tagline sticking like gum to the bottom of my brain. Yeah, sure. 'Heroes.' That's what they're calling glorified cannon fodder now.

My boots clicked against the metal-plated walkway as I passed the Rift Raiding HQ, a sprawling structure made of dark steel and glowing red conduits. Towers stretched into the clouds, their jagged tops crackling with contained Aether. It was a monument to what the world had become: survival through exploitation, and progress through destruction. Rifts had turned the planet into a game board where survival meant picking the right pieces—and knowing when to sacrifice them.*

Most people didn't understand how Rifts worked. They just saw the Syndicates, the elite teams, and the shiny prizes that came out of successful raids. What they didn't see—or refused to see—was the price. Rifts weren't just scars in reality; they were traps, bleeding chaos into our world while drawing us in with promises of wealth and power.

The strong got stronger, the weak were devoured, and somewhere in the middle, you had people with just enough power to matter but not enough to escape the game entirely.

"Hey, you signing up for the Rift Raid lottery today?" a vendor called, shoving a flyer toward me.

I ignored him, but he kept talking. "They're saying this next Rift's got a Sable Nexus Core. Grade Violet. Could power a whole Syndicate HQ for decades—if anyone survives long enough to pull it out."

I stopped, letting the flyer fall into his outstretched hand. "And how many did you lose on your last Violet Rift?"

The man blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness. "Uh…three teams, give or take. But hey, those were under-leveled! They shouldn't have even been there—"

"Yeah," I muttered, brushing past him. "That's the problem. But sure it may be fun."

I stepped past the vendor, letting his shouts fade into the hum of the streets. The thought of another Syndicate-led raid was enough to make my skin crawl. Vermillion Pheasant was leading this one, with Sylvain Hammer and Leviathan's Breath filling out the roster. A stacked lineup—on paper. In practice? These team-ups always fell apart under pressure. Too many egos, too much politics. You'd think people facing the same ravenous Phantasms would get along better, but no.

I adjusted the hood of my jacket, keeping my face in the shadow. I wasn't exactly hiding, but it didn't hurt to stay low-profile. Not when my face carried enough weight to attract attention—or blame. Especially when things inevitably went sideways. Thanks to some raids I did before under Rose gave me a cool nickname, "Wave Tyrant."

The Rift Raiding HQ loomed ahead, its gates lined with towering plasma screens displaying the roster of raid teams and their leaders. I scanned the names without stopping.

Vermillion Pheasant Syndicate – Raid Leader: Vael Tarris | Second-in-Command: Astra Lin

Vael Tarris was the definition of a textbook hero—golden hair, golden armor, and a reputation for doing whatever it took to win. Some called him a "strategic genius," but others whispered about his tendency to treat his team like expendable chess piece s. Astra Lin, on the other hand, was quieter. A mage specializing in defensive Aether barriers, she was said to be the reason Vael's teams had such high survival rates. She cleaned up his messes, though she'd never admit it.

Sylvain Hammer – Raid Leader: Garath Sorrel | Second-in-Command: Mara Thorne

Garath Sorrel, a tank who'd earned his nickname "The Mountain" for good reason. His strategy? Take the hits no one else could survive. Effective, but his obsession with the front lines left his team vulnerable le. Mara Thorne is a Supporter with a reputation for her sharp tongue and sharper healing Arts. Rumor had it she once revived an entire squad in the middle of an Orange Rift—before she punched Garath for nearly getting them all killed.

Leviathan's Breath – Raid Leader: Idris Vayne | Second-in-Command: Caelus Rhys

Idris Vayne, a sniper-turned-tactician who never missed a shot—or an opportunity to show off. His team trusted his aim more than his leadership, but they followed him anyway. His motto? "A dead enemy can't ambush you."Caelus Rhys was a quiet strategist who operated more like a shadow. He didn't say much, but when he did, everyone listened. If Idris was the face, Caelus was the mind, calculating odds with terrifying precision.

The names flickered on the screen, a reminder of the egos and agendas I was about to wade into. Not that it mattered much. None of them knew me—or, at least, they didn't know the version of me they were about to meet.

I lingered near the HQ's entry point, watching the other raiders gather. Their uniforms varied—some wore the red-and-gold of Vermillion Pheasant, others the green-and-silver of Sylvain Hammer or the deep blue of Leviathan's Breath. The Rift Lottery was in full swing, with Syndicate recruiters barking orders and handing out Aether badges to last-minute additions.

"Excuse me," someone snapped, shoving past me. A Sylvain Hammer raider, his armor covered in runic inscriptions, glared over his shoulder. "You're blocking the entrance."

"Am I?" I said, my tone flat. "How terrible. Go on, then. Don't let my existence inconvenience you."

He muttered something about "freeloaders" under his breath, but I didn't bother responding. Instead, I moved toward the briefing area, where the Syndicate leaders were already arguing.

Vael Tarris stood at the center, golden armor gleaming as he gestured at a holographic Rift map. "We'll push through the first three waves quickly, secure the core, and move to the Nexus Point. Hammer's tanks will lead. Breath's tacticians will handle overwatch. Any questions?"

"Yeah," Idris Vayne drawled, leaning back against a railing. "What happens when your front line falls apart? We're not all built like your hammerheads."

Vael's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Mara Thorne cut in. "Don't worry, Idris. If your squad collapses, I'll be sure to revive the ones worth saving."

The tension between them was palpable, but Astra Lin raised a hand, her voice calm. "We're on the same side, remember? Let's focus on the Rift. It's Orange-ranked. If we're not careful, none of us will make it out."

As the Syndicate leaders bickered, I hung back, observing. None of them noticed me—not yet. That was the advantage of going by a new name. Raziel Delmar was just another face in the crowd, a wildcard they couldn't predict.

A recruiter from Vermillion Pheasant approached, holding a data pad. "You're the last one on the roster," he said, scanning me with a quick, skeptical glance. "Raziel Delmar, Archmage, mid-to-long range specialist. Is that right? Are you sure you're ready for this? There's no raid information on you and it seems you didn't have your license long."

"Close enough," I replied, tilting my head. "Don't worry—I'll pull my weight. More than I can say for some of your golden boys."

The recruiter narrowed his eyes, but before he could respond, the Rift siren blared—a deep, resonating hum that sent shivers through the air. The briefing hologram flickered, replaced by a glowing portal that shimmered like liquid glass. Its edges rippled, the colors shifting from deep green to fiery orange, a visual warning of the Rift's rank.

"Alright, team!" Vael's voice cut through the noise. "Positions! The Rift won't wait for us to get our act together. Move!"

The raiders began filing through the portal, their Aether gear glowing faintly as they passed into the otherworldly landscape. I followed at the back of the group, keeping my distance.

The Rift opened into a sprawling canyon, its walls carved with flowing waterfalls of glowing liquid. The air was thick with energy, the kind that made your skin buzz and your lungs ache with every breath. The waterfalls weren't water—they were pure Aether, cascading into pools that radiated light and heat.

"Stick to your squads!" Astra Lin called, her voice amplified by a spell. "Don't wander! These Rifts shift faster than you think."

I didn't bother joining any squad. Instead, I moved toward the edge of the group, scanning the terrain. The aether here was…different. Denser. Stronger. It felt alive, almost aware, like it was watching us.

The first wave hit before anyone was ready. Phantasms erupted from the ground—scaled beasts with glowing spines and eyes that burned like molten gold.T hey had the massive stature of a Tiger but they had the scales and eyes of aanImugi. They moved like a swarm, converging on the raiders with terrifying speed.

"Front line, hold!" Garath roared, slamming his shield into the ground. A wall of runic energy flared to life, blocking the initial charge.

Behind him, Idris Vayne unleashed a volley of precision shots, each arrow glowing with concentrated Aether. The Phantasms fell, but more took their place, their bodies shifting and warping as they absorbed the ambient energy.

I stayed back, letting the others fight. My role was simple: observe. But as the battle raged on, something became clear—the Phantasms were behaving strangely. They weren't just attacking indiscriminately. Some purposefully jumped around the tanks and tried to flank them. Others even took hits just to get through or around. It seemed like they were moving toward me.

"Hey, you!" Mara Thorne shouted, noticing the shift. "What the hell did you do? They're ignoring the tanks!"

I met her glare with a shrug and a chuckle. "I didn't do anything. Maybe they just like me."

Her expression darkened, but before she could say more, another wave of Phantasms emerged. This time, they were stronger—larger, faster, their bodies glowing with unstable energy. The raiders were struggling, their formations faltering.

"Raziel, get your ass in the fight!" Vael shouted, his voice sharp.

I sighed, stepping forward. "Fine. Let's see how these things handle a little chaos."

The battlefield was chaos, and honestly, it was entertaining to watch—for a moment, anyway. Tanks were getting flattened, Mages flailed around like kids who'd forgotten their homework, and the Tacticians were in full meltdown mode. Only the Rangers and Strikers looked remotely competent, firing and swinging with practiced precision.

Then there was me, watching it all unfold. A human beacon for disaster.

The first wave of Scaled Tigers had hit hard, their sleek, armored bodies barreling through defenses like wrecking balls. I sighed, stepping into the fray. "Alright, fine. Let's clean this up."

With a flick of my hand, water surged from my feet, pooling around us in a wide, reflective circle. Frost bloomed across the surface, locking the Tigers' paws in place as they roared in confusion. "Frozen Tundra," I muttered, watching their breath crystallize in the cold. "Soft spots are the underbelly, armpits, and eyes. Oh, and I froze them with their eyelids open. You're welcome."

The team hesitated, staring at me as if I'd grown a second head. "Do be quick about it," I added, watching Mara's vines pierce the frozen Tigers. One lunged past her, its claws aimedatr Idris, and before I could stop myself, I lashed out with a tendril of water, yanking it back into the ice. "Oops. My bad."

Mara's vines shot forward, lashing through exposed underbellies with surgical precision. The Tigers screeched, thrashing helplessly before dissolving into liquid.

"How dare you act smug when they're targeting you!" Mara snapped, her tone sharp. "Did you bring some artifact or pheromone with you?"

I smirked. "I didn't do anything. They just have excellent taste."

With most of the Tigers dealt with, I moved to finish the rest. Superheating the water with a pulse of Aether, I sent scalding waves rippling across the battlefield. The remaining Tigers screamed as their scales melted away, their bodies collapsing into steaming puddles. A mist rose, shrouding the field.

"Now what?" Idris shouted, his voice cutting through the haze. "I can't shoot if I can't see!"

"Read the situation, Idris," I said, twisting the mist into a condensed raincloud above us. Droplets fell, glowing faintly as they touched the raiders' skin, knitting wounds and easing burns. "Another wave's coming."

Vael frowned, his golden armor catching the rain. "How are you doing this? Is it a god, a Grand Spirit, or…?"

I shrugged, letting the question hang. "I'm a Tactical Ranger. Isn't this a given?"

Idris snorted. "Tactician makes sense, but shifting water into mist and healing rain? That's Aether's manipulation on another level. Maybe tone down the showboating, huh?"

I smirked, stepping past him. "Showboating? Please. I'm just multitasking." My tone turned breezy. "Besides, I'm sure none of you will die… probably."

Astra glared at me. "You're insufferable."

Before I could retort, Caelus raised a hand, summoning an Aether barrier around us. "Enough. The next wave is here."

The ground trembled, the distant roar of Phantasms growing louder. I sighed, stepping to the edge of the barrier. "Alright, alright. Do you want me to hang back? Say less."

Triggering Genesis Dive, I felt the Veil split around me, the air shimmering as I stepped into the Sea of Creation. Water enveloped me, the unseen currents pulling me upward as I swam above the battlefield, my form hovering in the air.

From my elevated position, I could see the next wave—a larger swarm of Phantasms, their forms warping and shifting as they absorbed the ambient Aether.

"Good luck," I called down, my voice carrying across the battlefield. "You're going to need it."

"How the hell is he flying?" Idris shouted, his eyes wide as I floated above the battlefield. I grinned, twisting lazily through the air. "Flying? Nah, just swimming. Keep up."

"How does that even make sense!" He shouted as I laughed.

The next wave of phantasms wwasa mix of the Scaled Tigers, Lizard men, Water Nagas, and Man-eating Karp. All of which looked like they were doped on ststeroidsThe battlefield erupted into chaos as the next wave of Phantasms surged forward, a monstrous blend of scaled Tigers, Lizardmen, serpentine Water Nagas, and hulking Man-eating Karp. Their sheer size and density distorted the air, Aether radiating from them like a storm ready to swallow us whole.

"Formations! Hold the flanks!" Vael's voice thundered, cutting through the chaos. His golden armor glinted as he charged forward, raising his sword to signal the tanks. "Sylvain Hammer, take the brunt. Leviathan's Breath, cover the sides and provide overwatch!"

"Yeah, yeah, we got it," Idris grumbled, nocking an Aether-charged arrow and losing it with pinpoint accuracy. The projectile pierced a Tiger's glowing eye, causing it to shriek and collapse. "Someone tell Goldilocks up front to quit yelling like we're deaf."

"Focus, Idris," Caelus said sharply, his tone calm but firm. He moved with precision, directing Rangers into position. "Keep your sniping to key targets. We can't afford sloppy shots."

I floated lazily above the chaos, watching the tightly coordinated moves. "Not bad," I mused, loud enough for them to hear. "Almost like you know what you're doing."

Mara glared up at me while her vines lashed out, wrapping around a charging Lizardman. She yanked it off balance, slamming it into the ground. "Would it kill you to help instead of playing lifeguard?"

"I am helping," I replied with a smirk. I raised my hand, condensing the raincloud above the battlefield. The droplets sharpened into needle-like projectiles before plunging downward. "Needle Rain," I called, the water striking exposed weak points on several Phantasms. The Tigers roared in agony, collapsing under the precise assault.

"Showoff," Astra muttered, reinforcing a barrier around Vael as a Naga launched a torrent of water spikes at him. Her barriers shimmered with layered Aether, deflecting the projectiles with ease.

"Someone's jealous," I quipped, my tone dripping with mock concern.

Astra's eyes narrowed, her usually calm demeanor cracking. "Jealous? Of someone who's spent more time floating than fighting? Get over yourself."

"Children, focus," Vael barked, cutting down a Lizardman with a single, blazing slash. "Mara, contain the Nagas. Garath, reinforce the front. Idris, take out the Karps before they breach the second line."

"Got it!" Mara shouted, her vines growing thicker and longer, lashing out like serpents to entangle the thrashing Nagas. "But seriously, someone makes him—" she jabbed a vine toward me—"do something useful."

"Useful?" I chuckled, resting my head in my hand as I swam effortlessly through the Sea of Creation. "You're alive, aren't you? That's thanks to me."

"'Alive' is generous," Idris muttered,losingg another arrow that struck a Karp square in its gaping maw. The creature convulsed, collapsing into a pool of ichor. "We're barely holding on, and you're floating around like some discount deity."

"You flatter me," I replied, my grin widening. With a flick of my wrist, I sent a wave of water crashing into the charging Karps, flipping them onto their sides. Their scaled bodies thrashed wildly, struggling to regain balance.

"Raziel, quit antagonizing the team and focus," Caelus said, his voice cutting through the banter. His sharp gaze locked on me, unamused. "Or are you planning to float through the entire raid?"

I shrugged. "Maybe. Unless you'd prefer I let them swarm you. Then again, you're all doing fine without me."

"As some of the branches of some of the top 50 Synidcates, you guys are sure…amazing." I chuckled.

Vermillion Pheasant Syndicate may have been leading this raid, but they weren't the only big players.

The Baron's Coffin (BC) was known for its ruthless efficiency and cutthroat tactics. Their raiders operated like a private military force, prioritizing results over lives. Syndicate alliances often soured when BC was involved—they didn't trust anyone, and no one trusted them.

The Celestial Vanguard (CV), on the other hand, embodied a more noble ideal. Their raiders were the poster children of heroism, adorned in pristine Aether-infused armor, with a focus on protecting Rift cities from overflow events. But behind the polished exterior was a strict hierarchy that crushed individuality under collective duty.

Then there was the Shadow Imperium (SI), a name that sent chills down even the most hardened raiders. The Imperium controlled the Rift underworld—illegal artifact smuggling, human trafficking, and unregistered raids. They operated in the shadows, but their influence stretched across every Rift city. Some said the Imperium's leader had never even stepped into a Rift, yet they controlled it all like a chessboard.

And here I was, floating above the battlefield, watching representatives of these "elite" organizations flounder against glorified Rift beasts.

The second wave intensified as the Phantasms adapted. The Nagas began weaving their water attacks into coordinated strikes, while the Tigers leapt over barriers with startling agility. The Karps slithered through the mist, targeting the rear lines.

"Idris, fall back!" Caelus ordered. "Astra, reinforce the rear with a dome. Mara, create a bottleneck with your vines. Garath, hold the center."

"On it!" Garath roared, his massive shield glowing with runes as he slammed it into the ground. A shockwave rippled outward, staggering the advancing Phantasms. "They're not getting through me."

Mara's vines wove together, forming a dense wall that funneled the beasts into a kill zone. Idris took position behind it, his arrows streaking through the air like falling stars. Each shot found its mark, piercing vital points with unerring precision.

Above, I noticed something strange. The Nagas were moving toward the Karps, their serpentine bodies twisting unnaturally. A faint, almost imperceptible hum filled the air.

"Idris, shift your aim," I called out. "Those Nagas aren't targeting us. They're targeting each other."

"What?" Idris shouted, glancing toward the cluster of Nagas and Karps. His eyes widened. "You're kidding."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" I said, my tone sharp. "If they merge, we're in for a bad time."

Without hesitation, Idris loosed a volley of arrows, but it was too late. The Nagas coiled around the Karps, their bodies glowing as they fused into a massive, serpentine monstrosity with gleaming scales and a mouth lined with jagged teeth.

The battlefield fell silent for a moment.

"Well," I said, floating higher. "This just got interesting."

The fused creature roared its voice a deep, guttural vibration that rattled the ground. It lashed out with its tail, smashing through Garath's barrier and sending him flying.

"Regroup!" Vael shouted, raising his sword. Aether energy surged around him as he charged the beast, Astra's barriers snapping into place around him for protection.

The team rallied, each member playing their role to contain the monster. Mara's vines wrapped around its tail, slowing its movements, while Idris targeted its glowing eyes. Garath, bloodied but unbroken, returned to the front line, his shield reinforced with glowing runes.

As for me, I stayed above, watching the chaos unfold. "You've got this," I called down. "I believe in you."

"Raziel!" Astra shouted, her voice tinged with frustration. "If you're not going to fight, at least make yourself useful!"

"Oh, fine," I sighed. With a wave of my hand, I summoned a swirling vortex of water beneath the creature, trapping its lower body in a whirlpool. "There. Happy?"

The team fought with renewed coordination, their movements precise and deliberate. Vael delivered a devastating slash to the creature's underbelly, Idris fired a perfect shot into its left eye, and Mara's vines tightened around its limbs, holding it in place.

The creature let out one final roar before collapsing, its body dissolving into a pool of glowing liquid.

The battlefield fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the raiders. Vael turned to me, his golden armor stained with ichor. "You could've stepped in earlier."

I shrugged, floating lazily. "You seemed like you had it under control. Plus I was told to not 'stay back and not showboat', " I finished in a tone mimicking Idris's voice.

"Do you ever take anything seriously?" Astra snapped, her Aether barrier flickering out.

"Sure," I replied. "Just not this."

Idris shook his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're insufferable. But…thanks for the assist."

"Anytime," I said, my tone light. "Now, who's ready for the next wave?"

Their groans were music to my ears.

The battle continued in relentless waves, each one more grueling than the last.

Wave 3: The Lizard Swarm

A horde of quadrupedal Lizardmen surged forward, their scales glinting with embedded crystals that deflected Aether attacks. Idris switched to explosive arrows, blowing apart clusters of the creatures, while Mara used her vines to immobilize their legs. Astra, ever the tactician, reinforced the tanks with layered barriers, while Garath stood firm, smashing through their defenses with brute force.

I hovered above, yawning occasionally. "They're getting the hang of it," I muttered to myself as I watched Idris narrowly avoid getting bisected. A quick pulse of water from my position knocked a lunging Lizardman off course. "You're welcome," I called, earning a glare from him.

Wave 4: Phantom Stalkers

Phantom stalkers are creatures that are shadows given form—vague, semi-translucent Phantasms that phase in and out of reality. They struck like whispers in the dark, targeting the weakest links.

"Astra, cover the rear!" Vael shouted, slashing through one only to have another reappear behind him. Caelus unleashed a calculated burst of Aether light that forced the Phantasms into visibility, allowing Idris and Mara to pin them down.

I lazily turned a section of the mist into concentrated rain, condensing droplets into blinding flashes. "Light dispels darkness," I mused, smirking as the Phantasms screeched in pain.

Wave 5: Aether Raptors

Fast, intelligent, and venomous, the Aether Raptors darted across the battlefield, weaving through defenses with uncanny precision. They worked as a pack, isolating targets and overwhelming them.

Vael, Garath, and Astra formed a tight defensive wall, while Idris took calculated shots to pick off the leaders. Mara's vines worked overtime to slow their relentless advance. I intervened with a cascading wall of water, funneling the Raptors into a bottleneck.

"You're doing great!" I shouted cheerfully. "Try not to die."

Wave 6: Aether-Spined Boars

Massive and brutish, the Aether-Spined Boars charged forward, their tusks glowing with destructive energy. Garath met them head-on, his shield cracking under their weight but holding firm.

"Any time now, Raziel!" he shouted as the beasts pressed forward.

I sighed dramatically and unleashed a torrent of water, cooling their glowing spines and reducing their momentum. "There you go, Big Guy. Have fun."

Wave 8: Abyssal Manticores

These hulking, lion-like creatures with scorpion tails and bat wings were smarter and deadlier than the earlier Phantasms. They coordinated strikes, targeting the weaker raiders.

Vael pushed the front line forward, rallying the team with sheer determination. Astra's barriers deflected the Manticores' stinger attacks, while Mara immobilized their wings.

I joined in briefly, creating a torrential water spiral to ground the remaining Manticores. "Just cleaning up after you," I quipped, earning a collective groan.

Wave 9: Hive Swarmers

A hive-like mass of insectoid Phantasms descended in a coordinated attack. They overwhelmed the team with sheer numbers, stinging and clawing without mercy.

The raiders fought desperately, their fatigue showing. I finally stepped in, unleashing a massive wave of water that swept the Swarmers off their feet. "Consider this a freebie," I said, smirking as they regrouped.

Wave 10: The Serpent-Wolf Chimera

The final wave began with an ominous silence. The ground shook as a colossal creature emerged—a monstrous hybrid of serpent and wolf, its body coiled with glowing scales and its jaws filled with jagged teeth. Its howl sent shockwaves through the battlefield, knocking weaker raiders off their feet.

"Hold formation!" Vael shouted, rallying the team.

The Chimera moved with terrifying speed, lunging at Garath with a feral snarl. He raised his shield, barely withstanding the impact. Mara's vines tried to restrain its coils, but the creature thrashed violently, breaking free.

Idris took a shot at its glowing eye, but the arrow bounced harmlessly off its hardened scales. "This thing's a tank!" he cursed.

Astra reinforced the barriers, her face pale with exhaustion. "We need a plan. Now."

"Fine," I muttered, descending. "You had your fun. My turn."

I swirled the mist into a dense cyclone, trapping the Chimera within. Its thrashing form became a silhouette against the spinning vortex. "Gravity Well," I murmured, pulling the creature to the ground with an intense gravitational force.

"Now, hit it!" I barked.

The team attacked in unison—Vael's flaming sword slashed across its exposed underbelly, Idris fired an Aether-powered bolt into its throat, and Garath delivered a crushing blow to its head. The Chimera let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing in a heap, its body dissolving into radiant Aether. With that everyone collapsed for a brief second before getting ready to bunker down.

The team staggered back to a clearing near a glowing Aether pool, the air heavy with fatigue and tension. The dim light of the Rift's perpetual twilight cast long shadows as they set up a makeshift camp. Tents were pitched, barriers erected, and a small fire crackled in the center.

Mara slumped onto a log, rubbing her temples. "That was… insane. I've never seen waves like that."

"It's the Rift," Caelus said, his voice weary. "They're evolving faster than expected."

"Or maybe it's him," Astra muttered, glancing at me. "Everything started going haywire the moment you joined."

I grinned, sitting cross-legged near the fire. "Aw, Astra, I didn't know you cared."

"Cared? No. Suspect? Absolutely."

Idris laughed, shaking his head. "You're a walking jinx, Delmar. Admit it."

"Maybe," I replied, my tone playful. "Or maybe the Rift just knows how special I am."

Vael cut in, his golden armor tarnished but still imposing. "Enough. We survived because we worked together. Let's focus on resting. We've got more waves to go."

The camp settled into a tense quiet, each member lost in their thoughts. I leaned back, gazing at the Rift's starless sky. The faint hum of Genesis energy in the air was almost soothing.

"Hey," Mara said suddenly, breaking the silence. "What's your deal, Raziel? You act like you're above all this, but you don't seem to hate helping."

I tilted my head, smirking. "Maybe I just like keeping things interesting."

"Or maybe you're hiding something," Astra muttered.

"Everyone's hiding something," I replied, my grin fading. "You just don't know what's worth digging for yet."

The fire crackled between us, its light casting flickering shadows. In the distance, the faint roar of the next wave echoed, a grim reminder of what awaited.

"Rest up," I said, standing. "You'll need it. Tomorrow's going to be worse."

The campfire's light flickered in the twilight of the Rift as the others settled in. The air was heavy with exhaustion, their conversations hushed and sporadic. It was the perfect time to slip away unnoticed.

"Time to get proactive," I muttered, pushing myself up from where I'd been sitting.

"Where are you going?" Astra called, her tone sharp even in her fatigue.

"For a walk," I replied, keeping my tone casual. "Don't wait up."

I didn't wait for her inevitable snarky reply. I moved into the shadows of the Rift's surreal terrain, my footsteps silent against the soft ground. The faint hum of Aether's energy thickened as I approached the far edges of the clearing. The ambient aether in this place felt heavier, denser—it had to be here.

"Now where is that damn core? I feel strong aether around me but I feel like I can sense something stronger." I spoke to myself.

The Violet-grade Nexus Core wasn't just another shiny trinket. It was a condensed sphere of pure Genesis energy—Geneittium in its rawest, most potent form. To the world, it was known as Animara, but through my studies, I'd uncovered the truth.

Geneittium wasn't just energy; it was life. The building blocks of existence itself. And these cores? They were fragments of that primordial force, capable of powering Nexus-Tech, evolving new Arts, or pushing Aether levels beyond natural limits. A prize like this could sustain a Syndicate for decades—or fuel my ascension in ways no one could predict.

But it wasn't just the core's power that intrigued me. It was its origin. The ancient texts I'd scavenged from past Rifts hinted that these cores were remnants of the Sea of Creation itself, crystallized droplets of the Geneittium that had birthed entire worlds. They were a glimpse into the genesis of everything—a truth that both fascinated and terrified me. So these cores are like little hints to the bigger picture.

Activating my Gift, Arcana's Will, I drew three Tarot cards from my mental deck. They materialized before me, glowing faintly with aetheric light.

The Moon (Reversed): A shroud of uncertainty and illusion. Perfect for concealing myself.The Hermit (Upright): Amplified perception and focus, heightening my ability to sense Aether fluctuations.The Chariot (Upright): A boost to my speed and physical endurance for the climb ahead.

The cards merged into my form, their energy suffusing me in a quiet, controlled surge. I felt the shift immediately. The Hermit sharpened my senses, allowing me to feel every ripple of Aether energy in the Rift. The Moon wrapped me in a veil of misdirection, dulling my presence to any nearby Phantasms or Aether-sensitive beings. And the Chariot? It turned the climb ahead from a daunting task into a challenge.

"Perfect," I muttered, slipping into Genesis Dive.

The air shimmered as I stepped through the Veil, swimming through the unseen currents of the Sea of Creation. From here, I could observe the Rift from above, the glowing Aether waterfall in the distance calling to me like a beacon. Even within the Dive, I felt the strain of the Rift's energy pushing against me as if the realm itself were aware of my intrusion.

The waterfall was a towering cascade of liquid Aether, its glow illuminating the jagged cliffs around it. The sound was deafening, a constant roar that reverberated through the air. Each droplet shimmered with a spectrum of colors, shifting between blue, gold, and violet—a visual representation of its condensed energy.

I materialized back into the physical realm at the base, the mist soaking my face as I examined the terrain. The rocks were slick and treacherous, glowing faintly with residual energy. Climbing this would've been impossible for anyone else, but for me, it was a calculated risk.

Activating Dragon's Flow, I coated my hands and feet with a thin layer of Aether-infused water, creating friction against the slippery surface. Each step was deliberate, my muscles burning as I scaled the cliffside.

Halfway up, the air grew heavier, the Aether density increasing with each passing second. It was intoxicating, like breathing in liquid power. The waterfall's roar drowned out all other sounds, isolating me in a bubble of effort and determination.

When I finally reached the top, my breath hitched.

At the apex of the waterfall was a shimmering pool, its surface perfectly still despite the raging cascade feeding into it. At the center, nestled within a cluster of glowing crystals, was the Violet Nexus Core. It pulsed faintly, radiating waves of pure Geneittium that sent shivers down my spine. I quickly broke the crystals and threw ithemin my bag.

But my triumph was short-lived.

The water rippled a little bit. Then it rippled again but with a little more than before. Then in a huge wave from the depths of the pool emerged a creature that dwarfed everything I'd faced so far. The Karp King. Its massive, serpentine body was covered in golden scales that glowed faintly with embedded runes. Its eyes burned with an intelligence that sent a chill down my spine.

It didn't attack. Not yet. It simply hovered in the water, watching me with a predatory calm. The Nexus Core wasn't just a treasure—it was its treasure. And I was trespassing.

"Shit," I muttered, carefully stepping back. My presence wasn't fully concealed from something this powerful. It had sensed me, even through the Moon's veil.

I couldn't fight this thing—not yet. And certainly not alone.

Slowly, I retreated, my eyes never leaving the Karp King. It watched me until I was out of sight, its massive form sinking back into the pool as I made my descent.

By the time I returned to camp, the others were half-asleep, their fatigue evident in their slumped postures. The fire had burned low, casting long shadows across their faces.

No one noticed me slip into my tent, the Violet Nexus Core tucked securely in my bag. I had what I came for, and for now, I would keep it to myself. The Karp King's presence was a complication I didn't need to share—not yet.

As I lay back, staring at the tent's fabric ceiling, my mind raced. The Core wasn't just a tool for power—it was a piece of the puzzle. A fragment of the Sea of Creation. And the Karp King? It was a guardian, a reminder that the truths I sought wouldn't come without cost.

But for now, I had what I needed. The rest would come later.