The Eternal Strive

A terrible shriek echoed through the Rift as the abomination emerged, its form constantly shifting—a nightmare given shape. Its body was a swirling mass of chaotic energy, pulsing with both Order and Chaos, yet belonging to neither.

Caden's All-Knowing Eye activated, scanning the entity.

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[Riftborn Abomination]

A creature born from a Rift fracture.

Unstable existence—capable of warping reality at will.

Threat Level: ???

Warning: Destroy or contain before it expands further.

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Seraphis tightened her grip on her blades. "This thing feels wrong."

Varian floated above them, grinning. "Beautiful, isn't it? The Rift's true nature—unrestrained, limitless."

Caden gritted his teeth. "You're insane."

Varian chuckled. "Perhaps. But tell me, Sovereign—how do you intend to fight something that reality itself cannot contain?"

The abomination moved, its form warping with each step. Every flicker of its existence shattered the space around it, leaving behind nothingness.

Then it lunged.

Caden's Ring of Equilibrium flared, and he thrust out his palm—his Rift Dominion activated, forcing the battlefield to stabilize.

For a moment, the abomination halted, its chaotic nature suppressed.

But then, it adapted.

Its form rippled, absorbing the stabilizing force—and then expanding uncontrollably.

Caden's heart pounded. It was feeding on balance itself.

Seraphis cursed. "That thing just—ate your power."

Varian watched with delighted amusement. "Fascinating, isn't it? A being that thrives in imbalance, rejecting all control. It is the very antithesis of your so-called 'equilibrium.'"

Caden's mind raced. His Rift Dominion wasn't enough—but there had to be a way.

His All-Knowing Eye glowed brighter, analyzing the creature's structure.

Then he saw it—the core of its existence.

A single unstable point where Order and Chaos clashed violently—a flaw in its endless mutation.

His eyes narrowed. That was its weakness.

Varian noticed the shift in Caden's expression and frowned. "…You see something."

Caden didn't answer. Instead, he moved.

In an instant, he was above the abomination, his fist crackling with pure Rift energy.

He didn't suppress it. He embraced the instability.

BOOM!

His attack pierced through the abomination's core, disrupting the delicate imbalance that kept it alive.

The creature screamed, its body imploding in on itself—until nothing remained.

Silence fell over the battlefield.

Seraphis exhaled. "…That worked?"

Varian's expression darkened. For the first time, his confidence wavered.

Caden lowered his hand, his voice calm but firm. "You wanted proof of my strength, Riftbreaker?"

His Ring of Equilibrium pulsed.

"You have it."

Varian's golden eyes narrowed—then, slowly, he began to laugh.

This battle wasn't over yet.