The Eternal Strive

Varian's laughter echoed, sharp and laced with something dangerous. The amusement in his golden eyes flickered, replaced by something far colder.

"Impressive," he admitted. "You saw through the Riftborn's weakness and destroyed it in a single strike. I'll give you credit for that."

But then, his aura shifted—a slow, crushing intensity that made the Rift itself tremble.

"But tell me, Sovereign—what will you do when there is no weakness to exploit?"

Caden's Ring of Equilibrium pulsed, warning him. Something changed in Varian—his very presence was warping the Rift around them.

Seraphis tensed, gripping her weapons. "This feels bad."

Caden's All-Knowing Eye activated, scanning Varian again.

---

[Varian – The Riftbreaker]

Former Rift Sovereign (Power Unsealed)

Now wielding unrestricted Rift Authority

Threat Level: Catastrophic

---

Caden's breath slowed.

"Unsealed?"

Varian's cloak billowed, the energy around him shifting violently. He raised his hand, and the Rift obeyed.

Space fractured, tearing open a maelstrom of pure chaos. Black lightning crackled, rifts split apart, and the battlefield collapsed inward—an entire dimension being unmade at his command.

Seraphis cursed. "He's ripping reality apart!"

Varian smiled darkly. "This is the power of a true Rift Sovereign."

Caden moved instantly, his Rift Dominion activating. The crumbling battlefield froze, stabilizing under his command.

Varian's eyes narrowed. "Still clinging to balance?"

He flicked his fingers—and Caden's control shattered.

BOOM!

A shockwave erupted, sending Caden and Seraphis hurtling back. Space distorted wildly, entire sections of reality blinking in and out of existence.

Caden gritted his teeth, regaining control mid-air. His mind raced.

Varian wasn't just stronger—he had abandoned balance entirely.

That's why he was the Riftbreaker.

He didn't follow the Rift's rules. He destroyed them.

Caden landed, his fists clenched. His Ring of Equilibrium glowed, struggling to suppress the chaotic collapse.

Varian watched him, intrigued. "I see it now. You're not like the others."

His golden eyes gleamed. "You truly think you can master the Rift."

He raised his hand again—this time, summoning something far worse.

The Rift roared. A new portal tore open behind him, revealing an abyss of limitless chaos.

And from its depths, something massive began to emerge.

Seraphis took a step back, her voice tight. "…Tell me that's not what I think it is."

Caden's All-Knowing Eye flared, confirming the terrifying truth.

Varian had just summoned a Primordial Rift Entity.

A being of pure destruction—something that not even the Rift itself could contain.

Caden exhaled slowly, steadying his stance.

The real fight was about to begin.