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Northreach – Edge of the Riftlands
The sky churned.
Where once there had been stars, now a scar of shadow bled across the horizon. Winds howled through the jagged rocks of Northreach, carrying whispers in forgotten tongues. At the center of it all stood a black spire — half-grown, half-torn from another world.
The Seventh Gate was opening.
Lucien stood atop the highest cliff, robes flaring like wings, eyes locked on the breach. Beside him, Lyra watched silently, the Seventh Fragment embedded in the hilt of her dagger.
"You said we had time," she murmured.
Lucien's voice was low. "Time bends to us now."
A sickly violet glow spread across the sky. The Rift's heartbeat quickened.
> "Let Kael come. Let him think this is his final battle."
Lucien turned to Lyra, his smile dark and strange.
> "This is just the beginning."
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Mortalis – Veyne Estate
Kael knelt in the ruins of the Veyne ancestral library, the sixth fragment glowing faintly as he fit it into the Sigil Wheel — the ancient artifact meant to lock the Rift for good.
"Six of seven," he muttered.
Elira placed a hand on his shoulder. "And we know where the last one is."
Kael nodded. "Lyra has it."
They exchanged a look. Neither said it aloud — but they both knew it wouldn't be as simple as taking it back.
Kael rose, his expression hardened. "Then it ends where it began. At the Rift."
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Varielle – Auren & Nerina
Nerina pushed open the old crypt door beneath the watchtower. Ancient sigils pulsed faintly along the stone walls.
Auren followed her down. "How long have you known about this place?"
"Since before I met you."
Inside, an Oracle Stone hovered above an altar — one of the last remnants of the Old Prophets.
Nerina placed her hand on it. "We need answers."
The stone flickered — and then spoke, its voice layered in hundreds of tones.
> "A Veyne shall rise where light dies.
A Vale shall fall where thorns bloom.
The Rift shall open in seven pieces.
And only love unbroken may seal it shut."
Auren frowned. "Thorns… as in the Gate of Thorns?"
Nerina's face went pale. "That gate leads directly into the Rift core. If Lucien opens it fully…"
"He becomes something beyond any realm."
They looked at each other.
And without speaking, they both knew they'd be going to Northreach — together.
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Kael & Elira – One Night Before the End
Camped on the frost-coated cliffs near the final gate, Kael and Elira shared their last quiet moment.
She brushed his cloak as he sat sharpening Solmourn, the runes now fully awakened. "You don't have to do this alone."
Kael looked up, his voice low. "Every prophecy ends with someone sacrificing everything."
"Then rewrite the prophecy," she whispered.
He stared at her, and for the first time, let the steel fall from his hands.
Their kiss this time wasn't cautious or hesitant. It was desperate — because they both felt the end in their bones.
Kael traced a hand through her hair. "If I don't come back—"
"You will," Elira whispered against his lips. "Because I'm coming with you."
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Lyra's Choice
That night, Lyra stood by the Rift Gate alone. Lucien had left to prepare the final seal.
She stared down at her reflection in a pool of Riftwater — but the reflection didn't match.
It was her, yes — but her eyes were golden. Kind.
She dropped the dagger.
A voice echoed in her mind. Her past self. The girl before the betrayal.
> "You can still be her. You can still make it right."
She closed her eyes.
And when she opened them — she picked up the dagger.
But this time, it wasn't for Kael.
It was for Lucien.
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Final Scene – The Gate Awakens
The next morning, Kael, Elira, Auren, and Nerina stood before the monstrous Gate of Thorns — its vines pulsing with Rift energy, its archway lined with writhing roots.
From the other side, a figure stepped through — Lucien, wreathed in violet fire.
And beside him… an army of Riftborn.
Kael gripped Solmourn. "This is it."
Elira readied her daggers. "Together."
Auren cracked his knuckles. "Let's make some myths."
Nerina drew her sword. "Try not to die, Veyne."
Then, from behind Lucien — a dagger flew.
It sank into his shoulder.
Lucien staggered, spinning — and saw Lyra standing alone on the other side of the battlefield.
Eyes blazing.
Lips curled in rebellion.
"I was never yours," she said.
Kael's eyes met hers for a single second.
And then — the battle began.
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To be continued
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