The rift at Dawn Pass pulsed with malevolent energy, its dark maw spewing wisps of shadow as the massive Voidspawn champion loomed over the battlefield. Its writhing mass of claws and glowing red eyes towered over Elian Valorian, who gripped his Aetherforged Blade, its blue glow cutting through the morning mist. Valoria's soldiers, dwarven axemen, and orc berserkers fought desperately around him, their shouts mingling with the screams of falling Voidspawn. Liora's elven spellweavers chanted frantically, their Aether threads straining to close the rift.
Elian's heart pounded as he faced the champion. "Liora, how much longer?" he shouted, dodging a claw that shattered the ground beside him.
"Moments!" she called, her voice taut. "Keep it distracted!"
Elian nodded, channeling his Expert Realm strength. He unleashed an Aether Slash, a crescent of blue energy slicing into the Voidspawn's hide, drawing a guttural roar. Krag Bloodaxe charged in, his axe cleaving through lesser Voidspawn, while dwarven cannons—powered by the Rare Aether Cannon Core—blasted the creature's flank, sparks flying.
Amid the chaos, Veyra, the male Shadow Rogue, dragged the traitor knight, Sir Drayce, to Elian. "This cur's awake," Veyra hissed, his dagger at Drayce's throat. "He's Ravencrest's dog."
Elian's eyes narrowed. He needed answers. The Faith System flickered. [Current Belief Points (BP): 100]
"Show me options for 100 BP," he thought.
[Gold: 10,000 gold coins] [Aether Crystals: 10 crystals] [Common Truth Amulet: 100 BP]
"Convert 100 BP to Common Truth Amulet," Elian decided. A small, rune-etched pendant materialized in his hand. Veyra's sharp gaze caught the sudden appearance, his lips twitching. "Another relic, sire?" he muttered, skeptical.
"From the royal vaults," Elian said smoothly, slipping the amulet around Drayce's neck. Its runes glowed, forcing truth from the traitor. "Speak. What's Ravencrest planning?"
Drayce's eyes widened, words spilling out. "He's allied with Ironhold to weaken Valoria, then plans to seize your throne using Voidspawn rifts!"
Elian's blood ran cold. Ravencrest's betrayal ran deeper than he feared. "Take him to the rear," he ordered Veyra, who nodded and vanished with Drayce.
The Voidspawn champion lunged, its claws raking the air. Elian rolled aside, channeling Aether into his blade for another slash. Krag and General Korran joined him, their combined attacks driving the creature back. Liora's mages tightened their spell, the rift shrinking with a screech.
As the rift sealed, the champion roared, its form destabilizing. Elian seized the moment, plunging his blade into its core. The creature dissolved into black mist, leaving the battlefield eerily quiet.
But victory was fleeting. Liora approached, her face grim. "The rift's closed, but our seers sense more. There's an ancient elven artifact—a Mythic Aetherial Core—that could banish Voidspawn permanently. It's in the Enchanted Forests."
Elian nodded, his mind racing. Before he could respond, a scout pointed to the cliffs. A cloaked figure watched, unmoving, its presence chilling. Friend or foe, it knew too much.