**Chapter 21: The Rise of the Rifters**
The aftermath of Aiki's Rift Awakening left the streets of Tensei in eerie silence. Ash swirled in the air, and the remnants of Vaelith's shadow dissipated like smoke. But the city was far from safe. Wherever the rift's energy pulsed, spirits stirred, drawn to the newfound power of a Rifter.
Aiki stood at the center, Spirit Edge glowing, golden light radiating like a beacon. Enji, Sen, and Sakura flanked him, faces a mixture of awe and determination.
"Did… did that just happen?" Sen asked, eyes wide. "He… he literally broke reality."
Sakura shook her head, tracing glowing runes in the air. "It's more than that. That energy… it's resonating with every hidden power in the city. Anyone capable of Rift Awakening… they'll feel it."
Aiki's gaze hardened. "Then we need to find them. Whoever can awaken this power is a potential ally… or a potential threat. We have to be ready."
From the shadows, a low chuckle echoed. A figure emerged, cloaked in silver and blue. Eyes sharp, aura faintly flickering with a golden tint.
"I've been waiting," the stranger said. "I felt the rift. A Rifter… finally appears in Tensei."
"Who are you?" Aiki demanded, hand tightening on the Spirit Edge.
The figure bowed slightly. "Name's Kael. I awakened years ago… before you were even born. I've been tracking the Ash Realm's spread. Your awakening signals a turning point. Others will come. Some to aid… some to challenge. The Rifters must rise together — or fall divided."
Enji frowned. "Wait… there are more? How many?"
Kael's gaze turned grim. "Enough to turn tides… enough to start a war. There are factions already forming, each with their own agenda. Some hunt the Ash Realm. Some… seek to control it. And some… would rather destroy the world than let a Rifter exist."
Aiki clenched his jaw. "Then we'll fight. We'll gather those who can awaken. We'll protect humanity. And no one — not the Ash Realm, not any Rifter who turns against us — will stop us."
Sakura stepped forward, eyes glowing with runic light. "The Veil won't wait. Every second we hesitate, spirits cross into the human world. The Rifters are humanity's shield… and its spear."
Suddenly, the air shimmered. Faint golden outlines flickered across the city like signals, invisible to ordinary humans but unmistakable to those attuned to spiritual power. Aiki's chest tightened — he could sense them. Other Rifters. Somewhere in Tensei, they had felt the pulse of his awakening.
Sen cracked his knuckles. "Looks like it's gonna get busy… and fun."
Enji smirked. "Yeah… nothing like a little godlike chaos to spice up the day."
Aiki lifted the Spirit Edge, golden light cascading around him. "Then let them come. We'll show them what it means to awaken… what it means to be a Rifter."
As the sun dipped behind the crumbling skyline, golden rifts began appearing all across the city. Shadows shrieked and scattered. The era of the Rifters had begun.
And somewhere in the distance, unseen eyes watched — calculating, waiting. Some would join. Some would challenge. But all would feel the power of the Rift… sooner or later.