The Eternal Strive

The Rift howled as Varian vanished—then reappeared above Caden, his palm crackling with a chaotic spiral of energy.

"Let's see if you're worthy of that throne!"

Caden's Ring of Equilibrium flared, and his Rift Dominion activated instinctively. With a mere thought, the shifting void solidified beneath his feet, creating a stable battlefield where Varian's chaos couldn't spiral out of control.

But Varian merely grinned. "Good, you understand control… but can you withstand destruction?"

He thrust his hand forward, and a wave of chaotic force erupted, warping everything in its path. Space tore apart, threatening to consume Caden entirely.

Caden didn't flinch.

His All-Knowing Eye activated, revealing the weak points in Varian's attack. He twisted his fingers, and the energy bent to his will, redirecting it harmlessly into the void.

Varian's smile faltered for a moment. "Interesting."

Seraphis, watching from the edge of the battlefield, muttered, "He just redirected a Sovereign's attack like it was nothing…"

Caden lowered his stance, power surging through his body. His mastery over the Rift wasn't just about maintaining balance—he could also command it.

He stepped forward—and the Rift itself moved with him.

His punch tore through space, colliding with Varian's midsection.

BOOM!

Varian hurtled backward, crashing through floating rift debris before stabilizing himself. He wiped the corner of his mouth, a small flicker of surprise in his eyes.

"So, you're not just a puppet of the Rift's will. You're actually trying to master it."

Caden said nothing. He wasn't here to debate philosophy.

Varian sighed. "Then let's stop holding back."

He raised his hand, and the Rift screamed in response.

Caden's All-Knowing Eye widened as he saw what was happening—Varian wasn't just controlling the Rift. He was breaking it.

Reality itself fractured, and from the depths of the void, a being emerged.

A creature born from the core of the Rift, something that should not exist.

Seraphis took a step back. "…What did you just summon?"

Varian laughed, his eyes burning with mad ambition. "The true nature of the Rift."

Caden's fists tightened.

This battle had just escalated into something far more dangerous.