The world on the other side of the rift was unlike anything Ayato had ever seen.
The sky swirled with streams of purple and blue light, as though galaxies bled into one another. Floating islands drifted lazily above an endless abyss, connected by narrow bridges made of crystalized energy. The air itself hummed like a living song.
Ayato stumbled as he landed on a solid platform. Kaito and Renka followed, both scanning their surroundings.
"W-Where are we?" Kaito asked, his voice echoing unnaturally.
Renka stepped forward, her gaze steady. "This is the Interstice—the space between dimensions. Few living beings ever set foot here."
Ayato rubbed his temples, still feeling the aftershock of opening the rift. "I thought we were dead."
"You would have been," Renka said flatly. "If you hadn't triggered your power, the Hunters would have devoured you completely. The Seal protected you—for now."
Ayato turned to face her. "You keep saying for now. What does that mean? What exactly is this Seal?"
Renka sighed, folding her arms. "The Seal of Eternity is not a simple relic. It's a fragment of the original Void Core—an artifact that once stabilized the multiverse. Thousands of years ago, a war between the Primordial Orders shattered the Core into pieces. Each piece found its way into different realms, bonding with individuals capable of surviving its influence."
"Why me?" Ayato asked. "I'm just—"
"You're compatible," Renka interrupted. "Your soul is different. The Seal responds to your emotions, your instincts. But the more you rely on it, the deeper it roots itself into your existence."
Kaito stepped closer, frowning. "So… if Ayato keeps using this power, it might destroy him?"
Renka nodded. "Or worse—he may become something unrecognizable. Many Voidborn lost themselves completely."
Ayato's stomach twisted. "So you're saying I'm doomed."
"Not doomed," Renka said, softer this time. "You still have a chance. That's why I'm here—to guide you. To help you control it before the Void consumes you."
She paused, then added:
"But there's another problem."
Ayato's eyes narrowed. "More problems? Great."
Renka continued: "You've drawn the attention of the Void Sovereigns. They rule over the unstable remnants of the old dimensions. Now that you've awakened the Seal, they'll come for you—each wanting to claim the Seal's power for themselves."
As she spoke, the air trembled slightly. The swirling lights above flickered.
Suddenly, a massive silhouette appeared in the distance—tall, shifting like liquid metal, its eyes glowing like twin suns.
A Sovereign.
"We need to keep moving," Renka said urgently. "If we stay here, it will find us."
"But where do we go?" Ayato asked, his voice cracking.
She pointed toward a distant archway made of obsidian and light. "There's a sanctuary beyond that gate. We'll be safe there—for a while."
With little choice, the trio began running across the bridge of light, while the distant roar of the approaching Sovereign shook the Interstice itself.
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End of Chapter 5