I Awaken the Forge of Dimensions

The Nexus hummed with quiet energy, its crystalline spires reflecting the early morning light. Ethan stood on the edge of the platform, gazing out at the fractured horizon. The battle with Zeyra's forces had left its mark, but it had also ignited a fire within him. For the first time since arriving in this world, he wasn't just reacting. He was preparing.

Kael approached, their steps measured. "You've been up all night," they said, their tone both concerned and approving. "Thinking about what's next?"

Ethan nodded, flexing his fingers as the gauntlet pulsed faintly. "If we keep waiting for Zeyra to come to us, she'll wear us down. We need to strike first. Hit her where it hurts."

Kael's expression grew thoughtful. "A bold plan, but not without risks. Her influence spreads across multiple factions. Finding a weakness won't be easy."

Ethan turned to face them, his eyes alight with determination. "Then we find one. What about that splinter faction from yesterday? If they're connected to Zeyra, they might know something useful."

Kael's gaze sharpened. "Interrogating one of Zeyra's soldiers would be dangerous, but it could work. Do you have a particular plan in mind?"

Ethan smirked, the gauntlet flaring brighter. "Not yet, but I'm getting good at improvising."

The next day, Ethan and Kael descended from the Nexus and ventured into a desolate canyon where the remnants of Zeyra's splinter faction were rumored to regroup. The air was heavy with tension, the rocky terrain casting long shadows that danced in the fractured light.

Kael crouched behind a boulder, scanning the area with their sharp, silver eyes. "There," they whispered, pointing to a narrow clearing where a group of soldiers gathered around a makeshift camp. Their crimson armor gleamed faintly in the dim light.

Ethan nodded, his heart pounding. "How many?"

"Five," Kael replied. "Four grunts and one commander. The leader is our target."

Ethan studied the scene, formulating a plan. "I'll create a distraction. You take out the grunts while I deal with the commander."

Kael's brow furrowed. "Are you sure you can handle that? The commander's constructs will be more advanced than what you've faced before."

Ethan's smirk was confident. "I've got this."

Kael hesitated, then nodded. "Be careful. I'll cover you."

Ethan stepped out from behind the boulder, his gauntlet blazing with emerald light. "Hey! Looking for me?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the canyon.

The soldiers turned, their weapons immediately raised. The commander—a woman with a stern expression and a crimson halberd crackling with energy—stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.

"You," she said, her voice laced with disdain. "The novice Wielder who thinks he can defy Zeyra. You've made a mistake coming here."

Ethan shrugged, summoning a shield and a blade. "Yeah, well, I've made plenty of mistakes. Let's see if this one pays off."

The commander motioned to her soldiers. "Kill him."

The grunts charged, their weapons glowing with crimson energy. Ethan held his ground, blocking the first strike with his shield before countering with a swift slash that disarmed his attacker. Kael sprang into action, their silver energy weaving through the air like a storm, incapacitating two soldiers in rapid succession.

The commander growled, her halberd slicing through the air toward Ethan. He dodged, the blade missing him by inches. She pressed her attack, each swing more aggressive than the last. Ethan deflected her strikes, his own blade meeting her halberd in a shower of sparks.

"You're strong," the commander admitted, her eyes narrowing. "But strength without purpose is nothing."

Ethan gritted his teeth, the gauntlet's glow intensifying. "Funny, I was about to say the same to you."

He surged forward, his blade morphing into a spear mid-strike. The sudden shift caught the commander off guard, the spear grazing her shoulder and forcing her back. She snarled, summoning a construct of crimson chains that lashed out at Ethan. He countered with a burst of emerald energy, shattering the chains and closing the distance between them.

Kael's voice rang out. "The grunts are down! Finish this, Ethan!"

Ethan focused, channeling every ounce of his will into the gauntlet. The energy coalesced into a massive hammer, its surface etched with glowing runes. The commander's eyes widened as Ethan brought the hammer down with a roar, the impact creating a shockwave that sent her sprawling.

Before she could recover, Ethan was on her, the hammer dissipating as he pinned her with a blade to her throat. "Talk," he demanded. "What does Zeyra want with the rifts?"

The commander glared at him, defiance burning in her eyes. "You think I'll betray her? You have no idea what she's capable of."

Ethan leaned closer, his voice cold. "Try me."

For a moment, the commander hesitated, her resolve faltering. Finally, she spat, "The rifts are more than gateways. They're veins of power, tied to the very fabric of this world. Zeyra wants to control them, to use their energy to merge dimensions. She'll stop at nothing to make it happen."

Ethan's grip tightened. "How do we stop her?"

The commander laughed bitterly. "You don't. She's too powerful. You're just a fool playing with a power you don't understand."

Ethan glanced at Kael, who gave him a slight nod. With a sigh, he released the commander, stepping back as she struggled to her feet. "Tell Zeyra we're coming for her," he said. "And next time, there won't be a warning."

The commander sneered but didn't reply. With a wave of her hand, she vanished in a swirl of crimson light, leaving the canyon silent once more.

Kael approached, their expression cautious. "That was risky."

Ethan shrugged, his gaze fixed on the spot where the commander had disappeared. "It was worth it. Now we know what we're up against."

Kael's lips quirked into a faint smile. "You're starting to think like a leader."

Ethan turned to them, determination burning in his eyes. "Good. Because this fight is just getting started."