As they approach, the structure Aetherwyn saw from afar begins to take shape.
Not a city.
Not even a proper settlement.
A frontier outpost.
Filo slows slightly.
"This is Wayrest Hollow," she says. "Midpoint outpost."
Aetherwyn looks around.
A few low-rank adventurers sit nearby, some tending to wounds, others just watching the horizon.
A merchant cart rests off to the side, half-covered, its owner keeping a close eye on anyone who passes.
Along the wall, a scout paces back and forth, gaze never settling.
No one looks relaxed.
Even here—
they're waiting.
"…It doesn't feel very safe," Aetherwyn says.
"It's not," Filo replies. "Just less dangerous than everywhere else."
She gestures toward a lantern near the center.
"That's an Aether anchor. Helps stabilize minor Rift fluctuations."
Aetherwyn frowns slightly.
"…Helps?"
Filo doesn't answer.
Before they can step further in—
the lantern flickers.
Once.
Twice.
A low hum spreads through the ground.
Aetherwyn feels it before he hears it.
A pressure in his chest.
Tightening.
"…Filo?"
She stops.
"…Yeah."
The air shifts.
Wind slows.
Even the quiet sounds of the outpost begin to fade—
like the world is holding its breath.
Then—
CRACK.
The sky fractures.
Not wide.
Not violent.
But wrong.
A thin tear splits open above the wall, light bending around it in ways that shouldn't be possible.
Something moves behind it.
It doesn't step through.
It forces its way in.
Claws appear first—massive, hooked—gripping the edge of the tear as it strains wider.
Then—
a head.
Long.
Angular.
Crowned with jagged, horn-like ridges.
Dark scales cover its body, layered like armor. Beneath them, faint veins of violet Aether pulse like something alive.
Its eyes burn.
Not like a beast.
Like something that understands.
The rest of its body drags through, wings tearing against the fracture as it fully enters the world.
When it lands—
the ground shakes.
Dust erupts outward.
Its wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the outpost.
A shadow that shouldn't exist under a clear sky.
Inside the outpost—
"WYVERN!"
Panic breaks.
Guards scramble.
Weapons are drawn.
Some adventurers move forward—
others hesitate.
Too big.
Too sudden.
Too wrong.
Filo steps forward, placing herself between Aetherwyn and the creature.
For the first time—
she looks completely serious.
"…That's not supposed to be here."
Aetherwyn tightens his grip on his wand.
"…You think?"
"Greater Wyvern," she says, eyes locked on it. "Rift-touched."
The creature exhales.
A low, rumbling sound.
Heat distorts the air in front of its mouth.
Aetherwyn swallows.
"…We're not ready for that."
Filo doesn't argue.
"…No. You're not."
A pause.
"But you're still fighting."
He glances at her.
"…That's not reassuring."
"It's not supposed to be."
The wyvern lowers its head.
Its gaze locks onto Aetherwyn.
Not the outpost.
Not the guards.
Him.
Aetherwyn feels it—
that same flicker from before.
The system reacting.
Stronger now.
Almost… responsive.
"…Why me?" he mutters.
No answer.
The wyvern steps forward.
The ground cracks beneath its weight.
Filo shifts her stance, hand resting on her blade.
"…Listen carefully," she says quietly.
"If it hits the outpost—people die."
Aetherwyn nods once.
"…And if it hits me?"
Filo's grip tightens.
"…Then you survive."
The wyvern moves.
No roar.
No warning.
Just motion.
Its wings snap open—
BOOM.
A shockwave tears across the field, flattening grass and rattling the outpost walls.
Aetherwyn staggers, barely staying upright.
"Move!" Filo snaps.
He does—
just as the wyvern lunges.
Its claws slam into the ground where he stood.
Stone splits.
Dirt erupts.
Too fast.
Way too fast.
Aetherwyn rolls, scrambling back to his feet, heart pounding.
"I can't—"
"You can," Filo cuts in.
Sharp.
"Or you die. Pick one."
Not helpful.
The wyvern turns.
Tracking him.
Always him.
"…Why me?" he mutters again.
Still no answer.
Only a low growl—
and heat building in its throat.
Filo's voice drops.
"Don't let that hit you."
Great.
Aetherwyn raises his hand.
The system responds instantly.
A shimmer.
A pulse.
The wand forms in his grip.
This time—
he doesn't hesitate.
He thrusts forward.
CRACK.
Aether slams into the wyvern's head.
It barely reacts.
"…That's bad."
"Yeah."
The wyvern opens its jaws.
Light builds—
violent—
unstable—
"MOVE!"
Aetherwyn dives—
BOOOOOM.
A beam of searing Aether fire tears across the ground, carving molten lines through dirt and stone.
Heat blasts across his back.
He rolls—
coughing—
forcing himself up.
"…Okay," he mutters.
"…new plan."
"You don't have one."
"…Working on it!"
The wyvern advances—
Then—
Filo moves.
Fast.
She disappears from where she stood—
reappearing at the wyvern's side.
CLANG.
Her blade strikes its armored neck, sparks bursting outward.
The creature recoils—
slightly.
Annoyed.
But it works.
Its focus shifts.
Away from Aetherwyn.
"…Good," she mutters.
She ducks beneath a sweeping claw—
spins—
and drives her blade upward.
SLASH.
A thin line opens across its side.
Not deep—
but real.
The wyvern roars.
"Now!" she shouts.
Aetherwyn moves.
No hesitation.
He raises his wand—
This time—
he adjusts.
Not the head.
The wing.
Aether gathers—
stronger—
more focused—
CRACK.
The blast hits the base of its wing.
The creature stumbles—
just enough.
"Again!" Filo calls.
"I can't—it's on cooldown!"
"…Of course it is."
The wyvern recovers fast.
Too fast.
Its tail lashes out—
Filo blocks—
but still gets thrown back, boots carving into the ground as she slides.
Aetherwyn freezes.
Just for a moment.
Too long.
The wyvern turns back to him.
Eyes glowing.
Focused.
It roars—
shaking off the last of the damage.
For a moment—
it looks unstable.
Vulnerable.
Filo lowers her blade slightly.
Then—
steps back.
Aetherwyn blinks.
"…What are you doing?"
"I'm stepping out."
"…What?"
She moves past him.
"Handle it."
Aetherwyn stares.
"You're joking."
"I'm not."
She folds her arms.
"I believe you can."
The wyvern locks onto him.
Alone.
"…Filo."
"Try something new."
A pause.
"Your Aether isn't just for basic casting."
The creature steps forward.
The ground cracks beneath it.
"Push it," she says.
"…Find something else."
Aetherwyn swallows.
"…Now would be a great time to explain how."
"You'll figure it out."
From behind—
a voice shouts.
"Form up!"
Aetherwyn glances back.
Three adventurers rush forward.
A shield-bearer.
A dual-blade fighter.
A caster forming a glowing sigil.
"We'll distract it!" the shield-bearer calls.
"You—mage—hit it when you can!"
"…Right."
The wyvern lunges—
The shield-bearer meets it.
BOOM.
He slides—
but holds.
"NOW!"
The dual-blade fighter darts in—
cutting low—
fast—
precise.
The caster releases a burst—
striking its side—
just enough to stagger it.
Not enough to win.
But enough—
for an opening.
Aetherwyn raises his wand—
Stops.
"…That's not enough."
Filo's voice—
quiet now.
"Stop thinking like a beginner."
The system flickers.
Not just cooldowns.
Something deeper.
Aetherwyn closes his eyes—
just for a moment.
He reaches inward.
Not where the energy usually sits—
Deeper.
Less controlled.
"…There."
His eyes snap open.
"…Okay."
Energy surges—
not flowing—
compressing.
Condensing.
His wand begins to glow—
cracks of light forming along its length.
"Whoa—what are you—" the caster starts—
"Something new," Aetherwyn says.
The wyvern breaks free—
turning back toward him.
It charges.
Faster.
Aetherwyn doesn't move.
He steps forward.
Plants his foot.
And swings.
"Aether—"
Everything tightens—
collapses inward—
"—BREAK."
CRACK—BOOOOM.
The wand connects with its jaw—
And the condensed Aether detonates.
A shockwave tears outward—
warping the air—
splitting the ground beneath them.
The wyvern recoils violently.
A fracture spreads across its armored face.
It roars—
Not in anger.
In pain.
Real pain.