Zane raised his hand. Shadows swirled, folding reality itself as a Void portal tore through the air in front of him — its center rippling like water, swirling with purple-black energy. He didn't program a location. This wasn't about a destination. This was instinct.
Nyx hovered nearby, arms folded, watching with a cautious gaze.
Link, sitting lazily on Zane's shoulder in his miniature form, stretched and yawned.
"You really like dramatic exits, don't you?"
Zane ignored him for once, focused. "First things first," he muttered, "We find all of my old artifacts. I'll need every one of them if I'm going to regain my strength... and finally deal with the anomaly organization."
That name alone made the air heavier. The group behind so much chaos. The same ones manipulating things from the shadows — the same ones that once hunted him down. Zane clenched his fist.
Suddenly, a low chime echoed in the space around them. The system activated.
> [System Notification: Ancient Artifact Resonance Detected]
Object: Unknown Void Relic (Form – Ring)
Location: Southern Quadrant | Estimated Distance: 214 Kilometers
A holographic image shimmered in the air — a small black ring with faint red void-runes pulsing on its surface.
Link squinted, then smirked. "Ohhh. That one. Haven't seen it in ages. Real nasty little thing when used right. The last time we wore that ring, we—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Nyx cut in, rolling her eyes.
"It's south," Zane said calmly, stepping closer to the portal.
Link gave a mock salute. "South it is, my King of Brooding."
Zane sighed. "I'm not brooding."
"You are literally opening a portal with nothing but rage and vague revenge vibes. That's peak brooding."
Nyx grinned. "He's got a point."
Zane ignored them both and stepped forward, shadows licking at his feet as the portal pulsed.
"Let's begin the journey," he said — eyes cold, burning with quiet purpose.
And with that, they vanished into the portal — chasing a past long buried, and a future twisted in shadows.