The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the television. The sunlight filtering through the hotel's tall windows painted soft gold lines across the floor, a strange contrast to the grim tone of the news broadcast echoing through the room.
"…And in the latest development," the reporter's calm but urgent voice filled the silence, "new rifts have been confirmed across multiple regions — including the Kingdom of Ruvencia, the northern territories of Aurenveil, and even the central plains of Noradell."
The screen showed shaky footage — vast fields splitting open with a blinding blue light, followed by strange swirling portals forming in the air like torn fragments of another dimension. Soldiers, researchers, and even civilians stood frozen in awe and fear.
Lea's hand tightened around the cup she was holding. "It's spreading," she whispered.
Beside her, Hugo crossed his arms, jaw set. "Not just spreading — multiplying."
