The wall exploded with a deafening crash, sending shards of stone tumbling in all directions. The impact shook the cavern. The air filled with dust and pulverized rock.
From the thick cloud, a figure emerged: it was Nebu, floating in the dust, its eye-orbs glowing in the darkness.
Nolan instinctively twisted away, releasing Rhys for a split second. Rhys slammed his elbow into his jaw, knocking him to the side. He immediately got up and launched himself at the Rift without hesitation. He reached out desperately, fingers splayed, trying to reach Rong Ye, but the gap between them was too wide to close in time.
The giant hand had already begun to retreat and Rong Ye disappeared into the light of the Rift.
"No!" Rhys's scream echoed off the rock walls.
Then the Rift flickered sharply, vibrating as if it were about to close around the hand emerging from it.
