The monster charged.
Its massive claws smashed through cars as it rushed toward Kael.
People screamed and ran in every direction.
Kael couldn't move.
The glowing symbol on his hand burned hotter.
The portal in front of him began spinning faster.
The air around it twisted like a violent storm.
"Move… MOVE!" someone shouted behind him.
But Kael's legs refused to listen.
The creature roared.
Its glowing red eyes locked onto him.
It leapt forward.
Then the portal suddenly expanded.
A powerful force pulled everything toward it.
Dust.
Debris.
Broken metal.
Even the monster itself.
The creature tried to resist, digging its claws into the ground.
But the portal dragged it closer.
Closer.
Until it disappeared into the swirling light.
The portal snapped shut.
Silence filled the street.
Kael fell to his knees, breathing heavily.
His hand still glowed.
The symbol slowly faded, but the burning sensation remained.
People stared at him.
Someone whispered.
"Did he… just stop that monster?"
Sirens echoed in the distance as emergency vehicles rushed toward the scene.
Kael looked up at the broken sky.
The purple fracture was still there.
And something on the other side was watching.
The voice returned inside his mind.
"The first gate has opened."