Chapter 256: Aren’s location
Rory had no one else to turn to. She could only seek out Nix and hope that, through Aren’s light-brain, he could pinpoint his current location.
"Nix, come out—quick!"
She called as she hurried toward his room, her voice tight with urgency.
Hearing the commotion, Nix rushed out almost immediately.
"Rory, what’s wrong?"
Without wasting a second, Rory opened her light-brain and pulled up the video Aren had sent, thrusting it toward him.
"Something’s happened to Aren. He didn’t say where he is... Can you track him through his light-brain?"
The moment Nix saw Aren in the video, his expression changed—shock flashing across his face.
He spun on his heel and dashed back into his room, returning with his equipment. In seconds, he linked it to Rory’s device and began searching for Aren’s location.
The noise drew Xarion from elsewhere in the house, while Yuel abandoned the breakfast he had been preparing in the kitchen and hurried over.
"Rory, what happened?" Yuel asked.
Rory quickly explained everything.
As Yuel and Xarion watched the footage, taking in Aren’s barely conscious, battered state, their brows knit in unison.
"I didn’t expect him to actually go to the Beast God Mountain," Xarion muttered under his breath.
"It looks like his injuries are severe," Yuel said grimly. "Right now, the most important thing is to find him."
Rory stared at the image of Aren, guilt clawing at her chest.
If she hadn’t pretended—hadn’t deceived him—he would never have risked his life climbing Beast God Mountain to gather that sacred medicine for her.
Beside her, Nix’s fingers flew across the interface, tapping commands at a dizzying speed.
One minute later,
"I’ve got him," Nix said, a note of relief breaking through.
Rory snapped her gaze toward him.
He pointed at a faintly glowing red dot on the screen. "Aren is in the Rift Range of the Central District. I can only get a rough fix right now. We’ll need to get into the Rift Range to pinpoint his exact location."
"The Rift Range...?"
Rory frowned. There was a place like that in the Central District? How had she never heard of it?
"It’s about two hours from the estate," Yuel said.
"Then we leave now," Rory replied instantly.
Every second wasted was another second closer to danger for Aren.
Yuel understood her urgency. He reached out and caught her arm, his voice quick but steady as he explained, "Rory, the Rift Range has another name—the Central District’s Forbidden Zone."
"Not only are there high-rank aberrant beasts inside, but the land itself is riddled with bottomless chasms. Countless high-rank beastkin have died there... even Rank Eleven warriors have perished within."
"We can’t rush in blindly. Give me ten minutes to make arrangements, and we’ll set out immediately. Alright?"
Rory had never imagined the Rift Range could be this dangerous.
She was worried about Aren, but she could not allow the people around her to rush headlong into such peril without thought.
She gave Yuel a firm nod. "We’ll follow your lead."
Early that morning, Vincent and Jasper had already left the estate and were not home.
Yuel immediately contacted them through his light-brain, then instructed Xarion to bring Paros and Wen over. At the same time, he told Nix to prepare his mech and ready a warship.
When Wen heard they were heading to the Rift Range, confusion spread across his face.
"The Rift Range? What kind of place is that?"
He had spent most of his life in aquatic regions and rarely came to the Central District. The name meant nothing to him.
Nix explained, "The Rift Range is the Central District’s forbidden zone. The terrain is extremely complex, and even Rank Eleven beastkin have died there. The higher authorities sealed it off with a super defensive barrier. Very few people even know it exists."
Understanding dawned on Wen’s face.
This was no ordinary place. It was deadly.
Paros said nothing. He simply moved to stand beside Rory, his presence steady and unwavering. "I will protect my sister."
Xarion shot him a sharp look. "Drop the act. My female master doesn’t need your protection."
Then he turned to Rory, his tone softening. "Female Master, I’ve been to the Rift Range before. Don’t worry. I will protect you."
Before long, Yuel had everything arranged.
He set out first with Rory and the men already at the estate, while Vincent, who was on his way back, would bring the rest of the team along with Jasper and supplies to follow behind.
The Rift Range was unlike any other place. Once inside, it was dangerously easy to lose one’s way.
Many who entered did not die in the jaws of aberrant beasts, but wandered until they starved, unable to find their way out.
The airship departed swiftly from the estate.
Two hours later, it came to a halt outside the Rift Range.
"We’re here, Rory," Yuel said.
"This... is the Rift Range?"
Rory stared ahead at the endless stretch of green grassland, her face full of confusion.
Nix explained, "Rory, that’s just an illusion created by the defensive barrier. The real Rift Range lies within."
Yuel nodded. "We can’t use airships or hover vehicles inside. We’ll have to proceed on foot."
The moment his words fell, Xarion shifted, his form expanding into that of a massive white wolf.
"Female Master, it’s a long distance from here to the mountains. Ride on my back. I’ll carry you. It’ll be much faster."
Rory looked at the massive white wolf before her, its powerful frame exuding quiet dominance, its presence both fierce and protective. A warmth stirred in her chest.
There was no time for hesitation. Saving Aren came first.
"Alright."
She nodded and moved without delay, climbing smoothly onto Xarion’s broad back.
His fur was thick and impossibly soft, more comfortable than the finest luxury sofa. Rory reached forward and grasped a handful of the long fur at the back of his neck, steadying herself.
Nearby, Paros watched the scene unfold. A faint, almost imperceptible trace of envy flickered in his dark, draconic eyes.
He wanted to shift into his dragon form and carry her too, but... she had not accepted him yet.
She would never ride on him.
"I’ll take the lead with Paros. Xarion, you stay in the middle with Rory. Nix, you and Wen bring up the rear with the mech."
After giving his instructions, Yuel set off first, Paros moving in step beside him.
Xarion followed immediately, carrying Rory with effortless strength.
As they advanced across the grassland, the air suddenly rippled like disturbed water.
In an instant, the world around them turned upside down.