The Call: To Rescue the Kidnapped

Emeric and Irithel were caught in the renewed pull before they could even brace themselves. The gravitational force yanked them off their feet like ragdolls, sending them hurtling toward the rift. Emeric's eyes widened, his arms flailing as he tried to grab onto anything to stop his momentum. 

"Hold on!" Aurelius roared, his hand shooting out toward Emeric, but the distance was too great. The rift consumed Emeric, his form disappearing into the blackness. 

Irithel's reaction was eerily different. Unlike Emeric, she didn't resist. Her green eyes were calm, resigned even, as if she had anticipated this moment.

"I'll find you," she murmured under her breath, her voice too soft to carry over the chaos. Then, with a final, fleeting glance toward Aurelius, she allowed herself to be taken, her red hair vanishing into the void.