Through the Rift

Through the Rift is a limited time Odyssey Event, and the twenty fourth in the series. It was scheduled to start on June 11, 2014 at 12:00 AM (PST) and end on June 15, 2014 at 11:59 PM (PST).

This Event has some feature changes.

Event Feature

 * New Test of Strength feature implemented. Rivals of three different strengths will appear. Players need to choose one to duel with Front Lines only. For vanquishing your opponent users will receive a set number of Items:
 * Easy - x 50
 * Normal - x 100
 * Hard - x 250
 * For defeaing Rival in battle players receive 1.5x the reward items for the following 2 minutes. This bonus is added to the Faerie's Blessing, Boss Repel, and Event Skill multipliers - with the maximum 14.4x multiplier.
 * The Treasure Set Completion Rewards and the Full Completion Reward have been discontinued.
 * New Odyssey Skill Card Malius, Vengeful Avatar boost the number of Event Items acquired by up to 60% when evolved, regardless of Skill Level.

Story
“Such an ill-mannered lot…”

As the vigilant Heroes drew their weapons, a smile curled the once minister of the Shadow King’s lips. Lorentz seemed quite different from how the heroes had remembered their previous enemy long ago.

When they had defeated him before, he looked to be almost an old man. Now he was anything but. Other than his white hair, he possessed an altogether youthful appearance. While he still gave off the same intimidating aura as before, the Heroes could sense Lorentz had an entirely different air about him.

“No need for that. I have no desire to fight you, yet.”

“Don’t let your guard down, Heroes…”

The Heroes surmised that Yvette was also aware of how the dark mage had changed. Was the one who stood before them really the same Lorentz they had fought before? Regardless, the Heroes did not feel like they could defeat him at the present.

“Oh dear, you Heroes do seem to be very cautious. But you must have so many questions! Is there nothing you wish to ask me?”

“Sure… there is one thing I’d like to know,” began Yvette, tentatively, as she surveyed the party’s current surroundings. “Where are we?”

The Heroes felt a certain amount of relief, for all knew the quick-witted Yvette could present more of a challenge for Lorentz than any of them could hope to, especially when facing such a cunning opponent.

“It’s a world I created to amuse myself, you see. It isn’t much, but I’ve tried to fill it with its fair share of what you might call ‘Gods’ and ‘Cryptids’… Well, you sure don’t see terribly amused.”

Hoping not to show any signs of weakness, the Heroes glared straight at Lorentz. They were already aware that he was not one to be trifled with, but still they could not comprehend the full extent of his power.

“Perhaps afterwards I can show you around my little forest, if you are interested. Unless you find the trees to be a bore.”

“Au contraire, I can’t think of any place more thrilling… Though before we get started, why don’t you can explain how you’re still alive.”

“The Lorentz you see before you both is and is not. You can think of me as a puppet, so that you can grow and become stronger, Heroes.”

“What do you mean, ‘become stronger’?” Yvette inquired.

“In that you wished to defeat the Shadow King, your goal and mine were one and the same.”

Yvette was growing increasingly frustrated by Lorentz’s intentionally convoluted words and condescending attitude.

It was almost as if he was trying to provoke them.

“Enough!”

“Oh, calm down, little fairy. Clearly, you misunderstand.”

In stark opposition to Yvette, Lorentz’s tone was cool, almost cold.

“Past enemies can never become friends. Have I misunderstood that everything you’ve said so far amounts to more than mere manipulation, Lorentz? Stop wasting our time.”

Lorentz truly seemed to tower above the Heroes. His presence intimidated them down to the depths of their souls.

But the Heroes also understood that they had no business being frightened. They were in dangerous land, and it was likely that they would have to fight their way if they were ever to return home. With Yvette unable to speak, one of the Heroes posed a few more questions to Lorentz. Why had he created The Circle? What more he was planning?

“…Me? Creator of The Circle? Why would you think something as preposterous as that?”

Lorentz appeared to be surprised by the Heroes’ accusation. It was not that the Heroes were certain. However, standing before him felt all too similar to standing before members of The Circle or the Black Sphere. If the Black Sphere had not been responsible for The Circle’s creation… the Heroes always believed that Lorentz must have been. They continued to ponder Lorentz’s confusing answer, but their thoughts were interrupted by sudden blood-curdling scream.

“Such bad timing,” muttered Lorentz, almost as if he were insulted for being interrupted.

“My apologies, Heroes, but you will have to excuse me.”

The Heroes were unsure of how to respond, but already Lorentz had vanished from where he once stood. The party surveyed the surrounding chaos, but Lorentz’s presence had completely dissipated.

Yvette shouted, “H-hey! We’re not finished!”

“I have prepared quite the ordeal for you, Heroes… If you are truly capable of completing your quest, you should have no problem overcoming it and earning your freedom. Do not keep me waiting as you did last time.”

Lorentz voice echoed all around them, and Yvette screamed for him to come and face them. The stunned Heroes were totally unaware of what was to come.

“Heroes! The Dimensional Blade!”

One of the Heroes drew the blade and slashed through the air. Through they had the same tearing as before, no portal accompanied it. Still dazed and confused, the Heroes little understood what had transpired. Determined to find out, they set out to explore the strange forest before them.