**Chapter 154: Awakened One**
The air was stale and thick, carrying an unsettling chill that clung to Axel's skin. Shadows slithered through the darkness, stretching and twisting, creating shapes that teased the mind. The ground beneath him was slick like dark oil, yet surprisingly firm, supporting his steps with an eerie stillness. As Axel took in his surroundings, an uncomfortable familiarity gnawed at him. This world was recognizable as the place where he first encountered the Dark God—the being who cursed him with strength that seemed more a burden than a blessing. Yet, something about this place was profoundly different. An unfamiliar energy pulsed through the air, colder and more foreboding than ever.
