The black energy swirled around Valthar, rising from the depths of his being like a living force. It coursed through his veins, crackling in the air, twisting reality itself. He could feel the Abyss feeding on his pain, his anger, his fear, growing stronger with every heartbeat. It whispered promises of power and vengeance, urging him to strike down those who stood before him.
Varak and his acolytes faltered for a moment, their eyes narrowing as the dark energy enveloped Valthar. They had seen the Abyss's power before, but this… this was something else. Something far more dangerous.
"Stay back," Varak hissed to his followers, his voice tight with unease. "He's tapping into something deeper."
But the warning came too late.
With a roar that echoed through the trees, Valthar unleashed the full force of the Abyss. Shadows erupted from his body, coiling and lashing out like serpents. They tore through the air with unnatural speed, slamming into the acolytes before they could react. Dark tendrils wrapped around their bodies, crushing their bones with sickening snaps. The acolytes screamed in agony, their eyes wide with terror as they were torn apart, their bodies disintegrating into nothingness.
Varak watched, his face pale but resolute. "You've grown strong, Valthar," he said, his voice a low growl. "But strength alone won't save you."
Valthar's breath came in ragged gasps as he faced Varak, the last man standing. The ground was littered with the remains of the acolytes, their broken forms twisted and lifeless. But Varak didn't seem afraid. He stood tall, his dark robes billowing in the wind, his eyes glowing with Abyssal energy.
"I don't need saving," Valthar spat, his sword still humming with dark power. "I need answers. Where is my brother?"
Varak's lips twisted into a mocking smile. "Ah, Kaelion. Always at the heart of your torment, isn't he? The great betrayer, the one who burned your past to ashes." He took a step forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But you've been looking in the wrong places, Valthar. Kaelion's plans go far beyond you, far beyond this world."
Valthar's grip on his sword tightened. He didn't trust Varak, but he knew the man wouldn't have come without a purpose. There was something deeper at play here, something far more sinister.
"Tell me what you know, Varak," Valthar demanded, his voice cold and deadly. "Or I'll rip it from you."
Varak chuckled darkly. "You think you're ready for the truth? The Abyss has its claws in you, Valthar. But you've barely scratched the surface of what it can offer." He paused, his eyes gleaming. "You seek Kaelion, but you don't know the depths of the game you're playing."
Serra, who had been watching from the sidelines, now stepped forward. Her hand rested on the hilt of her sword, but her eyes were locked on Varak. "What game are you talking about?" she asked, her voice steady but edged with tension.
Varak's gaze flickered to Serra, and for a brief moment, something unreadable passed through his eyes. "The Abyss is not a tool, girl. It's alive. It has a will, a hunger. And those who think they can control it are fools."
Valthar felt a shiver run down his spine. The way Varak spoke, it was as though the Abyss was more than just a source of power. It was something deeper, something ancient. He could sense the weight of Varak's words, the dark truths that lay beneath the surface.
"Kaelion is searching for something," Varak continued, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. "Something hidden in the heart of the Abyss. And if he finds it… this world will be swallowed whole."
Valthar's eyes narrowed. "What is it? What is he looking for?"
Varak's smile faded, his expression growing grim. "The Key of Eternum. A relic of the Abyss, lost to time, said to unlock the true potential of its power. With it, Kaelion can tear open the fabric of reality itself and reshape the world to his will."
Serra's face paled. "If he gets his hands on that—"
"Everything ends," Varak finished, his voice like a knife cutting through the silence. "This world, your world, all of it will be consumed by the Abyss. Kaelion seeks to become something more than a man. He seeks to become a god."
Valthar's heart pounded in his chest. The Key of Eternum. A relic capable of giving Kaelion the power to destroy everything. It sounded like a myth, a legend spoken of in dark whispers, but now, standing in the presence of Varak, Valthar knew it was real.
"Where is it?" Valthar asked, his voice harsh. "Where is this Key?"
Varak's smile returned, but this time it was tinged with cruelty. "You think I would tell you? The path to the Key is hidden in shadows, guarded by those who serve the Abyss. And even if you find it, do you truly believe you can wield it without being consumed?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Could Valthar truly use such a power without losing himself completely to the Abyss? The thought chilled him, but he pushed it aside. He had no choice. If Kaelion was after the Key, Valthar would have to stop him—no matter the cost.
"I don't care what it takes," Valthar growled, stepping closer to Varak. "I'll find it, and I'll stop him."
Varak's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Ah, but that's the thing, Valthar. The Abyss wants you to seek it. It wants you to follow this path. You're playing right into its hands."
Valthar's patience snapped. He lunged forward, his sword slashing through the air, but Varak moved faster than he expected. With a flick of his wrist, a burst of dark energy shot from his hand, colliding with Valthar's chest and sending him staggering back.
Varak's laughter echoed through the clearing as he stepped back into the shadows. "You may think you're in control, but the Abyss has already claimed you. You'll find the Key, Valthar, and when you do, you'll bring about your own destruction."
Before Valthar could recover, Varak's form began to dissolve, fading into the darkness like smoke. His voice lingered in the air, chilling and cryptic.
"We'll meet again soon, brother of the Abyss. When you stand at the edge of the void, you'll understand."
And then, he was gone.
Valthar stood frozen, his chest heaving, his mind reeling with the weight of Varak's words. The Abyss, Kaelion, the Key of Eternum—everything was connected. Everything was leading him down a path he hadn't even realized he was on.
Serra approached cautiously, her face pale with worry. "Valthar, what do we do now?"
He didn't answer right away. His thoughts were a storm of uncertainty, fear, and rage. He had spent so long chasing Kaelion, so long trying to avenge his family, but now it seemed as though he was caught in something far bigger than personal revenge.
"The Key," Valthar said quietly, his voice hollow. "We have to find it before Kaelion does."
Serra nodded, though the doubt in her eyes was clear. "But if what Varak said is true… if the Abyss wants you to find it, how do we know we're not just walking into a trap?"
Valthar stared into the distance, the weight of destiny pressing down on him like a crushing force. He could feel the Abyss stirring within him, its whispers growing louder, more insistent. It wanted him to find the Key. It wanted him to step deeper into the darkness.
"We don't," he said, his voice grim. "But we don't have a choice."
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the dark canopy overhead, Valthar and Serra began their journey into the unknown, the path ahead shrouded in shadows and mysteries.