---
The world outside the chasm was unnervingly still, the aftermath of their battle leaving an almost oppressive silence.
Faint light from the approaching dawn spilled over the jagged cliffs, casting long shadows that stretched across the rocky terrain.
Each breath the group took was heavy, ragged, and punctuated only by the distant groaning of the chasm settling into its eerie rest.
Dabi sank to one knee, exhaustion catching up to him as the adrenaline ebbed away. In his hand, the Aetherial Core pulsed faintly, its once erratic glow now subdued yet persistent.
The artifact felt heavier than before, its energy wrapping around him like invisible chains. He shifted his grip, his knuckles whitening under the strain, as if letting go would mean losing something far greater than he could comprehend.
