The relentless darkness of the void stretched endlessly around me, the air heavy with its oppressive weight. My void body, though stronger than when I first arrived, still trembled under the strain of this world. My breaths were ragged, and my limbs ached from the constant battles.
Ahead, I spotted a jagged outcrop, its structure made entirely of skeletal remains—twisted ribs forming a grotesque archway and fragmented skulls jutting from the walls. It wasn't comforting, but it would serve as shelter.
As I stepped inside, the chill of the void seemed to lessen slightly. The cave was silent, save for the faint hum of energy that seemed to echo from the walls. I collapsed against the cold, uneven surface, my void body grateful for even a moment of rest.
But rest didn't come easily. The quiet brought back the memories I had buried—the lab.
The images played in my mind like a cruel film reel. Chains biting into my skin, the cold metal of the operating table, the suffocating hum of machines that never stopped. The scientists' voices were sharp, barking orders, their faces void of empathy.
I could still feel the needles piercing my flesh, the electric shocks coursing through my body, the constant, unrelenting pain that defined my existence.
There was no kindness in the lab. No reprieve.
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "I won't let those memories define me," I whispered, my voice trembling but resolute.
I thought of Master Pyre. His harsh words, his gruff demeanor—but also his unwavering belief in me.
A small smile crept onto my face as I recalled Pyre's lessons.
*"Strength isn't just power,"* he had said, his fiery gaze piercing through me. *"It's the will to rise, no matter how many times you fall. You were weak in that lab, Ash. Pathetic. But that's not who you are anymore."*
I looked down at my hands, once frail and scarred, now brimming with potential. The void had tested me in ways the lab never could, and yet, I was still standing.
"I won't be pathetic like I was back then," I murmured, my voice growing stronger. "Master Pyre's ways will guide me. I'll rise above this."
I pushed myself to my feet, the ache in my body a dull reminder of the battles I'd fought. The cave's skeletal walls seemed to hum with approval, as if the void itself acknowledged my resolve.
Stepping out of the cave, I was greeted by the eerie glow of the blue orb in the sky. Its light pierced through the darkness, illuminating the jagged landscape ahead.
The void was alive with movement—shades and Wraithlings prowling in the distance, their forms shifting and flickering like shadows in the wind. I could hear the faint whispers, taunting me, daring me to continue.
But the fear that had gripped me when I first arrived was gone.
I adjusted the rings on my fingers, feeling their power hum against my skin. My void body wasn't invincible—not yet—but it was growing stronger with every fight, every essence I consumed.
"Let's see what you've got," I muttered, a grin spreading across my face.
I broke into a run, the ground beneath me cracking with each step. The shades turned, sensing my approach, their distorted faces twisting in hunger.
The first shade lunged at me, its claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. I sidestepped, driving my fist into its chest and watching as its form shattered into a cloud of black mist.
Two more came from the sides, their movements erratic but swift. I ducked under one's attack, using Void Step to appear behind it. My hands moved instinctively, twisting its neck and tearing it apart before it could react.
The second shade hesitated, and I took the opportunity to grab it by the throat, slamming it into the ground with enough force to leave a crater.
Wraithlings joined the fray, their larger, more solid forms presenting a greater challenge. One charged at me, its glowing eyes locking onto mine as it swung its massive claws.
I leapt into the air, using Void Step to dodge its attack and land on its back. Gripping its shoulders, I drove my knee into its spine, the sickening crunch echoing through the void.
As the final Wraithling fell, its essence flowing into me, I stood amidst the carnage, my chest heaving. The ground was littered with the remains of shades and Wraithlings, their forms dissolving into the void.
The whispers grew louder, almost as if they were congratulating me—or warning me.
I looked up at the blue orb, its light unwavering. It felt like it was watching me, judging me.
"Is that all you've got?" I shouted, my voice echoing across the desolate landscape.
The void didn't answer, but the oppressive weight in the air seemed to lighten.
I closed my eyes, letting the essence I'd absorbed settle within me. My void body felt different—stronger, more stable. The aches and pains were still there, but they were overshadowed by a growing sense of purpose.
"This isn't the end," I muttered to myself, opening my eyes and taking a step forward. "It's just the beginning."
With renewed determination, I pressed onward into the darkness, the whispers fading into the background. The void was vast and unrelenting, but I was ready to face whatever it had in store.
The Rotten Bones of the Abyss Crawler awaited, and I wouldn't stop until they were mine.