The protective glyphs in the mansion flicker unpredictably, and the ambient energy feels "off." Damian is plagued by flashes of the Aether Abyss from his previous vision. He glimpses flashes of constellations swirling unnaturally and faint echoes of his own voice calling out from somewhere distant. Nerrisa notes that the spiritual defenses of the mansion are reacting to an "unseen presence," but before they can investigate further, all three of them feel an invisible pull, as if reality itself is warping around them.
Without warning, Damian Nerrisa and Linda is pulled out of the physical realm. A vortex of shifting colors and formless echoes engulfs them. This isn't like their previous experience in the astral realm , it feels far more physical and real, Damian said to himself. They are pulled down as if being "unmade" and remade at the same time.
They land on a reflective, watery surface stretching endlessly in every direction. Above them, swirling constellations form cryptic alchemical sigils, which occasionally blink like eyes. An obsidian tower stands in the distance, unnervingly still despite the chaotic energy around it.
Suddenly, a voice booms from everywhere and nowhere:
"Welcome, Wielder of the Stone. Welcome, Bearers of the Fragment. Your burden has been noticed. The Aether Abyss judges all who bear the marks of fate." At the hearing of this unknown voice, they were frightened but ready to fight whatever is to come.
The voice names them each individually, and as it speaks, sigils corresponding to their individual "burdens" glow on their foreheads. For Damian, it's a red sigil resembling the mark of Mortivax. For Nerrisa, it's a sigil of insight and sight. For Linda, it's a mark associated with protection and bonds.
The voice states:
"Three paths lie before you. Choose with clarity, or walk with regret. Each path is a chain. One path will free you. One path will bind you. One path will turn you against each other."
Before they can question the meaning, three pathways appear, each leading into the distance. One path is surrounded by floating flames (Path of Fire), one is lined with reflective water (Path of Water), and the third is shrouded in drifting black mist (Path of Shadow).
Damian Nerrisa and Linda debates on What path to take. Nerrisa argues they should take the Path of Water, claiming that water represents clarity, reflection, and wisdom , attributes they will need to face the unknown.
Linda suggests the Path of Fire, reasoning that fire represents purification and destruction of corruption, which might counteract the influence of Mortivax on Damian.
Damian is drawn toward the Path of Shadow, not by choice, but by instinct. The corruption in his body seems to "resonate" with the path, and he admits that avoiding it might be dangerous if it's somehow linked to his fate.
As they debate, they hear faint whispers coming from the Path of Shadow. The whispers resemble their own voices, but the words are very faint, like echoes of thoughts they haven't had yet. Nerrisa suspects this is part of an alchemical test designed to create doubt. She proposes that they walk the path together, believing that whatever trials lie ahead, unity is their best chance.
Once they step onto their chosen path, the atmosphere changes. The endless reflective water beneath them becomes a deep, stormy sea. They find themselves walking on a narrow bridge made of glowing blue sigils. Beneath the surface, shadowy figures begin to swim, circling like sharks.
The disembodied voice from earlier returns:
"The burden of reflection is to see oneself clearly. Do you have the courage to face your truth, or will you be dragged beneath by it?", This voices became persistent and more audible.
One by one, their reflections rise from the water, but they are not mere reflections. Each one represents a twisted version of themselves.
Damian's reflection wears obsidian armor, similar to the vision of his future self. His reflection mocks him, claiming that his fate is already sealed. It challenges Damian's resolve, saying, "You will fail, as all before you have. The only difference is, this time, you'll drag them down with you."
Nerrisa's reflection appears more jaded, her eyes filled with exhaustion. Her reflection accuses her of being a hypocrite, claiming she only follows Damian out of fear of being alone. "You're not here for him. You're here because you have no place else to go." Nerrisa is deeply, shaken by the accusation.
Linda's reflection is cold and emotionless, almost like a lifeless doll. It states, "Your bonds are fragile. You fight to protect, but soon you will have nothing left to protect." Linda's reflection warns her that her attempts to protect Damian and Nerrisa will result in her own sacrifice.
The three must face their reflections, and the reflections demand a "confession" to pass. Each of them must admit a personal flaw or imperfections.
Damian admits that he fears becoming like his future self. He fears he'll lose himself in his quest to "break the cycle."
Nerrisa admits that she has no clear goal beyond following Damian, fearing that her life lacks purpose without him.
Linda confesses that she's terrified of dying for a cause she barely understands.
Once their confessions are made, the reflections smile knowingly and sink back into the water. The path stabilizes, and the stormy sea calms. But as they continue walking, Damian notices something, the red glow of the corruption on his body flares brighter than before. He says nothing to the others.
As they near the end of the Path of Water, they see a shimmering figure standing ahead, Kaldros the Shroud. His presence is undeniable, yet ghostly, as if he exists only partially in this realm. He claps slowly, his smile was very unsettling. "Congratulations," Kaldros says, his hollow voice echoing vigorously. "You've passed the first trial of the Abyss. Tell me, how does it feel to know your worst enemy is yourself?"
Damian steps forward, fists clenched. "If you're here to vomit more nonsense, you can leave."
"Oh, but I'm here to offer something far more valuable than you could possibly imagine," Kaldros says, his eyes narrowing like a predator eyeing prey. "You see, your little stunt in the Accord Trial caught the attention of something... older." Kaldros raises a hand, and for a moment, all three of them feel a crushing weight on their souls. Their vision goes black for a heartbeat, and when it clears, they see the tower in the distance has grown closer. The stars overhead shift and form a massive sigil resembling an eye.
"The one who watches is now watching you," Kaldros says with a grin. "But I'm feeling generous, so I'll offer you a choice. Swear a binding pact with me, and I'll give you the key to leave the Abyss."
"Not happening," Damian said, anger and hatred filled his voice, his gaze sharper than a sword.
Kaldros raises an eyebrow. "Oh? You think you're clever, don't you? Then riddle me this, Wielder: If every path in the Abyss is a chain, which one will you cut?" He gestures to the air, and faint, golden chains begin to form around Damian, Linda, and Nerrisa. The sound of rattling metal echoes louder with each second.
"The longer you stay, the tighter it gets," Kaldros says before vanishing into shadow. As the Damian Nerrisa and Linda approaches the end of the Path of Water, they see three chains extending from the water, each attached to one of them. The chains are symbolic but also real. Each chain represents a "burden" they've been forced to carry since entering the Abyss. They realize that to escape, one of them must break their chain , but only one.
Nerrisa argues they should break Damian's chain, since his burden is the most dangerous (the corruption of Mortivax). But Damian refuses, fearing it will worsen his fate. Linda offers to sever her own chain, claiming she can bear the burden.
They must decide. Do they cut Damian's chain, Nerrisa's chain, or Linda's chain? The consequences are unknown, tension builds as they deliberate further. Out of confusion and frustration, Nerrisa uses a spell, her eyes glowing white, she cuts her chain. "No!!!!, Damian cried out, but the did has already been done.
As the chain snaps, the air shifts. The stars above vanish, and the tower fades into the distance. Their surroundings change, and suddenly... they're back in the mansion. B
ut something feels off. The chain they cut may have had a cost.