The weight of the figure's warning hung heavy over Kael as he walked through the quiet camp. Shadows stretched unnaturally around him, their movements deliberate and unsettling. The shard and ring pulsed in his hands, their energy resonating with the Abyss's whispers.
"You seek answers," the voices said. "But answers are not freely given."
Kael paused near the Obsidian Altar, his gaze fixed on the faint glow of the shard. He could feel the Abyss pulling at him, its presence more insistent than ever. The figure's words echoed in his mind: You don't understand the Abyss.
"I need to," Kael muttered to himself. "If I don't, it'll destroy us."
A Journey Within
Kael called for Ryn, Zereth, and Sylas, his voice steady but sharp. The three senior disciples joined him near the altar, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern.
"What's this about?" Sylas asked, leaning casually against a post.
Kael held up the shard, its glow casting faint shadows across his face. "The Abyss is spreading. And we don't understand why. If we're going to survive, we need to understand it."
Ryn frowned. "How do you plan to do that?"
Kael met her gaze, his voice calm but resolute. "I'm going into the Abyss."
The Sovereign's Warning
Before descending, Kael sought out the Sovereign. The shadows around the leader coiled tightly, their movements slow and deliberate. His crimson eyes burned with quiet intensity as Kael approached.
"You intend to enter the Abyss," the Sovereign said, his voice calm but cutting. "Do you understand what that means?"
Kael nodded. "It means I'll get answers. Or I'll die trying."
The Sovereign's gaze didn't waver. "The Abyss does not give answers freely. It takes. And it demands. If you are not prepared to face its truths, you will not return."
Kael clenched his fists, the shard and ring pulsing in his hands. "Then I'll face whatever it throws at me."
The Sovereign's shadows shifted, their movements slow and deliberate. "Very well. But remember—truths are not always kind."
Into the Abyss
Kael stood at the edge of the camp, the shard and ring glowing brightly as he prepared to descend into the heart of the Abyss. Ryn stood beside him, her expression tense but steady.
"You don't have to do this alone," she said, her voice firm.
Kael shook his head. "I do. If the Abyss is testing us, then it's testing me most of all."
Ryn placed a hand on his shoulder, her gaze unwavering. "Then come back. No matter what you find down there, come back."
Kael nodded, his grip tightening on the Abyssal Fang. Without another word, he stepped into the swirling shadows, the Abyss closing around him like a living thing.
The Abyss Revealed
The descent was disorienting, the shadows twisting and shifting around Kael like a living maze. The shard and ring pulsed steadily, their energy a faint beacon in the darkness. The whispers grew louder as he moved deeper, their tone sharp and fragmented.
"You seek answers," the voices said. "But answers demand sacrifice."
Kael pressed forward, his steps steady despite the growing weight of the Abyss. He could feel its presence pressing down on him, its energy coursing through his veins. The figure's warning echoed in his mind: The Abyss will take everything if you let it.
"I won't let it," Kael muttered, his voice firm. "Not today."
A Vision of Power
As Kael reached the heart of the Abyss, the shadows parted to reveal a vast, swirling expanse of dark energy. The shard and ring glowed brightly in response, their energy resonating with the chaotic void.
A figure emerged from the darkness, their form identical to the one Kael had faced on the battlefield. Their voice was calm but commanding. "You've come far, Kael. But you've only begun to understand the Abyss."
Kael raised the Abyssal Fang, his gaze steady. "Then teach me."
The figure smiled faintly, their shadows coiling around them. "Very well. But understand this—the Abyss does not give freely. It demands. It tests. And it takes."
Kael nodded, his grip tightening on the Fang. "Then I'll pass its tests. And I'll survive its demands."
The figure's voice grew softer, almost contemplative. "We shall see."
End of Chapter 66