The air felt heavier now, as though the very atmosphere around Aric had thickened with the power of the Abyss. The remnants of the shadow beast still lingered in the air like a faint, oppressive presence, but the immediate danger had passed. For now, he had won—though the victory tasted bitter in his mouth.
Aric stood amidst the ruins, breathing heavily, his heart still pounding in his chest. His beast, though calm for the moment, was still on edge, its fur standing on end, eyes darting around in a silent warning. The connection between them had deepened, as if the bond was pulling them both toward something far beyond the physical realm.
The Abyss had tested him. It had pushed him to his limits and demanded more than he was prepared to give. But now that the trial was over, Aric could feel it—the Abyss was waiting, watching. His victory had not come without a price.
You will never be free, the voice whispered in the back of his mind. You have chosen this path, Aric Thornfield. And now, you will walk it until the end.
Aric pushed the voice away, trying to shake off the chilling sensation that had crept into his thoughts. He had already made the decision. He would not let the Abyss control him. He was no puppet.
But deep down, a part of him—no, a part of the Abyss itself—knew the truth: he had already given a piece of himself away. That was the price for power, and the Abyss demanded its due.
"Let's go," Aric muttered, turning on his heel, his dagger still in his hand, the familiar weight of the weapon grounding him. His beast followed, its massive form silent, but the unease between them was palpable.
They didn't go far. The winds had shifted, and the once calm air now carried a sense of urgency. The ruins, once silent and forgotten, had awakened. Aric felt it deep in his bones—something was stirring. The Abyss wasn't just a force contained within him. It was a part of the world, a living, breathing presence that was drawing closer.
He couldn't ignore it. Not anymore.
The