The group emerged from the remains of the Abyss Core chamber, exhausted but victorious. Their spirits were high, yet an unsettling silence clung to the air. Even with the Core destroyed and Kai's new power unveiled, a strange foreboding lingered, as if their victory had stirred something far worse.
The pathway ahead twisted into a narrow bridge of black stone, suspended above an endless void. No one spoke as they pressed forward, the eerie quiet amplifying every crunch of their boots against the jagged rock.
"Anyone else feel like we're being watched?" Leon asked, his tone casual, but his hand gripped his weapon tightly.
"You're not wrong," Aria said. Her eyes darted around, scanning the darkness. "The Core might be gone, but something else is out there. Something… old."
Sylas growled. "If it's coming for us, it can meet the same fate as that Core." His flames flickered to life in his hands, casting flickering light onto the bridge.
Kai remained silent, gripping the Forsaken Chronicle. His mind was clouded with doubt. The Forbidden Tier had granted him unimaginable strength, but even now, he could feel its cost—like a shadow gnawing at the edge of his soul.
The First Encounter
The bridge widened into a vast platform, surrounded by swirling clouds of black mist. The air grew colder, and the oppressive silence was broken by a slow, deliberate clap.
"Well done," a voice echoed, smooth yet laced with malice. "I must admit, you've exceeded my expectations."
The group froze as a figure emerged from the shadows, stepping onto the platform as if the darkness itself obeyed him. He was tall, clad in black armor etched with glowing red runes. A flowing cloak of shadow trailed behind him, and his piercing crimson eyes glowed like embers in the dark.
"Who are you?" Kai demanded, stepping forward. His hand rested on his blade, ready for anything.
The figure chuckled, his voice resonating with an unnatural power. "I am Malakar, Harbinger of the Abyss. And you, little Forsaken, have meddled far too much in affairs beyond your understanding."
Aria's face paled. "Malakar… I've heard that name. You're a Shadow Sovereign."
Malakar inclined his head, his lips curling into a smirk. "Ah, someone with knowledge. Good. Then you know what you face is not some lesser Warden or fleeting corruption." His gaze swept over the group. "You are but insects in the grand design of the Abyss."
An Unwinnable Fight
Before anyone could respond, Malakar raised his hand, and the platform quaked. Shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, lunging toward the group.
"Scatter!" Kai shouted, drawing his blade. He activated Phase Break (Level 2), blinking out of the way and slashing through the tendrils, but his strikes barely slowed them.
Leon attempted to copy Sylas's Crimson Barrage, launching fiery blasts at Malakar, but the Sovereign waved his hand, extinguishing the flames as if they were nothing more than candlelight.
"Pathetic," Malakar sneered, stepping forward.
Sylas roared, unleashing a torrent of fire, while Eira cast Verdant Shield to protect them from the onslaught of shadows. Yet no matter how hard they fought, Malakar's movements were effortless, his power overwhelming.
Kai charged forward, his blade glowing with the power of Genesis of the Infinite. He swung with all his might, unleashing a wave of energy that tore through the platform and hurtled toward Malakar.
For a moment, it seemed as though the strike would land. But Malakar raised a single finger, halting the attack mid-air. The energy shattered like glass, and Kai was thrown backward, crashing into the ground.
"You're strong," Malakar said, his tone almost amused. "But strength alone is meaningless against the Abyss. You lack control. Discipline. Vision."
A Crushing Defeat
One by one, the group fell under Malakar's relentless assault. Sylas's flames flickered out as he collapsed to one knee, blood dripping from his mouth. Eira's shield shattered, leaving her defenseless. Leon tried to stand, but his copied abilities faltered, leaving him vulnerable.
Kai struggled to rise, his entire body screaming in protest. He looked around at his fallen companions, despair clawing at his chest. They couldn't win. Not like this.
Malakar approached him slowly, his crimson eyes burning with contempt. "You are nothing but pawns in a game far beyond your comprehension. But I'll give you one mercy—I won't kill you. Not yet."
Kai gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet. "Why? Why spare us?"
Malakar smirked. "Because you amuse me, Forsaken. I want to see how far you'll go. How much you'll sacrifice. In the end, it won't matter. The Abyss is eternal, and your resistance is meaningless."
With a wave of his hand, the shadows receded, and Malakar stepped back into the darkness, his presence vanishing as suddenly as it had appeared.
Aftermath
The group lay in silence, battered and broken. Slowly, they began to regroup, their wounds far more than just physical.
Eira placed a trembling hand on Kai's shoulder. "We… we weren't ready for that."
"No kidding," Leon muttered, wincing as he held his side. "That guy barely even tried, and we still got wrecked."
Kai clenched his fists, his mind racing. Malakar's words echoed in his head, fueling his anger and fear. He had felt so powerful after unlocking the Forbidden Tier, but now… now he realized just how small they still were.
"We'll get stronger," he said finally, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "Whatever it takes, we'll face him again. And next time, we won't lose."
Quest Reminder:
Current Quest: Retrieve the Fragments of Unity (2/3 found).
Reward: Skill Unlock—Dimensional Surge (temporarily enhances all spatial manipulation skills).
Punishment: Permanent erosion of the Chronicle's durability, reducing its protective aura.
As they moved forward, the weight of their defeat lingered. Malakar's presence was a reminder of the vast power they had yet to face, and the path ahead seemed darker than ever. But within that darkness, a flicker of determination burned in Kai's heart. He would find a way to overcome the Shadow Sovereign—no matter the cost.