The chamber pulsed with energy as the core of the Abyssal vault flared brighter, bathing the room in shifting hues of dark crimson and shadowy gold. The silence that followed the fall of the guardian was almost deafening, broken only by the rhythmic hum of the vault itself.
Kael stood at the edge of the glowing core, the shard and ring pulsing in his hands. The Abyss's presence pressed heavily against him, its whispers faint but deliberate.
"You have earned this fragment," the voices said. "But the path is far from over."
Kael glanced back at the disciples, their expressions a mix of awe and unease. Ryn stood at his side, her blade ready, while Zereth examined the runes on the walls with sharp focus.
"This place is alive," Zereth said quietly. "And it's waiting for something."
Kael's gaze didn't waver. "Then let's not keep it waiting."
The Vault's Heart
As Kael stepped closer to the core, the runes along its surface shifted and writhed, their glow intensifying. The energy emanating from the core pressed against him, a force that felt both oppressive and inviting. He raised the Abyssal Fang, its dark light resonating with the core's rhythm.
The whispers grew louder, their tone sharp and commanding. "You seek the truth. But the Abyss does not give freely."
Kael closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. "Then I'll take what I need."
The core flared brightly, and a surge of energy coursed through the chamber. Shadows erupted from the ground, coiling around the walls and pillars like living things. The runes pulsed violently, their patterns shifting into new forms.
Zereth's voice cut through the chaos. "It's activating something. Be ready!"
A Vision of the Abyss
The shadows around Kael thickened, pulling him into a sea of darkness. For a moment, the world dissolved into nothingness—no sound, no light, only the Abyss's presence pressing against him.
Then, the visions began.
Kael saw a vast, sprawling expanse—a realm where the Abyss reigned supreme. Rivers of dark energy flowed through the landscape, their currents alive with power. Towering structures etched with intricate runes rose toward the sky, their surfaces pulsing with light.
In the distance, Kael saw figures moving—cloaked in shadow, their forms indistinct but imposing. They moved with purpose, their energy resonating with the Abyss itself.
"This is its true nature," the voices said. "A force without end. A presence that consumes and creates."
Kael's grip on the shard tightened. "What does it want?"
The whispers grew quieter, their tone contemplative. "To exist. And to be understood."
The Core's Gift
As the visions faded, Kael found himself back in the chamber, the core of the vault glowing steadily before him. The energy around it had stabilized, its oppressive weight lessened but still palpable.
Ryn steadied him, her grip firm. "What happened? What did you see?"
Kael's gaze was distant as he spoke. "A fragment of the Abyss. Its true nature. It's not just a force—it's… alive."
Zereth approached, his expression tense. "And what does it want?"
Kael glanced at the core, the shard and ring pulsing faintly in his hands. "To be understood. And to grow."
The runes on the core shifted once more, their patterns forming a single, distinct shape—a key. The whispers of the Abyss grew louder, their tone sharp and deliberate.
"You hold the key," the voices said. "But the door remains closed."
The Implications
The Dominion regrouped outside the vault, their expressions a mix of relief and unease. The journey into the Abyssal realm had shaken them, and the encounter within the vault had left its mark.
Vaelon spoke first, his tone heavy. "If the Abyss wants to grow, then what happens when it's done? What happens when it's… complete?"
Ryn's gaze hardened. "Then we make sure it doesn't grow into something we can't stop."
Sylas smirked faintly. "Bold of you to assume we could stop it in the first place."
Kael stood apart from the group, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The shard and ring pulsed steadily in his hands, their energy resonating with the Abyss's whispers.
"We don't stop it," Kael said quietly. "We guide it."
The disciples fell silent, their tension palpable. Kael turned to face them, his expression calm but firm.
"The Abyss isn't just a threat," he continued. "It's a tool. A force. If we can understand it, we can shape it. Use it. But only if we're strong enough."
Foreshadowing the Awakening
As the Dominion prepared to move on, the shadows around them shifted, their movements slow and deliberate. The air was heavy with tension, the Abyss's presence sharper than ever.
Kael felt the whispers pressing against his mind, their tone contemplative. "You walk the edge," the voices said. "But the Abyss is infinite."
Kael's grip on the Fang tightened, his resolve unshaken. "Then we'll see how far it goes."
End of Chapter 85