The air grew heavier as the Dominion pressed on, each step taking them closer to the edge of the Abyssal realm. The terrain became increasingly erratic, with jagged formations twisting into unnatural shapes that defied logic. Shadows moved more freely here, their presence palpable and almost sentient.
Kael led the way, his gaze steady despite the oppressive atmosphere. The shard and ring pulsed faintly in his hands, their energy resonating with the rhythm of the realm. He could feel the Abyss pulling at him, its whispers quieter but sharper.
Ryn walked beside him, her blade resting on her shoulder. "We're getting close. I can feel it."
Kael nodded, his expression unreadable. "So can I."
The Abyss Grows Stronger
The disciples moved with deliberate caution, their senses heightened as they navigated the treacherous landscape. The jagged formations around them pulsed faintly with Abyssal energy, their surfaces etched with runes that seemed to shift and writhe when viewed from the corner of the eye.
Zereth examined one of the formations, his brow furrowed. "These runes aren't just markers. They're amplifying the Abyss's presence."
Vaelon glanced at him, his expression tense. "And what happens if we get too close?"
Zereth's gaze darkened. "Then we risk becoming part of it."
Kael's grip on the Fang tightened. "Then we keep moving. We're not stopping now."
The Shadows Attack
As the Dominion neared a narrow pass, the shadows around them began to stir. What had been subtle movements became deliberate as twisted figures emerged from the darkness. Their forms were vaguely humanoid but distorted, their movements unnaturally fluid.
"They're here," Ryn said, her blade already drawn. "Stay together!"
The disciples formed a defensive line, their strikes sharp and coordinated. The twisted figures attacked with ferocity, their Abyssal energy warping the air around them. Zereth's wards flared brightly, absorbing the brunt of their strikes, while Sylas and the scouts flanked the attackers with ghostlike precision.
Kael moved with calculated fury, the shard and ring amplifying his strikes as he faced the largest of the figures. The Abyss roared within him, its presence both a weapon and a burden.
"They fight for survival," the voices said. "As do you."
Kael gritted his teeth, forcing the whispers back. "Survival isn't enough."
A New Threat
As the last of the twisted figures fell, the shadows around the group grew still. The air vibrated with a low, resonant hum, the oppressive energy pressing heavily against their senses. Ahead of them, the narrow pass opened into a massive expanse—a vast chasm that stretched into darkness.
Vaelon peered into the chasm, his expression grim. "This isn't just a gap. It's a barrier."
Zereth nodded, his tone heavy. "And whatever's on the other side… it doesn't want us there."
Kael stepped forward, the shard and ring glowing faintly in his hands. The Abyss's whispers grew louder, their tone sharp and commanding.
"You stand at the threshold," the voices said. "But the Abyss demands more."
The Abyssal Bridge
As Kael raised the Fang, the runes along the edge of the chasm flared brightly, their light casting long shadows across the group. The ground beneath their feet began to shift, forming a narrow bridge of shadowy energy that stretched across the expanse.
Ryn approached Kael, her gaze steady. "This is it, isn't it? The edge of the realm."
Kael nodded, his grip on the Fang firm. "And the start of something else."
Sylas tilted their head, their smirk faint. "Guess we're crossing, then. Hope nobody's afraid of heights."
Crossing the Threshold
The Dominion moved cautiously across the bridge, the shadows beneath them shifting and pulsing with Abyssal energy. The air grew colder, the tension heavier with each step. The whispers of the Abyss became a low roar, their tone sharp and insistent.
Kael could feel the Abyss pulling at him, its demands sharper than ever. The shard and ring pulsed violently in his hands, their energy resonating with the bridge's rhythm.
"You walk the edge," the voices said. "But the Abyss is infinite."
Kael closed his eyes, steadying his breathing. "Then we'll see how far it goes."
Foreshadowing the Awakening
As the group reached the other side of the chasm, the landscape shifted once more. The terrain was darker, the shadows deeper and more alive. The air was heavy with a tension that pressed against their senses, a quiet warning of what lay ahead.
Zereth studied the terrain, his expression tense. "This isn't just the edge of a realm. It's the start of something new."
Ryn's gaze hardened. "Then we make sure we're ready for it."
Kael stood at the forefront, the shard and ring glowing steadily in his hands. He could feel the Abyss watching, its presence sharper than ever.
"We don't stop now," Kael said quietly. "The Abyss hasn't won yet."
End of Chapter 87