Chapter 52: Welcome to the Depths


    <hr>


    The Morning After Madness


    Axel woke up sore.


    Not regular sore.


    The kind of sore that made every movement feel like his muscles were dipped in molten lead.


    "Ugh…" He tried to sit up, only to flop back onto the bed.


    Tempo sat on the windowsill, tuning his guitar-axe with an obnoxiously casual air.


    "Good morning, champ."


    Axel groaned. "Shut up."


    Tempo strummed a single note. "That’s not the attitude of a guy who just evolved into one of the coolest damn classes in existence."


    Axel threw a pillow at him. Missed.


    Tempo snorted. "Pathetic."


    Iris leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.


    "You alive?"


    Axel grunted. "Barely."


    Valeria walked in behind her, looking far too smug.


    "He’ll live," she said. "Unfortunately."


    Axel sighed. "You’re enjoying this way too much."


    Valeria smirked. "Oh, absolutely."


    Iris rolled her eyes. "So. What’s the plan, genius?"


    Axel exhaled, forcing himself to sit up.


    "The Depths."


    That one phrase changed the mood instantly.


    <hr>


    Preparing for the Unknown


    "Richter said it’s where the real fights happen," Axel muttered, rolling his shoulders.


    Iris frowned. "And we trust him why?"


    Axel thought about it.


    Then shrugged. "Because he’s scary and has two Cipher Beasts."


    Tempo snorted. "Solid logic."


    Valeria sat on the edge of the bed, tilting her head.


    "Honestly? If the Depths are what I think they are… we’re about to step into a world of absolute chaos."


    Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    She grinned. "I love it."


    Iris sighed. "Of course you do."


    Axel cracked his knuckles. "Then we better get ready."


    <hr>


    The Hidden Entrance


    Later that night, Richter’s instructions led them to an abandoned warehouse in the lower district.


    The place reeked of oil and metal.


    The walls were covered in graffiti—some of it familiar Cipher Beast insignias, some symbols Axel had never seen before.


    At the far end of the warehouse stood a massive steel door.


    And in front of it—a single guard.


    Not a man.


    A Cipher Beast.


    It looked like a massive cybernetic wolf, its glowing blue eyes scanning them as they approached.


    The second they got close—it spoke.


    <blockquote>


    "Identify yourselves."


    </blockquote>


    Axel blinked. "...It talks?"


    Tempo whistled. "Fancy."


    Richter’s voice suddenly crackled over their holo-bands.


    <blockquote>


    "Step forward, Mercer. Let’s see if you’re worthy."


    </blockquote>


    Axel felt the challenge in those words.


    The wolf’s eyes glowed.


    Then—it lunged.


    <hr>


    The First Test: The Guardian Wolf


    Axel barely had time to react before the wolf was on him.


    It moved fast.


    Faster than any normal Cipher Beast.


    Its claws blurred, striking toward his chest.


    Axel twisted, barely dodging—but the sheer wind pressure knocked him backward.


    Iris cursed. "This is a test?!"


    Valeria smirked. "I like this place already."


    Tempo strummed his guitar-axe, feeding power into Axel’s body.


    "Alright, Metalhead," he said. "Time to show ‘em what you got."


    Axel grinned.


    "Gladly."


    <hr>


    Painkiller: First Blood


    The wolf rushed in for a second attack.


    This time—Axel didn’t dodge.


    He activated Painkiller.


    A surge of raw, unstoppable power flooded his veins.


    His speed doubled.


    His reflexes sharpened.


    And for ten seconds—he couldn’t feel pain.


    The wolf’s claws sliced toward him—


    Axel stepped inside the attack.


    And punched straight through.


    BOOM.


    A shockwave rippled through the warehouse.


    The wolf staggered back, its armor dented.


    It snarled, lowering its stance.


    Axel grinned, breathing hard.


    "Round two?"


    The wolf paused.


    Then—it sat down.


    "...Wait," Axel muttered. "That’s it?"


    Tempo laughed. "Damn. You punched it into respecting you."


    The steel door rumbled open.


    And Richter’s voice crackled over the intercom.


    <blockquote>


    "Welcome to the Depths, Mercer."


    </blockquote>


    Axel smirked. "Hell yeah."


    Then—they stepped inside.


    <hr>


    Into the Depths


    The moment they entered, Axel realized this wasn’t just another underground fight club.


    This was a whole different world.


    An enormous underground coliseum stretched before them, filled with fighters, Cipher Beasts, and battle arenas of every kind.


    Above them—massive digital displays showcased live fights.


    In the air—hovering platforms carried VIPs watching the matches.


    And at the far end of the arena…


    A towering throne-like structure loomed.


    At its peak sat a figure cloaked in shadow.


    Watching. Waiting.


    Richter gestured toward the arena.


    "This," he said. "Is where the best fighters in the world come to test their limits."


    He turned to Axel.


    "You want to survive here?"


    His visor gleamed.


    "Then you’re gonna have to start at the bottom."


    Axel cracked his knuckles.


    "Then let’s get started."