《Eternal Judgment》


 Call to duty

    A dull knocking echoes through the shabby room. The weak rays of morning sunlight break through the tattered curtains, sweep across dusty furniture, and finally settle on a young man half-buried under his blanket.


    His raven-black hair contrasts starkly with his golden, glowing eyes, which are currently hidden behind closed lids.


    His bed creaks in protest as he shifts, burrowing his head deeper into the pillow and attempting to ignore the now louder knocking.


    "Lumen Eldareth!" The shrill voice of his elderly landlady pierces through the thin walls, as irritable as ever.


    "Open up! The Heroes of Nowhere are here!"


    Lumen exhales deeply, his shoulders rising and falling lazily. He pulls the blanket over his head, muttering, "Can''t the old hag just drop dead and let me sleep?"


    The knocking grows more insistent, heavier. A deeper voice replaces that of the landlady.


    "Alright, I''m coming" Lumen grumbles.


    With a mix of annoyance and resignation, he swings his legs out of bed. His golden eyes glow faintly in the dim light as he trudges toward the door, his steps slow and almost dragging.


    He cracks the door open, just enough to avoid the sight of his landlady''s wrinkled face, and instead comes face to face with a tall, broad man in a military uniform. The sight freezes Lumen in place.


    He instantly realizes what his landlady meant.


    "Lumen Eldareth?" The officer''s curt tone pairs with a disdainful glance that sweeps over Lumen''s messy hair and worn clothing, which is far from impressive.


    "Depends on who''s asking" Lumen replies lazily, leaning against the doorframe.


    "Congratulations, recruit. You are hereby conscripted. Report to the barracks in four hours."


    "Thanks, but I have to refuse." Lumen tries to shut the door, but the officer blocks it with his foot. His eyes narrow as he leans in slightly.


    "Resisting the military is punishable by execution. Report in four hours." With a final sharp look, the officer turns and marches away.


    Lumen stays frozen, staring at the door as though the words have only just sunk in. His thoughts whirl, but he shakes his head before turning away.


    "You still owe rent this month!" his landlady shouts from the hallway, her tone sharp and unyielding.


    "She''s lucky I haven''t pushed her down the stairs yet" Lumen mutters, collapsing back onto the bed.


    ~~~


    The atmosphere on the streets is heavy, conversations are mostly quiet. The shadow of the military and sudden conscriptions looms large. Families embrace mothers, wiping tears while fathers attempt to mask their unease with stoic expressions.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    A nearby restaurant screen flickers, the speakers crackling before the newscaster speaks: "Reports indicate another Essence Storm in the Old Town. All citizens within a two-kilometer radius are strongly advised to evacuate immediately."


    Lumen pauses, staring at the screen. The thought of being sent into such a storm sends a shiver through him.


    He shakes his head, his eyes briefly glowing as he moves on. The military has begun recruiting awakened individuals registered in their database, along with unawakened civilians, to fight the monsters of the Abyss.


    Unawakened civilians, with no powers, are often thrown into Essence Storms in the hope that they''ll awaken and become Sparkbearers.


    Lumen remembers the awakening process, which is quite different for everyone but always occurs for the same reason.


    Too much Essence from the Abyss sometimes converges at a single point, forming an Essence Storm.


    If a person nearby can absorb this Essence, they undergo the Voidfire, a brutal trial that changes everything.


    Lumen knows how dangerous it is. If one survives the Voidfire, they awaken with special powers. But if an Essence Storm is left unchecked, monsters sense the Abyssal energy, anchor to it, and create dimensional rifts, connecting both worlds.


    "And the military expects teenagers like me to stop that, or happily die trying" Lumen mutters with a quiet snort.


    He is on his way towards the military academy.


    ~~~


    The barracks look outdated compared to the modern buildings nearby. It''s also less a traditional barrack and more a large hall.


    Outside the heavily guarded gate, Lumen spots a group of young men and women, all around his age. The same stern officer from earlier stands beside them, still grim.


    Most of the recruits appear nervous and uncertain, except for one striking girl with white-blond hair, wearing a military uniform and a blue coat. Her icy blue eyes are sharp and focused, projecting the aura of someone born for combat.


    Next to her stands a boy with brown hair and unsettling red eyes, who keeps casting assessing glances at Lumen, as though trying to figure him out.


    "Alright, I''ll explain the process and what your lives will look like for the next four years assuming you survive that long" the officer, who introduces himself as Kael, declares with a booming laugh.


    "You''re about 20 people and will soon be divided into two groups: Useful or Useless. In other words, awakened or ordinary humans."


    "As you should know, awakened individuals are ranked by their strength. The first rank, Sparkbearers, can sense and store small amounts of Essence. They can use basic abilities, also called Stigma, and their bodies are as strong as top athletes."


    Compared to ordinary humans, they''re superhuman. But Sparkbearers shouldn''t overestimate themselves, they can be snuffed out just as easily."


    Kael asks who among them is already awakened. The silver-haired girl immediately raises her hand, saluting with military precision that seems to please Kael.


    Eight others, including Lumen, raise their hands, albeit less enthusiastically. Kael fixes his gaze on Lumen, scrutinizing him. His messy, raven black hair nearly covers his eyes, and his oversized, tattered clothing gives him the appearance of a sluggish, lifeless homeless person.


    "The second rank, Ignited, is what all Sparkbearers aim to reach. Once awakened to this rank, you''ll manifest your Arkana, the ultimate weapon of every awakened, capable of obliterating a large building. Never use it recklessly."


    Kael extends his right arm, and gray sparks begin to form in the air above the recruits. The sparks dance like wild, tiny lights, filling the atmosphere with an eerie energy.


    The air grows heavier, like the oppressive chill of a mountaintop. Some recruits shift uneasily, staring in disbelief.


    Kael closes his fingers into a fist, and the gray sparks turn golden and brilliant. Their glow captivates the recruits, evoking a mix of awe and fear. The very air seems to shimmer under an unbearable pressure.


    Without warning, the golden sparks explode with a deafening force. The shockwave knocks some recruits off their feet, and a dazzling light engulfs the area.


    As the smoke clears, fine soot stains some of the recruits'' faces. A heavy silence settles, broken only by the coughs of those inhaling the dusty air. Kael watches the scene with a faint smile before laughing dryly.


    "That''s my Stigma, Aschebrand."

 Seren Veylith

    Lumen is assigned to a small, cramped room with three other boys his age. The space is sparse and utilitarian. Two simple wooden bunk beds stand against opposite walls, their shabby mattresses so thin you could likely feel the boards beneath.


    A wobbly coat hook by the door is already burdened with a few roughly folded uniform pieces. A single small window lets in the gray evening light, barely enough to brighten the corners of the room.


    The bathroom isn''t much better: a lone sink with a worn rim, a spotted mirror, and a tiny toilet whose flush sounds as if it''s on its last breath make up the entirety of the facilities.


    The floor does at least have a communal shower area, a small consolation.


    Lumen lies on the lower bunk on the left side, his head resting on crossed arms. His golden eyes stare up at the underside of the mattress above him, though his thoughts are far elsewhere.


    It''s a rare, quiet moment, but he feels neither relaxed nor calm. His mind circles around Kael''s earlier demonstration and what lies ahead.


    Above him, Ravyn, the boy sharing his bunk, is lying down. Like Lumen, Ravyn is quiet and unassuming.


    He has brown hair and a demeanor that makes him seem unremarkable at first glance. However, the black cloak hanging on his bed, adorned with an intricate red design makes him stand out despite his subdued personality.


    The red pattern matches Ravyn''s striking red eyes, often hidden behind sunglasses during the day. Ravyn rarely speaks, and when he does, it''s in short, precise sentences, a welcome change from the chaos coming from the other side of the room.


    But Lumen didn''t fail to notice something strange about him. He wears heavy, black armor with a design similar to his cloack. Usually that wouldn''t be that weird, thinking that he might come from some prestigious military family.


    But, considering that he wears it also while in bed, it must be quite the comfortable piece of equipment.


    The other two boys on the opposite side couldn''t be more different from Lumen and Ravyn. Both blond, both loud, and seemingly brimming with energy, even in sleep.


    Kieran, the older one, snores with a booming sound like he''s scaling a mountain in his dreams.


    The younger one, Finn, talks in his sleep, his words fragmented and nonsensical, as if caught mid-battle in his mind.


    Lumen closes his eyes briefly and exhales slowly. Though Ravyn barely makes a sound, there''s a constant sense of alertness about him.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "Awake?" Lumen asks him, trying to start a conversation with the only interesting person he met so far.


    "Yes" Raven says in a loud, perhaps even awkward tone, seemingly not caring about the other two sleeping directly next to him.


    "I gave up on sleeping" Lumen says, propping himself up on one elbow so his face appears at the edge of the bed.


    "But we should try anyway" Lumen whispers before receiving an answer.


    "Quite weird, this human" Ravyn thinks.


    ~~~


    "So, you''re the new recruits."


    An officer with a sharp gaze surveys the group. He appears to be in his early thirties.


    "I''m Samir. That means for you: do as I say if you want to survive."


    Samir crosses his arms, his uniform immaculate, his posture rigid.


    "Given the circumstances, we''ll be accelerating your training. Time is short, which means I have no tolerance for nonsense."


    His gaze sweeps over the nine recruits but lingers on one particular girl. Seren stands upright, her white blonde hair neatly tied back, her icy blue eyes meeting his without wavering.


    "Your name is Seren Veylith" Samir says with a hint of interest.


    "As in General Marcus Veylith?"


    Seren nods, her tone neutral yet respectful.


    "Yes, sir. He''s my father."


    A fleeting smile crosses Samir''s face.


    "I''ve only met him briefly. But I trust his offspring will prove just as exceptional." He pauses, letting his words sink in before continuing.


    "Veylith, from this moment on, you''re the leader of this group."


    A murmur of surprise ripples through the recruits.


    "That means you bear the responsibility for this group" Samir states bluntly.


    "You''re their link to me and the other officers. When I give an order, I expect it carried out through you. You keep them in line, correct their mistakes, and lead them in the field."


    His expression hardens.


    "But always remember, if your group fails it will reflect on you."


    Seren nods slowly, her gaze steady. "Understood, sir."


    Lumen, standing off to the side, slightly raises an eyebrow. "Of course, who else would it be? Such a cliche" he thinks.


    Samir''s eyes sweep over the group again.


    "The rest of you," he says in a stern tone, "will follow her commands. If she tells you to jump, you don''t ask, ''Why?'' Instead you ask ''How high?''"


    A brief, uncomfortable silence follows before Samir adds, "You have one hour. Get to know each other before training begins." With that, he turns and walks away.


    Seren casts a quick glance over the group.


    "This role isn''t just about responsibility. It''s about us sticking together, whether we like it or not." Her voice is clear and firm.


    "You can count on me and I expect to be able to count on you."


    Lumen, who hasn''t said a word until now, leans back against the wall.


    "Sounds like you''ve got this all figured out" he remarks dryly.


    Seren''s gaze is cold but not hostile.


    "I don''t expect blind obedience. But I do expect us to survive, and I think it''s necessary for someone to lead, and take responsibility."


    Lumen''s defiant, unimpressed look unsettles Seren slightly. He doesn''t argue further, but his expression speaks volumes.


    "I''m annoyed by him. It''s not like I asked for this either. Maybe I should just put a slight leash on him" she thinks.


    "How about showing us your Stigma, Lumen? It would be beneficial for each of us to know each other''s combat powers" Seren suggests, trying to sound as innocent as possible.


    "Why do I get the feeling I''m the only one who¡äs going to end up showing his Stigma?" Lumen muses.

 Sol Invictus

    They have gathered at the training ground, located northwest of the entry point. The area is expansive and well-equipped, designed to meet every training need.


    Wooden swords rest neatly on racks, ready for sparring. A practice range for archery stretches out to one side, complete with targets at varying distances. Separate fields are marked out for one-on-one duels, each offering enough space for combatants to move freely.


    Other sections of the ground feature dummies for precision strikes, obstacle courses to hone agility, and shaded benches for brief moments of rest.


    Seren stands with her arms crossed in front of Lumen, her icy blue eyes practically piercing through him.


    The other recruits have gathered in a semicircle around them, some curious, others tense. A few whisper quietly among themselves, but Seren and Lumen just ignore them.


    "Do I really have to do this?" Lumen asks, sounding quite reluctant.


    "Yes, you do," Seren replies sharply.


    "I don''t trust you. You act arrogant. Someone like you needs to learn early so you don''t disrupt the group dynamics or kill someone later."


    "Honestly, I''m just curious about his Stigma. Maybe I just got the wrong impression of him" she thinks.


    Lumen mutters, "I wasn''t even talking to you" and lets out a deep sigh.


    He pushes himself away from the wall and steps into the center of the semicircle. He stretches out his right hand, his posture still half-hearted. But as he closes his eyes, the atmosphere in the room changes abruptly.


    The air grows heavier, almost oppressive. An eerie shimmer spreads from Lumen''s hand, golden and pure as if the world itself were responding to his touch.


    The ground beneath the recruits'' feet seems to tremble slightly, and a divine light begins to flow from his Stigma ¨C his eyes glowing gold.


    The recruits instinctively hold their breath. Some take an involuntary step back, while Seren remains motionless, her eyes wide, unsure of what to expect.


    "He actually looks pretty cool," she thinks, immediately scolding herself for even letting the thought cross her mind.


    Ravyn''s gaze is fixed on Lumen''s hand, which glows unnaturally bright.


    The golden rays of light fill the area, reflecting off nearby buildings and giving Lumen an almost holy aura.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    He slowly opens his eyes. They shine with an intense gold that seems to pierce into the souls of everyone gathered.


    "Ready?" he asks with a hint of irony in his voice, before moving his hand slowly.


    The light grows more focused... brighter... more intense... and ¨C it''s a flashlight.


    A single, narrow beam of light emerges from his palm, just like the beam from an ordinary flashlight.


    The previously intense aura fades almost instantly, leaving only a modest light shining on the ground before him.


    A long, awkward silence follows. The recruits stare at him in disbelief. Seren blinks twice, as though she can''t believe what she''s seeing.


    Ravyn''s eyes display a hint of confusion.


    Lumen looks at the light in his hand and shrugs.


    "Well, that''s it," he says. "Not bad, right?"


    ~~~


    A few hours later, Lumen and Ravyn face each other on the training ground.


    Officer Samir instructed everyone to practice using only close combat techniques. The atmosphere between them is tense but not hostile. It''s a silent contest of strength, an unspoken test.


    Around them, the labored breaths of other recruits and the dull thuds of blows fill the air, but neither pays it any attention. Their focus is solely on each other.


    Ravyn finally makes the first move.


    He moves quickly, a straight punch with his right hand aimed directly at Lumen''s chin.


    Lumen dodges with minimal movement, his head barely turning, and the punch misses its mark.


    Ravyn immediately follows up, his left hand flying toward Lumen''s ribs. Lumen raises his forearm and blocks the strike, the impact reverberating dully through his body.


    Ravyn surges forward, a swift front kick aimed at Lumen''s chest. But Lumen raises his knee, deflecting the attack.


    Using the momentum, Ravyn spins and attempts an elbow strike ¨C but Lumen ducks under the attack.


    Suddenly, Ravyn changes tactics. He drops into a crouch, grabbing at Lumen''s front leg to pull him off balance.


    But Lumen jumps just in time, twisting in the air and landing at a safe distance.


    Ravyn seizes the opportunity to rush forward, attempting a hook, but Lumen catches his wrist and pushes it aside.


    Next, he suddenly pulls Lumen toward him, attempting to ram his shoulder into Lumen''s chest. Lumen stumbles back, but he doesn''t fall.


    Instead, he counters with a quick hip throw, sending Ravyn crashing to the ground.


    The other recruits pause for a moment as the sound of Ravyn''s impact echoes across the training ground.


    But Ravyn doesn''t stay down. In one fluid motion, he rolls to his feet and immediately goes back on the offensive, this time even more aggressively.


    A swift, precise kick targets Lumen''s knee, but Lumen leaps back. Ravyn uses the moment to swing another strike, narrowly missing Lumen''s cheek.


    It''s a dance of movement, dodges, and counters ¨C Lumen is passive, but every time Ravyn finds an opening, he suddenly seems too slow to capitalize on it.


    Then, a loud, shrill whistle cuts through the tense atmosphere on the training ground. All the recruits freeze, their movements halting.


    "That''s enough for today!" Samir''s voice rings out, sharp and clear.


    "As I see it, this quarter''s recruits have plenty of potential. But potential alone won''t save you. Learn from your defeats, use your mistakes ¨C or you won''t survive when it matters."


    The recruits exchange furtive glances, some lowering their heads, others exhaling in relief.


    Lumen stretches his arms lazily over his head, his breath steady and unhurried. Without a word, he extends a hand toward Ravyn.


    Ravyn hesitates, clearly puzzled, before awkwardly taking the offered hand. He doesn''t shake it, just holds it briefly, unsure of what to do.


    Their thoughts, however, couldn''t be more at odds.


    "Strange guy, but I have to admit, he fights well" Lumen muses.


    "This settles it. I''ll have to kill him" Ravyn thinks, his resolve hardening.

 Elyons Verdict

    The dining hall buzzes with life, a constant hum of clattering utensils, scraping chairs, and muffled conversations filling the air.


    Ravyn and Lumen sit at one of the corner tables, away from the thickest crowd. Their trays hold the standard fare: stew, a tough slice of bread, and lukewarm water.


    Lumen prods the unappealing stew with his fork, his expression blank.


    "You know staring at it won''t make it taste any better" Ravyn remarks without lifting his gaze.


    "I''m hoping it''ll evaporate if I wait long enough" Lumen mutters, resting his chin on one hand.


    He sighs and flicks the bread toward the edge of his tray, giving Ravyn a sideways glance.


    "Food shouldn''t taste like punishment."


    "Well, maybe it actually should," Ravyn says in an indifferent voice.


    For a moment, silence stretches between them, broken only by the backdrop of the dining hall''s noise. Then Ravyn sets his utensils aside, leans back slightly, and studies Lumen with his deep red eyes.


    "So," he begins, "your Stigma. What''s the real deal?"


    Lumen shrugs, his posture as lazy as his tone.


    "The light? You''ve seen it. Not much else to say."


    Ravyn raises an eyebrow.


    "Light that looks like it could summon the gods, only to end up as a glorified flashlight? There''s more to it, isn''t there?"


    Lumen picks up the bread again, only to toss it back onto the tray with a sigh.


    "My Stigma does more than shine like a torch. But I made a pact that forbids me from explaining. But I can say this much: its proper use is costly. Satisfied?"


    Ravyn leans back, his sharp gaze lingering for a moment before he replies quietly, "Not really."


    Without warning, Ravyn bolts upright, his chair clattering to the floor. A sudden, palpable tension hushes the noise of the dining hall.


    Lumen lifts his head, his glowing golden eyes narrowing as Ravyn raises his hand and activates his Stigma.


    A deep crimson aura erupts, shot through with inky black streaks, coiling around Ravyn like a living thing. From the aura, a massive, invisible blade begins to form, its presence almost tangible as the very air ripples with its energy.


    The atmosphere grows heavy, and oppressive, as though the air itself is being carved apart.


    "Ravyn, what¡ª?" Lumen starts, but the words are stuck in his throat.


    A small circle of dim light forms around Lumen. But he is too slow.


    The blade of essence lashes forward, faster than Lumen can react. A single, sharp slash ¨C and Lumen''s head rolls from his shoulders.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Blood sprays across the table, the floor, and even the ceiling as his body collapses. The dull brown stew on the table is drowned in vivid red.


    The dining hall freezes. Some recruits scream, while others stare in shock, their faces pale.


    Samir, the officer overseeing the recruits, bursts into the hall like a storm.


    "Recruit Ravyn, stand down immediately!" he commands, his voice echoing across the stunned room.


    In an instant, the weight around Ravyn increases tenfold. The floor beneath him groans under the sudden pressure.


    This is the power of Samir''s Stigma: Graviton.


    Despite the crushing force, Ravyn takes a step forward, his crimson essence blades resisting the gravitational pull and slicing through the air toward Samir.


    But just before they reach their target, sparks erupt in the air, stopping the blades mid-flight. In the next second, Ravyn is yanked off the ground and slammed into the ceiling with bone-jarring force.


    He twists mid-air, using the momentum to propel himself back down. This time, his blades aim directly for Samir''s throat.


    Samir reacts swiftly, summoning a shimmering green katana in his hand. The blade gleams with an otherworldly radiance, its craftsmanship betraying its status as a priceless artifact.


    The essence blades and the katana clash, their collision sending shockwaves through the room. A dense smoke cloud envelops both combatants.


    Samir steps back, emerging from the smoke unscathed. A faint golden shimmer pierces the smoke, followed by a brilliant flash that illuminates the entire hall.


    Kael''s Stigma: Aschebrand.


    As the smoke clears, a black sphere appears in the center of the room, pulsating ominously. It begins to dissolve, its remnants flowing like liquid onto the ground.


    Ravyn steps forward, "Annoying," he thinks, his essence blades now glowing a deeper, more intense red. In a flash, the blades teleport directly in front of Samir, leaving him barely any time to react.


    Two of the blades find their mark, slicing through Samir''s left arm and chest. Blood sprays as the other two are intercepted by the green katana.


    Samir grits his teeth, activating his Arkana: Singularity.


    The gravitational field intensifies exponentially, bending the very space around them. Tables and chairs shatter under the pressure. Civilians and soldiers without essence abilities are pinned to the ground, unable to move.


    Many recruits collapse to their knees, powerless against the overwhelming force.


    The air vibrates with raw energy, a deafening hum threatening to tear the room apart.


    Amid the chaos, Finn, a younger recruit, creates a shimmering blue barrier around himself and a few others from Ravyn''s former squad. His face is pale, but his determination doesn''t waver.


    Inside the barrier, Seren stands with her arms crossed, her icy blue eyes glowing faintly. The blue shimmer of the barrier shifts to a soft golden white, as though infused with sunlight''s essence.


    The golden light spreads gently, not harsh but warm, like a veil of shimmering dust suspended in the air.


    Finn feels renewed strength flowing through him, expanding the barrier to protect more recruits.


    "Elyon, I call upon your judgment!" Seren commands, her voice ringing with authority as she raises both arms and points them toward Ravyn.


    Her head throbs, an uncomfortable noise of voices echoing chaotically through her mind: "W-Weee d-demaand d-death by... the Holy Light of Aureth!"


    In the air, a massive, radiant circle forms, its intricate golden symbols glowing with ancient power. The inscriptions pulsate, alive with energy, filling the space with a presence that feels both majestic and inescapable.


    Ravyn, poised for his next attack, suddenly freezes. The combined weight of Samir''s gravity and Seren''s paralyzing Stigma leaves him nearly motionless.


    His essence blades flicker and fade as his body begins to falter under the immense strain. Every muscle burns, and his joints feel like they''re under the weight of the entire world.


    The oppressive energy fades into an eerie stillness. For a moment, Ravyn finds himself surrounded by a breathtaking scene: a vast, endless sky filled with golden and crimson stars.


    The silence is suffocating. He can''t move. He can''t breathe. It''s as though time itself has stopped.


    Suddenly, Kael''s Arkana ignites.


    An earth-shaking explosion tears through the room, blinding light consuming everything. The pressure shatters barriers, flings debris in all directions, and fills the air with fire and ash.


    The dining hall is plunged into chaos as the blast reverberates, leaving nothing but devastation in its wake.

 The Abyss

    The dining hall is in ruins. Shattered tables and splintered chairs are scattered across the floor, their remains mingling with dust and debris.


    In the center of the destruction stands a young man. His brown hair is tangled, his forehead slick with sweat, but his crimson eyes burn with an unwavering intensity.


    His left arm hangs limp, a bloodied and mangled wreck. Dark blood seeps through the torn fabric of his cloak, dripping steadily onto the ground, forming a small puddle that reflects his resolute face.


    Despite the pain, Ravyn stands tall, his posture a mix of pride and despair.


    His gaze sweeps across the scene.


    Kael is supporting Samir, whose face is marked by exhaustion. Samir''s chest rises and falls heavily, and even with Kael''s help, he seems barely able to stand. The strain of overusing his Stigma has nearly broken him. The oppressive gravity that once filled the room has faded.


    Seren lies motionless on the ground, her white-blond hair matted to her forehead. Her uniform is stained with blood and dust. Nearby, the brothers Kieran and Finn lie sprawled, their bodies exhausted but still breathing.


    Ravyn''s eyes linger on them for a brief moment before shifting to the shattered doorway and the dust-choked remains of the hall.


    A low, unnatural hum breaks the silence. The sound sharpens, cutting through the air and drawing all eyes back to Ravyn.


    It starts softly, a faint vibration, but quickly grows into a crackling, electrified noise, as though reality itself is straining under the weight of a certain presence.


    Dark shadows pour from Ravyn''s body, coiling like black smoke around him. They swirl in spiraling patterns, rising into the air before condensing into a dense mass above him.


    The hum reaches its crescendo, and then it happens. A rift tears open behind him, shimmering and pulsating with otherworldly energy. It''s a dark void, a gaping nothingness leaking the raw, oppressive essence of the Abyss into the world.


    The room''s temperature plummets instantly. Cold, clammy air spreads out in waves, and the breaths of the conscious survivors form small clouds in the freezing atmosphere.


    Kael pulls Samir closer, his expression shifting from exhaustion to alarm. His voice is barely audible as he murmurs, "A Void Breach¡­"


    Ravyn stands before the portal, his shadow stretching unnaturally toward the rift and merging with it. His crimson eyes glow brighter, reflecting the chaotic energy swirling around him. The power of the Abyss wraps around him like a dark mantle. He is holding something in his hands.


    He turns slightly, casting a final glance at the wreckage of the dining hall and its occupants. His gaze lingers on Seren and the lifeless body of Lumen for a moment longer.


    No words. No farewell.


    Ravyn takes a single step backward into the portal. The shadows envelop him, and with a thunderous, ear-splitting crack, the rift collapses in on itself.


    The echo of the blast reverberates through the room long after the portal closes. Silence returns, heavy and oppressive. Only the biting cold remains.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    ~~~


    The air around Ravyn shifts abruptly. It grows denser, heavier, and saturated with an invisible network of Essence that seems to permeate everything.


    He feels it immediately, his weakened body is regaining strength, his wounds dulling as a flood of energy courses through him. A wave of relief washes over him.


    He stands on a dark ledge, overlooking an endless expanse of shadow and light. The sky above pulses with a violent mix of crimson and black, split by golden cracks that ooze liquid fire. Streams of Essence pour from these fissures, cascading like molten rivers through the sky.


    Below him stretches a vast valley, nearly 100 meters deep and thousands of meters long. At its heart lies a village.


    Among the scattered, old-fashioned homes are towering spires of crystallized Essence, some reaching heights of 30 meters. Rivers of pure energy snake through the land, glowing brilliantly yet radiating a dangerous, untamed power.


    The Abyss feels disturbingly familiar. Its deep, constant hum fills the air, punctuated by distant screams and the sharp grinding of Essence reshaping itself. Shadows flit at the edges of his vision, forming vague shapes that watch him in silence.


    Ravyn begins his descent into the valley. A rough, artificial path provides footing as his boots echo against the jagged, dark terrain. Above him, the golden cracks in the sky radiate energy, filling him with a renewed sense of strength.


    ~~~


    Ravyn lies on a simple cot in the house of Sylvorn, the village elder. The room is small, its dark wooden walls intricately decorated with patterns of Essence crystals.


    The air is fragrant with a soothing blend of herbs and the faint, invigorating scent of fresh energy, a byproduct of Sylvorn''s Stigma.


    Ravyn''s body is relaxed, but his mind is a storm of turmoil. His left arm, mangled and bleeding in the battle, is slowly regenerating. The prickling sensation of Sylvorn''s magic is oddly comforting, a sharp contrast to the pain he endured earlier.


    "Ravyn, what have you done in the world of the humans?" Sylvorn''s voice is calm, almost fatherly, but beneath it lies a sharp edge that Ravyn cannot ignore.


    Ravyn opens his eyes, meeting the gaze of the silver-haired elder whose hair glows faintly in the room''s dim light.


    "I found someone," Ravyn begins, his voice quiet but steady. "A human who made a pact with Aureth."


    Sylvorn''s eyes widen slightly, but he lets Ravyn continue.


    "He couldn''t control his powers," Ravyn says, his tone laced with frustration. "He was weak¡­ but there were two, no, three warriors who opposed me."


    Sylvorn steps closer, placing a warm, calloused hand on Ravyn''s shoulder. The touch is soothing, but the words that follow are anything but.


    "It''s not your fault that you think this way, Ravyn. Perhaps I''m to blame for your disdain for humans. I failed to guide you properly."


    Ravyn frowns, confused by the elder''s sudden admission.


    "What are you saying, Sylvorn? You were the one who wanted me to go to the human world."


    "Yes," Sylvorn admits, a sorrowful smile crossing his lips. "But I wanted you to understand them, their culture, their ways, their strengths and flaws. I didn''t send you there to fight them. Your father¡­ he was wiser than I was."


    "My father¡­" Ravyn begins, but Sylvorn raises a hand, silencing him.


    "Listen to me, child," the elder says gently but firmly. "What''s done cannot be undone. But there''s still a chance to set things right. Rest, recover, and return to Earth."


    Ravyn''s eyes widen in shock. "What?"


    Sylvorn''s expression remains calm, but his gaze is piercing. "I want you to attend the Sanctum Arcanum Academy. While you were away, your sister sent me a message."


    "My¡­ sister?" Ravyn''s voice is barely above a whisper, disbelief, and curiosity mixing in his tone.


    "Yes," Sylvorn says with a solemn nod. "After the Void Breach, she was taken near the city of Arcanum. She has lived among humans for two years now. Unlike you, she cannot return so easily."


    Ravyn closes his eyes, the elder''s words striking him like a blow. The sister he thought lost is alive, living among the very people he despises. A surge of anger, sorrow, and hope swells within him.


    "If you want to see her again," Sylvorn continues, "go to the Academy. Find out what has become of her."


    Ravyn lies in silence, his thoughts a maelstrom. The scent of herbs, the tingling in his arm, and Sylvorn''s steady voice all fade into the background of his inner conflict. Yet, deep within, he knows Sylvorn is right.


    "The Academy¡­" Ravyn murmurs at last.

 Eye of the Storm

    The hallway outside the infirmary is steeped in tense silence, broken only by muffled sounds from within. The hurried footsteps of nurses and the faint beeping of medical equipment.


    Standing rigidly outside the entrance is a tall man, his perfectly tailored military uniform immaculate, every button polished and every crease sharp.


    His posture is impeccable, his presence commanding. General Marcus Veylith, known for his uncompromising discipline and iron will, towers over a much smaller officer at his side.


    The officer, a pale and wiry man with trembling hands, struggles visibly with his nerves. His voice wavers slightly as he speaks.


    "Sir Veylith, I assure you, we''re doing everything we can to find the attacker, even if it means turning the entire country upside down. I swear this on my life."


    Veylith''s icy gaze cuts through him, his piercing blue eyes seeming to measure the officer''s resolve.


    After a long moment, he nods curtly, but his voice remains cold, sharp as a blade.


    "Do what is necessary."


    The officer swallows hard, his body stiffening in a reflexive attempt to mask his fear. His legs quiver almost imperceptibly, but Veylith notices.


    The general turns his attention to the infirmary doors, where soft, sterile light spills into the dim hallway beyond.


    "It''s a miracle my daughter wasn''t harmed" Veylith mutters, his voice quieter now, almost as if speaking to himself.


    Then he turns back to the officer, who seems to shrink further under his scrutinizing gaze.


    "I want to speak with the head of this facility immediately" Veylith commands, his tone making it clear, that any argument would be futile.


    "The security standards here are unacceptable. A monster, an assassin, or whatever it was should never have been able to infiltrate one of our military or government buildings."


    The officer takes a step back, his nervous gaze darting toward the floor. He stammers slightly as he responds.


    "Sir Kael is still recovering in his quarters. Perhaps it would be better if we¡ª"


    "Bring him to my office immediately" Veylith cuts him off, his voice slicing through the air like a whip. There is no room for negotiation in his tone.


    The officer is afraid, his hand twitching into a salute despite the gesture not being required. He nods hastily.


    "Yes, sir," he murmurs before spinning on his heel and hurrying off, nearly colliding with a passing nurse in his haste.


    As he rushes to carry out Veylith''s orders, he mumbles under his breath, barely audible even to himself. "But technically, that''s my office¡­"


    ~~~


    Seren''s eyes flutter open, her lids heavy as lead. A harsh, sterile white light envelops her, forcing her to blink several times before the room comes into focus. It takes her a moment to realize she''s in the infirmary.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The sharp scent of medicine hangs unpleasantly in the air.


    She tries to sit up, but her body protests. Every muscle feels drained, weighed down by an invisible burden. Despite the exhaustion, she senses no injuries.


    A monitor on the wall flickers, and a calm, automated voice chimes in with an emotionless tone:


    "Your Essence reserves are depleted. You require 24 hours of bed rest. Physical activity is not advised."


    Seren ignores the warning. She doesn''t have time to rest.


    Clenching her teeth, she swings her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet meeting the cold floor. A wave of dizziness washes over her, but she forces herself to stand. Her steps are unsteady but purposeful as she leaves the sterile room and steps into the hallway.


    Fragments of the previous day blur through her mind.


    The attack... no, the execution of Lumen leaves her reeling.


    As she wanders the corridor, lost in thought, a nurse approaches her, startled to see her up.


    "Seren Veylith?" the nurse asks, her tone warm but cautious. "You should still be resting. But... your father is here. He''s waiting near the office."


    The mention of her father makes Seren freeze. A flood of emotions rushes through her, anger and uncertainty.


    She hesitates. Should she speak with him?


    Her memories drift back to her childhood. He was a relentless teacher, a man who demanded strength above all else. He taught her that the world was harsh and that weakness had no place in it.


    But there was more to it. She vividly remembers the day he dragged her into an Essence Storm when she was just sixteen, forcing her to awaken.


    ~~~


    The Essence Storm rages like an unbridled force of nature. Bolts of raw energy crackle through the air and the deafening roar of screaming Essence drowns out all other sounds.


    The shopping mall, once a bustling hub, is now a broken shell, shattered glass windows, tattered banners, and shelves flung about by an unseen force.


    Seren cries, tears streaming freely down her face as she struggles to free herself from her father''s iron grip. But his hold is unyielding, dragging her closer to the storm''s epicenter, where the Essence swirls most violently.


    "You can do this, Seren!" he shouts over the chaos, his voice firm yet carrying a hint of concern. "This is the moment you''ve been preparing for! Feel the Essence¡ªlet it in!"


    All Seren feels is the overwhelming chaos. A foreign, unbearable force invades her body, tearing through her being.


    She screams, desperate to flee, but her father''s grip holds her in place. In that moment, she feels like a child again, lost in the vast, shattered ruins of the mall.


    The storm engulfs her, pulling her mind into its vortex.


    And then, silence.


    The mall is gone. The world around her shifts into something alien. She floats in an endless void, surrounded by a sky speckled with glimmering white lights.


    There is no ground, no horizon, only emptiness. Yet she doesn''t fall. She drifts, weightless, directionless.


    Before her, a light emerges. It grows, radiant and golden, forming a circle that pulses with divine energy. A hand of pure light reaches out from the circle towards her.


    Its movements are slow, and inviting. Her instincts scream at her to recoil, to avoid touching the hand but the overwhelming sense of divine authority compels her.


    Trembling, she raises her own hand and touches the light.


    A blinding flash envelops her. She is sightless, trapped in an endless glow.


    Then the world around her shifts again, morphing into a boundless white expanse. There are no walls, no floor, no ceiling, only an infinite, radiant whiteness.


    Floating before her are ancient symbols, intricate and alien, like the carvings of a long-lost civilization. Though she doesn''t know the language, the meaning of the words becomes clear in her mind:


    "In the darkest night and brightest light,


    Arise, chosen one, in divine judgment''s sight.


    One wields darkness, the other shines bright,


    Two paths, one goal, two powers, one cost,


    A bond that ignites when balance is lost."


    Seren reads the words, a shiver coursing through her entire being. The story they tell feels as though it is part of her, woven into her very existence.


    It terrifies her, yet in that moment, she feels whole. The words bring an inexplicable sense of comfort.


    Then the symbols vanish, dissolving into the void. In their place, a single word appears, burning red and alive with energy.


    "Fight!"

 Gods Trial

    Seren stands in the blinding white void, surrounded by an oppressive presence that feels intangible yet suffocating.


    "This room... it does not feel like someplace on earth or the Abyss. It is hard to grasp the true size of this place, it feels disconnected from space and time" Seren thinks, confused.


    Before her hovers the same white hand that had reached for her earlier.


    The air feels heavy, though there''s no wind, no sound to break the silence. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she struggles to steady herself.


    The command to fight has vanished, and now the edges of the infinite white space begin to ripple and distort.


    "My name is Aureth. I am the Sun God."


    Seren suddenly feels the presence of something foreign within her body.


    "For the trial to come, I grant you my mighty Stigma, Sol Invictus."


    The presence of the Stigma burns within her, its power undeniable, but so too is the burden that accompanies it.


    Before she can process the sensation, a creature begins to form from nothing.


    It isn''t large, but it is horrifying, a malformed shadow with glowing eyes fixed intently on Seren.


    The sight makes her recoil, but she clenches her fists and steps forward.


    The creature attacks. Seren moves instinctively, dodging with precision, her body reacting faster than her thoughts. She strikes with all her strength, landing a solid blow that sends the creature reeling with a pained growl.


    Even without fully utilizing the Stigma, Seren feels stronger than ever before. Her body hums with energy, unshackled and alive.


    The creature rises and leaps toward her. Seren ducks beneath it and counters with a sharp kick to its stomach.


    The first creature dissolves into a cloud of dark mist, but almost immediately, two more appear. Their movements are faster, and their attacks are coordinated.


    Seren dives to the side, narrowly avoiding one of their strikes, but pain sears through her as a claw rips through her infirmary clothes, grazing her side.


    Biting back a cry, she retaliates, striking one of the monsters down.


    "This won''t be enough," a deep, commanding voice echoes through the space.


    It''s the voice of the self-proclaimed Sun God.


    "You can fight, but you won''t last. Accept my gift, child. Call upon my power."


    "I don''t need it!" Seren shouts, her fists trembling as she steadies herself.


    "I can do this on my own!"


    The space shifts again. The shadows thicken, solidifying into grotesque, hulking creatures with claws that spark against the air.


    These monsters are faster, stronger, and just overwhelming. Seren fights desperately, but every strike drains her of stamina.


    A monster slams her to the ground, the air knocked from her lungs. She forces herself to her feet, but the darkness around her threatens to swallow her whole.


    "Call my power" the voice urges again, insistent.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Despair rises within her. One of the monsters charges, its jaws aimed at her neck.


    Time seems to slow. But Seren makes a decision.


    Unimaginable energy floods her body. Her left eye burns, the pain so intense it almost drops her to her knees.


    Her vision narrows, but in her remaining eye, everything sharpens.


    She feels the Stigma awakening within her. With a primal scream, she unleashes a devastating beam of light, obliterating the monsters in an instant.


    But the power leaves her hollow, an unbearable emptiness filling the void.


    "You''ve passed" the voice declares, triumphant.


    Yet, despite the words, the space distorts once more. From the darkness emerges an even larger monstrosity, a towering, grotesque abomination with glowing eyes like twin moons.


    "More" the God''s voice demands, relentless.


    Seren collapses to the ground, her body trembling, sweat and tears streaming down her face. Her vision blurs and every breath feels like fire in her chest.


    The massive creature looms over her, moving with the confidence of a predator certain of its prey.


    But Seren refuses to surrender. With trembling arms, she pushes herself up, her body barely holding under its own weight.


    The borrowed Stigma, Sol Invictus, flickers weakly within her, the golden seals around her body trembling as if on the verge of shattering.


    The monster rises on its hind legs, its claws slashing the air with deafening force. The white void trembles under the weight of its roar, and waves of darkness ripple outward, threatening to consume everything.


    "I won''t give up" Seren whispers, her voice hoarse but resolute.


    "Not now."


    A golden light erupts from her chest, brighter than before. The seals coalesce into a blazing sword in her right hand.


    Summoning every ounce of her remaining strength, Seren charges.


    The monster swipes, its claws tearing through the air. Seren sidesteps and swings her radiant blade, slicing deep into its leg. The creature reels, narrowly avoiding decapitation.


    Black blood sprays everywhere, and the monster howls in pain.


    It retaliates, slamming a massive claw into Seren, sending her hurtling across the space. She crashes to the ground, motionless for a moment.


    Pain wracks her body, but she forces herself to rise.


    "It''s not over yet," she thinks, her eyes burning with determination.


    Golden seals flare to life, forming a radiant barrier beneath her feet that lifts her into the air, deflecting the monster''s next attack.


    Light and darkness collide in a moment of equilibrium, but Seren knows it''s only a reprieve.


    The monster is too powerful, and her strength is fading. Her heart pounds like a drum, and the God''s words echo in her mind.


    Seren looks at the luminous blade in her hand. Her fingers tremble, her lips quiver, but this time, she doesn''t hesitate.


    "Sol Invictus!"


    A surge of power engulfs her, burning through her like a wildfire. Her left hand begins to dissolve, the energy siphoning from her arm.


    "This is the burden of a divine Stigma, child" Aureth''s voice mocks her.


    The pain is excruciating, but Seren endures.


    The Stigma fully manifests, forming an immense weapon in her right hand¡ªa glowing, majestic blade of pure light.


    The monster rears back, preparing its final attack.


    With a piercing cry, Seren hurls the blade into the creature''s heart.


    A deafening explosion shakes the void as light consumes the darkness.


    "Did I do it?" Seren thinks hopefully, but deep down she knows it''s far from over.


    When the dust settles, Seren sees another, even more terrifying creature emerge from the void.


    Each time, she''s forced to sacrifice more, her vision, her limbs, she gains more power. But the enemies keep on coming, they seem endless.


    By the end, she is left broken, blind, and unable to stand.


    Lying on the ground, she curses the God and herself for her weakness.


    "Just why?" she thinks desperately.


    The next monsters keep getting bigger and stronger, but what does this even mean? In a room where one loses the feeling of time and space itself.


    Finally, she realizes the truth: this isn''t real.


    "It''s all an illusion" she first whispers, then yells.


    The monster strikes, but its claws pass through her as though she''s made of air.


    The void shatters like glass, and the monsters vanish.


    Aureth''s cold laughter echoes through the space.


    "What a pity, I would''ve enjoyed seeing what you''d sacrifice next."


    For him, it was all a game, a cruel distraction.


    Seren kneels on the ground, trembling, her body restored but her spirit broken.


    "You''ve earned my gift," Aureth says mockingly. "Take Sol Invictus, a mighty Stigma with unparalleled power."


    Seren''s voice wavers. "I don''t want it. I just... want to go home."


    "Don''t be sad, child. You will need a Stigma in order to survive. You must know that." Aureth says, his tone feigning sympathy.


    "I just want to help you, and it is your destiny to receive my blessing," he says.


    "Perhaps you''d prefer Elyon, a Stigma for judgment, I think it is befitting of you, no sacrifices required. There are just minimal conditions, but who cares about that? Just hold my hand, and the power will be yours."


    Too exhausted to argue, Seren nods weakly and grabs his hand. She just wants to leave.


    A golden light envelops her, but it brings no joy.


    The God''s words linger, filling her with unease as the light fades.


    Moments later, Seren is back in the shattered mall.

 Across Tenebris

    Ravyn has been wandering through the Abyss for around a week. Above him stretches an endless sky, a pulsating chaos of red and black patterns that ripple hypnotically in ever-shifting waves.


    Massive golden cracks streak across the sky, emitting shimmering light and pouring Essence into the dark world below. The surreal brightness provides illumination, but it unsettles more than it comforts.


    Occasionally, flying monsters pass overhead. They resemble skeletal dragons, their black-scaled bodies adorned with hollow, glowing red eyes. Their slim frames and expansive wings make them agile and swift.


    Often, they travel in swarms, their shifting silhouettes like writhing clouds. Individually, they''re not too dangerous, but a single moment of carelessness can spell disaster when they attack in groups.


    Ravyn watches as one such swarm slips through a Void Breach, a gateway connecting the Abyss to Earth. A familiar weight settles in his chest as he imagines the devastation on the other side.


    The drive to find his lost sister, Aris, keeps him moving forward through the desolate landscape.


    In his satchel, he carries a map given to him by Sylvorn, the village elder. It charts several Void Breaches that connect the Abyss to Earth.


    Most lead to uninhabited regions, oceans, or deserts, but Ravyn searches for one that will take him directly to Europe and to Sanctum Arcanum, the academy. The institution is not only a bastion of traditional learning but also a center for mastering Essence, Stigmata, and Arkana.


    The Abyss functions as a compressed mirror of Earth, where distances are significantly shorter but the journey is far more dangerous and exhausting due to its terrain and the relentless presence of monstrous creatures.


    The map in his hand feels like both a comfort and a curse. Sylvorn had told him of Europe''s fractured state: tectonic shifts in recent decades had shattered it into pieces, separated by vast seas.


    Choosing the wrong Void Breach could leave Ravyn stranded in the waters dividing the broken regions of Europe, a fate as bad as any he could face in the Abyss.


    The story reminds him of the Abyss itself, a realm of unpredictable waters and scattered islands.


    The sole exception is the central region of Tenebris, a landmass the size of a continent, through which Ravyn now travels.


    ~~~


    Ravyn sits by a small campfire in the middle of a dense forest.


    The trees stretch 50 meters into the air, their massive canopies providing some protection from airborne predators. The fire is intentionally kept small to avoid drawing unwanted attention.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Though born in the Abyss, Ravyn is biologically human, a fact that makes him unwelcome among its native inhabitants.


    He works methodically, carving a blade from the horn of a red dragon. This same horn had once been his tool for creating a temporary Void Breach.


    "Just what does Aureth hope, by contracting with someone like Lumen? He was lazy and probably too scared to even use his power."


    The fire crackles softly in the background, a rare comfort in the oppressive landscape.


    The powerful energy that had once coursed through the horn has faded. Now, Ravyn plans to repurpose it into a gift for his sister.


    "I hope Aris is well, it''s just like her to disappear and then pop up in some academy on earth.. haha."


    Ravyn softly smiles, something he probably hasn''t done once, since his sister disappeared. He finally has hope and something he can look forward to.


    He knows the journey across the Abyss to reach the right Void Breach will be long and dangerous.


    ~~~


    As Ravyn continues his journey, leaving the forest behind, the atmosphere shifts. The air grows colder, the sky darker. Shadows along the ground seem to writhe as if alive.


    A sense of unease crawls through his body, and he stops abruptly.


    From the darkness, something emerges.


    "A Shadow Hound¡­" Ravyn murmurs, his voice barely above a whisper.


    A dense fog coalesces into a massive silhouette. The creature towers before him, nearly his height. Its black-brown fur ripples like living darkness and its gleaming white fangs catch the faint, eerie light.


    Two hollow, obsidian eyes lock onto Ravyn, reflecting his face as if mocking him.


    The beast wastes no time. With a guttural snarl, it charges, covering the twenty-meter distance in an instant.


    Ravyn reacts instinctively, leaping to the side in a fluid motion.


    The Shadow Hound lands gracefully, its claws digging into the ground. Dark dust billows into the air, carrying the Abyss''s damp, decaying scent.


    Ravyn quickly creates space between himself and the creature. His fingers tingle as he activates one of his Stigmata.


    Absolute Void, a power he has yet to fully master.


    Dark sparks flicker around him, and twin short swords materialize in his hands, their edges glowing with the same fiery red-black hue as his eyes. The blades crackle, their shadows spitting sparks into the air.


    The Shadow Hound doesn''t hesitate. With a primal growl, it charges again.


    This time, Ravyn surges forward, adrenaline sharpening his movements. He ducks under the beast''s massive frame, his swords slashing across its belly.


    Thick, green liquid sprays onto the ground, leaving a sizzling trail where it lands.


    The enemy lets out a blood-curdling howl but doesn''t stop. Ravyn quickly realizes it''s preparing for a final, desperate attack, an attempt to take him down along with it.


    Without a moment''s pause, Ravyn drops one of his swords and morphs it into a bow. In a single fluid motion, he notches an arrow made of pure Essence.


    The arrow glows ominously, its tip burning with searing intensity. He draws back, aiming for the creature''s head.


    Time seems to stretch.


    The Shadow Hound barrels toward him, its jaws wide, ready to crush him.


    Ravyn releases the arrow.


    It streaks through the air like a comet, piercing the hound''s skull and detonating in an eruption of black flames.


    The beast''s head explodes, its body collapsing. Its weird blood seeps into the ground.


    Ravyn stands still, his chest heaving. He looks towards the horizon, where the landscape stretches endlessly.


    The Abyss offers no mercy, but he doesn''t expect any.


    His goal lies ahead, and he will reach it, no matter how long it takes or what dangers lie ahead.

 The Ceremony

    The hall is packed to the brim. A crowd of about 300 recruits and soldiers fills the large and stuffy room.


    The air is heavy with sweat, excited murmurs, and the electrifying tension of an upcoming grand ceremony.


    Bright spotlights from the ceiling cast cold, relentless light on the scene, with a single beam focused on the girl standing in the center of the stage.


    Seren Veylith strides forward with determination. Her white blonde hair reflects the light like a shimmering halo, and her icy blue eyes observe the crowd.


    The audience stares at the stage, some with admiration, others with envy.


    Seren is not just any recruit, she is the daughter of General Marcus Veylith and the face of a new propaganda campaign celebrating her bravery and valor.


    The stage itself is minimalistic, a simple podium flanked by Kael and Samir in impeccable military uniforms, while other officers and soldiers in ceremonial attire stand stiffly in the background.


    Their postures are rigid, their expressions stern. But no one pays them any attention. All eyes are on Seren.


    Despite her confident steps and upright posture, Seren feels like she has butterflies in her stomach. And they are not from excitement but from nerves.


    Before her stands a microphone, behind her looms the expectations of her father. Around her, the crowd waits for her every word and gesture.


    She steps up to the microphone. Her lips part, but for a moment, she hesitates. Her gaze sweeps across the audience.


    She sees faces filled with anticipation, curiosity, and blank indifference.


    Most of them didn''t know Lumen, yet they had gathered to celebrate the supposed hero who "fought a demon from the Abyss" - a story her father had carefully orchestrated.


    Seren swallows hard and begins to speak. Her voice is clear, but she feels as though she is listening to herself from the outside.


    "Lumen Eldareth was one of us. A recruit. A fighter. His life was taken from us far too soon."The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    She pauses briefly, taking a deep breath before continuing.


    "He gave his life to protect our land. To protect us. His sacrifice will never be forgotten."


    Her words echo through the hall, and the audience falls into a reverent silence. Seren feels her chest tighten as if constricted. She knows her words do not reflect the truth.


    Lumen didn''t sacrifice himself. He was murdered in cold blood by Ravyn.


    "His courage and strength will continue to inspire us. May his light live on within us all."


    With a final, determined look, she steps back from the microphone. Loud applause erupts, but Seren barely hears it.


    Her heart pounds loudly in her chest, her thoughts are a chaotic swirl. She leaves the stage, weaving her way through the crowd.


    After some time, she reaches her goal: Two blond brothers, Kieran and Finn, stand at the edge of the gathering and greet her with a nod. Since the incident two weeks ago, they have grown close.


    Their bond is more than camaraderie, it''s a quiet alliance that provides Seren with a sense of stability.


    Kieran, the more outgoing of the two, pats her lightly on the shoulder. "You did great, Seren," he says with a broad grin.


    Finn nods in agreement, his expression more serious than his brother''s. "You were amazing," he says, sounding honestly impressed.


    Seren forces a smile, though inside, she feels torn apart. She knows she cannot show her true emotions to the brothers.


    "Be honest with us" Kieran suddenly says, leaning in slightly.


    "We won''t tell anyone. Did you like Lumen?"


    Seren freezes, her carefully maintained mask slipping for a brief moment. She opens her mouth to respond, but the words stick in her throat.


    Finally, she forces herself to remain composed, her next words should be cool and firm.


    "What? No!" she says, her voice higher than intended.


    "Lumen was arrogant, disobedient, and lazy. It was only a matter of time before he would have died in battle. Maybe even before that, while annoying me..."


    Nearby heads turn toward them. Seren notices the curious glances and feels her cheeks flush with heat.


    Speaking ill of Lumen, especially at a ceremony honoring him, draws unwanted attention.


    Before anyone can react tho, the lights dim. The harsh stage spotlight shifts to her father, Marcus Veylith, as he strides onto the stage with a commanding presence.


    The crowd falls silent, almost hypnotized, as the general begins to speak in his deep, authoritative voice.


    Seren tries to focus on his words, but her thoughts drift. She feels something wet slide down her cheek.


    She quickly wipes it away before anyone notices. Her facade cannot crack, not here, not now.


    Kieran and Finn are too absorbed in her father''s speech to notice her moment of vulnerability.


    They stand at attention, their eyes fixed on the stage, as Marcus Veylith captivates the audience with his flawless rhetoric.


    But Seren doesn''t listen. Inside her, another fire burns. Her Stigma, Elyon, demands judgment, Ravyn must be punished.


    The verdict reverberates in her mind: Burn Ravyn with the holy light of Aureth.


    She clenches her fists, her nails digging into her palms.


    Seren wants to bring Lumen''s killer to justice.


    "I will find and kill you, Ravyn," she thinks, as her father''s words fade into distant echoes.


    "I swear it on my life."

 Bloody Fight

    The dry wind carries fine red dust through the air.


    The training ground is silent, except for the exhausted breathing of the recruits, who stand at a safe distance, watching the spectacle unfold. It is the first training fight, in which Stigmata are allowed.


    Two figures face each other: Seren and Nico.


    Nico, a year older than Seren, is a towering presence. His muscular frame, the sharp scar running from his right cheek down to his neck, and the fierce determination in his eyes make him an intimidating opponent.


    Nico raises a blood smeared hand, and the ground beneath Seren begins to tremble. Sharp, gleaming spikes of blood shoot up from the earth with deadly precision, aiming directly for her.


    She dodges effortlessly, as though she can predict each attack.


    Her movements are fluid, almost like a dance.


    A massive blood arrow whizzes past her, missing her by a hair''s breadth, and it just so happens to crash into the quarters of General Marcus Veylith. The loud crack of splintering wood and the rising plume of smoke immediately draw the general''s attention.


    He now stands at the edge of the training ground, his presence as chilling as an icy wind. His eyes are cold blades, his expression as unmoving as stone.


    Nico and the other recruits are stunned, their jaws practically on the ground. Striking the general''s quarters is tantamount to signing one''s own death warrant.


    But Nico can''t afford to lose focus. Every second counts.


    Seren uses this brief moment of distraction to close the distance between them.


    Nico, however, has other plans. With a sharp inhale, he summons another attack from his blood.


    Scarlet droplets hang in the air and coalesce into fresh spikes that erupt in front of Seren, forcing her back. He''s determined to keep her at bay, no matter the cost.


    Sweat drips down his forehead. Blood trickles slowly from his nose, staining the dirt beneath him.


    Samir, observing the fight from the sidelines, narrows his eyes.


    "That''s enough" he calls out, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. "This match is over. It''s a draw."Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "No!" Nico''s voice is sharp and defiant.


    "I won''t accept that!"


    The spectators murmur among themselves, but their eyes remain glued to the two combatants.


    Seren remains silent, though her gaze makes it clear she isn''t backing down. Nico is resolute.


    His pride won''t let him retreat, especially not when Seren hasn''t even used her Stigma.


    The atmosphere shifts. The blood scattered across the ground begins to rise, drop by drop, gathering into a massive, liquid orb hovering two meters above the ground. The crimson mass pulsates ominously, absorbing more droplets from Nico, who is rapidly loosing blood, as if it''s feeding.


    Seren sees her chance. Nico is entirely focused on his attack, and she knows this is the moment to close the gap.


    With a sharp breath, she tenses her muscles and sprints forward. The thirty meters between them vanish faster than most can comprehend.


    Her movements are precise, every step a calculated strike. She grips her wooden sword tightly, aiming for Nico''s shoulder as she winds up for the attack.


    But just as she nears, the blood orb surges upward, forming a protective barrier in front of Nico. The ground beneath Seren tears open, and a blood spike shoots up directly in her path.


    Seren leaps, her instincts sharp and her movements graceful.


    She uses the rising spike as a springboard, launching herself into the air. With a fluid motion, she throws her wooden sword at Nico.


    The sword strikes its target with a dull thud that reverberates across the training ground. Nico''s eyes widen as the weapon slams into his chest.


    He stumbles back slightly, and a piercing whistle cuts through the air, the signal that the fight is over.


    The spectators break into applause as Nico stands up again, breathing heavily.


    Seren lands beside him, her foot throbbing in pain, but her expression is triumphant without a hint of arrogance.


    She approaches Nico and extends her hand.


    "Good fight" she says, her voice calm and respectful.


    Nico hesitates for a moment before taking her hand.


    "Good fight" he mutters, his pride clearly hurt but not broken.


    Samir, who has been watching the entire match, steps closer. His gaze is one of approval. Seren has won the fight without using her Stigma, demonstrating an exceptional level of skill.


    Her ability to channel Essence deliberately, enhancing her body with precision, sets her apart from the other recruits.


    Most of them use Essence instinctively, without finesse or control. Seren, however, had funneled Essence into her thighs during the final moments of the match, allowing her to leap higher than anyone expected.


    Samir''s attention shifts to Marcus Veylith, still standing at the edge of the training ground. But before Samir can say anything, the general turns and walks away.


    This surprises Samir. He had expected the general to punish Nico after the attack on his quarters. But nothing happens.


    Samir frowns.


    Perhaps it''s because the quarters technically don''t belong to the general.


    Marcus Veylith is usually stationed in southeastern Europe, where the situation grows increasingly dire. The coastal regions are heavily affected by Void Breaches.


    Rumors circulate that the government is planning to evacuate civilians to the north and abandon the southeast entirely.


    Samir understands the strategy. It''s easier to concentrate the remaining forces in a central location than to defend an entire continent.


    But what will happen to those left behind?


    His gaze returns to Seren, now speaking with Nico and the other recruits. Her confidence and determination are remarkable, but Samir wonders if she fully understands the weight of the responsibility she carries.


    The dust on the training ground slowly settles, and the crowd begins to disperse.

 First Deployment

    Loud sirens blare across the expansive military base, a relentless alarm signaling the impending danger.


    The air is heavy with tension, yet no chaos erupts. Instead, clear, authoritative commands ring out, as officers and soldiers methodically assume their positions.


    Seren stands with Finn, Kiaran, and Nico among a group of twenty recruits. They''ve gathered before Officer Samir, whose commanding presence keeps everything under control.


    She watches as the others fall into formation, some nervous, others calm, but all determined to live up to their training.


    Across the square, Officer Kael barks orders to another company.


    His voice is loud, piercing, and precise, prompting his soldiers to respond with swift, coordinated movements.


    Seren glances over and spots her father, General Marcus Veylith, observing the proceedings from a distance.


    His hands are clasped behind his back, his sharp eyes meticulously scanning the troops. His now permanent stationing here has transformed the entire base into a critical hub for the war against the Abyss, an unmistakable symbol of its strategic importance.


    Officer Samir raises his voice to focus the group''s attention.


    "For some of you, this may be your first deployment. Others have already experienced one or more. Stay vigilant regardless. The rescue of civilians is our top priority."


    His tone carries cool determination. It''s clear he''s delivered this speech countless times, yet it hasn''t lost its edge.


    Seren notices Finn casting a sidelong glance at the other recruits, many of whom appear visibly shaken by Samir''s words.


    People without the ability to wield Essence but who possess an Essence Core are sent into dangerous Essence Storms, hoping they''ll absorb the excess energy and survive the Voidfire to awaken their powers.


    Officially, they''re called Spark Initiates, but most dismissively refer to them as cannon fodder.


    Being a Spark Initiate is like playing a deadly lottery. The reward of awakening as a Sparkbearer and potentially climbing further up the ranks is tempting.


    Yet the constant dread of being sent into an Essence Storm takes a psychological toll on many. Failure to survive the Voidfire means death and a potential Void Breach.


    "Prepare to move out!" Samir calls, breaking the brief silence that followed his speech.


    The group is divided among three armored military vehicles, imposing machines that showcase cutting-edge Essence technology.Stolen story; please report.


    The vehicles shine in a dark green, sunlight reflecting on their armor plates made from the tough scales of Abyssal reptiles, creatures with no natural equivalent in terms of danger on Earth.


    Earth''s resource shortages made humans creative in terms of weapon design. There is also the benefit of otherworldly armor being much more resistant, and also leaving the possibility for enchantments.


    As the troops board the vehicles, the activity outside quiets. Inside, the space is cramped and dim.


    Seren sits beside Finn, who stares silently ahead, while Kiaran chuckles at a joke Nico made. Despite the tension, Kiaran seems to have a knack for lightening the mood.


    Still, Seren can''t shake the growing unease creeping into her thoughts.


    Through the window, she watches the city blur past. Skyscrapers pierce the sky, and their glass facades are shiny, as they reflect the sunlight.


    One building stands out, a massive structure rising over a thousand meters, its illuminated "EU" logo and iconic twelve golden stars are a beacon of unity and hope, at least for most people.


    It''s the heart of the European Union, a testament to a strong government still standing against the ever-increasing threats.


    Her thoughts are interrupted when she feels it, a subtle yet oppressive presence vibrating through the air. The other recruits soon react, their nervous energy palpable. The Essence Storm is close.


    The armored vehicle wheels come to a halt, and the hiss of hydraulic doors slice through the tense silence.


    "Ready?" Kiaran asks, checking his weapon, while Finn forms a shimmering blue barrier around his hand, bracing for the worst.


    "It''s just a Category 1. I''ve seen worse" Nico mutters, though his voice betrays a hint of uncertainty.


    The doors fully open, and harsh sunlight floods the vehicle''s interior. Seren instinctively raises a hand to shield her eyes as she steps outside. The scene before her is one of devastation.


    The marketplace, once bustling with life, is now a battleground, rubble, overturned stalls, and scattered goods litter the ground.


    "Move out!" Kael''s commanding voice cuts through the chaos of the Essence Storm, as well as the faint howl of the wind.


    Seren, Finn, Kiaran, and Nico form a team. Seren leads them with a confident stride, her sword, Aurethium, resting lightly in her hand.


    The blade is an artifact of remarkable craftsmanship, originally belonging to her father. Forged from a gleaming silver-like metal, it looks like its molten light while the sun is shining.


    Its slim, elegant design is adorned with engravings that tell tales of a lost era filled with myths and legends.


    At the heart of its guard lies a flawless ruby red crystal, an Essence Crystal, glowing with stored energy, ready to empower its wielder at a moment''s notice.


    Essence Crystals are the product of research aimed at harnessing the energy of Essence Storms for practical use.


    However, the technology is flawed: the energy required to trigger an awakening cannot be contained in simple crystals. Which in return means, Essence Storms carry far too much power.


    The energy needed to create a Void Breach varies greatly, meaning that even with a swift military response, a breach can still occur if enough energy converges fast enough, or if every Spark Initiate fails in his mission.


    Her heart pounds faster, but she pushes the fear aside. The mission is classified as training, but she knows the danger is very real.


    "Our objective is simple," she says. "Find civilians and bring them back alive."


    Finn glances at her sword. Seren Veylith, someone with full name and noble lineage, it doesn''t even surprise him that she owns such a refined weapon.


    Kiaran waves his hand over his teammates'' equipment, they begin to glow faintly. The weapons feel sharper, deadlier.


    With that, the preparations are complete. The mission begins.

 Screams of Despair

    Warning: This chapter contains graphic scenes that may be disturbing to some readers.


    The Essence Storm rages like a wild beast across the marketplace, whipping debris and dust into the air.


    The shattered market stalls tell a story of frantic escape, of lives torn apart in an instant.


    Seren and her team push through the storm, their eyes scanning, their steps resolute.


    The cries of civilians have faded, replaced by the oppressive roar and hiss of the storm, a constant noise that makes communication nearly impossible.


    "Do you think the military can get this under control?" Finn''s voice wavers slightly, barely audible over the chaos.


    "Of course" Nico replies, puffing out his chest with confidence.


    "This is my third Essence Storm, after all. A Category 1 storm like this is are more like training than a real threat."


    Finn nods, somewhat reassured. But Seren remains alert, her icy blue eyes scrutinizing their surroundings.


    "As long as we stay out of the center and don''t do anything reckless, we should be¡ª"


    A loud scream interrupts Nico''s words, cutting through the storm like a blade.


    Seren snaps her head toward the sound.


    "That scream... it sounds like a child" Kiaran says, his voice stained with worry.


    A second scream follows, weaker and choked with desperation. Kiaran points to a pile of debris, splintered wooden beams, torn fabric, and crushed crates.


    "Over there!"


    Seren moves before anyone else. Her legs propel her forward instinctively, her resolve clear. She cuts through the storm with precision and focus. Her strides are quick, but she remains vigilant.


    Wooden shards fly through the air like projectiles, but Seren moves like a swordswoman, evading every obstacle.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Do you hear that?" Finn''s voice cuts through the howling wind.


    "It''s getting worse..." Kiaran says.


    Seren glances back briefly. "We''ll get the child, find his family, and get out."


    The others nod, their faces set with determination. A faint whimper emerges from the sounds of chaos. Seren follows that sound.


    A young girl crouches beside a shattered crate, her knees drawn up, her face streaked with tears.


    Her tangled hair clings to her forehead, and her wide eyes grow even larger as Seren and her team approach.


    "What''s your name?" Nico asks, his voice unusually gentle.


    "M-Mara" the girl stammers, trembling.


    "Where''s your family, Mara? Where are your parents?" Seren asks.


    "Papa isn''t home.. and... and my mom is sleeping over there."


    A small finger points toward a massive wooden beam buried under the rubble of a large food stall.


    Nico''s face hardens, but his tone remains soft. "Don''t worry, we''ll get your mother."


    Seren approaches the beam cautiously. Her eyes catch on an arm sticking out from beneath the debris.


    The fingers are bloodied, but the skin still feels warm. A flicker of hope ignites in Seren.


    "Can you hear me?" she calls, tugging gently on the arm.


    But to her horror, the arm gives away without any resistance. With a sickening sound, it tears away from the body.


    A fountain of blood sprays across Seren''s face and uniform.


    She freezes, staring at the severed limb in her hand.


    "No... no, this can''t be..." she whispers, her voice breaking.


    Her knees buckle, and she collapses to the ground, still clutching the arm. Kiaran and Finn rush to her side, their faces a mix of shock and sympathy.


    Seren lifts her gaze, unable to accept the scene before her. She grabs the massive wooden beam and lifts it with all the strength her Essence enhanced body can muster.


    Beneath the beam lies the mangled corpse of a woman. Her face is obscured by blood and dirt, her spine grotesquely twisted and exposed.


    The blood stains on Seren''s uniform grow darker as she continues to hold the woman''s severed arm in her left hand.


    Her eyes are fixed on the woman''s hand. A ring shines faintly on her finger, etched with the initials "L.V."


    Seren hesitates, then removes the ring. Her trembling fingers close around the piece of jewelry, which feels unbearably heavy.


    "Seren... we have to go" Kiaran says quietly, his hand resting on her shoulder.


    Seren rises slowly, her movements mechanical.


    "I know..." she whispers, her voice hollow. She slips the ring into her pocket, her eyes burning with unspoken grief.


    Nico lifts Mara into his arms, cradling her gently.


    "Come on, little one. Everything will be okay" he says, though his voice trembles slightly.


    Seren casts one last look at the corpse before turning away.


    "Let''s move" she orders, her voice steady once more.


    But inside her, a storm rages fiercer than the Essence Storm surrounding them.


    The team moves quickly, their footsteps echoing through the deserted streets. But in the distance, a deafening roar splits the air.


    They all feel a sudden, overwhelming surge of Essence flooding the atmosphere.


    "It can''t be" Finn murmurs anxiously


    But they all know it. The Essence storm just got a whole lot worse.

 Teambuilding

    "Why isn''t the Essence Storm weakening?" Finn''s voice is barely audible amidst the chaos, his tone shaky as he clings to an increasingly fragile sense of reassurance.


    He glances at Mara, the little girl resting in Kiaran''s arms. Her breaths are shallow, her face pale, though a faint flicker of hope seems to linger in her weary eyes.


    Seren marches at the head of the group, her gaze fixed ahead as if the road itself holds the answers. The sharp gaze of her ice blue eyes remain unwavering, her focus unbroken.


    "There are only two possible explanations for this" she says, her voice low but firm, laced with an undertone of unease.


    Finn''s brows knit together, his voice tinged with urgency. "What are they?"


    Seren takes a deep breath. "Either the Essence is dispersing more evenly from the center, which is unlikely but would be good news."


    She hesitates before continuing. Finn''s curiosity rises. "Or?"


    Seren''s march falters slightly as she turns her gaze to meet the team''s. Her tone carries a somber weight that underscores the gravity of the situation.


    "Or the storm has grown so strong that even its edges now carry the same power as its center. If that''s the case..." She lets the unspoken conclusion hang in the air before finishing, "...we should brace for a Void Breach."


    A suffocating silence settles over the group, their steps slowing down momentarily as the implications sink in. The very mention of a Void Breach sends a shiver through even the most composed among them.


    Nico, walking close besides Seren, tries to cut through the tension with an attempt to raise the mood.


    "Come on, lighten up! We''ve got Seren''s dad stationed here, right? One of the Top 10. Must be pretty great to have a guy like that in your familiy, right?"


    Seren''s jaw tightens imperceptibly at his words. She casts a sidelong glance, her pace slowing just enough to punctuate her response.


    "If my father has to step in" she says, her voice eerily calm, "it''s already too late for us."


    Kiaran, still carrying Mara, frowns. "What does that even mean?"


    Seren halts, turning to face him directly. The fire in her eyes is palpable, her tone leaving no room for misunderstanding.


    "It means my father brings annihilation. If he''s forced to use his Stigma, or worse, his Arkana, then there won''t be anything left to salvage. Not us, not this storm, nothing."


    Kiaran''s mouth opens in protest, but his words are cut short as the group collectively freezes. The faint sound of footsteps echoes from the street ahead, unnervingly steady against the chaos of the storm.


    Seren''s hand moves instinctively to her sword, and in one fluid motion, it is drawn, gleaming faintly in the eerie light filtering through the storm''s haze.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "Combat positions!" she orders sharply.


    Finn''s hands glow with a flickering blue hue as he prepares to summon his protective barrier. Nico, adjusts his stance, his shoulders squaring as he readies for a fight. Even Kiaran shifts his hold on Mara, preparing to defend her if it comes to it.


    Before any action can escalate, a familiar voice cuts through the tension. "Stand down. It''s me."


    The team collectively exhales as Officer Samir emerges from the swirling dust. His expression is as unreadable as ever, but his commanding presence instantly restores a measure of control.


    "I was searching for stragglers" he says, his tone clipped. "I take it you''ve noticed the storm intensifying. Why are you lagging behind?"


    "It''s not why, but who" Seren replies, gesturing toward Mara, her small frame resting limply in Kiaran''s protective embrace.


    Samir''s sharp eyes assess the girl, his expression darkening. "Her family?"


    Seren''s voice wavers ever so slightly as she answers, "Her father''s not in the city. Her mother... she didn''t make it."


    For a fleeting moment, a shadow of emotion flickers across Samir''s face, though he quickly masks it with a curt nod.


    "Understood. Let''s move. The camp isn''t far, and Kiaran you will drop Mara off with Betty at the field hospital"


    ~~~


    The military camp is a hive of organized chaos, something that would usually be considered paradox. Shouted commands echo through the air as soldiers and recruits alike scramble to prepare. Weapons are inspected, equipment is secured, and the ever present hum of readiness permeates the atmosphere.


    News spreads rapidly across the compound: the storm, now officially designated "Trudy", has been incread in level, to Category 2, with a high likelihood of escalating to Category 3. Whispers of unease ripple through the ranks.


    "I thought this was supposed to be training!" a flustered recruit shouts, his voice cracking.


    "Why didn''t anyone tell us we''d be dealing with a Category 3 Void Rift?" another adds, his words tinged with rising panic.


    "SILENCE!"


    The unease threatens to boil over into full on chaos until Samir''s commanding voice restores order.


    The weight of his authority slams into the camp like a physical force. Even the air feels heavier, compelling recruits and seasoned soldiers alike to fall silent and focus.


    Kael steps forward, his sharp tone slicing through the silence. "Listen up! Given the inexperience of many here, we will form teams. Each team will consist of one experienced soldier and five recruits. This will ensure maximum efficiency and survivability. Clear?"


    "Yes, Sir!" the camp responds in unison, their voices regaining some semblance of discipline.


    Seren turns to her team. "We''re only four. We''ll need one more recruit to have a full group."


    Her gaze scans the southeastern corner of the camp, where disorganized recruits mill about in clusters. Her eyes land on a tall figure standing apart from the rest. The figure''s long, messy black hair and imposing height catch her attention, and her breath hitches.


    "Lumen?" she whispers, her voice barely audible as she quickens her pace toward the figure.


    As the figure turns, Seren''s heart sinks. Instead of the golden eyes she had hoped for, she''s met with dark brown ones. The sharp sting of disappointment floods her chest.


    "Sorry, do I know you?" the figure asks, her voice calm and curious.


    Seren stammers, her cheeks burning. "oh, y-you''re a woman."


    The stranger chuckles softly. "Indeed I am. What gave it away? My hair or... perhaps something else?"


    Seren''s embarrassment deepens, and she averts her gaze.


    "I wish I could vanish right now" she thinks.


    Her team catches up, and Nico smirks, clapping her on the shoulder. "Found someone already? Nicely done, Seren!"


    The stranger introduces herself with a friendly smile. "I''m Ahri. Mind if I join your team?"


    Seren quickly regains her composure. "Uh, yeah. Welcome aboard. I''m Seren, that''s Finn, Kiaran over there, and Nico."


    Together, the newly formed team heads to the staging area, where a seasoned soldier waits to meet them. A man, introducing himself as Robert, greets them with an easygoing demeanor, shaking hands with each member.


    "It''s good to meet all of you" he says, his voice warm yet firm. "Before we proceed, let''s review our Stigmata and capabilities. It''s critical we operate as a cohesive unit."


    Seren nods, her mind momentarily shifting back to the raging storm beyond the camp. A sense of anticipation mingles with the ever-present tension in her chest.


    This mission is no longer just a training exercise, instead it''s a test of survival.

 The First Battle

    The newly formed team, with Robert as the experienced soldier and team leader, Seren, Finn, Kiaran, Nico, and the recently added Ahri gathers at the eastern edge of the military camp.


    The atmosphere is tense, the raging Essence Storm over the district East Suppon is a constant reminder of the danger ahead.


    Robert stands in front of the group, his calm demeanor anchoring the team''s scattered nerves. His steady voice cuts through the howling winds. "Let''s start with me," he says, looking at each of his team members.


    "I''m an Ignited ranked Awakened, and my Stigma is Echoed Steps. It allows me to create up to three illusions that can fool both humans and monsters. My Arkana is a more advanced version of this: I can generate up to eight illusions, and they can detonate on command or when destroyed. These illusions can also absorb a limited amount of damage before vanishing, but any damage they take is reflected back on me."


    The group nods, impressed. Next, Ahri steps forward.


    "Hi, I''m Ahri. I''m still a recruit, but I''m also Ignited. This is my second mission. My Stigma is called Seeker''s Whistle. It lets me control monsters, as long as they''re much weaker than me or mentally compromised. I can control up to four at a time."


    "That''s... really cool," Finn murmurs, almost to himself, though Ahri catches it and grins.


    "Thanks," she says with a light laugh, her friendly demeanor putting him at ease. "My Arkana allows me to control up to ten monsters, or even a human."


    "A human?" Kiaran looks at her with an uneasy expression.


    Ahri tilts her head, her smile taking on a mischievous edge. "Don''t worry, against an Awakened or strong monster, the most I can do is slow down their movements. But a civilian? I could make them fall asleep if needed." Her grin widens, almost playful, but to the team, it feels unsettling.


    Finn, Kiaran, and Nico take turns introducing their abilities. When it''s Seren''s turn, she hesitates.


    "I''m sorry," Seren begins, her voice quiet but firm. "I can''t tell you about my Stigma. It''s not that I don''t want to, it''s that I literally can''t." She pauses, glancing at her teammates.


    "I''ll have to show you during combat."


    Kiaran steps in quickly to ease the tension.


    "Don''t worry, Finn and I have seen her Stigma in action. It''s amazing."


    "Yeah, exactly!" Finn agrees, eager to back him up. "When she crossed her arms and used Ely¡ª"


    Before he can finish, Finn coughs violently, blood spurting from his mouth. He stumbles back, his eyes wide with disbelief.


    "What the¡ª?" Finn whispers, clutching his chest.


    "Are you okay?" Robert asks, stepping closer.


    Finn straightens with visible effort, shaking his head as if to clear it.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "I... I think it''s better if we just wait and see her Stigma in action." His tone carries an edge of unease, and he avoids looking directly at Seren.


    Robert studies Seren with a thoughtful frown, making a mental note to report this anomaly to General Veylith.


    The team advances through a district filled with abandoned skyscrapers. The earlier Category 1 storm had barely touched the towering structures, only scattering debris across the streets.


    But now, under the pressure of the escalating Category 2 Essence Storm, the buildings seem less stable, their foundations groaning under the forces.


    Robert leads the way, holding a handheld device. Its screen displays a scale from 1 to 10, with colors ranging from green to red. The needle hovers dangerously at 7, deep in the red zone.


    "We''re close," Robert says, his voice tense. The group''s mission is clear: locate one of the many Rifts, report its position to the military, and hold the area until the Clear Team arrives.


    The Clear Team will then cross into the Abyss to eliminate the Anchor, the monstrous entity tethering the Rift to Earth.


    The Essence reader beeps more frequently, the needle climbing steadily to 9. The group turns a corner and halts.


    Floating a meter above the ground is a dark rift, a crack in reality swirling in the air. Its dark colors pulsating, making the group feel uneasy.


    "Wow... it''s my first time seeing a Void Breach" says Nico. He sounds more amazed than scared.


    "You know what to do," Robert says, his tone steady.


    He pulls a bright red-orange flare gun from his pocket and fires it into the sky. The signal flares brightly, a glowing beacon for reinforcements.


    "We don''t know how many Rifts are in this district," Robert warns. "Don''t expect help to arrive too soon, as the military might be busy clearing other Void Breaches first."


    The Rift shudders, and from its depths emerges a grotesque creature.


    It''s a centipede-like Abyss monster, its segmented body black with slightly glowing green streaks running along its sides. Each of its dozens of legs ends in a razor-sharp claw, and its size is monstrous, nearly half as tall as Nico, the largest member of the group.


    "Fuck, it''s at least 10 meters long. How gross" Ahri thinks, disgusted.


    Its glowing, sickly green eyes radiate malice, darting around as it surveys its surroundings.


    Slime drips from its mandibles, which click together in a sickening rhythm. Its movements are unnervingly smooth, each segment of its body rippling like a living tide of darkness.


    The team stiffens, weapons drawn, as the centipede lunges forward with terrifying speed.


    Seren, Robert, and Kiaran are the frontline, utilizing their offensive Stigmata.


    Ahri, Finn, and Nico are standing more in the back, Nico ready to protect both of them, since he can also wield a big mace, ready to crush his enemies.


    The abomination is unbelievably fast and closes at least 50 meters in distance in almost an instant. Its body moves similarly to a snake.


    But the group is ready. Seren doesn''t falter. She surges forward, engaging the wild beast with her sword.


    The centipede''s claws attack them with blinding speed, but she parries it, sparks fly as the sharp claws scrape along her blade.


    Next, the abomination lunges further forward, trying to get Seren with its fearsome fangs.


    Robert moves to flank it. Two identical illusions of him spring into action, attacking from the sides with short, deadly daggers, each a different artifact from the Abyss. The real Robert emerges behind the monster, aiming for a gap in the creature''s segmented armor at its end.


    Unfortunately, it seems like he is going to miss, at least until Ahri raises her hands, her Stigma activating with a soft hum.


    The creature shudders as if an invisible weight presses down on it. Its movements slow, becoming sluggish. The glow in its eyes dims slightly, a faint haze of confusion crossing its grotesque features.


    Robert seizes the opportunity. His daggers flash in unison, the strikes precise and well-aimed. They carve across the creature''s side, but the blades barely leave a scratch against its impenetrable exoskeleton.


    The tough, segmented armor seems to absorb the force of the blows effortlessly, and a sharp hissing sound escapes its mandibles.


    The centipede twists violently, its body coiling and uncoiling with incredible force. Its tail whips around, striking one of Robert''s illusions and shattering it into a burst of light.


    The real Robert leaps back, narrowly avoiding the tail''s razor-edged segments, his daggers ready for another attempt.


    "It''s too tough!" he shouts, his voice tense but focused.

 A New Journey

    Seren and Robert take calculated steps back, each repositioning with precision. Their eyes never leave the centipede as its own glowing green eyes lock onto them, the eerie light cutting through the swirling chaos of the Essence Storm.


    The storm''s relentless winds howl around them, carrying debris and fine dust that stings their eyes.


    "We have to aim for the joints!" Seren yells, her voice barely audible through the chaos of the storm. Her sharp eyes dart to the vulnerable spots between the centipede''s armored segments.


    The centipede coils its segmented body, preparing another strike, its movements unnervingly smooth.


    Ahri, standing in the backline, is visibly struggling. Sweat glistens on her brow, and her chest heaves as she fights to maintain focus. Her hands tremble as the strain of slowing the creature takes its toll.


    "You have to slow it down a little longer" Finn says, urgency in his tone. His hands emit a calming blue light, forming a healing barrier that envelops Ahri. A wave of energy floods through her, steadying her breath and restoring her resolve.


    The centipede senses the shift in its opponents. Its green eyes flick toward the backline, locking onto Nico, who is still preparing his next attack.


    "Be careful!" Robert shouts.


    Nico, standing in the backline with bloodied hands, doesn''t falter. His voice, calm yet laced with confidence, cuts through the noise. "There''s no need."


    The centipede surges forward, ignoring Seren, Robert, and Kiaran at the frontline. It slithers with unbelievable speed, closing the gap between it and Nico rapidly fast, driven by the primal instinct to eliminate the apparent threat.


    The air around Nico changes. Blood begins to flow from the red bags strapped to his backpack, forming tiny droplets that seem to float unnaturally. They shimmer in the dim storm light, resembling crimson rain.


    It''s as if the heavens themselves are bleeding.


    Nico pulls out a knife and instead of taking a defensive stance, he slices his own wrist in a deliberate motion. The blood doesn''t spill randomly, instead, it joins the floating droplets, merging into the attack he''s building. His focus is unwavering as he glares at the incoming creature.


    Seren and Robert move in tandem, following the centipede''s trajectory, their weapons ready. Kiaran begins to circle wide, positioning himself for a flanking strike.


    The bloody rain above the centipede grows heavier, droplets swelling to the size of small stones. Just as the creature lunges forward, the crimson rain forms into long, sharp rods of blood.


    In a split second, over a dozen of these bloody spears come crashing down toward the beast. The impact is deafening.


    Some spears miss as the centipede, ''s lightning-quick reflexes allow it to dodge. Its body twists and contorts with unnatural agility, evading the brunt of the attack. But others strike true.If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Some of the rods slam into its armored carapace with brutal force, leaving deep dents and shattering several segments. Green liquid oozes from the broken plates, pooling on the ground like toxic ichor.


    The creature lets out a primal screech, its body writhing in pain. Nico''s lips curl into a wry smile as his attack leaves its mark.


    But the battle isn''t over. Despite its injuries, the centipede''s resolve remains unbroken, thus Ahri still has no control. It charges at Nico with renewed ferocity, its fangs getting dangerously close, green slime dripping from their jagged edges.


    Nico, still holding his bloody knife, realizes the beast is too close for his own comfort. So instead of blocking like Seren, he hurls the blade directly into its gaping maw.


    The centipede recoils slightly, its movements momentarily stuttering, giving Nico the chance to roll backward, creating precious distance and forming a blade out of his own blood.


    Kiaran seizes the opening before Nico has to do anything else. With a battle cry, he swings his massive axe overhead, aiming for the exposed, bleeding segment of the centipede''s armor.


    The axe cleaves through with brutal precision, splitting the monster cleanly in two. A sickening crunch noise echoes through the air as the creature''s body collapses to the ground, its movements ceasing entirely.


    The team stands in silence for a moment, the storm''s howling winds the only sound around them.


    "I''m glad it''s over" Ahri says, her voice weary but relieved. She leans on Finn for support, the strain of the battle evident in her trembling legs. "I was about to run dry on essence."


    Finn nods, though a hint of frustration crosses his face. "Yeah... I guess I helped a little" he mutters, feeling like his role was minor compared to the others.


    Seren wipes the sweat from her brow, her eyes still scanning the battlefield for any signs of movement.


    "You gave Ahri the energy she needed. That''s more than enough, and someday your time to shine will" she says, her tone reassuring.


    Robert sheathes his daggers, his gaze fixed on the Rift, which continues to pulse ominously. "Good work, everyone. But don''t relax yet."


    The fight took no more than a couple of minutes, meaning reinforcements may still take a while. The team knows this and remains careful around the gate.


    "To be honest, the situation doesn''t seem good. The storm makes no effort to calm down, and all that excess essence gathering here will attract even more fearsome creatures. In my opinion, we should enter the Void Breach and try to clear it ourselves as fast as possible." Robert cautiously suggests.


    He doesn''t like the idea of getting the general''s daughter in unnecessary danger, but just waiting and hoping for the best, that the clear team comes in time can also lead to a deadly situation.


    "So, if we decide to do that, how would we proceed?" Seren asks in return.


    "Upon entering we will land somewhere in the Abyss. We have to find the monster, which is anchored to this Void Breach. Since it''s a Category 2 Essence Storm, it should also be a Tier 2 monster, so a Dreadling." Robert responds.


    "Since the centipede was a Wretch, a monster of the lowest tier, how much stronger would a Dreadling be?" Finn asks nervously.


    "Hmmh, it is always different, but to be on the safe side assume it''s at least twice as strong. We also have to consider other enemies in the Abyss, lurking near the rift."


    A quick vote shows, that everyone is in favor of entering the Void Breach. They carve a note for the military on a nearby wooden sign, since communication in an Essence Storm is almost impossible.


    Robert steps forward, placing his hand on the distorted surface. It ripples like water but offers no resistance. He glances back, offering a faint smile. "See you on the other side."


    And then he steps through, vanishing into the swirling void.


    Seren follows without hesitation, her sword ready at her side, her expression a mask of steely determination. Nico goes next, muttering something under his breath about regretting this decision already.


    Finn hesitates for the briefest moment, the portal''s chaotic hum resonating in his chest like a second heartbeat. He grips his bow tightly, takes a deep breath, and steps forward.


    The rest of the team quickly follows.

 The Hunt Begins

    "Woah, the sky..." Finn exclaims, his voice a mix of awe and disbelief.


    The team stands amidst an otherworldly scene, their gazes locked onto a sky that feels both hellish and mesmerizing.


    Above them, the expanse is dark, akin to Earth''s night sky, but devoid of twinkling stars. Instead, faint reddish spots shimmer in rhythmic, pulsating waves, casting a surreal glow over the landscape.


    There is no sun, no moon to mark the passage of time. Instead, golden particles of pure essence float across the air like fireflies. These luminous specks drift aimlessly before flowing into massive, golden cracks piercing the fabric of reality.


    One such crack looms directly behind them¡ªthe Void Breach they had crossed to reach this foreboding domain. It gapes like a jagged wound, a portal that connects the Abyss to East Suppon.


    The floating essence illuminates the world around them, giving light to the oppressive darkness. The ground beneath their boots is unyielding, a terrain of blackened rock that radiates an unsettling warmth.


    It feels lifeless yet oddly resilient, a stark contradiction to the towering trees that somehow thrive here. The massive trees, their trunks stretching at least 50 meters into the air, surround the team like ancient sentinels, their branches clawing at the golden and reddish-lit sky.


    Far to the north, a range of colossal mountains dominates the horizon. Their icy peaks glitter faintly under the reflected light of the essence, a sharp contrast to the dark terrain below.


    For a fleeting moment, Seren finds herself drawn to the icy brilliance, its clarity mirroring her own piercing blue eyes.


    Robert''s steady voice cuts through the tense silence. "Stay focused," he says, his tone calm but commanding.


    "We need to locate the anchored monster and remain vigilant for any other threats," Robert says, his voice steady as he surveys the dark landscape.


    "Wait!" Seren interrupts, her voice cutting through the team''s focus.


    She raises her hand and points toward something to their right, her sharp eyes catching an unusual sight.


    "Look over there! That¡­ that looks like an old campfire."


    The team shifts their attention to where she''s pointing. Beneath the towering trees, a faint ring of scorched earth is barely visible, surrounded by charred wood and cold ash. The remnants of a fire long extinguished, but unmistakably human in its origin.


    "Did another team get here before us?" Seren asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.


    Robert moves closer, crouching by the fire''s remains. He picks up a piece of the charred wood, turning it over in his hand.Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.


    His sharp gaze takes in every detail¡ªthe carefully arranged stones, the controlled burn that kept the fire small.


    "Unlikely," he replies after a moment, his voice laced with skepticism.


    "Even if they did, why would they light a fire? It''s a beacon, even if it''s a small one, and no trained team would risk that out here."


    The group grows silent as Robert stands, brushing the ash from his hands.


    "This fire is days old," he says, glancing toward the direction of the Void Breach they just passed.


    "Whoever lit it is long gone. But this changes things, we might not be the only ones moving through this area."


    The moment his words fade, a piercing screech tears through the forest like a blade through flesh. The sound is unbearable, a high-pitched wail that reverberates in their skulls.


    "Ahh, my ears!" Kiaran yells, clutching his head as blood trickles from them.


    The rest of the team staggers under the assault, except for Robert and Seren, who remain mostly unaffected.


    Finn''s hands tremble as he tries to steady himself, his normally composed demeanor cracking under the relentless sound.


    "Finn!" Seren''s voice is sharp. "Can you establish a sound barrier?"


    With a strained nod, he raises his hands, a soft blue glow emanating from his palms. A shimmering barrier materializes around the team just as another screech rips through the air.


    The sound slams into the barrier like a tidal wave against a breakwater, but this time, the team is shielded.


    "It''s got to be some kind of ultrasonic attack," Seren mutters, her voice firm despite the chaos. Her mind races, trying to piece together their next move.


    "I agree-" Robert begins, but his words are cut short as a sharp cracking sound comes from behind them. The team whirls around in alarm.


    The barrier trembles under the weight of a new assault. Massive claws rake against its surface. Cracks, like a spiderweb form across the translucent dome as a monstrous figure stands before them.


    It resembles a wolf, but its proportions are grotesque, its body unnaturally large and muscular. Its obsidian-black eyes glint with malevolent intelligence.


    The beast''s claws gleam like polished onyx as they repeatedly strike the barrier.


    "Goddammit," Seren growls, her frustration bleeding into her voice. "These vile creatures are smart."


    She steps closer to the barrier, her sword drawn and ready, as she assesses the situation.


    "The barrier''s blocking the sound, so it''s exploiting our inability to hear anything from outside. That''s why it managed to sneak up on us."


    The Shadow Hound growls low, a guttural sound that vibrates through the air, the barrier no longer fully protecting making the sound sound dull.


    Its gaze locks on Seren, who realizes with a sinking feeling that Finn''s barrier won''t hold much longer. The creature is relentless, its strength far exceeding what the barrier was designed to withstand. It''s a sound-blocking defense, not a fortress against physical assault.


    "What to do, what to do..." Seren''s mind thinks as she struggles to devise a plan.


    Before she can act, Robert''s voice cuts through the tension like a lifeline. His years of experience as a soldier shine through, his commands clear and decisive.


    "Seren, Nico, you take the Shadow Hound. Ahri, support them with your Stigma," he orders, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.


    "I''ll take Kiaran and Finn with me to find the source of the sound attack."


    The group snaps into action, the clarity of Robert''s instructions grounding them amidst the chaos. Seren tightens her grip on her sword, the cold metal reassuring against her palm.


    "Stay alive" Robert adds, his gaze briefly meeting Seren''s. His words are simple, but they carry the weight of an unspoken promise: they''ll regroup, no matter what.


    As the team splits, the Shadow Hound lets out another guttural growl, its claws tearing through the final remnants of Finn''s barrier. The protective dome shatters in a burst of blue light, and the beast lunges forward, its maw wide and dripping with malice.


    Seren moves first, her blade gleaming as she steps into the monster''s path.


    The battle has begun.

 Unseen Dangers

    Seren''s sword slices through the air with precision, landing a shallow cut across the Shadow Hound''s chest.


    The creature snarls in pain, but instead of retreating, the wound seems to fuel its fury. Its obsidian eyes burn with malice, and its movements become even more feral.


    Her next cut cleanly kills the abomination.


    Nearby, Robert, Kiaran, and Finn move swiftly through the dense forest, they intend to locate and slay the source of the sound attacks. Shadow Hounds like the one Seren and Nico are battling don''t possess that ability, meaning there''s something else nearby.


    Nico seizes an opening, his crimson blade, a weapon forged from his own blood arcing through the air. With one clean, fluid motion, he decapitates the monstrosity.


    The Shadow Hound''s head rolls onto the forest floor, its body collapsing and green blood exiting its neck.


    "Nice work," Seren says, while already scanning the darkened surroundings. Her voice is tense. "But we''re not done yet."


    Her words are proven true as more growls echo through the forest. From the shadows of nearby trees, ten more Shadow Hounds emerge, their sleek, black forms blending almost seamlessly with the darkness.


    Their glowing green eyes glint with predatory intent.


    Though these creatures are classified as mere Wretched, the lowest rank of Abyssal entities, they remain formidable, especially when attacking as a pack.


    Ahri''s brows furrow in concentration as she raises her hands, her Stigma activating with a faint, otherworldly hum.


    "Dammit," she mutters under her breath, her voice laced with frustration.


    "It almost worked. I think if we can injure them, even just a bit, I''ll be able to take control."


    "Understood" Nico responds, gripping his blood blade tightly. Seren nods as well, her sword ready.


    The two fighters adopt defensive stances around Ahri, shielding her from the encroaching pack. As a support specialist, she isn''t equipped for direct combat, making her the pack''s most vulnerable target.


    Four of the Shadow Hounds charge, two toward Nico and two toward Seren.


    Nico moves quickly, impaling the first hound with a spike formed from the dwindling reserve of blood in his backpack.


    The second leaps toward him, claws outstretched, but another spike shoots up and pierces its chest midair. Both creatures collapse, their lifeless forms staining the ground with green ichor.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Seren, meanwhile, meets her attackers head-on. Her blade flashes in the dim light as she delivers two precise, clean strikes, decapitating the beasts in one swift motion. Their green blood sprays across the dark forest floor as their bodies slump to the ground.


    "Great," Ahri says, clicking her tongue in frustration.


    Seren glances at her, catching the disappointment in Ahri''s tone. She smirks dryly.


    "Don''t worry. I''ll leave the next one alive."


    The battle continues, with Seren and Nico deliberately injuring rather than killing their foes. Ahri''s efforts pay off as she successfully takes control of two of the Shadow Hounds.


    Their glowing eyes dim, their snarls cease, and they fall under her command. Though her limit is usually four Wretched class monsters, she can only control two, since they belong to the stronger kind.


    With the immediate threat neutralized, the group takes a moment to catch their breath. During the fight, their position has shifted away from the Void Breach they used to enter the Abyss.


    "Hey, look over there! That has to be Robert''s group!" Ahri exclaims, her voice tinged with excitement as she points toward a fallen Shadow Hound in the distance, just outside the dense forest."


    The creature''s belly is grotesquely slashed open, its innards partially exposed, while its head is entirely missing. Charred burn marks encircle the neck, the blackened flesh suggesting it was severed with intense, fiery precision.


    But before they can call out to them, a shout comes from the opposite direction.


    "We''re done killing the Screecher!" Robert''s voice echoes through the forest.


    The group exchanges confused glances. If Robert''s team is elsewhere, who killed the Shadow Hound Ahri found? Unease settles over them as they regroup at the Void Breach.


    At the portal, Kiaran slaps Finn on the shoulder, his voice full of enthusiasm.


    "Thanks to this guy, the fight was a piece of cake!"


    Finn shifts uncomfortably under the praise, his cheeks flushing slightly.


    "It wasn''t just me" he mumbles.


    "Is that so?" Seren says absently, her thoughts preoccupied with the extinguished bonfire and the unexplained fallen hound. Something about it all feels off.


    Kiaran continues undeterred, his grin wide.


    "Who else would''ve come up with the idea to cast the sound-blocking barrier around that dreadful flying thing? That Screecher didn''t stand a chance."


    Robert nods in agreement, his expression approving.


    "Smart thinking, Finn. You handled that well."


    Finn looks pleased, albeit a little embarrassed by the attention.


    "Good work, everyone, but we still have to deal with the anchored monster," Robert says, his tone steady as he tries not to let the recent success dull their focus.


    "And I think I might already know where it is."


    He nods toward a peculiar-looking tree standing some distance away. It''s noticeably smaller than the towering 50-meter giants around them, only reaching about 15 meters. Its bark has an odd, ashen hue, and faintly glowing roots snake into the dark ground below.


    "You don''t think... that''s an enemy, do you?" Finn asks, his voice tinged with doubt as the rest of the team shares his look of uncertainty.


    Seren steps closer, her brows furrowed.


    "Now that you mention it, I don''t remember seeing any trees that short. They all tower above us, something like that should''ve stood out."


    "Look closer," Ahri says, pointing toward the roots. "They''re glowing faintly. That has to be its connection to the Rift."


    Kiaran grips his weapon, narrowing his eyes. "Unless trees suddenly learned to walk or grow that fast, I''d say this thing is no ordinary tree. It has to be the Guardian of this Void Breach."


    The team exchanges glances, the air growing heavy with tension as they prepare for the fight ahead.


    Nico sighs.


    "And I thought we could relax for just a moment..."

 The Sapling of Cronus

    "So, how exactly are we supposed to kill that? I mean, it''s a tree¡­" Kiaran says, his tone full of skepticism.


    The team''s gaze shifts to the strange tree in question. It stands about 15 meters tall, noticeably smaller than the towering, 50-meter giants surrounding it. Its bark is a peculiar ashen gray, with faint, golden essence pulsing rhythmically through its sprawling roots, as though the tree itself is alive and breathing.


    Unlike the other trees, this one bears fruit ¡ª but not just any fruit. The fruits hang at varying heights, each adorned with unsettlingly human-like faces.


    At the lowest branches, a fruit has a very sad look. The mouth is slightly open, quivering as if caught in a silent sob, and its expression is one of unbearable sorrow.


    Actual tears stream from the carved eyes, falling in slow, deliberate drops and landing with a faint splatter against the dark ground below.


    Further up, one looks embarrassed, its cheeks puffed and eyes cast downward.


    At the very top, a larger fruit bears a grotesque, demonic face with sharp teeth and glowing eyes, as if daring the team to come closer.


    "Good question," Robert says, his voice calm but thoughtful. "Any ideas?"


    The group exchanges uncertain glances.


    "Not really," Nico says.


    "But honestly, it can''t be that strong, right? I mean, look at it. Sure, the fruits are¡­ creepy, but the monster''s hiding skills are terrible. It''s practically screaming, Hey, I''m the bad guy!"


    He and Kiaran laugh, trying to lighten the mood.


    "Yeah, it''s like it took one look at camouflage and said: Nah, not for me."


    Kiaran gestures exaggeratedly at the glowing roots and the out-of-place fruit.


    The team chuckles, but Seren''s eyes remain fixed on the tree, her expression hard.


    "I wouldn''t underestimate it," she says, her tone cutting through the levity.


    "It''s connected to the Rift, and the essence flowing through those roots means it''s more than just a decorative piece. If it''s the Guardian, it''s bound to put up a fight."


    "Okay, okay," Nico says, raising his hands in mock surrender.


    "so, what do we do? Chop it down? Blow it up? Burn it down?"


    "That''s a terrible idea," Seren starts, the joke flying over her head.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    "We don''t have anything capable of producing flames strong enough to¡ª"


    Her words trail off as her gaze sharpens, a realization dawning on her. Her Stigma. It punishes those she deems deserving, the form of punishment varying but always relentless.


    And this¡­ this tree, connected to a Rift, is clearly an abomination. Her thoughts drift to Ravyn, the punishment she swore to deliver to him someday: death by the holy light of Aureth.


    Aureth. The self-proclaimed Sun God she encountered during her Awakening. His power is light, but not just any light ¡ª flames. Sunlight, capable of burning away corruption.


    "I didn''t mean it seriously, Seren," Kiaran laughs, scratching the back of his neck.


    "I mean, you do know what a joke is, right?"


    "No, wait," Seren interrupts, her voice firm.


    "Your idea isn''t bad. In fact, it might be exactly what we need. I think¡­ I think I can produce fire strong enough to burn it."


    "You''re serious?" Robert asks, his tone cautious.


    Seren nods, stepping forward. "Everyone, stand back. I need space."


    The team obeys, retreating to give her room. Seren clasps her hands together, her fingers interlocking as if in prayer.


    She closes her eyes, drawing on her Stigma, the weight of its power pressing heavily on her. When she speaks, her voice resonates with an otherworldly authority.


    "Elyon, I call upon your judgment!"


    Her words seem to echo, carrying a weight that doesn''t belong to her alone. She raises both arms, pointing them toward the unnatural tree. Her body trembles as a familiar, uncomfortable sensation floods her mind.


    Memories surface, unbidden and sharp. She recalls the voices she heard during her battle with Lumen, their words jarring and alien. The same voices return now, their discordant tones reverberating in her skull.


    ''W-weee¡­ d-deemand¡­ d-death by the Holy Light of Aureth!''


    Her head throbs, her thoughts a chaotic swirl. The voices feel oppressive, as though they''re clawing at her very being. Yet amidst the turmoil, clarity pierces through.


    ''Just as I thought,'' she muses, her mind steadying.


    ''Anything I and Aureth deem evil must be cleansed by his holy light¡­ or flames.''


    The golden glow of her Stigma intensifies, light pooling in her palms. Her arms feel heavy, not from the power but from the memories tied to it.


    The judgment of her Stigma is absolute, and it recognizes the tree as a target.


    Flames erupt from her hands, not wild or chaotic but controlled and purposeful. The golden fire surges forward, illuminating the dark forest.


    The inferno engulfs the tree, climbing its ashen trunk in spiraling waves. The roots writhe like serpents, twisting and coiling as if trying to escape the scorching judgment.


    The faces etched into the fruits tremble violently, tears dripping faster from the crying one, while the demon-faced fruit at the top smirks defiantly, its malevolent grin unyielding even in the fire.


    The surrounding trees catch alight as well, their leaves disintegrating in an instant. The fire spreads outward, roaring like a living beast.


    Vaporized moisture hisses through the air, and the forest is momentarily consumed in a golden blaze. Despite the destruction, Seren''s target remains standing, defiant against the holy light.


    As the flames around it begin to subside, the tree reveals its unburned form. Its bark darkens, and a face begins to take shape in the trunk, grotesque and unnatural. It smirks with a wry, mocking expression, as though ridiculing Seren''s efforts.


    The lowest branch, bearing the trembling fruit with the crying face, suddenly moves. The fruit dangles precariously, its carved face streaming tears even faster now. The branch bends unnaturally, stretching toward the grotesque mouth that has formed in the trunk.


    The tree seems to mock Seren further, taking its time. Inch by inch, the fruit is drawn closer, the grotesque face in the tree''s wood widening its maw, revealing jagged, wooden teeth.


    The fruit disappears into the tree''s mouth with a wet, echoing splash. The trunk groans as it closes its jaws, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.


    The team stares in stunned disbelief.

 Fruit of Sorrow (1)

    "Did it just eat its own fruit?" Kiaran asks, his voice filled with disbelief. His axe lowers slightly as he stares at the tree.


    Seren doesn''t respond immediately. Instead, her focus sharpens, her senses screaming as a surge of energy pulses through the air. The vibration isn''t just heard¡ªit''s felt, crawling over her skin.


    "Yes," she says, her tone tight. "But we don''t have the time to think about it."


    The tree''s grotesque mouth twitches, its lips curling into what looks like a cruel, mocking smile. It creaks, the sound deep and ancient, like something waking from a long slumber.


    A drop of liquid lands on Robert''s head, sliding down to his shoulder. He freezes, instinctively brushing it off.


    ''Rain? Here in the Abyss? Impossible...''


    The others notice it too. Small drops begin to fall, slow at first, like water dripping from the ceiling of a cave. But then they fall faster, heavier, the faint drops growing into a steady rain. It''s cold, unnaturally so, and each drop feels heavier than normal rain.


    "What the hell is this?" Finn mutters, wiping his face. His hand comes away slick, the liquid clinging unnaturally.


    Kiaran tightens his grip on his axe.


    "Screw it. I''m just gonna chop this thing down!"


    "Wait, no!" Finn shouts, but it''s too late. Kiaran charges forward, his heavy steps splashing against the now-soaked ground.


    "Idiot" Robert mutters under his breath, his eyes narrowing.


    ''Really, charging in without thinking?''


    Kiaran leaps, his axe gleaming even in the dim light of the Abyss. He swings it in a wide arc, aiming to bury the blade into the tree''s trunk.


    Before he gets close, the tree reacts. From its grotesque mouth, droplets of water gather and swirl unnaturally, forming into a dense, shimmering orb. The orb pulsates, then shoots out a high-pressure jet of water with a loud, screeching hiss.


    Kiaran, mid-air, has no time to dodge.


    A glowing blue barrier forms around him at the last second, Finn''s outstretched hand trembling as he channels his Stigma. The water jet crashes into the barrier, the impact is loud and violent. Cracks spread across the glowing shield, pieces breaking off like shattered glass.


    "Damn it!" Finn yells, sweat dripping from his forehead. "That almost broke the barrier!"


    The tree doesn''t stop. Above its mouth, two eerie eyes begin to form, their shape carved into the wood. Liquid streams from them like tears, joining the rain that now falls harder than ever. The heavy droplets hit like stones, drenching the team and making it hard to see.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "This rain¡­ it''s not normal" Seren says, gripping her sword tighter. The cold seeps through her clothes, chilling her to the bone.


    She squints at the tree, its trunk pulsating with life. The faint glow of its roots grows brighter with every drop of rain. The bark, once dull and ashen, starts to shimmer faintly as if it''s feeding on the storm.


    "The tree¡­ it''s growing," Seren exclaims, her voice rising above the sound of the downpour. "The rain is making it stronger!"


    Behind her, Ahri stumbles, her knees giving out as she collapses onto the muddy ground. Her hands shake, her eyes filling with tears as she clutches her head. "I can''t fight¡­ I''m so useless. My Stigma isn''t even working anymore¡­" Her voice cracks, and she buries her face in her hands.


    "Useless idiots," Robert snaps, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic annoyance. He glares at the team, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. "Why did I even agree to lead this bunch of dead weight?"


    "Robert, what the hell is wrong with you?" Seren shouts, her head whipping toward him. But before she can press further, Finn steps forward, his chest puffed out and his arms spread wide.


    "Don''t worry, everyone!" Finn declares, striking a dramatic pose as if he''s about to leap into battle alone. "I''ll sacrifice myself to save the day!"


    "Finn, stop being an idiot!" Seren yells, her voice laced with frustration. Her eyes dart between her teammates, each one acting more irrationally by the second. Something isn''t right.


    The tree lets out a low, guttural groan, its gaping mouth contorting into an even wider smile. The rain intensifies, each drop feeling like a needle prick on Seren''s skin.


    Around the tree''s mouth, water gathers again, coalescing into a swirling sphere. The air vibrates with power, a sign of an impending attack.


    ''Wait a minute¡­'' Seren''s mind races, trying to piece everything together. The rain. The strange behavior. The tree''s sinister grin.


    Her heart pounds as realization dawns on her.


    "Everyone!" she shouts, her voice cutting through the chaos.


    "This rain isn''t just feeding the tree. It''s messing with our minds! You have to fight it!"


    But there''s no use. It seems like she is the only one being rational.


    Seren focuses her energy, her Stigma flaring to life as golden flames begin to dance along the edge of her blade.


    The divine light illuminates the surrounding darkness, casting long, flickering shadows that seem to shrink back in fear. The verdict still gives her Aureth''s power.


    She narrows her eyes at the tree, her mind racing. Flames against water, a losing match on paper. But instead of relying on brute force, Seren decides to outmaneuver the creature''s attack.


    The water jet surges toward her, a roaring stream of liquid death. Seren doesn''t dodge. She doesn''t block. Instead, she sprints straight for the tree, her blazing sword held firm, its heat cutting through the oppressive cold of the rain.


    Her hexed teammates stare in stunned silence as the deadly jet nears her.


    "Seren, no!" Ahri cries out, but Seren doesn''t falter.


    At the last moment, something intercepts the attack. Finn lunges forward, his hands glowing as he summons a barrier around himself. The water jet slams into it with a thunderous crash, the impact shattering the shield like glass.


    Finn stumbles back, clutching his chest as blood seeps from a shallow wound just beneath his left shoulder.


    "I''ll be fine!" Finn shouts, his voice strained but defiant.


    Seren doesn''t look back, though her heart clenches.


    ''I''m sorry, Finn,'' she thinks, guilt creeping into her resolve, for using Finn''s sudden heroic desire.


    The tree''s momentary distraction is all she needs. With a burst of speed, Seren closes the gap, her flaming blade aimed to sever the creature in two. The tree reacts, its roots springing from the ground like coiled vipers, reaching to block her strike.


    But Seren''s blade is no ordinary weapon. The golden flames hiss and crackle as they meet the roots, slicing cleanly through them. Severed pieces fall to the ground, smoldering with charred ends.


    The tree groans in pain, its grotesque mouth twisting into a grimace. Smoke rises from the burned roots, and for the first time, the tree appears to hesitate.


    "Let''s see how you like divine fire" Seren mutters under her breath, her eyes blazing with determination.

 Fruit of Sorrow (2)

    Seren feels a flicker of reassurance. Her flames are effective; the monstrous tree''s roots twist and writhe in agony, the fire from her previous attack scorching them relentlessly.


    Some of the roots shoot up several meters into the air, then slam down toward her with the force of falling boulders, aiming to crush her entirely.


    Seren dodges to the side with agile precision, her sword flashing as she slices through several roots in mid-air. They crash to the ground, severed in half.


    The tree responds, an eerie creaking sound echoing through the forest as its remaining roots tear out of the earth. The amount of liquid tears streaming from the tree increases, flowing down and extinguishing the flames licking at its base.


    ''It''s strong, no doubt''


    Serens breathing is steady despite the intensity of the fight. Her gaze flickers toward her teammates, her concern deepening.


    ''But I''m worried about the others...''


    She notices something strange, chaotic, disjointed movements from her comrades. Nico is repeatedly slashing his own wrist with his blood blade, the crimson liquid dripping freely but being used for nothing. The sight sends a jolt of alarm through Seren.


    Ahri is on the ground nearby, sobbing uncontrollably, her shoulders shaking as though the weight of despair has completely crushed her.


    Then there''s Robert, his face twisted with uncharacteristic anger. His voice cuts through the din of battle as he hurls cruel insults at Ahri.


    "You''re useless! Just get out of the way, you''re nothing but dead weight!"


    ''This damn mind hex... It''s driving them insane''


    She spins around frantically, searching for the rest of the team.


    ''Kiaran and Finn... wait, where are they?''


    Before she can locate them, the tree launches a fresh attack. Roots erupt from the ground like tentacles, twisting and writhing. At their tips, small blue orbs begin to form, glowing with an ominous light.


    Seren thinks grimly.


    ''Just like the water stream attack, except now there are ten of them.''


    Her sword is already in motion as she braces for the onslaught, prepared to fight through the barrage. But before she can make her move, two figures suddenly move toward the tree from opposite sides, Finn and Kiaran.


    "Damn it!" Seren curses. Her stomach twists with anger and worry.


    "The mind hex is making them reckless."


    Kiaran charges with his massive axe raised high, while Finn moves with surprising speed, his hands glowing faintly.


    Seren grits her teeth and surges forward herself, determined to distract the abomination and draw its attention away from her hexed teammates.


    The tree, however, seems unfazed by her presence. Its roots lash out in multiple directions, some targeting Seren, others swiping viciously at Finn and Kiaran.


    Meanwhile, the blue orbs at the ends of the roots close to the trunk begin to shimmer with an unsettling intensity.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    But something feels off from the previous attacks. Her instincts scream at her to move.


    The orbs suddenly burst, not into concentrated streams like before but into massive waves. The water gushes out in all directions, threatening to drown everything in its path. The forest floor trembles under the sheer force of the surge.


    Seren reacts instantly, her blade slicing cleanly through the wall of water barreling toward her. The wave splits apart, the divided currents rushing harmlessly past her.


    But her relief is short-lived. She watches in horror as the rest of her team is swallowed by the deluge, showing no signs of defending themselves. Nico and Ahri are swept off their feet, the powerful currents dragging them away like ragdolls.


    Seren notices Robert looking at her, before getting caught with the rest of Kiaran and Finn.


    The water doesn''t stop there. It forms into round prisons around each of them.


    Seren stares in disbelief as the water morphs into cages, the liquid swirling violently inside, threatening to drown her teammates where they stand.


    The cages churn with malicious intent, and her friends are helpless, thrashing weakly against their bonds as water fills their lungs.


    The tree creaks ominously, as though savoring its dominance. Seren''s mind races, her pulse pounding in her ears.


    Seren tightens her grip on her blade, her mind racing.


    ''I have to kill it to save them... Looks like there''s no other choice.''


    She raises her gaze to the ominous sky above, her lips parting as if to utter a desperate incantation. But before any sound escapes, a series of deafening explosions rip through the battlefield.


    The bubble encasing Robert bursts with violent force, leaving nothing behind, not even a trace of him.


    Seren''s eyes widen, confusion flooding her mind. But her focus is abruptly pulled to the scene ahead. Four figures, clad in military uniforms, sprint toward the tree with fearless determination.


    The creature reacts instantly, its massive roots swinging down like living hammers, crushing them effortlessly. Yet, instead of simply being obliterated, the fallen soldiers erupt into fiery explosions upon impact, the shockwaves splintering the tree''s bark and causing deep fissures to ripple through its trunk.


    The continuous flow of water streaming from the tree ceases, the liquid cages surrounding her team collapse into harmless puddles. Relief washes over Seren for a brief moment before she notices someone stepping next to her.


    "I freed myself from the hex just before the wave hit," Robert explains, his voice strained.


    "I used my Arkana. Those clones you saw, they were my doing. They''re designed to detonate on destruction."


    Seren narrows her eyes, suspicion creeping into her expression. Something feels off.


    "I know about your clones, but why was there a clone in the water prison?"


    Robert meets her gaze, a flicker of pride crossing his face.


    "I''ve ascended to the next rank: Flamebound. My Stigma evolved. I can now swap places with my clones at will."


    Seren processes this revelation as the battlefield briefly quiets. The explosions have inflicted significant damage on the monstrous tree, its roots twitching and curling in pain. Deep gashes ooze a thick, sap-like substance, and several of its glowing blue orbs dim and flicker.


    Despite the damage, it isn''t finished. The tree shudders violently, its branches creaking and twisting with renewed malice.


    Seren glances back at her team. The others are slowly regaining their composure, the mind hex that had them captive is now broken.


    Nico wipes blood from his wrist, a grim determination replacing his earlier confusion. Ahri rises shakily to her feet, her tear-streaked face flushed with embarrassment.


    Robert turns to Seren, his expression grim.


    "Everyone, especially Ahri, I apologize."


    "It''s fine," Ahri replies, her cheeks red, though her focus remains on the enemy.


    "But this thing isn''t done yet."


    Her words prove true as the monstrous tree''s maw stretches open once more. From the depths of its throat comes a chilling creak, like the scream of tortured wood.


    "It first ate the fruit with the crying face," Robert mutters, his analytical tone cutting through the tension.


    "Next should be the one with the embarrassed¡ª"


    He stops mid-sentence as the tree abruptly shifts. A different branch moves instead, carrying a fruit marked with a devilish, grinning face. The tree devours it without hesitation.


    Seren''s heart sinks as the transformation begins. The creature''s already twisted features contort further, its smile curling into something malevolent and unnatural.


    The once faintly human-like grin becomes a grotesque smile, giving off an aura of unrestrained malice. The air around it grows heavy, charged with an oppressive, almost tangible sense of evil.


    The roots, now darker than before, writhe with renewed vigor, their movements more calculated and sinister. The glowing orbs on their ends pulse erratically, like hearts beating in a frenzied rhythm.


    Kiaran grabs his axe tighter, his knuckles whitening.


    "Why can''t this damn thing just die..."

 Fruit of Malevolence (1)

    As the tree undergoes its grotesque transformation, its form becomes a true embodiment of malice. The once eerie visage now bears a wide, grotesque grin, its jagged bark twisted unnaturally to resemble furrowed brows and wrinkled, glaring eyes. The face radiates an unsettling intelligence as if the tree is mocking them.


    The golden hue of its roots fades into an abyssal black, pulsating faintly with evil energy. Newly regrown roots emerge like dark tentacles, weaving through the ground with purpose.


    The oppressive atmosphere around the battlefield grows thicker, as though the air itself is suffused with the tree''s vile intent.


    Robert surveys the team, grim determination masking his exhaustion.


    "Even though I''ve ascended, I''m running low. I''ve only got three clones left, and my essence is nearly depleted."


    The others aren''t faring any better. The earlier hex from the tree''s cursed rain hadn''t just toyed with their minds, it also drained their essence, sapping their strength and feeding the abomination''s growing power.


    Kiaran glances at Seren, his face pale and drenched in sweat, the toll of the tree''s oppressive presence clear in his strained breathing. His voice comes out hoarse, his words laced with disbelief.


    "How is it that you seem completely unaffected?"


    Seren meets his gaze briefly, her icy blue eyes calm.


    "It''s kind of my Stigma. It protects me but, there''s no time for explanation."


    Kiaran''s brows furrow, his exhaustion momentarily giving way to confusion. He opens his mouth as if to ask another question, but Seren cuts him off, her voice sharper now.


    "We have bigger problems," she continues, motioning toward the tree with a pointed nod.


    "Focus on the fight. Whatever it''s doing, we can''t let it finish."


    Before anyone can respond, the ground beneath them trembles violently. It''s no ordinary tremor. The earthquakes with alarming intensity, nearly knocking the team off their feet.


    Deep, thunderous cracks echo through the forest as the evil tree''s roots burrow and expand underground, carving through rock and soil like dark, serpentine veins.


    The tree itself begins to grow rapidly. Its trunk thickens, gnarled, and grotesque, while its height doubles in mere seconds, continuing to grow. In the end its towering above the battlefield at nearly 80 meters, it looms like a dark deity, casting an oppressive shadow over the team.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Then, without warning, the roots erupt from the ground. One strikes with blinding speed, shooting up directly beneath Ahri. It wraps around her torso, lifting her high into the air with terrifying force.


    "Ahri!" Finn''s voice pierces the chaos as he sprints toward her, desperation etched into his face.


    Ahri thrashes against the root''s crushing grip, her hands glowing faintly as she tries to summon her Stigma, trying to control or at least slow the tree down.


    But the root tightens mercilessly, the sound of cracking bones echoing through the battlefield. Blood spills from her mouth as her scream is cut short.


    Robert sends his remaining clones to attack the root. They explode in bursts of light and fire, scorching the bark but failing to sever it.


    Seren clenches her fists, her mind racing. Every second counts. The tree''s growing power is too much to handle without drastic action.


    She takes a deep breath, stepping forward as a faint golden aura begins to shimmer around her. Her movements become deliberate and precise, each motion charged with an otherworldly energy. She raises her hands and begins forming intricate, ritualistic signs in the air.


    "Elyon, the Eternal Light," she intones, her voice resonating with an unearthly clarity.


    While Seren is channeling her power, Ahri''s eyes meet Finn''s one last time, filled with pain and an unspoken plea.


    The root twists sharply, and her body collapses inward with a sickening crunch. Blood splatters across Finn''s face.


    "Grant me your strength to stand against evil. Let your judgment pierce through this abyssal corruption!"


    The root tosses Ahri''s broken body aside like discarded trash, her body hitting the ground with a hollow thud. Her lifeless eyes stare blankly into the sky above, her face frozen in the agony of her final moments.


    Robert freezes, his usually calm demeanor shattered.


    "No¡­ no¡­" he mutters under his breath, his voice hollow.


    Kiaran slams his axe into the ground in frustration, his shoulders heaving.


    "Dammit!" he roars, his fury barely masking the grief in his voice. He turns his back to the scene, unable to watch any longer.


    Finn falls to his knees, his hands gripping his head as tears stream down his face.


    Seren''s expression remains cold, her lips pressed into a thin line, but her trembling hands betray her. She still has to continue the ritual.


    Her voice carries across the battlefield, cutting through the oppressive air. Her team watches the unfolding scene in horror, but also awe as the golden aura around Seren intensifies, transforming into radiant beams of light.


    The ground beneath her feet glows faintly, forming a circle etched with divine runes.


    As she finishes the last of the ritual hand signs, she clasps her hands together and bows her head. A moment of silence hangs heavy in the air, followed by an overwhelming surge of energy. The golden light erupts from the circle, spiraling upward like a beacon of hope in the darkened forest.


    "By your name, Elyon, I call upon the Sword of Light to sever the wicked and cleanse this tainted ground!"


    The radiant energy coalesces in her hands, taking the form of a massive, glowing blade. The weapon pulses with divine energy, its edge shimmering like the first light of dawn. Seren''s form is bathed in the glow, her silhouette exuding an aura of unmatched power.


    Robert looks in awe.


    ''Impossible, she is merely a Sparkbearer...''


    The tree, sensing the threat, releases his power, it''s roots thrashing wildly in a desperate attempt to stop her. But Seren stands firm, her grip on the luminous blade unwavering.


    "For the lives this corruption has claimed, and for those it threatens still¡ªI will end you."


    With a powerful leap, Seren surges forward, the Sword of Light blazing in her hands. The air around her hums with energy as she charges straight toward the towering abomination, ready to deliver the judgment it deserves.

 Fruit of Malevolence (2)

    As Seren charges forward, a radiant embodiment of light and power, her golden aura casts long shadows over the battlefield, her brilliance stark against the encroaching darkness of the forest.


    Her steps scorch the ground, and her glowing form sends waves of heat that make even her allies step back, their sweat-soaked clothes clinging to their trembling bodies.


    Robert''s awe turns to grim determination. ''


    She burns like a star¡­ no, like a supernova,'' he thinks, his breath catching in his throat.


    The Sword of Light in Seren''s hand burns with an unending, divine intensity, and she can feel its judgmental energy coursing through her. But the power is almost too much¡ªvoices echo in her mind, their relentless chant hammering her resolve.


    ''Kill-evil K-kill-evil Kill-evil Kill-evil K-kill-e-evil Kill-evil Kill-evil K-kill-e-evil...''


    Her vision blurs from the strain, her head throbbing with pain, but her body moves instinctively, driven by the sword''s will. The massive tree looms ahead, its demonic grin widening as if mocking her.


    From its mouth, a beam of red and black energy erupts, a devastating laser that threatens to swallow her whole. Seren raises her sword and blocks it, the impact sending shockwaves through her arms.


    She presses forward, her body glowing even brighter as she cuts through the beam''s oppressive force.


    Roots emerge from the ground in her path, massive and gnarled, their darkened surfaces writhing with an evil energy. Seren swings the Sword of Light in a wide arc, slicing cleanly through the roots. Flames engulf the severed pieces, and they evaporate into ash almost instantly.


    ''Yes¡­ with this power, I could kill him'' she thinks, the sword''s relentless will fueling her thoughts.


    But then the earth shakes violently, not beneath her but toward her allies. Her eyes widen in horror as she realizes too late¡ªthe roots have tunneled underground, bypassing her entirely to attack the rest of the team.


    "No!"


    Seren screams, turning toward them, but the massive branches of the tree lash out, forcing her back. Each strike she deflects sends another wave of dizziness through her, spores erupting from the tree''s bark are clouding the air around her.


    The divine golden circle at her feet flickers slightly, her balance faltering.


    Behind her, the massacre begins.


    ~~~


    Kiaran, wielding his mighty axe, lets out a furious roar as a root bursts from the ground in front of him. With a swing that shakes the air, he cleaves it in two, the severed root writhing as green ichor sprays across the forest floor.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "Come on, you bastard!"


    He shouts, but another root erupts from the ground behind him. He swings around to strike, but it''s too late. The massive root crashes down on him, slamming him into the dirt. His axe clatters away as his body crumples beneath the crushing weight. Blood pools beneath him, his last thoughts bitter.


    ''Why didn''t she use that power earlier...''


    ~~~


    Finn remains kneeling by Ahri''s lifeless body, his trembling hands resting on her bloodied form. Tears stream down his face, his voice a whisper.


    "I''m sorry, Ahri... I''m sorry I couldn''t save you."


    He doesn''t notice the sharp root descending toward him until it''s too late. It impales him cleanly through the chest, lifting him into the air like a macabre trophy. His head droops forward, his blood dripping onto Ahri''s body below. His final thought is one of regret.


    ~~~


    Nico forms a crimson shield of blood around himself, his face contorted in determination. His voice is strained.


    "You''ll have to try harder than that!"


    The roots slam against the shield repeatedly, each impact causing the barrier to crack and weaken. Nico grits his teeth, the blood he''s using to sustain the shield draining rapidly.


    He tries to reinforce it, but his essence is almost gone, and his body begins to tremble from the strain.


    Finally, the shield shatters with a deafening crack, and the roots close in. One wraps around his torso, squeezing relentlessly. His ribs snap audibly, and blood pours from his mouth. As he is crushed, his thoughts are bitter.


    ''So this is how it ends¡­ All for nothing.''


    ~~~


    Robert, having the power of a Flamebound Awakened, channels the last reserves of his strength. His body glows faintly as he reinforces it with his Stigma''s power, enduring the crushing blows of the roots.


    "I won''t die here!"


    He loudly roars, punching one of the roots with enough strength to splinter its surface. But even his enhanced body can''t hold out for long.


    Seren''s voice cuts through the chaos.


    "Robert, get out of here! Inform the army¡ªnow!"


    For a moment, Robert hesitates, looking at the blood-soaked battlefield and the crumpled forms of his teammates. He has a short moment, a final opportunity to flee the battlefield, abandoning his team.


    He looks around him, checking on their situation, be he is horrified, as he realizes that there no longer is a team to abandon.


    "Go!" Seren screams, her voice breaking.


    Robert grits his teeth and turns, sprinting toward the Void Breach. The roots lash out after him, but he dodges with desperate agility, his reinforced body barely holding up against the onslaught.


    ~~~


    Seren fights with everything she has, her golden sword blazing as she cuts through wave after wave of roots. The oppressive spores cloud her vision, and the tree''s branches block her path, forcing her back.


    Her teammates'' dying screams echo in her ears, each one a dagger to her heart. She swings her sword wildly, severing another root, but the tree continues its relentless assault.


    The ground beneath her glows faintly as her Stigma''s power fights to keep her upright, but the exhaustion and pain threaten to overwhelm her.


    The tree''s sinister grin widens further as if reveling in her despair. Its branches sway mockingly, its corrupted face pulsating with malevolent energy.


    Seren''s voice trembles as she whispers to herself.


    "I couldn''t save them¡­ I couldn''t save any of them."


    Her golden aura flickers as the weight of her guilt and anger crashes down on her. But even as tears stream down her face, she tightens her grip on the Sword of Light.


    "I will end you," she growls through clenched teeth, her resolve hardening once more.


    Seren looks around her, making sure that at least Robert escaped. The battlefield she sees is a scene of devastation, the once dry, but lush forest is now a graveyard of broken roots and lifeless bodies.


    The towering abomination stands triumphant, its shadow engulfing Seren as they prepare for one final clash.

 Fruit of Malevolence (3)

    Seren charges in, her fury a furnace that ignites the divine essence coursing through her veins. Her golden aura blazes like a miniature sun, pushing back the oppressive darkness of the forest and painting the ancient trees in stark, otherworldly light.


    Each step she takes crackles with raw power, the ground beneath her feet trembling as though it, too, feels her wrath.


    The tree looms before her, its twisted visage carved into the wood like a mockery of life. The hollow eyes glow with a malevolent red light, their eerie shine cutting through the thick, spore-laden fog.


    Its grotesque smile widens as if daring her to act, mocking the pain it has already caused.


    The spores cloak the forest in a choking haze, clinging to her golden aura like parasites trying to extinguish a flame. Her breathing slows, steady and deliberate, as her ascended form sharpens her senses.


    Her blue-golden eyes scan the chaos, the world around her a tapestry of essence flows, threads of energy weaving through the smoke and earth.


    "Show yourself!"


    The Sword of Light glows brighter in response to her demand. She swings it with an explosive burst of force, the blade cutting through the fog with such power that it sends a shockwave rippling outward. The spores scatter like ashes in a storm, clearing the area in an instant.


    But there is nothing. No tree. No enemy.


    ''Impossible... how did it just vanish?''


    Seren takes a look at her surroundings, her current ascended form allows her to have a deeper understanding of how essence flows.


    ''The thing still has to be connected to the Void Breach''


    She notices a slight flow of essence, somewhere deep underground. It has to be its roots.


    She leaps into the air with a grace that belies her intensity, her golden aura leaving trails of light as she ascends. Holding the sword high, she channels her essence into the blade, the divine weapon glowing brighter than ever.


    The sheer amount of energy surging into it hums in the air, vibrating with the power of more than fifty Sparkbearers combined.


    Gravity brings her down, the sword coming with her. The enormous amount of Essence pushed into the sword gets released at a moment''s notice. The sound that erupts as Seren releases the divine energy is unlike anything the forest has ever seen.


    It begins as a deafening, high-pitched whine, the vibration of pure essence condensing in the Sword of Light. This shrill note grows louder and deeper, transforming into a guttural roar as the energy reaches its peak. The earth groans, the very crust of the planet trembling beneath her.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    As the energy explodes from the sword, the sound is a symphony of destruction, a layered cacophony of shattering wood, cracking stone, and a cascading rumble as debris is flung skyward.


    The golden flash obliterates everything in its radius, and the resulting shockwave spreads out in a ring of pure kinetic devastation, shaking trees to their roots and flattening weaker ones far beyond the immediate impact.


    When the light fades, the destruction is evident. A medium-sized crater, spanning at least 10 meters (35 feet) in diameter, lies at Seren''s feet.


    The ground inside is scorched black, the soil turned to glass in some places from the sheer intensity of the energy. It descends at least 5 meters (15 feet) deep, exposing tangled roots that writhe faintly as if still alive, though many have been severed or incinerated entirely.


    The air above the crater hangs heavy, filled with the residual pressure of divine essence. Even the faintest breeze struggles to stir in the oppressive, golden-tinged atmosphere.


    The once-thick smoke of the spores has been completely displaced, leaving a stark emptiness in its wake.


    Seren stands in the center of this, her golden aura flickering wildly, barely under her control. The voices, those endless, maddening voices are unrelenting.


    "More, more, more! Punish it!"


    ''So it is hiding its true form underground...''


    Her grip on the Sword of Light tightens, the divine weapon trembling in resonance with her fury. Her ascended form surges, flooding her veins with power that no mortal body was ever meant to channel.


    The aura around her becomes almost blinding, and the crater¡¯s edges crumble as the raw weight of her essence pulls the earth downward.


    Without hesitation, she slams the sword into the exposed roots, each strike causing small explosions of light and energy that further deepen the crater.


    Chunks of soil and shattered roots fly outward with every swing. The forest around her groans as ancient trees lose their stability, their mighty forms crashing to the ground like fallen titans.


    The devastation leaves a stark void where the malevolent tree once thrived. The crater is now vast, an unmistakable scar on the earth, stretching well beyond the original diameter.


    The roots are obliterated, leaving only jagged remnants, and the essence flowing from the Void Breach flickers weakly, crippled but not completely severed.


    Seren, standing amid the devastation, glows like a solitary sun. The Sword of Light pulses in her hands, and her golden aura casts eerie shadows on the walls of the crater.


    The air is silent now, the forest stunned into stillness. Even the voices seem to have quieted, as if satisfied, or momentarily sated by the scale of her wrath. Most of the forest is gone, leaving only a big crater of devastation.


    ''I guess it runs in the family''


    Beneath her, the ground splits wider, revealing a large chamber below. Seren catches sight of it, a grotesque, pulsating heart, easily the size of a small house. Its surface is covered in a patchwork of sickly black and deep crimson veins, pulsing with an unnatural rhythm.


    Roots twist and coil around it like serpents, leeching its power while spreading their corruption further into the forest. Spores waft from the heart¡¯s surface with each beat, thickening the air with their noxious presence.


    The heart¡¯s ominous beat radiates a suffocating, almost primal pressure, even Seren in her ascended form feels its weight pressing down on her like an unseen hand. Yet, she knows, this overwhelming power isn¡¯t the tree¡¯s.


    The once mighty tree, now a grotesque shell of its former self, is merely a parasite, feeding off the heart¡¯s immense energy.


    The realization sends a chill through her.


    ''What, or who is the true master of this horrifying heart, and how powerful would the owner of it be?''

 Cut Off by Light

    Seren mutters something to herself; her voice is a mixture of exhaustion and determination:


    "It doesn''t matter, I just have to destroy it."


    Instead of jumping down, Seren tightens the grip and charges up her Sword of Light again. The glow intensifies with each passing moment. Instead of leaping directly toward the infested heart, Seren plants her feet firmly on the unstable ground.


    Her golden aura flares, and she channels the energy of her Stigma into the sword. The light intensifies, illuminating the dark battlefield like a miniature sun. Sweat drips from her brow, stinging her eyes, but she doesn''t falter.


    She raises the Sword of Light high above her head, the glowing blade almost too bright to look at directly. With a deep breath, Seren brings the sword down in a powerful arc, aiming toward the massive, pulsating heart below.


    The air ripples with the force of her swing, and a brilliant blade of light erupts from the sword, flying downward like a divine comet.


    The glowing blade strikes its target precisely, burying itself deep into the heart''s corrupted surface. A thunderous explosion rocks the ground, sending a shockwave outward that shakes the surrounding trees and cracks the earth further.


    The light burns fiercely, devouring the corruption like a holy flame. As the smoke and debris begin to clear, Seren peers down into the newly formed chasm. Her eyes widen at the sight before her.


    The heart is enormous, larger than she had anticipated. Once covered in a grotesque patchwork of sickly black and deep crimson veins, its surface now glows faintly with an otherworldly blue hue.


    The black veins have receded, burned away by her divine attack. The rhythmic pulsing beats slowly, creating a low, resonating sound that fills the air like a drumbeat.


    ''It''s changed...'' Seren thinks.


    The heart seems almost purified, as though her light has cleansed it of its corruption. The blue glow is serene yet unsettling, its ethereal luminescence casting strange shadows around the fractured earth.


    Seren''s power quickly declines, the overwhelming energy that once surged through her body is now fading like a receding tide. The toll of her exertion becomes painfully clear. Her vision blurs, gray spots creeping into the edges of her sight, narrowing her focus to a shrinking tunnel.


    The once radiant golden aura that surrounded her flickers weakly before vanishing entirely, leaving her with an exposed and vulnerable feeling.


    Her limbs grow heavy, trembling under the strain. The almighty strength she wielded moments ago has abandoned her, leaving behind a deep, aching fatigue that settles into her bones.


    Even the simple act of drawing breath feels like a monumental effort. Her chest heaves, each inhale shallow and labored. Her body screams for rest, but the battlefield offers no comfort.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    The adrenaline that had carried her through the fight fades, and a torrent of emotions comes with it. Memories of the battle flash through her mind:


    Robert''s frantic shouts, Kiaran''s defiant swing of his axe, Finn''s helplessness as he knelt beside Ahri''s lifeless body, Nico''s final, desperate stand. Each moment replays with agonizing clarity, each memory a dagger twisting in her soul.


    "I-I killed them, I killed them all..." her voice is full of horror.


    Her knees buckle, and she collapses to the ground, her hands digging into the dirt as tears stream freely down her face. Her breath hitches, the enormity of her guilt threatening to suffocate her.


    "They''re dead because of me," she sobs, her body shaking uncontrollably.


    Her mind spirals deeper into despair, the realization clawing at her heart.


    ''If I had used my power sooner¡­ if I hadn''t been so weak¡­ if I¡ª'' Her thoughts are interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps.


    Robert approaches his expression, a mixture of exhaustion and sorrow. His uniform is battered, his movements slow and deliberate, but he''s alive. The sight of him should offer comfort, but it only sharpens the knife of her guilt.


    "They trusted me¡­" Seren chokes out, her voice barely audible. She looks up at Robert, her tear-streaked face twisted in anguish.


    "They trusted me, and I failed them."


    Robert kneels beside her, his own pain evident in his eyes.


    "Seren, it isn''t your fault. We were all fighting for our lives. This¡­ this is what war is."


    Then, Seren''s eyes widen, realization hitting her like a truck.


    "Robert, what are you doing here? It''s impossible that you''ve already returned. Quickly, we have to get to the Void Breach before it closes!"


    Seren tries to rise with a burst of determination, but her body screams in protest, every muscle trembling with exhaustion. Robert gently places a firm hand on her shoulder, urging her back down.


    "It''s no use," he says, calm but laced with resignation. He adds:


    "When I got there, the gate was already closed. Normally, even after the Guardian is slain, the Essence from the environment sustains the Void Breach for at least five minutes."


    Seren''s hands curl into fists, her nails biting into her palms as guilt crashes over her like a tidal wave. She forces the words past her dry lips:


    "I¡­ I''m sorry, Robert. I must have destroyed the roots connected to the Void Breach early on in the fight."


    Robert looks at her, his gaze soft despite the grim situation. He tries to lighten the weight of her guilt, his voice tinged with a faint chuckle.


    "Don''t worry. I figured as much after I saw you light up the whole forest. It''s not every day someone turns the battlefield into a damn sun."


    Even in the direst moments, Robert''s composure remains intact, a steady anchor in the storm. His calm demeanor washes over Seren, steadying her ragged breaths. The uncontrollable sobs wracking her body begin to subside.


    "We''ll find another Void Breach," Robert says firmly. "One that can get us back to Earth."


    Seren nods slowly, but the weight of his words settles in her gut like a heavy stone. Finding another Void Breach is no simple task. Without an army-issued map, it''s nothing more than a game of chance, one with stakes that result in death.


    Her mind races through the horrifying possibilities. If they''re lucky, death might come quickly. Emerging into a sealed Void Breach, crushed instantly by tons of concrete, would be merciful compared to some other fates.


    The oceans are another likely outcome. Seren shudders at the thought. Abyssal waters are home to unspeakable horrors. The military''s sensors frequently detect anomalous sound waves in the deep, signals of abominations too vast to comprehend.


    The largest one ever recorded suggests a creature larger than some small countries. Its movements alone alter ocean currents and cause seismic tremors.


    And then there''s the skies. A breach could open hundreds of meters above the ground. Even if the fall didn''t kill them, city air defenses or energy shields would finish the job. They would face an equally grim fate in the wilderness if they landed far from civilization.


    Seren exhales shakily, her shoulders slumping under the enormity of their predicament.


    "Great¡­" she mutters bitterly, the word laced with despair.

 The Guardians Domain

    Ravyn stares at the swirling Void Breach in front of him, its edges flickering with chaotic energy that pulses in rhythm with his heartbeat. The air around it is heavy and oppressive, a tangible reminder of the power such a rift commands.


    This has to be the one. Elder Sylvorn''s map is clear. This breach leads to a forest near a small settlement just outside Arcanum, the famed city housing the prestigious academy of the same name.


    ''Aris...'' the name lingers in his mind like a fragile ember amidst the suffocating darkness of the Abyss.


    The hope of finding his sister is all that keeps him going. Even for someone born and raised here, the Abyss is relentless. To travel alone through its vast expanse is a death sentence for most, but Ravyn is no ordinary traveler.


    Still, the dangers are ever-present. Every shadow threatens to conceal a predator, every distant sound a prelude to violence. His solitary journey has been grueling and forced him to push past his limits, ascending from Ignited to Flamebound, the third rank of awakening.


    It''s a significant milestone, yet he knows better than to feel secure. Each rank is an enormous leap, but the Abyss cares little for progress or preparation.


    Ascension to a higher level of power works similar to working out. Regular humans who train their bodies push their muscles to the limit, basically injuring them on a very small level. The muscle fibers regrow stronger, strengthening the muscle.


    Ascension works similarly. An Awakaend has to overexert himself, pushing past his limits. But this is easier said than done. Most people can only fully push themselves if the stakes are high, like fighting Abyssal Monsters that want to kill one.


    So, just training takes way longer, and on higher levels, it doesn''t help at all with ascending to the next milestone.


    The difference in power between humans and Abyssal monsters underscores that stark reality. Humans follow a strict hierarchy of awakening:


    Sparkbearer


    Ignited


    Flamebound


    Starborn


    Voidweaver


    Celestial


    Monsters, however, scale exponentially in power, and even creatures of the same rank vastly outclass their human counterparts.


    It is unknown if their strength will rise like that of humans. But they also have a Hierarchy, even if Humans just make it up to classify them properly:If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Wretched


    Dreadling


    Malformed


    Eclipsed


    Worldeater


    Leviathan


    It takes five Sparkbearers or one Ignited to bring down a single Wretched, and for a Dreadling, the odds are steeper: Either fifteen Sparkbearers, three Ignited, or one Flamebound. With less than that, the chances of slaying a Dreadling are very low.


    But there are always exceptions, especially when comparing humans to other humans.


    Because the power of one''s Stigmata makes a huge difference, someone might be on a higher rank, but if his Stigma is not suited for combat while the enemy is, then he will most certainly lose.


    The Void Breach Ravyn is looking at is just like him. It''s not ordinary. Ravyn knows it, and so must the villagers.


    Otherwise, it would have already been sealed. Formed during a Category 3 Essence Storm, this breach birthed a guardian of matching power: a Malformed ranked enemy.


    It usually takes two to three Flamebound to subdue such a foe, but this breach''s guardian is no ordinary Malformed. Sylvorn''s notes suggest that this could be a Lesser Demon, one of the strongest Malformed. Large adventuring parties and seasoned mercenaries have tried and failed to slay it, their efforts ending in disappearance.


    It is unclear if it possesses a Stigma, the unique mark of higher Abyssal beings, but even if it does not, the Lesser Demon''s intelligence and power make it a threat Ravyn cannot underestimate.


    His grip tightens on the hilt of his blade as he exhales slowly, steadying his resolve.


    He pockets Sylvorn''s map, preparing for battle. There''s no turning back now, no alternative path. If the Abomination hasn''t attacked yet, it''s either completely blind¡ªor so confident in its dominance that it doesn''t consider him a threat.


    Ravyn approaches the breach and feels the ominous presence of demonic energy radiating from within.


    ''Its power doesn''t extend beyond the breach,'' he thinks.


    ''That means it''s either a trap or... it''s somehow bound to the portal itself.''


    He is ready to activate his most recently acquired Stigma, Absolute Void, if necessary. He takes a deep breath, steps out from his cover in the dense bushes, and moves into the clearing. His stride is steady and deliberate. It''s as if his nerves are made of steel.


    Nothing happens. There''s not a sound, not even a ripple of movement from the breach. He pauses momentarily, then takes the final step forward and crosses through.


    The world shifts. Instead of emerging under a blue sky filled with sunlight, Ravyn finds himself in an abyssal void. There is no sky above him; instead, it is an infinite black expanse with no stars or moonlight.


    The ground beneath his feet is cold and unyielding, made of dark, ancient stone bricks. The air is thick and still.


    He''s inside a temple. Six massive pillars stretch forward into the darkness, their bases adorned with barely visible hanging lamps. The faint, flickering light illuminates a single path: a red carpet stretching toward a throne at the chamber''s far end.


    ''This... has to be the guardian''s domain. It''s most likely tied to its Stigma.'' Ravyn thinks.


    Green splatters stain the pillars, and streaks of Abyssal blood dry against the ancient stone. These are signs of conflict. Either the monsters turned on each other¡ªa rarity in the Abyss, or humans put up resistance against the Abomination.


    Ravyn moves cautiously, his senses sharp. He approaches the throne with deliberate steps, his gaze darting between the shadows behind the pillars. Every flicker of light, every dark corner, is a potential ambush.


    When he reaches the throne, he pauses. The chamber is silent, unnervingly so. There are no visible exits, no lurking enemies¡ªjust the oppressive stillness of the void.


    ''If there''s nothing else...''


    He hesitates for a moment before stepping forward and sitting on the throne. The cold stone presses against his back as he lowers himself into it. In his mind, it''s the only course of action left.


    As he settles, a sharp mechanical click echoes through the chamber, reverberating against the pillars. Ravyn''s eyes narrow.