《HEIR OF THE ABYSS》


 Chapter 1: Fate鈥檚 Call

    A headman rules a village. A king rules a nation. Gods rule the world. But who dares to rule a god?


    Zaiden Herchan stood in front of the massive entrance of his new college, his ice-teal blue eyes scanning the campus. The towering buildings stretched into the sky, modern yet ancient in their own way, as if holding secrets of the past. He sighed deeply, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder.


    "Another pointless beginning..." he muttered under his breath.


    It had been years since he started feeling like a stranger in his own life. Ever since his father disappeared when he was four and his brother vanished when he was eleven, Zaiden had learned to bury emotions beneath a quiet and distant demeanor. His mother never showed any grief, and that unsettled him. He convinced himself that she was simply too broken to express sorrow. But deep down, a question always lingered¡ªdid she already know where they were?


    The moment he stepped onto campus, a subtle shift occurred. It was faint, almost imperceptible, like a ripple in the air. His instincts flared, but he dismissed it. Probably just nerves.


    Unbeknownst to him, somewhere within the shadows, two figures observed his every move.


    "So, it is him, huh?" a deep voice murmured.


    "Looks like it. Finally, after four thousand years, we found him," the other replied.


    Zaiden continued walking, oblivious to the weight of fate pressing down on him.


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Inside the lecture hall, Zaiden found a seat near the back, away from the crowd. He didn''t care for unnecessary interactions. As he pulled out his notebook, someone casually dropped into the seat beside him.


    "Yo! Mind if I sit here?" The voice was cheerful, friendly.


    Zaiden glanced up. A young man, about his age, with dark green (almost black) hair and warm honey-colored eyes grinned at him. His build was lean yet athletic, his posture relaxed. He radiated a kind of easygoing energy that contrasted starkly with Zaiden¡¯s cold aura.


    Zaiden sighed internally. So much for keeping a low profile.


    "Do what you want," he replied indifferently.


    The stranger chuckled. "Cool, cool. Name¡¯s Axze Shaw. And you are?"


    Zaiden hesitated. There was something oddly persistent about this guy, but he didn¡¯t sense any hostility.


    "Zaiden," he finally said.


    Axze smirked. "Nice to meet you, Zaiden. Guess we¡¯re stuck in this place together, huh?"


    Zaiden didn¡¯t respond. Instead, he turned his attention back to his notes. But even as class started, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this encounter was anything but ordinary.


    And he was right. Because this was only the beginning of something far greater than he could ever imagine.


    Far away, beyond the mortal world, unseen eyes watched. The gods who once ruled the heavens stirred restlessly. And in the darkness, a presence long feared and thought lost whispered in amusement.


    Finally¡­ he has awakened.