The Abyss

As soon as Asuka touched the darkness of the abyss, a cold and heavy pressure overwhelmed her. When she touched the ground she immediately fell to a knee and began heaving for air. To relieve the pressure a bit, she let even more contra flow through her. A third horn grew on her head and she was finally able to stand. Finally, she was able to relax herself and take in the sight. Or, lack there of in this case. Nothing but a sea of black surrounded the girl. She couldn't even see her own hands or feet. 

Suddenly, she heard a thud sound from beside her and began to speak.

"You followed?"

"Naturally. I'm curious myself what the voice was. Also, it seems whatever this is is very dangerous. All this darkness around us is contra. Assuming it's all coming from one demon, I don't think even together as we are now could defeat it. Though, it will be difficult seeing as our sight is being interfered with."

Asuka tried to extend her contra outward to see if she could sense anything, but the surrounding contra interfered with her ability to detect if there was anything around them. She also realized that by doing this, there was less contra left to protect herself from the pressure, so she immediately stopped and brought her contra back towards her.

"Damn it. Can't even use contra to sense around. How the hell are we supposed to find this thing if there is no way to detect it?"

Almost as if to answer her question, a horrible, cold feeling of dread washed over both of them. On instinct, they both jumped back and looked into the direction the coldness came from. The source was deeper into the darkness.

"I think that answers your question Asuka. Do you want to keep going?"

Asuka hesitated at first, but quickly took two deep breaths and steeled her resolve.

"Yeah. Lets go."

~

Getting closer to the source of the evil presence, Asuka and Annie couldn't help but get the urge to leave and never return. Not even the demon Asuka battled had this much anger and hate.

"On the aeons, how can such a hateful thing exists," asked Asuka.

"Well, I'm sure when I get more memories I will see some more horrifying creatures."

"That is true."

They remained silent until a sound echoed out from her foot hitting something with metallic clink. 

"What was that?"

Not answering Asuka's question, Annie knelt down too feel what she kicked and a cold, rough sensation against her finger. She grabbed it and felt the heavy, metal links.

"Chains?"

"We must be close then," said Asuka

Closer than you think, child.

Both Annie and Asuka jumped back in fear, readying themselves from a fight.

Calm yourselves. And didn't I tell you I was too weak to do anything to either of you. Such weakness from a fellow demon makes me sick.

They don't say anything for a few seconds before Asuka began to speak.

"W-who are you?"

Oh! Taking interest in little old me. You alreadt honor me too much with your presence alone o great trinity.

"Your sarcasm isn't appreciated. Tell us who you are and what are your intentions," Annie demanded.

Who I am? My intentions? Now why would I do that and spoil the surprise? 

"Cause from what I already heard, there's no good that comes from keeping you alive," Annie replied.

Heh. You say that like you could kill me. 

"You think I couldn't?"

No. You can't.

Annie then formed a black flaming sword in her hand. In the same moment, a large mass of killing intent was focused directly towards Asuka. This made the trinity dizzy and nauseous and she began and collapse on the floor.

"ASUKA," Annie yells hearing the girls heavy fall.

Okay so I may have lied just a teeny bit about not being able to harm either of you. 

Without thinking Annie thrust her sword in the direction where the killing intent was coming from but only managing to slice the air and was punished with a vicious kick to her sternum. She landed on her feet a few meters away clutching at her bruised chest.

"Not too bad. It's not as strong as I initially thought."

I wasn't able to harm you before simply because you were too far and I was too weak. Luckily, you've come here all on your own and brought the trinity as a bonus. I must thank you for making my ambition that much more simple to reach.

The demon let out a haughty laugh sending a shiver up Annie's spine.

"No how weak it is. I'm still at an disadvantage if I try to fight it surrounded by the source of it's power. I need to grab Asuka and get out quickly."

She closed her eye's and began to manipulate her contra.

"Since we are so close and Asuka is decently strong, I should be able to sense her."

But when she spread out her contra, she wasn't able to find Asuka. Or rather, she wasn't able to distinguish Asuka's contra from the demon. Too shocked by this, she didn't notice another kick that came from the demon striking her in the face. 

Now isn't the time to be distracted princess.

"Damn it," she thought as she flew backwards from the strike and planting her face on the hard rock.

Getting up from the strike, she got into fighting stance.

"Asuka. I need you to yell so I can find you."

No response.

"Asuka please. Talk to me."

Still nothing. 

Annie then began trying to sense the demon but it stopped releasing it's killing intent, hiding it completely. Letting out a sigh, she contemplates on her next move before deciding to take a risk.

She poured contra into her third eye. She groaned in agony as her mind pulsed but she remained focused and poured more and more contra into her eye. Then, she saw it. 

Reacting with lightning speed, she caught the punch aimed at her throat and planted one of her own on the demons chin. With a crack the demons head snapped up ward but Annie quickly pulled it back down, and stabbed its hand into the ground. The demon shrieked in pain as its soul burned from the black flames. And as soon she did, another sluggish voice called out.

"Annie...I'm.....I'm over here."

Annie quickly followed the direction the voice came from and found the girl. She helped her stand and put the girl on her back. Still hearing the shrieks of the demon, she looked back with a puzzled expression.

"Just what the hell is that thing?"

"Annie...now is not the time for....questions. Let's get...the hell out of here," Asuka struggled to say.

"Right."

Turning, she made her way back out the way they came. Despite being a good distance, the demon could still be heard writhing in pain. Listening closer, Annie could just make out a couple words it was saying.

...pay....kill....repl....

Ignoring these words, she continues onward till she reaches the cliff they fell from. She then leapt to the top and let Asuka down.

"Can you walk?"

"Yeah. I-I should be fine now. Have you got any idea what that thing is?"

Annie remained quiet before responding.

"Maybe. But we can talk about it later. For now, we should head back and get as far away from that thing as we can."

Asuka nodded and they both walked away from the abyss.