Chapter 16: Descent into Darkness

Saga begins his journey, inspired by the prophecy, into a dark and dangerous dimension known as the Abyss, home to the most elder and powerful denizens of darkness. This chapter contains a lot of descriptive writings on the Abyss, wherein the sky above is always black, the air is thick with malevolent magic, and the land is filled with nightmares-born creatures.

In Abyss, Saga has to fight as much against hostile forces from outside as the darkness within himself. The System, although erratically, continues to guide him further in the Abyss. The more he proceeds deep, the more Saga starts questioning whether the System has been his ally all this while or if the dark forces have compromised it.

The Abyss is a physical and mental challenge to him. He will also have to fight with the creatures of darkness, cross very dangerous landscapes, and survive traps that would feed on his deepest fears. On his way, he visionarily sees striking scenes of his past: his parents being murdered, his lonely childhood, and the strong feelings to get revenge. All these visions threaten to overpower him, and Saga realizes the darkness within is just as perilous as the enemies he faces.

Deep in the core of the Abyss, Saga encounters an ancient being: the Shadow King. He introduces himself as the original developer of the System. The Shadow King offers Saga a choice-give in to the darkness, and he will be able to be the most powerful entity in this world. Saga refuses to give in. After all, he has gone too far to lose himself now.

During the final fight, Saga unites the light and dark sides within him, reaching a perfect balance between the two, in order to overpower the Shadow King. The cost of such victory brought Saga true mastery over the System and the artifact. However, this was at the cost of having the power of the Abyss seared onto his body and soul forever.