Xsafron

In a world overshadowed by eternal darkness, monstrous creatures born from meteorite fragments have ravaged humanity, forcing survivors underground into a colony devoid of light. Among them is Zami Agatoru, a young man burdened by tragedy and destined for greatness. Once a promising warrior of his clan, Zami was the sole survivor of a monster attack that claimed his family and clan. Now, he dwells in the vast, oppressive underworld, facing unimaginable horrors while seeking redemption and purpose.  

Zami’s strength stems not from supernatural powers but from years of relentless training and a cursed ability: revival. Upon death, Zami revives moments before his defeat, retaining memories and honing his skills over countless lifetimes. This ability has allowed him to surpass human limits, evolving both mind and body into the perfect warrior.  

Armed with a black katana forged from an otherworldly stone and a toxic dagger he crafted from monster bones, Zami ventures deeper into the colony. He faces terrifying Vessels, avatars of powerful entities tied to the meteorites. Each Vessel wields devastating abilities, challenging Zami’s resolve and pushing him beyond his physical and mental limits.  

As Zami progresses, he unravels the colony's dark secrets: the origin of the meteorites, the true nature of the Vessels, and the essence of the creatures that worship these fragments. Along the way, he uncovers the deeper truth about himself and the entity that dwells within him—Karesh, a being tied to the meteorite’s power.  

Driven by the need to protect humanity and confront the Vessels, Zami faces impossible odds. From the Abyssal Cradle, home of the fearsome Wailing Dread, to the Forsaken Hollow, where the Silent Agony’s true body lies, and the Withering Spire, where Shattered Dominion warps reality itself, Zami battles creatures that defy logic.  

Amid this chaos, Zami grapples with his humanity. His stoic, emotionless demeanor hides a young man carrying the weight of loss and duty. Moments of quiet—crafting weapons, preparing food, or reflecting on his clan’s philosophy—highlight his depth and resilience.  

Through countless revivals, bloody battles, and grueling challenges, Zami inches closer to his ultimate goal: destroying the meteorite fragments and ending the monsters’ reign. But with each battle, the cost of his journey grows heavier, forcing him to confront the essence of sacrifice, mortality, and the question of what it truly means to be human.

No Path but the Void

The oppressive air of the chamber thickened as Zami stood before the grotesque heart-like structure. Its sickly purple glow pulsed rhythmically, each beat sending waves of torment through the room. The Silent Agony shard in Zami's hand seemed to vibrate in response, drawn toward the twisted mass of tendrils and agony.

Zami's silver eyes narrowed, his body battered and trembling. Every fiber of his being screamed to stop, to retreat, but he gritted his teeth and stepped forward.

The shard's dark energy lashed out, connecting with the structure. Instantly, the heart reacted violently, its tendrils thrashing and slamming against the walls. Faces of agony emerged on its surface, their silent screams intensifying.

Zami planted his feet firmly, gripping the shard tighter. He began to pull, the shard acting like an anchor as he tried to wrench its power away from the heart. The tendrils coiled toward him, their movements desperate and frantic, as if trying to reclaim what was theirs.

With each step closer, Zami felt his body breaking. His skin blistered from the proximity to the heart's malevolent energy. Blood dripped from reopened wounds, and his vision blurred. The weight of countless souls seemed to press against his chest, suffocating him.

"Not yet," he muttered, his voice hoarse but resolute.

The heart's defenses grew more intense. Tendrils lashed out, slamming into Zami's side and sending him stumbling back, but he refused to let go of the shard. With a burst of adrenaline, he swung his katana, severing the attacking tendrils, their ends shriveling as they hit the ground.

Step by step, he forced his way closer. The shard's energy grew hotter in his hand, nearly unbearable, but Zami pressed on. His muscles strained, his bones groaned under the pressure, yet he refused to falter.

Finally, he stood before the pulsating mass, the shard now embedded in its surface. The heart's glow flickered erratically, and its tendrils flailed in panic. Zami gripped the shard with both hands, his knuckles white as he pulled with all his strength.

The heart let out a deafening, otherworldly screech, its tendrils latching onto Zami's arms and legs, trying to drag him away. His body burned, his mind teetered on the edge of collapse, but he focused on one thought: destroy it.

With a guttural roar, Zami channeled the shard's power. Blood poured from his wounds as he poured everything into one final act. The shard ignited in his hands, its energy exploding outward.

The chamber was engulfed in a blinding light as the heart was obliterated. Shards of the structure flew in all directions, and the tendrils disintegrated into ash. Zami was thrown back, slamming into a wall with bone-crushing force.

As the light faded, silence filled the chamber. The oppressive weight that had hung in the air was gone, replaced by an eerie stillness. Zami lay motionless, his body broken but alive.

The Silent Agony shard was gone, consumed in the explosion. All that remained of the heart was a smoldering crater, its power extinguished.

Zami's lips curved into a faint, exhausted smirk as he whispered to himself, "Finally."

Darkness claimed him as he succumbed to unconsciousness.

The Final Extraction