Chapter 75: Embrace of the Abyss

The collapsing Void portal roared like a dying beast, its chaotic energy pulling everything towards it. Drake and Corvus, caught in the vortex, struggled against the immense force, their feet slipping on the crumbling floor.

"Corvus!" Drake yelled over the din, "Any ideas? Because this 'being sucked into a collapsing interdimensional portal' thing isn't exactly on my bucket list!"

Corvus, his face pale, struggled to maintain his footing. "I'm trying!" he shouted back, his voice strained. "But the energy is too chaotic! I can't get a lock on anything!"

Drake, realizing they were running out of time, decided to take a risk. He knew he needed to tap into the full extent of his powers, including the darkness that resided within him. He had primarily focused on the Void, its chaotic energy resonating with his own unpredictable nature. But the darkness, the primal, consuming force, was another aspect of his power, one he had yet to fully explore.

"Alright, Darkness," he muttered, closing his eyes and reaching deep within himself. "Let's see what you've got."

He felt a shift within him, a cold, consuming power rising to the surface. It was different from the raw, chaotic energy of the Void. This was a deeper, more controlled force, a darkness that whispered promises of power and control.

*Notification: "Skill Discovered: Shadow Tendrils (Darkness) (Level 1). Cost: 40 Mana. Effect: Summons shadowy tendrils composed of pure darkness. These tendrils can ensnare, damage, and drain the life force of enemies."*

He opened his eyes, now glowing with a dark, intense light. He extended his hand, and shadowy tendrils erupted from the ground, solidifying into writhing appendages of pure darkness. These tendrils were different from the Void Tendrils, darker, more menacing, and radiating a chilling aura.

"Let's see if we can't… *persuade* this portal to cooperate," Drake said, a hint of darkness creeping into his voice.

He directed the Darkness Tendrils towards the crumbling edges of the portal, using them to anchor himself and Corvus to the remaining stable parts of the chamber. The tendrils dug into the stone, holding them firm against the pull of the vortex.

The Voidbringer, still struggling to regain control of the collapsing portal, noticed Drake's use of dark magic. His eyes narrowed. "You dare use such power against me?" he snarled.

He unleashed another blast of Void energy, this time aimed at the Darkness Tendrils holding Drake and Corvus. The tendrils writhed and shrieked as the Void energy struck them, but they held firm, their dark energy resisting the chaotic force.

"Nice try," Drake said, a dark grin spreading across his face. "But I'm afraid these shadows are a bit more… *persistent* than you thought."

He then used the Darkness Tendrils to lash out at the Voidbringer, ensnaring his legs and pulling him towards the crumbling edge of the portal. The Voidbringer roared in anger, struggling against the dark tendrils, but they held him fast.

"Looks like your party's over, Voidbringer," Drake said. "Time for you to… *embrace the abyss*."

With a final surge of dark energy, Drake severed the connection between the Darkness Tendrils and the chamber walls, sending the Voidbringer tumbling into the collapsing portal. The portal shrieked one last time before imploding, vanishing completely.

The chamber fell silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of Drake and Corvus. They were safe, for now.

Drake deactivated the Darkness Tendrils, the shadowy appendages dissipating into the air. He felt drained, both physically and magically. The use of the darkness had taken a toll on him, leaving him feeling cold and empty.

*Notification: "Void Embrace Deactivated."*

He looked at Corvus, who was staring at the spot where the portal had been. "Well," Drake said, breaking the silence. "That was… intense. I think I need a drink. And maybe a long nap. And possibly a therapist."

He then checked his Codex, adding the experience he had earned from the encounter.

*Experience: 5400 + 6000 = 11400/11000*

*Notification: "Level Up! Drake has reached Level 13!"*

*Notification: "Stat Points Available: 13"*

*Notification: "Skill Points Available: 2"*

He allocated his stat points putting 3 into Constitution, 3 into Intelligence, 3 into Wisdom and 4 into charisma.

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Constitution +3. Current Constitution: 45."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Intelligence +3. Current Intelligence: 27."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Wisdom +3. Current Wisdom: 29."*

*Notification: "Stat Points Allocated: Charisma +4. Current Charisma: 29."*

He allocated his skill points, putting one into Shadow Rend (Darkness) and one into Void Shatter.

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Shadow Tendrils (Darkness) (Level 2). Effect: Increased damage and life drain."*

*Notification: "Skill Point Allocated: Void Shatter (Level 3). Effect: Increased damage, blast radius, and now has a chance to inflict the 'Void Corruption' status effect. Void Corruption deals damage over time and reduces enemy magic resistance."*