[ The Shadow of the Abyss—Alina and Dante Confront the Mysterious Figure Who Calls Her "The One" ]

The cavern's air grew unnaturally cold. The figure emerging from the Guardian's remains exuded an ominous presence, his long black robes shifting unnaturally despite the stillness of the room. Arcane symbols glowed along his arms, pulsing like a heartbeat.

His red eyes locked onto Alina.

"I see… So you're the one."

Alina felt her body tense. Every instinct screamed at her to move, attack, defend—do something. But she couldn't. The weight of his gaze pinned her in place.

Dante, ever the reckless one, didn't hesitate.

"Alright, creepy guy." He spun his daggers between his fingers. "Who the hell are you?"

The man ignored him. He took a slow step forward, the ground beneath his feet cracking as if rejecting his very presence.

Alina forced herself to speak. "What do you mean, 'the one'?"

The man tilted his head. "You do not yet understand?" His voice was deep, smooth, yet chilling. "No matter. You will… soon enough."

Alina gritted her teeth. She hated cryptic nonsense.

"I don't have time for riddles," she snapped. "Who are you?"

The man raised his hand, black energy swirling around his fingertips like smoke. "My name… is irrelevant. What matters is what you have awakened."

Dante scowled. "Yeah, see, that still doesn't answer the question."

Before either of them could react, the man raised his palm toward Alina—and a surge of dark energy rushed forward like a tidal wave.

BOOM.

Alina barely had time to throw herself to the side as the attack obliterated the ground where she had been standing. Jagged pieces of rock flew in all directions, forcing her to roll to safety.

Dante lunged forward, daggers flashing, but the man vanished in a swirl of black mist before reappearing several feet away.

Alina scrambled to her feet. "Alright. So we're fighting."

The man smirked. "I only wish to test you."

Test this.

Alina surged forward, her sword glowing faintly as she swung with full force. But the moment her blade made contact with the man's robes—

She passed straight through him.

It was as if he weren't even there.

Her eyes widened. "What the—"

A powerful force slammed into her chest, sending her flying backward. She crashed into the cavern wall, coughing as dust filled her lungs.

Dante gritted his teeth. "Great. He's got ghost powers."

The man stretched out his hand again.

"You are still weak," he said simply.

Another pulse of dark energy erupted from his palm, heading straight for them.

This time, Alina reacted faster. She raised her sword just as the energy made contact—and for a brief second, the darkness wavered.

It resisted her blade.

Alina's eyes widened. I can block it.

She gritted her teeth, pushing against the force with all her strength. Sparks of white light flickered at the edges of her sword, clashing violently with the shadows.

The man narrowed his eyes.

"…Interesting."

Dante took the opportunity to hurl one of his daggers directly at the man's head. 

For the first time—he dodged.

He shifted slightly, and the blade whizzed past his face, cutting off a strand of his dark hair.

His smirk vanished.

"Enough."

In an instant, the cavern rumbled violently. The air grew heavier, as if something massive and unseen had awakened.

Alina's pulse quickened. This isn't good.

The man lifted his gaze toward the ceiling. His red eyes flashed.

"Let's see how you handle this."

The ceiling cracked.

Then—it collapsed.

---

Alina and Dante had seconds to react.

A massive chunk of stone plummeted toward them, but Dante grabbed her wrist and yanked her aside. The boulder crashed where they had been standing, sending shards of rock flying.

More debris rained down. The entire cavern was falling apart.

Alina looked back toward the man—but he was already gone.

Of course he is.

Dante grabbed her arm. "We need to move. Now!"

Alina barely nodded before sprinting toward the exit. The ground shook violently, making every step a struggle.

Behind them, a deafening roar filled the air—not from the cave, but from something inside it.

Dante risked a glance back. "Tell me that's just the sound of rocks."

Alina didn't look. She didn't want to.

Because whatever was lurking in the darkness behind them…

It was still alive.

---

The tunnel leading out of the cavern was collapsing fast. Rocks and dust filled the air, making it hard to see.

Alina coughed. "Almost there!"

Dante swore under his breath. "This better not be one of those 'the cave collapses and we barely make it out' moments."

Alina wanted to tell him not to jinx it, but she was too busy running for her life.

The exit was just ahead—a narrow opening where daylight barely peeked through.

Then a massive chunk of stone dropped in front of it, sealing them in.

Dante skidded to a stop. "Oh, come on!"

Alina gritted her teeth. "Stand back."

She raised her sword, channeling every bit of energy she had left into one final strike.

With a battle cry, she swung—

And the rock shattered.

Light flooded in.

They burst out of the cave, gasping for air as they tumbled onto the grass outside.

For a long moment, they just lay there, panting.

Dante broke the silence. "Well. That sucked."

Alina let out a weak laugh. "Agreed."

She turned her head slightly, looking at the ruined cave entrance. The rocks had sealed it shut.

The mysterious man was gone.

But that thing inside…

It was still there.

Waiting.

Watching.

Alina clenched her fists. This isn't over.

She didn't know who that man was, or what he wanted.

But one thing was certain—

He knew her.

And that meant he was coming back.