Chapter 10: Clash of Convictions

The hallway trembled as Mark and Quintin's auras collided, raw power surging through the air. The ancient walls of the Forbidden Wing cracked under the pressure, dust and debris raining down.

Mark's eyes burned with crimson light, his aura swirling like a storm. His fists were clenched, his heart pounding. He could feel the Abyssal power raging within him, wild and untamed. But he wouldn't let it control him. He wouldn't lose himself to the darkness.

Quintin stood tall, his long coat billowing as his aura flared with icy blue energy. His eyes were cold, unwavering. "You say you want to protect your family… But with that power, you're more likely to destroy them."

Mark's chest tightened, his fists trembling. "You don't understand… I won't let this power change me. I'll master it!"

Quintin's expression hardened, his blade crackling with lightning. "I've heard those words before… from someone who was once my friend." His aura surged, his voice low. "He said he could control it… but he became a monster."

Mark's eyes widened. "Someone else… had this power?"

Quintin's face darkened, his gaze distant. "Yes… And I had to kill him with my own hands." His aura grew colder, his blade gleaming. "I won't hesitate to do the same to you."

Mark's heart raced, his resolve hardening. "I'm not him. I'll prove it to you… by defeating you!"

Quintin's eyes narrowed, his aura crackling. "Then show me… Show me if you're worthy of that power!"

He moved in a flash, his body vanishing into thin air. Mark's senses screamed as the air grew cold, a chill running down his spine.

[Skill Activated: Spectral Shift.]

Quintin's form materialized behind Mark, his blade slicing downward with blinding speed. Mark's instincts took over, his body twisting just as the blade grazed his shoulder, the cold aura numbing his skin.

Mark gritted his teeth, his aura flaring. "You're fast… But I won't fall for the same trick twice!"

He spun around, his fist surging with Abyssal energy.

[Skill Activated: Abyssal Strike – Max Level.]

His punch collided with Quintin's blade, the impact shaking the entire hallway. Sparks flew as their auras clashed, the force sending shockwaves through the air.

Quintin's eyes gleamed, his blade pushing back against Mark's fist. "Not bad… But it's not enough!" His aura surged, lightning crackling around his body.

[Skill Activated: Thunderous Tempest.]

A burst of lightning exploded from Quintin's blade, arcing toward Mark with blinding speed. Mark's heart raced, his body moving on reflex.

[Skill Activated: Speed Mirage – Max Level.]

His form blurred, vanishing just as the lightning struck his afterimage, scorching the ground. He reappeared above Quintin, his fist surging with Abyssal energy. "Take this!"

He struck downward, the force of his blow shaking the air. But Quintin's form flickered, his body vanishing into mist.

Mark's eyes widened. "An illusion?!"

Quintin's voice echoed through the hallway, cold and mocking. "You're predictable." His form materialized behind Mark, his blade crackling with lightning. "Thunder Pierce!"

The blade shot forward, lightning bursting from its tip. Mark twisted, his aura flaring.

[Skill Activated: Abyssal Barrier.]

A shield of darkness formed around him, the lightning crashing against it with a deafening roar. The impact shook the ground, cracks forming beneath his feet.

Mark gritted his teeth, his body trembling under the pressure. "Damn… His power is overwhelming!"

Quintin's eyes narrowed, his aura blazing. "Your darkness is strong… but it's wild and untamed. You can't control it." He raised his blade, lightning swirling around him. "I'll end this… before you lose yourself!"

Mark's heart raced, his mind spinning. He couldn't lose—not here, not now. If he failed, he'd never reach the Abyssal Gate. He'd never protect his family.

His fists clenched, his aura surging. "I won't give up! I'll master this power… and I'll prove to you that I'm still human!"

Quintin's expression darkened, his voice cold. "Then show me… Show me the resolve of a man who refuses to become a monster!"

Their auras flared, the air crackling with power. Mark's body trembled, his heart pounding. He could feel the darkness swirling within him, wild and hungry. It called to him, whispering promises of power.

His vision blurred, his mind spinning. Memories flashed before his eyes—his mother's gentle smile, his sister's laughter. They were his reason for fighting, his reason for living.

He couldn't lose himself. Not when they were waiting for him.

His eyes snapped open, glowing with crimson light. His aura surged, burning with newfound determination. "I won't lose… I'll protect my humanity… and I'll protect my family!"

The darkness within him roared, his power rising to new heights. He could feel it—the Abyssal Influence bending to his will, obeying his resolve.

Quintin's eyes widened, his stance faltering. "His power… It's stabilizing?"

Mark's aura flared, his body glowing with black and red energy. He took a step forward, his voice unwavering. "This power isn't my curse… It's my weapon!"

Quintin's expression hardened, his blade crackling with lightning. "Then show me… the power of your conviction!"

Their auras clashed, the shockwave tearing through the hallway. Mark's body surged with energy, his movements faster, sharper. He could feel it—his power obeying his will, his heart unshakable.

He charged forward, his fist crackling with Abyssal energy. Quintin moved to intercept, his blade blazing with lightning. Their attacks collided, the impact shaking the entire facility.

BOOM!

The walls crumbled, the ceiling cracking as their auras surged. Dust and debris filled the air, the ground shattering beneath their feet.

Mark's eyes burned with determination, his body moving on instinct. He could see it—the flow of Quintin's energy, the weak points in his stance.

He moved like a shadow, his strikes precise and powerful. Quintin's defenses faltered, his movements slowing. "Impossible… How did his power grow so fast?"

Mark's voice was steady, his eyes unyielding. "Because I'm fighting for more than just power. I'm fighting to protect the people I love."

Quintin's eyes widened, his stance breaking. Mark seized the moment, his fist surging with Abyssal energy. He struck, his blow colliding with Quintin's chest.

CRASH!

Quintin was thrown back, his body crashing through the wall. The impact shook the entire hallway, debris raining down.

Mark stood tall, his aura blazing with power. His heart was steady, his resolve unbreakable. He had proven it—to himself, and to Quintin.

He would not lose himself to the darkness.

And he would protect his humanity… no matter what.

End of Chapter 10