Chapter 22: Echoes of the Abyss

Darkness coiled around Aldric like living tendrils, weaving in and out of his flesh, merging into the very core of his being. The Abyssal Pact was complete.

For a moment, he felt nothing—no pain, no exhaustion, no fear.

Then, reality snapped back.

A surge of raw power crashed through his body, his senses expanding beyond their limits. He could hear the heartbeats of his brothers in the distance, feel the shifts in mana around him, and sense the strange, otherworldly presence of the abyss still lingering in the air.

But something else was different.

His mind was… clearer.

The whispers that had once clawed at the edges of his thoughts were now subdued, no longer overwhelming but guiding—like an ancient voice speaking in the depths of his consciousness.

"You have taken the first step."

"Now, evolve… or perish."

The Others Watch

Leonidas exhaled, arms still crossed as he studied Aldric. "Well… that's new."

Tiberius didn't speak immediately, but his gaze was sharp. "The abyss accepted him."

Orin, still gripping his blade, took a step forward cautiously. "Aldric?"

Aldric turned toward them. His expression hadn't changed, but there was something in his eyes—something deeper, something ancient.

"I'm fine." His voice was calm, controlled.

Orin frowned. "Fine? You—"

Before he could finish, Aldric raised his hand.

The darkness that had once been bound to the entity responded.

It obeyed.

Tendrils of abyssal energy flickered at his fingertips, shifting, molding at his will before dispersing harmlessly into the air.

Leonidas smirked. "Looks like we've got a new trick to study."

Valerius, still watching from the observation array, finally nodded in satisfaction.

"It worked."

He turned to Tiberius. "Now comes the real test."

Tiberius didn't need to ask what he meant. Gaining power was one thing. Controlling it was another.

And the abyss was notoriously unforgiving.

The Cost of Power

Aldric could feel it now—the abyss was still inside him.

It did not take over his mind. It did not seek to consume him.

But it was… watching.

Testing.

Waiting.

Would he become its master? Or would he succumb like countless others before him?

Orin hesitated before speaking. "So… what now?"

Aldric's eyes flickered with a faint, unfamiliar glow.

"Now?" He clenched his fist, feeling the raw potential coursing through his veins.

"…Now we see what I've truly become."