Chapter 82
The **crumbling ruins** of the forgotten city faded behind them, lost to the swirling mists that blanketed the jagged mountain pass. The broken towers and shattered streets, once **glimpses of a lost kingdom**, were now nothing more than **ghosts in the fog**, swallowed by time and memory.
But the **Abyss remained.**
It didn't linger in the stone or the ruins anymore.
It **lingered in Sai.**
He walked at the front of the group, his boots **pressing into the gravel**, his steps slow but unyielding. The **black mist coiled softly** around his feet, trailing behind him in **silent, lazy tendrils**, moving with each step.
It didn't pull at him.
It didn't fight him.
It simply **moved with him.**
Because now—it **was him.**
And it would **never leave.**
---
### **A Fraying Bond**
Lena's **footsteps were light** behind him, but she **didn't speak.**
She hadn't spoken much since they'd **left the ruins.**
She **kept her distance**, walking a few paces behind him, her eyes **locked on the ground** rather than on his back.
And Sai **felt it.**
The distance.
Not the physical space between them.
But the **rift** that had begun to **stretch wider** with every step.
She wasn't afraid of him.
But she was afraid of **what he was becoming.**
And somehow—**that was worse.**
He could feel her gaze **flicker toward him** from time to time, but when he glanced over his shoulder, she was already **looking away.**
Her arms were **crossed tightly** over her chest, her knuckles pale from how hard she was clenching her fists.
Her hood was **drawn low**, her face half-hidden.
And she didn't **speak.**
But **she didn't need to.**
Because Sai could **feel her silence.**
Heavy.
Frayed at the edges.
And **growing colder** with every step.
---
### **A Watchful Eye**
Ezren walked slightly ahead of Sai, his **movements sharp and fluid**, scanning the ridgeline with **careful precision.**
His dagger **glimmered faintly** with golden abyssal fire, still flickering from the remnants of their last battle.
But Sai noticed the way **Ezren's eyes shifted** slightly now and then.
Not toward the mountains.
Not toward the path ahead.
**Toward him.**
Ezren's gaze was **steady but sharp**, the kind of look he gave when he was **measuring a threat**.
Ezren **wasn't afraid of him.**
But he was **watching.**
Calculating.
Because **Ezren knew** what Sai was too stubborn to admit.
Sai was still Sai—for now.
But the **Abyss was watching**.
And **Ezren was waiting** for the day it would **take him completely.**
Sai felt the weight of **Ezren's gaze** settle against his back like a blade **pressing against his spine.**
Not hostile.
Just **prepared.**
---
### **The Weight of Strength**
Kael walked at Sai's side, his boots **grinding softly** against the stone. His massive frame cast a **long, heavy shadow**, his greatsword slung over his back.
His golden abyssal eyes **flickered calmly**, steady and sharp.
But **Kael didn't watch Sai.**
Not like the others.
He didn't need to.
Kael had already made his **decision.**
Sai knew **without asking** that Kael had **accepted him** for what he was now.
Not as **Sai the hunter.**
But as **Sai, the walking Abyss.**
Kael didn't **flinch from him.**
He didn't **pull away.**
He simply **stood beside him.**
Solid. Unyielding.
**Unwavering.**
And somehow—that made Sai **feel more human** than anything else.
Because **Kael didn't care** if Sai was still himself.
He didn't care if the **Abyss burned through him.**
He would **fight beside him anyway.**
Even if he knew that **one day**—he might have to **cut him down.**
Sai didn't **thank him.**
He didn't need to.
Because **Kael already knew.**
---
### **The Pull of the Abyss**
As they moved deeper into the mountain pass, Sai felt it again.
The faint, **pulsing thrum** at the edge of his senses.
Not from the **gates.**
Not from **monsters.**
But from the **Abyss itself.**
It wasn't **calling to him.**
It wasn't **whispering or pulling.**
It was simply… **there.**
Present.
Constant.
Part of him.
He could **feel it pulsing** through his veins, a low and steady rhythm **beneath his skin**, as familiar and natural as his own heartbeat.
And he knew—**it would never leave.**
No matter how far he walked.
No matter how long he fought.
The Abyss would **always be there.**
Waiting.
**Watching.**
Because **he was its vessel now.**
And **it would never let him go.**
---
### **The Distant Gate**
Ezren suddenly **stopped**, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced toward the **distant ridge**.
The others slowed behind him.
Ezren's hand **tightened slightly** on his dagger, his voice low.
"Gate," he muttered flatly.
Sai's eyes **flickered faintly**.
He could **feel it now**, the familiar pulse of abyssal energy **radiating faintly** from the far side of the ridge.
The gate was **large**, its presence heavy and **dense**, far more powerful than the ones they had encountered before.
The black mist around Sai's legs **stirred softly**, coiling tighter, responding instinctively to the **familiar presence.**
But **this time—he didn't stop it.**
He let it **move freely**, flowing around him in slow, restless tendrils.
The **Abyss was awake** now.
And so was he.
---
### **The Descent into Darkness**
They crossed the ridge in **silence**, moving carefully as they approached the gate.
The jagged stone path **sloped downward** into a steep decline, the ground **fractured and uneven**, half-swallowed by **abyssal corruption.**
Massive black roots—**thick and pulsing** with golden veins—**snaked out of the ground**, twisting through the broken stone like ancient chains, strangling the landscape.
The gate stood at the **center of the crater**, half-buried beneath the earth.
Its frame was cracked and **twisting violently**, its edges flickering with **unstable black fire**, the stone veins **shifting and pulsing**, as if **trying to break free.**
Kael's eyes **narrowed faintly**.
"Looks unstable," he muttered.
Ezren's voice was low, **calculated and steady.**
"Not unstable." His dagger **flashed slightly** as he tightened his grip. **"Fractured."**
Lena's eyes **hardened slightly**, her fingers brushing against her chakrams.
"Fractured?" she repeated softly.
Ezren's golden eyes **flickered faintly** toward the gate.
"Like something's already **been through.**"
Sai's golden eyes **dimmed faintly**, his chest **tightening slightly**.
Because **he already knew.**
He could **feel it.**
Something **had already escaped.**
And **something worse was coming.**
---
### **The Abyss Moves**
Sai didn't **hesitate.**
He **stepped forward sharply**, his boots **crunching against the broken stone**, and the black mist **followed him instantly.**
Kael's eyes **narrowed slightly**.
"Sai—"
But **he didn't stop.**
The moment Sai's boots **struck the corrupted ground**, the mist **surged outward**, coiling violently toward the gate.
The **Abyss answered him**, moving without command.
No longer a tool.
No longer a curse.
Just **his will made manifest.**
The black mist **lashed violently**, swirling upward, **coiling into massive tendrils** of abyssal fire.
The fractured gate **shuddered violently**, pulsing with unstable energy.
And Sai knew—**it was waking up.**
The gate **trembled** beneath the weight of the Abyss, and for a brief moment—**he felt it.**
The ancient power **pressing against him**, testing him.
But Sai didn't **flinch.**
He **pushed forward.**
Because this time—
**The Abyss was his.**
And **nothing could stop him now.**