Amaris the fallen

The Abyssal Prison hung in the sky, suspended between dimensions by massive golden chains. Built into the side of an obsidian cliff, it pulsed with faint blue energy — a constant reminder of the ancient magic that sealed the place. Dark storm clouds circled the prison's jagged edges, crackling with pale silver lightning that illuminated the black stone walls. The air was thick with tension, the faint hum of suppressed power echoing through the chasms below.

A lone figure in a tattered gray robe approached the towering front gate. His hood concealed most of his face, but the way his shoulders hunched and his hands trembled beneath the fabric betrayed his unease. Two guards clad in golden armor stood at the entrance, their long spears gleaming under the stormlight.

The messenger's throat tightened as he stepped forward. "I… I have a message for Warden Kain from Lord Seraph."

The guards exchanged a brief glance, their expressions hidden beneath polished helmets. After a tense moment, one of them stepped aside, gesturing toward the entrance.

"Follow me," the guard said flatly.

The messenger hesitated, his legs already screaming at him to turn and run. Why does it have to be me? His heart hammered in his chest. If Warden Kain hears this message, he'll definitely break a few of my bones before sending me off…

Swallowing his panic, the messenger followed the guard through a massive stone archway. The inside of the prison was eerily silent. Tall, jagged obsidian walls loomed overhead, and the faint metallic scent of Rhu energy lingered in the air. The floors were polished black marble, and their footsteps echoed unnervingly with every step.

When they reached the massive double doors of the warden's office, the guard opened one side and slipped in, leaving the messenger standing alone in the dim hallway. He rubbed his clammy hands together and whispered to himself, "Just deliver the message and leave… simple…"

A few seconds later, the door creaked open again. "Warden Kain will see you now."

The messenger inhaled shakily and stepped inside.

The office was massive — lined with towering bookshelves and various portraits of battles and ancient figures. A large crimson rug stretched across the floor, stopping just short of the dark wooden desk that sat beneath a high arched window.

And behind the desk sat Warden Kain.

The warden's presence was suffocating. He was a mountain of a man, easily over seven feet tall, with broad shoulders and thick, corded muscle beneath his black uniform. His short, silver hair framed a sharp face with angular cheekbones and narrow, piercing crimson eyes that seemed to cut through the air itself. His gaze was cold and calculating, the type that measured your worth in a heartbeat and found you lacking.

Kain… this mortal defeated an Aryan in single combat… The messenger had heard the rumors, but seeing him in person was worse than he imagined. No… judging by that build, maybe he's killed more than one…

Kain sat with his elbows on the desk, steepling his fingers beneath his chin. He wasn't even looking at the messenger — his gaze was fixed on a portrait of an armored figure holding a spear, the figure's face scratched out by claw marks.

The messenger forced himself to speak despite the lump forming in his throat. "W-Warden Kain… I have a message from Lord Seraph."

Kain's eyes slowly shifted toward him. His gaze was unnervingly sharp, like a predator sizing up its prey. A long pause stretched between them before Kain finally spoke, his voice low and edged with danger.

"What is it now?" Kain's crimson eyes narrowed. "Does he want to speak with her?"

The messenger swallowed hard. "W-Well… you see… Lord Seraph trusts in your ability as a guard, but…"

Kain's brow twitched in irritation. "But what?" His tone darkened, laced with a quiet threat.

The messenger's knees nearly gave out under the pressure. "L-Lord Seraph said… that she… Amaris… might attempt to escape from the prison… He w-wants you to increase security immediately and—"

"Speak properly," Kain growled, his voice cutting through the room like a blade.

The messenger squeaked and finished in a rush. "—and… not slack off in your duties!"

His last words came out so fast he practically swallowed them.

Kain's gaze hardened. Without another word, he stood from his chair, his enormous frame casting a long shadow over the room. He walked toward the door, his boots thudding heavily against the floor.

"Follow me," Kain ordered.

The messenger's stomach tightened. Oh gods… please don't take me down there…

Kain strode toward the lift, his heavy boots echoing against the polished marble floor. The sound reverberated through the dark corridor, each step a reminder of the crushing authority that radiated from him. The large metal lift sat at the end of the hall, framed by two massive stone statues — grotesque winged beasts with hollow eyes that seemed to follow anyone who passed by.

The messenger's breath hitched as Kain reached out and pulled down the rusted lever attached to the side of the lift. The gears above groaned in protest as the lift's golden chains began to rattle, pulling the platform upward. A gust of cold, stale air drifted up from the depths below. The messenger's skin prickled.

Oh no…

Oh no… he's taking me down there… No, no, no, I don't want to go. I want to go back to Swarga… Why did it have to be me?!

The messenger stood frozen, his body trembling like a leaf caught in a storm. His legs felt like they might give out any second. Kain's cold, piercing eyes locked onto him.

"Aren't you coming?" Kain's deep voice cut through the messenger's spiraling thoughts like a blade.

If I don't get in, he'll kill me. But if I do… the very fear of seeing her will kill me!

Kain's brow twitched. His voice sharpened. "How much longer are you going to stand there? Get in."

The messenger flinched. His legs moved before his mind caught up, and he stumbled into the lift. His breath quickened as the iron gate slid shut with a grinding thud.

As they descended, the temperature dropped. A damp chill crept into his bones. The air turned stale, heavy with the scent of rust and mold. Torches mounted along the dark walls sputtered weakly, casting distorted shadows that slithered across the cold stone.

The deeper they went, the more the pressure increased. His chest felt like it was being crushed. Kain stood calm and composed, hands resting casually behind his back, while the messenger's hands were clenched into fists to keep from shaking.

Finally, the lift jerked to a stop. The gate screeched open, revealing the lowest floor of the Abyssal Prison — the very bottom. The cold down here wasn't natural. It bit into his skin and settled in his lungs. His breath fogged in the air.

Kain stepped out without hesitation. The messenger, however, had to force his legs to move. His body screamed at him to turn and run.

Then… he saw her.

Behind thick bars of blackened steel,

The room itself seemed to react to her existence. The walls trembled faintly. Rhu currents twisted unnaturally in the air, bending toward her like she was a black hole.

Her breathing was soft — too soft. Almost like she wasn't even alive. But the chains binding her pulsed faintly with blue light, proof that the ancient magic was still working to hold her down.

The messenger's eyes widened. His knees buckled. A sharp warmth spread down his leg.

Oh no… no, no, no…

A wet spot darkened the front of his robe, but he was too terrified to care. His mouth opened, but no sound came out.

Kain's gaze flicked toward him. "Compose yourself."

The messenger's breath hitched. His body trembled violently as he forced his gaze away from Amaris. His chest burned, heart hammering painfully against his ribs.

Kain's eyes narrowed as he looked toward Amaris. The chains rattled slightly as if in response to his gaze.

"She's awake," Kain muttered, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "That's good."

The pressure in the room deepened, pressing down on the messenger's chest like a boulder. He could barely breathe.

Kain's gaze sharpened. "This messenger has brought me a message from Lord Seraph, telling me that I should not slack off… and that you're planning to escape."

Amaris remained completely still. She didn't lift her head. Her silver hair cascaded over her face, hiding her expression. The chains bound around her wrists and ankles pulsed faintly with blue light — blessed chains forged with celestial energy, designed to burn and restrain anyone who used Rhu.