Into the Abyss

Liam was surrounded by a skeleton of a world long forgotten—an abandoned construction site. Trampled debris, rusted scaffolding, half-done concrete structures and broken machinery were strewn in eerie moonlight. The ideal spot for practice — remote, quiet, underground.

In the middle of the open lot, Liam stood, breathing calmly, sharpening his attention.

"Again," Noctis commanded.

He obeyed.

Shadows at his feet twisted and shifted at his will, dark tendrils rising. They coiled around his arms, crackled like whips and disintegrated just as easily when he lost concentration. It felt like trying to command a muscle he had never flexed before.

"You are becoming better," Noctis conceded. "But you are still far from in control.

Liam gritted his teeth. He needed more.

He thrust his hand forward. The darkness complied, rippling outward like a spear with a mind of its own—

CRACK.

The force slammed into a corroded steel support beam, indenting the metal sharply. Liam's eyes widened.

"Better," Noctis murmured. "But not enough."

Liam exhaled sharply. Every time he reached for the power, though, it responded, but it was like trying to hold smoke—constantly changing form, slipping just beyond full dominion.

"You must push further. Feel the abyss within you."

Liam nodded, his fists balled up. He took a big breath, closed his eyes and felt deeper.

A chill ran up his back. The shadow stirred, undulating in a way that was not of the natural world. He could sense something waiting in the dark — something that longed to be unleashed.

"Don't wait," Noctis said. "Use it."

Liam's body tensed. Whether it was fear or instinct, he didn't know, but something deep inside him whispered a warning. This power… it was never meant to be trifled with.

But hesitation was weakness.

And he was done being weak.

Liam let the power flow.

The shadows that surrounded him flared, writhing into sharp tendrils that struck out in all directions. The thud reverberated into the ground, shaking anything that might have been loose around.

For a few seconds, Liam felt invincible.

Then, the pain hit.

It felt as if fire was spreading through his chest, sharp, searing pain. His vision went blurry and his knees wobbled.

The shadows vanished.

Liam took a gulp of air, his fingers burrowing into the dirt. His body shook; cold sweat ran down his back.

"A fool," Noctis's voice hissed. "You overreached. Your body isn't ready for that much power yet."

Liam coughed, the air in his lungs quivering. "Oh god damn…" He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "So there's a limit?"

"For now," Noctis admitted. "But limits are made to be broken."

Liam grunted, lifting himself back to his feet. His body ached still, but the high of power remained. But in spite of the pain, he had known something … bigger.

He was but a drop in the bucket of what he could do."

And that understanding was both exhilarating and frightening.

Liam heard a rustling sound. He pivoted suddenly, eyes darting over the dim construction site. His new senses tingled — something was watching him.

Noctis made a sound, but it felt as though Liam could sense him honing in.

"You are being hunted."

Liam's pulse quickened. He stepped forward slowly, shadows coiling at his feet, poised to strike.

Then there was a voice from the dark.

"Not bad, kid."

Liam's body tensed. He recognized that voice.

Oris.

The man emerged from the shadows into the dull moonlight, hands in his pockets, a smirk of amusement on his face. His shadow writhed on the ground behind him — alive, coiling like a beast.

The muscles in Liam's body were burning from earlier training, but he wouldn't show weakness. "Came back for round two?"

Oris chuckled. "You're interesting. Strong, but reckless. I wonder how much of that power you can actually harness?"

Liam scowled. "I don't feel like playing your damn games."

Oris tilted his head. "Games? Oh no, kid. This is very real."

His shadow moved.

Liam could barely register the storm.

Oris's gloom lunged, faster than before. Liam sprung back, but the shadow lashed out like a whip, colliding into his ribs. The pain detonated in his body as he was thrown backward, sliding along the ground.

Liam coughed, rising to his feet. His vision blurred, but he would not go down.

Noctis's voice was calm. "Use the shadows. Feel them. Make them yours."

Liam took a breath, his ther making handnoise. He extended his arm, to feel the icy presence beneath his skin.

The darkness answered.

A tendril of shadow erupted from below him and caught Oris's next strike. The two forces slammed into each other — black hitting black — releasing a pulse of energy.

Oris raised an eyebrow. "Huh. You're learning."

Liam didn't respond. He attacked.

He surged forward, shadows following him like a cloak. He punched—his fist wrapped in blackness—at Oris's ribs.

Oris dodged, but just barely. Liam's fist clipped his side, and the older man grunted, staggering back.

Liam pressed forward. No hesitation. No fear.

He summoned the dark again — but this time, it was purposeful.

Another shadow tendril shot up and coiled around Oris's ankle. The man's eyes grew wide with shock.

Got you.

Liam tugged, jerking Oris out of sorts. Before Oris could react, Liam twisted his body and thrust a kick directly toward his chest.

The blow knocked the man backward.

For the first time, we saw Oris… surprised.

He landed in a crouch, clutching his ribs, where Liam had hit him. He let out a sharp breath and then beamed.

"Well. That's new."

Liam was tall, his body vibrating with energy. He had won.

Oris chuckled. "Not bad, kid. But don't get cocky. You are still only an amateur."

Liam narrowed his eyes. "And you're still an asshole."

Oris laughed. "Fair." He took a step back. "I'll be keeping an eye on you, Liam Vale. If you last long enough to truly become a threat."

Then Oris melted into the shadows, without another word.

Liam sighed, the muscles in his body protesting.

"He will come back," Noctis said quietly. "And others will follow."

Liam nodded, stretching his shoulders. His body bruised, but he had conquered.

He was stronger than before.

And he wasn't done growing.

Not yet.