Man Who Defies the Abyss

Liam's breathing was still labored as he gazed at the enigmatic man who had just rescued him.

A figure wrapped in frayed black robes, his face half-obscured by the darkness under the faint city lights. His eyes burned with smoldering embers, and there was a weight to them that was almost superhuman.

The masked men—the men who had been so close to Liam—had disappeared the moment that this man turned up.

And Liam was shaken by that.

Because who was this man, who even the Abyss Order hesitated to come near?

Riven snapped into silence.

She gripped her daggers harder, creeping forward cautiously. "Who the bloody hell are you?"

The man shifted his attention to her, his face impassive. "I can ask you the same, girl."

His voice was low, ancient, like it bore the burden of ages.

Liam struggled to sit up, his legs still trembling from whatever magic the Abyss Order had employed on him.

His silver eyes met the stranger's. "You rescued us," he croaked. "Why?"

The man cocked his head to one side, observing him.

Then smiled.

"Because you're interesting."

Liam's fists clenched. "That's not an answer."

The man laughed low. "No, I don't think it's that." He moved closer at a slow pace, and although Liam fought to keep the reaction down, Liam tensed.

This man was powerful.

More powerful than any man he'd ever met yet.

Even Noctis, who'd remained silent since war ended, broke his silence in his mind.

"Liam… this man is worse than that."

Liam swallowed. "You still haven't said who you are."

The man let out a sigh, as if faintly amused by it all. "Very well. You can call me Azrael."

The name sent shivers into Liam's bones.

Riven flinched, her golden eyes narrowing. "Azrael…"

Her voice cracked. "No way."

"No way what?" Liam asked, looking at her.

Riven hesitated. Then her voice was serious.

"I've heard tales."

She turned her eyes to Azrael, eyes piercing. "They say you are the Shadow Eater."

Liam glared. "The what?"

Azrael's smile did not waver. "Ah. So humans still speak my name, after all these years. How sweet of them."

Liam's annoyance was growing thin. "Games are over," he growled. "If you do recognize me, if you do realize what is going on, then tell me."

Azrael regarded him for a moment. Then, with a slight nod, he turned and began to walk away.

"Very well," he murmured. "Walk with me."

Liam and Riven shared a look.

Then, cautiously, they trailed.

---

Azrael brought them through the devastated neighborhood, moving slowly, on purpose.

It was spooked.

The city was. hollow.

Not merely abandoned, but drained of life itself.

Even the far-off rumble of cars, the occasional streetlamp flickering—it was all absent.

As if this place was outside of time itself.

Liam's terror grew. "What is this place?"

Azrael did not slow down. "A remnant," he said. "A forgotten place in the world. The Abyss Order leaves its mark wherever they tread."

Liam's heart constricted. "They… did this?"

Azrael nodded. "This city was full of people. Now, it is nothing but another wound left behind by the war between the Abyss and the Light."

Liam's fists were clenched.

This was the real scope of what he had to handle.

It wasn't about him.

The Abyss Order was changing the world itself.

Noctis finally spoke in his mind. "This man knows more than he's saying, Liam. Keep pressing him."

Liam exhaled sharply. "If you're so familiar with the Abyss Order, then tell me—what do they want with me?"

Azrael finally stopped.

Then, he turned to face Liam, his burning eyes locking onto his.

"The Abyss doesn't just take interest in anyone," he said. "You're not just another Shadowborn, Liam Vaelthorne. You're an anomaly."

Liam felt a pulse of something—a deep, unsettling feeling curling in his gut.

"Anomaly?" he echoed.

Azrael nodded. "Your power—your very existence—defies their design."

Liam's mind raced.

He knew he was different.

The way his power evolved. The way he absorbed the abilities of those he defeated.

Even his own shadow, Noctis, had warned him from the start—he was not normal.

But to have it reflected back like this.

"What does that mean?" Liam snarled.

Azrael's face darkened further.

"It means," he stated, "that the Abyss isn't killing you."

He moved forward.

"They're claiming you."

---

Silence.

Liam's heartbeat was pounding in his ears.

The Abyss Order wasn't following him.

They were recruiting him.

Riven climbed in first. "Why?"

Azrael didn't glance away from Liam.

"Because he is more than a vessel," he declared. "He is a key."

Liam's skin crawled with repulsion. "A key to what?"

The grin faded from Azrael's face.

"The end of all things."

Ice as cold as splinters cut through the air.

Liam didn't twitch. Didn't breathe.

Azrael shook his head. "Whether or not you comprehend, you stand on the edge of something greater than yourself. You have a choice, Liam."

His eyes smoldered brighter.

"Are you going to let them take you?"

Liam's hands clenched into fists. "Like hell."

"I am sorry." Azrael's smile only grew wider.

Then, he backed away. "You have time. But not much."

He started backing away, his body fading away into the night.

"Wait—!" Liam shouted. "That's it? You're leaving us now?"

Azrael looked over his shoulder. "I gave you what you needed."

His form backed further.

"The rest is up to you."

Then—

He was gone.

The city returned to beat.

The faraway thrum of life went on.

As if he'd never existed.

Liam didn't stir, his mind spinning.

Everything weighed more now.

The reality was stark.

The Abyss Order wasn't simply attempting to murder him.

They were going to remake him into something new.

Something worse.

Riven took a rough breath. "Well… that was crazy."

Liam's face went icy.

His shadows wrapped around him, seething with rage.

Noctis in his head. "What do we do now?"

Liam let out a breath.

Then he focused on Riven.

"We find the Abyss Order," he declared icily. "And we take them out."