The Descent Into The Abyss

The arena felt like an entirely different place now. The air hung thick with the stench of blood and sweat. The battle had shifted. What started as a contest of skill had morphed into a brutal test of survival, where only the strong and the merciless would emerge victorious.

Orgar felt the change in the air. It wasn't just the physical exhaustion setting in, nor was it the ever-present danger from the Forgotten. No, it was something deeper. A darkness that seemed to pulse through the very ground beneath his feet, pulling him toward something more. It was an unfamiliar pull, a quiet voice in the back of his mind urging him forward, deeper into the madness.

He had heard the stories the whispered legends of warriors who had entered a state of mind so intense, so focused, that they transcended the limits of their own physical and mental capabilities. It was called The Abyss. And now, as he stood there in the heart of the arena, he could feel it wrapping around him like a shadow.

It was the moment he had feared, yet also the one he had prepared for.

The Call of the Abyss

As the battle raged on, Orgar's movements became more instinctual, his every decision made with terrifying precision. But there was something different now. His senses were heightened, his mind sharper. Every enemy that approached seemed to move in slow motion, each of their intentions laid bare before him. His heart beat slowly, evenly, as if the chaos around him was nothing more than a distant memory.

The Abyss was here, and Orgar was beginning to slip into it.

His muscles ached with the weight of his battle, but it was almost as if the pain no longer mattered. Every strike, every block, every movement was a perfect extension of his will. He could see the slightest shifts in his enemies' movements before they even made them, anticipating their every action before it happened. The world had slowed down for him, and yet, he was moving faster than ever before.

But in that stillness, something inside him began to fracture.

Kaela's Concern

Kaela watched from a distance, her breath steady as she danced around an enemy warrior. Her movements were fluid, precise every strike landing with deadly efficiency. But her eyes never strayed far from her brother.

Something's wrong, she thought, sensing the change in Orgar. The way he was moving, almost mechanical, as if the very essence of his being had shifted.

Her mind raced. The Abyss.

She had heard of it, of course, but she had never seen it in action. Orgar had always been the more determined of the two, but this… this was something else. This wasn't just focus or even rage. This was something more dangerous. Something that could consume him entirely if he let it.

He's losing himself, Kaela thought, a deep sense of dread settling in her stomach. But there was nothing she could do. If Orgar had truly descended into the Abyss, he wouldn't be able to hear her. He wouldn't be able to hear anyone.

The Moment of Truth

The Forgotten were everywhere now. It was a relentless assault, wave after wave of predators coming at Orgar and his team. But he no longer saw them as opponents. They were merely obstacles to be eliminated, nothing more. His thoughts were clear, singular. His body, a weapon. His mind, a razor sharp edge. Every strike he delivered was calculated. Every movement was purposeful.

But then, the one thing that could break his focus appeared.

The massive warrior who had nearly crushed him earlier the one with the tattoos and the cold fury in his eyes was back. He charged toward Orgar, his huge form cutting through the chaos like a storm.

Orgar didn't hesitate. He darted forward, his blade flashing as he closed the distance. The world around him had turned to static. The Abyss had taken hold fully now, and everything but the fight had faded into nothingness.

For a brief moment, the warrior's eyes locked with his. Orgar could feel the man's hatred, his fury, and yet… it didn't matter. Nothing mattered except the goal.

The two collided with a thunderous crash, and Orgar's dagger drove into the man's side. The warrior howled in pain, but Orgar didn't let up. With a quick twist, he delivered the final blow, and the man collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Orgar barely noticed. His focus had shifted again. He could hear the sound of the Skullball rolling toward him, as if it were drawn to him by some unseen force. It was as if fate itself had placed it in his hands.

Gorgar's Awakening

As Orgar stood over the fallen enemy, his mind consumed by the Abyss, Gorgar saw it too. His twin was different detached, cold, and relentless. It was as if Orgar had transcended his humanity in pursuit of victory.

But Gorgar understood.

He had always understood the price of victory. They had been forged in the same fire. And while Kaela might have feared the Abyss, Gorgar felt only the familiar surge of adrenaline. He didn't know if Orgar would ever come back from this place. But he would do everything in his power to make sure they won.

Without hesitation, Gorgar launched himself back into the fray, his fists smashing into the skull of another Forgotten warrior. His mind, too, was sharp, but his heart still beat with the rhythm of the fight. He fought with everything he had because winning wasn't just a choice anymore. It was the only option.

The Final Push

The battle reached its fever pitch. The Forgotten were crumbling, their resolve shattered by the relentless fury of Orgar, Gorgar, and Kaela. And then, as the Skullball rolled toward Orgar once more, he seized it with the same mechanical precision. His body was drained, but his mind… his mind was alive, burning with a cold, unrelenting focus.

The goal was within reach. Orgar launched the ball with all the force his body could muster, watching as it soared through the air like a comet. The Forgotten barely had time to react before Gorgar caught it with ease and scored the final, decisive blow.

The Twins' Final Thought

As the arena erupted in chaos, the cheers and roars of the crowd echoing in their ears, Orgar stood motionless, staring down at the floor. His mind was a blank canvas now, the Abyss receding, but its effects still lingered within him. He wasn't sure who or what he was anymore.

But one thing remained certain.

Gorgar stood beside him, his eyes gleaming with pride. They had done it.

"We won," Gorgar said, his voice low and almost reverent.

Orgar's gaze hardened, his face a mask of unfeeling determination. "Winning is everything i will do anything to win even if it means losing myself in the abyss," he said, his voice devoid of emotion, as if the words were as much a part of him as the blood pumping through his veins.

And with that, the twins turned, walking away from the battlefield. They had won. But at what cost?

End of Chapter 17