Truth Behind All

Vorathos' posture remained the same, but his voice softened ever so slightly, as though a hint of pride had slipped through. "I specialize in the shadows, My Liege. My skills are focused on stealth, deception, and the ability to manifest the Abyss in ways that others cannot. I strike when least expected, and I guard the shadows when needed most. My strength lies in my versatility and my ability to blend into the darkness."

I nodded slowly, taking in his words. "It sounds like you are a master of patience as much as power."

"Indeed," Vorathos replied simply. "Patience is a necessary trait in serving the Abyss. The waiting, the watching… all of it builds strength. And when the time comes, we strike as one."

I took a deep breath, letting the weight of the conversation settle in. "I'm still not sure what the future holds," I muttered more to myself, "but it sounds like I have a lot more to learn about all of this."

Vorathos remained quiet for a moment, before speaking again in his calm, steady tone. "We all have much to learn, My Liege. But I will be here, as I have always been, ready to serve. Whenever you are ready to face what lies ahead."

His words were reassuring, and for a moment, I felt a sense of certainty in the midst of the uncertainty surrounding me. The path ahead was unclear, but with Vorathos and the others like him at my side, I knew I wouldn't have to walk it alone.

"Thanks, Vorathos," I said quietly, meeting his gaze.

"As you command, My Liege," he replied.

I paused for a moment, the weight of everything still pressing down on me. Despite the sense of reassurance I felt with Vorathos' words, there was still so much I didn't fully understand, so much left to uncover.

One question lingered in my mind, something I needed to know before I could even think of moving forward.

"Vorathos," I began, my voice steady but tinged with curiosity, "will I meet the others soon? The other Vanguards, I mean. Will they join me directly, or is there something I need to do first?"

Vorathos remained still for a moment, his shadowy figure almost blending with the room's darkness. Then he spoke, his voice calm and composed as always. "The other four, My Liege, are placed on five separate thrones throughout the Abyss. Each throne holds a key to their strength and their bond to the Abyss itself. To gather them and fully command their strength, you must claim these thrones as your own."

My mind raced as I tried to process the information. "So… I need to reach these thrones. And when I do, I'll be able to summon them or command them directly?"

"Correct, My Liege," Vorathos confirmed. "Once you claim all five thrones, you will have the authority to call upon each Vanguard. They are bound to their thrones, just as they are bound to the Abyss. But only the true monarch of the Abyss can claim them all and gather their strength."

I let the implications settle over me. "And where are these thrones?" I asked, knowing this was no small task.

"The thrones are scattered across the most dangerous and desolate parts of the Abyss," Vorathos replied. "Each one is guarded by fierce trials and entities—creatures of unimaginable power who protect the throne from those unworthy. You will need to prove yourself capable of claiming them, defeating whatever challenges await."

"I understand," I said, my voice steady now. "I will claim them all. And I'll meet them, one by one, when the time comes."

Vorathos gave a slight bow of his head, though his posture remained as imposing as ever. "As you wish, My Liege. I shall remain by your side, guiding you when necessary. But remember, the thrones are not easily claimed. The journey will be long and perilous."

I paused, my thoughts turning over Vorathos' words.

After that, the air around me seemed to grow heavier. I had just learned about the five thrones, the trials, and the challenges I would face to claim them. But one question still burned in my mind.

"Vorathos," I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity, "are there other monarchs besides the Abyss? Other powers that could challenge or oppose the Abyss' rule?"

Vorathos didn't answer immediately, his silence heavy as he seemed to contemplate the question. But before he could speak, a sudden and unexpected notification rang through my mind, startling me.

***

[ System Notice ]

Teleportation in Progress...

***

Before I could even fully process the words, a wave of darkness swept over me, and I felt the ground beneath me shift. The world around me seemed to warp and dissolve, as if I were being pulled through the very fabric of reality itself.

I gritted my teeth, trying to steady myself, but the sensation was overwhelming. My vision blurred as I was pulled through a vast, endless void. I felt the pull of the Abyss, deep and suffocating, as I was carried away on its dark tide.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything stopped.

I blinked rapidly, my mind struggling to catch up with what had just happened.

I stood in the middle of a colossal chamber, a place that felt strangely familiar. My heart skipped a beat as I realized where I was.

It was the Abyssal Throne Room.

The vast space stretched infinitely, its towering monolithic pillars disappearing into the void above. The air was thick with ancient power, and the runes carved into the stone walls pulsed with eerie blue light, casting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. The very essence of the Abyss itself seemed to vibrate in the air.

At the center of the room, embedded into the floor, sat the massive obsidian throne—its surface cracked and glowing with violet energy, as if it were alive. The throne seemed to call to me, its presence undeniable.

And then, just as I began to take it all in, a figure materialized atop the throne.

It was the Abyssal Arbiter.

The figure wrapped in shifting shadows, with four violet eyes peering down at me from beneath a jagged, blackened crown. It was the same being I had encountered before, and yet this time, its presence felt even more imposing.

"You have come far, Ryzen Kael," the Arbiter's voice echoed in my mind. The words weren't spoken aloud, but they rang with power that is resonating deep within my soul.