Into the Abyss

Black Hollow burned.

The once-thriving den of crime had become a battlefield of flesh, fire, and shadow. The streets ran red with blood, and monstrous abominations prowled through the ruins, their twisted forms a mockery of humanity.

Vaelin cut through another creature, its inky black blood hissing as it hit the ground. Beside him, the mercenary—Ronan Blackhand—gritted his teeth, slamming a hatchet into a beast's skull before kicking it off his blade.

"We can't hold them back forever!" Ronan shouted.

"We don't need to," Vaelin replied. His golden eyes burned with determination. "We need to end this at the source."

And that meant finding Nyxthar.

---

The Descent Begins

Elder Garon had spoken of ancient ruins beneath Black Hollow—a place untouched for centuries, buried deep below the city. If Nyxthar's influence had spread this far, then it had likely nested somewhere below.

The two warriors made their way through the broken city, gathering what few survivors remained.

Kara, the healer.

Ronan, the mercenary.

A handful of others willing to face death.

They reached the entrance to the ruins, a massive stone gate hidden beneath a collapsed building. Strange symbols glowed faintly on the surface, pulsing with an unnatural black light.

"This place reeks of death," Kara whispered.

Vaelin pressed his palm against the cold stone. "Then let's add a little more."

With a deep groan, the gate opened.

And the abyss welcomed them.