Chapter 8

Chapter 8: The Descent of the False Savior

The moment the rift cracked open, the Abyss stirred.

Vel'nar growled low from Hikaru's side as a piercing light beamed through the veil. Pure, divine energy—an unwelcome intruder—flooded into the cavern, causing nearby Abyssal beasts to recoil and hiss in agony.

The invasion had begun.

But it wasn't a march of armies.

No.

It was a lone descent.

Hikaru stood calmly, his amethyst eyes glowing brighter than ever, watching the shimmering silhouette form in the air above the chasm. The figure was wrapped in radiance, armored in silver, and carried a blade forged from divine light.

Takumi.

He floated down as if gravity dared not touch him, divine magic flaring like wings behind his back. His expression was solemn, but his eyes held something deeper—a hollow guilt, veiled behind heroism.

"You've fallen far, Hikaru."

Hikaru tilted his head. "No. I've risen deeper."

Takumi's jaw clenched. "You've become corrupted."

"No," Hikaru stepped forward, shadows trailing beneath his boots like liquid. "I've become complete."

The two stood meters apart, the air between them tense, vibrating with the weight of destiny.

Takumi's voice faltered. "I didn't know what they were going to do. I didn't vote for you to be sent down there."

Hikaru scoffed, voice cold. "But you didn't stop them either. You stood there. Watching. While I fell."

Takumi tightened his grip on his blade. "This world is at stake now. You're leading monsters. You're planning to invade—"

"I'm not invading," Hikaru interrupted, stepping closer, "I'm returning."

And then, without a single word more, they clashed.

Takumi moved with divine speed, his blade carving the air with light, while Hikaru's form danced like liquid shadow. Sparks of divine and abyssal energy collided in violent flashes, the entire cavern trembling beneath their fury.

[System Update: Divine vs Abyssal Entity Detected. Temporarily unlocking: Forbidden Code — "Dual Domain Conflict."]

Light met darkness in waves.

Takumi unleashed a flurry of radiant strikes, enhanced by blessings, while Hikaru deflected with shadows solidified into jagged blades. Neither could overpower the other—not yet.

But then Hikaru's eyes narrowed.

"You're holding back."

Takumi hesitated.

And that's when Hikaru saw it.

The small device strapped to Takumi's wrist—hidden beneath his gauntlet. A blinking rune crystal.

A tracking beacon.

His presence here wasn't a challenge.

It was a signal.

"You led them to me…" Hikaru whispered, something ancient and cold settling into his voice.

Takumi's eyes widened. "No—I—"

But it was too late.

Hikaru extended his arm toward the Abyss, and his voice echoed like thunder.

"Arise."

From the shadows, monstrous titans surged—wings of bone, eyes of flame, claws like scythes. Abyssal Lords born from the depth of despair themselves.

[Abyssal Call — Tier 4 Elite Units Summoned]

Takumi raised his blade in panic. "This wasn't the plan!"

"You don't belong here," Hikaru said flatly. "But you made your choice."

He didn't strike to kill.

No.

He let the beasts drive Takumi back toward the rift—bleeding, broken, afraid.

As Takumi vanished through the portal, Hikaru stood alone once more—his control over the Abyss absolute.

But the system chimed.

[System Alert: Dimensional Eyes Have Opened – Higher powers have taken notice.]

Hikaru felt it. Eyes watching. Judging. Fearing.

Gods. Nobles. Even the ancient creatures slumbering beyond the veil.

All of them now aware.

And something else appeared within his system:

[Choice: Accept the Final Throne? Y/N]

He stared at it. Not yet. Not until everything was prepared.

For now, he had only one goal:

"Let the world know," he whispered, walking toward the glowing rift now sealed again, "The Abyss does not forget. And neither do I."