Whispers of the Abyss

The shadowed hand extended, its shape fluid like liquid darkness. A choking pressure engulfed the room, causing Saaransh's youthful form to shudder. His circuits flashed erratically, the dark mana inside him responding to the manifestation of this mysterious being.

Saaransh gritted his teeth, holding himself back. He had been close to death before — he wouldn't let fear take the upper hand. But this was different. He was just a child in this existence, far weaker compared to what he used to be. And yet…

Why did this being feel so familiar?

Then, the voice came again.

"You bear the mark. You are part of the forgotten pact."

A chill ran down Saaransh's spine. The forgotten pact? What the devil was that? He didn't remember making any sort of bargain in his previous life. And yet, the way the dark mana in his circuits reacted — it was as if his very soul recognized those words.

The hand crept closer, reaching out to him. Saaransh's instincts howled. He had to decide:

1. Let the hand touch his own and observe what happens.

2. Attempt to resist, even if his young body could barely move.

3. Call upon the dark mana inside him, though he did not yet fully understand it.

But before he could choose, the air trembled — and the presence of someone else burst into the room.

A piercing voice shattered the choking darkness.

"Begone."

The shadowed hand recoiled instantly. The rift shook as if struck by an invisible force. Then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the darkness vanished, leaving nothing but silence behind.

Saaransh gasped, his body dripping with cold sweat. His heart thundered in his chest. His gaze snapped toward the origin of the voice — a tall, imposing figure standing near the doorway, piercing golden eyes glowing in the dark.

It was his father, Reginald Stoneheart.

Reginald rushed forward and scooped Saaransh into his arms, holding him tightly.

"My son, are you okay?"

What the fuck was that shadow? Reginald thought to himself, his brow furrowed. It seemed to possess unimaginable power... and radiated pure evil. What was it doing around my son? He clenched his jaw. This is too complicated. I'll let it go for now and keep this to myself — even from his mother. He sighed.

Saaransh, meanwhile, was panicking internally. I hope he doesn't sense the dark mana in my circuits… or the fact that I constructed the mana circle. If he does... I'm finished.

Reginald, without a word, carried Saaransh to his mother and placed him gently into her arms, holding her close for a moment.

Okay, so he just moved me to a different room, Saaransh thought, relief flooding him. That's fine. I hope he drops the subject and doesn't start probing deeper. 

Selene Stoneheart, his mother, immediately noticed his state.

"My love, what happened?" she asked, standing at once, concern in her voice.

Reginald's golden eyes met hers, calm but unreadable.

"Nothing that needs to be spoken of beyond these walls," he said simply.

Selene gazed down at Saaransh, brushing his damp hair back from his forehead with a gentle finger. Her warmth and softness stood in stark contrast to the cool, commanding presence of the man beside her.

"I leave him in your capable hands," Reginald said. "I need to meet with the elders."

"The elders? Why all of a sudden? Is everything alright?"

"Don't worry, love. We're just having a meeting in preparation for the future awakening ceremony."

"But… isn't the awakening ceremony eight years from now?"

"I know," Reginald nodded, "but the preparations begin eight years in advance."

"Alright… take care, darling."

Reginald gave her a small nod, turned on his heel, and left.

The awakening ceremony, huh? Eight years… Saaransh thought. That's more than enough time to learn about this dark mana and this new body of mine. His eyes burned with quiet resolve. In this life, I will surely find the reason behind my betrayal.

Selene, a powerful sixth-circle mage, suddenly sensed something lingering.

Huh? Her eyes narrowed. An evil mana presence?

Without hesitation, she cast a purity spell, cleansing the surrounding area.

"I don't know where that mana came from, but don't worry, my son," she whispered. "You're safe now."

She's a mage? Saaransh mused in surprise. Just like my friend Kang Ha... Wait — didn't he die on the same day as me? Did he get reincarnated too? I need to find out. I need to know if I'm truly alone... or not.

Seven years passed in a flash.

Saaransh spent those years in quiet preparation, testing the limits of his new body and the dark mana that still lurked inside him. Under the watchful eyes of his mother and father, he played the role of an ordinary child of the Stoneheart family. But behind closed doors... he was anything but ordinary.

The dark mana remained a mystery. It answered to him as if it were part of his soul, yet refused to fully reveal its secrets. It wasn't a blessing or a curse. It was something else entirely. Something ancient.

And now, with just six months left until the awakening ceremony, Saaransh was certain of one thing:

He wasn't the only one hiding secrets.

Late at night, deep within the sprawling Stoneheart estate...

A chill wind swept over the training field, where Saaransh stood alone, his palm extended, dark mana curling hesitantly around his fingertips. The whispers had never returned since that night — but the restlessness never left him.

Then, a presence.

He whirled around.

A figure waited at the far end of the training field, standing still in the pale light of the moon. Towering. Motionless. Radiating an aura so familiar that Saaransh's circuits trembled with recognition.

His heart raced. He had never seen this individual before.

And yet...

"Finally," the figure spoke, its voice heavy with something unsettling. "I've been waiting for you."

The dark mana inside Saaransh stirred, coming alive once more.