Chapter 70: The Abyssal Revelation

Kael sat in silence, the weight of Zera's words pressing down on him like a thick fog. The Abyssal Realm—a name that had been whispered in legends and lost to time, but now it was real, and it was tied to the very power the Eternals wielded. His mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle, but the more he thought about it, the more his stomach twisted in knots.

The Ashen Aura surged within him, responding to his inner turmoil, but Kael fought to keep it under control. He had pushed his limits before, but this—this felt different. There was something far bigger at play, something that had been orchestrated long before his involvement.

Zera didn't give him time to gather his thoughts. "You'll need to prepare yourself, Kael," she said, her voice calm but urgent. "The Abyssal Realm isn't just some myth. It's a reality. And it's connected to everything—the dungeons, the monsters, the Eternals... even your Aura."

Kael's heart skipped a beat. "My Aura?" He stared at Zera, confusion clouding his thoughts. "How?"

Zera leaned closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. "The Ashen Aura is more than just a weapon. It's a key. A part of the Abyssal Realm's lock. You've been unlocking its power with every fight, every battle, and now..." She paused, her eyes narrowing, "Now, it's starting to break free."

Kael felt a chill run down his spine. The Ashen Aura—the power that had once felt like his greatest asset—was now something more dangerous. It wasn't just evolving. It was changing in ways he couldn't control.

"You said the Abyssal Realm is a prison. What does that mean?" Kael asked, his voice hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Zera's expression darkened, and for the first time, Kael saw a flicker of genuine fear in her eyes. "The Eternals were created to guard the prison, Kael. But what they're guarding... is not something the world was ever meant to see. It's an ancient evil, one that predates even the Abyssal Realm itself."

Kael's grip tightened on the mug in his hands, the ceramic crackling under the pressure. He didn't want to believe it. He didn't want to accept that his power, the very thing that had saved him countless times, was tied to something so dark. But Zera's words had the ring of truth to them, and that terrified him.

"So, what now?" Kael finally asked, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him. "How do we stop it?"

Zera's gaze drifted toward the window, where the last rays of sunlight were beginning to fade. "We can't stop it. Not alone."

Drayke's voice echoed from across the tavern as he approached, his face twisted into a grin, though it lacked its usual fire. "You heard her, didn't you? The Abyssal Realm isn't something we can just waltz into and defeat. We need more than just the Ashen Aura to survive whatever's coming."

Kael turned toward his ally, his expression hardening. "Then what do you suggest we do? Sit here and wait for it to break through?"

"No," Drayke said, his tone dark. "We find the key. The real one. And we make sure it doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

Lyra, who had been silent up until now, joined them at the table, her face set with determination. "The key? What key?"

Zera nodded slowly, her eyes glinting with a hidden understanding. "There's more to the Abyssal Realm than what you've been told. And Kael, you're not the only one with a connection to it."

Kael frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Before Zera could respond, the tavern door slammed open with a force that shook the room. The figure that entered was tall, cloaked in dark robes, with a hood that obscured most of their face. But even from the shadows, there was something about them that sent a shiver down Kael's spine.

The stranger's gaze swept over the group, and then they spoke, their voice deep and commanding. "Kael Arclight. I've been looking for you."

Kael's hand instinctively went to the hilt of his blade, but the figure raised a hand, signaling for him to lower it. "I come in peace. But I have important information regarding the Abyssal Realm—and I think you're the only one who can stop what's about to happen."

Lyra stood beside Kael, her eyes narrowing as she examined the stranger. "Who are you?"

The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a face that was both unfamiliar and yet... oddly familiar. They had striking features, sharp cheekbones, and a gaze that seemed to pierce through Kael's very soul.

"My name is Veyl Solane," the stranger said, "and I'm here to help you... for a price."

Kael felt his pulse quicken. The name rang a bell, but he couldn't place it. "Veyl Solane? I've heard of you."

Veyl's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "I'm sure you have. But now, we don't have the luxury of time. The Abyssal Realm is waking up, and it's more powerful than any of us could have imagined."

Kael stood, his eyes locked onto Veyl's with an intensity that made the air around them crackle. "If you know something about this, then you better start talking."

Veyl didn't flinch. Instead, they stepped closer, lowering their voice so only Kael could hear. "The key isn't just a relic, Kael. It's a person. And you've already met them."

Kael's heart skipped a beat. "A person? Who?"

Veyl smiled, though it was far from reassuring. "Someone who's been with you all along."

Kael's blood ran cold. The implications of Veyl's words were terrifying. He had spent so much time focused on defeating the Eternals, he hadn't even considered that the true key might have been right in front of him the entire time.