Chapter 20: The Depths of the Abyss

The echo of Elian's awakening rippled through the air, but it wasn't the first time the temple had seen such power. Beneath the stone and earth, deep within the veins of the mountain, an ancient force had been waiting, dormant, until now.

Elian's chest rose and fell, his breathing shallow as the last remnants of the light from his glowing arm faded into nothingness. The room felt colder now, the air dense and still, as if the very temple had inhaled with him, holding its breath.

Lin's eyes were wide, her mouth slightly ajar as she stared at him, unsure of what to say. She had seen power before, but not like this. Not this… raw, this primal. Her gaze flicked nervously toward the Grand Elder, who had remained silent since the moment Elian's transformation had completed.

The room remained shrouded in an eerie silence for what felt like an eternity, until the Grand Elder finally spoke, his voice thick with concern.

"It has begun," he murmured, almost to himself. Then louder, more firmly, he addressed Elian, his tone no longer laced with suspicion, but a strange form of reverence. "You are no longer the boy we once knew."

Elian glanced at the Grand Elder, still trying to process the overwhelming surge of power coursing through him. His thoughts were a whirlwind. The crystal in his arm was silent now, but he could still feel it—its presence—a dark, pulsing heartbeat, one that felt like it was intertwined with his very soul.

"What do you mean?" Elian asked, his voice hoarse. His hands trembled slightly as he tried to focus on the flood of information now running through his mind.

The Grand Elder walked closer, his ancient eyes narrowing. "You are no longer a mere child without power. What you have awakened in you is not of this world. It is something older… something far more dangerous. The abyssal energy that resides within you is not just a gift—it is a curse. But it also marks you as a person of unimaginable potential."

Lin stepped forward, her eyes searching Elian's. "You feel it too, don't you? Something… different about you now. Something darker."

Elian nodded, his chest tight. He didn't know what to say. He had never felt anything like this before. It wasn't just his power that had changed. He could feel something—something deep within him—that had awakened, something tied to the very forces that had once ruled this land.

"You are marked," the Grand Elder continued. "The power within you will grow. But so will the risks. The Abyssal energy you now wield is not meant for mortals. It is a force of chaos, born from the oldest, most forgotten parts of our world."

Elian's mind swirled with questions. How could this be possible? He had lived his entire life without so much as a flicker of spirit energy, and now… now he carried the weight of the Abyss itself. The revelation made his head spin.

"Why me?" Elian asked, his voice barely a whisper. "Why has this power chosen me?"

The Grand Elder shook his head slowly. "The question of why is one that may never be answered. Some things are beyond our understanding, even as the elders of this sect. But what matters now is that you control it. We must help you control it."

Lin looked at Elian, her brow furrowed. "We can help you, Elian. We'll figure this out together."

Elian turned to her, meeting her gaze. There was a sense of warmth in her eyes, a fleeting tenderness that he hadn't expected. The uncertainty in the air was palpable, but her unwavering support meant more to him than he could express.

"Thank you," he said, his voice quiet but full of sincerity.

The Grand Elder gave a nod, his tone grim. "Control will not be easy. The energy you've absorbed is volatile. It will attempt to break free, to devour everything in its path if left unchecked. We must begin your training immediately."

Before Elian could respond, there was a sudden, harsh tremor that rocked the temple, followed by a deep, resonating crack that split through the stone walls. Dust and debris cascaded down from the ceiling, and the air grew thick with an unnatural force.

The Grand Elder's eyes widened, a flicker of recognition crossing his ancient features. "It has begun. The seals have been broken."

"What's happening?" Lin asked, fear creeping into her voice.

The Grand Elder's expression was grave as he turned toward the source of the disturbance, his tone commanding. "We are not the only ones who have sensed your awakening, Elian. The forces that slumber beneath this temple—forces tied to the Abyss—are stirring. If we do not act swiftly, they will consume everything in their path."

Elian stood, his heart hammering in his chest. His newly awakened power thrummed within him, but he wasn't sure if he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

"I don't know if I'm ready," Elian admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't even know what this power truly is."

"You don't have to be ready," the Grand Elder said, his voice stern. "The Abyss doesn't care about readiness. It only cares about who can control it."

With those final words, the Grand Elder stepped forward, placing a hand on Elian's shoulder. A surge of power filled Elian's body as the Elder channeled his own energy through him, solidifying their bond. The connection between them was brief but potent.

"You are no longer the boy without spirit. You are the key to what is about to unfold."

A deep growl vibrated through the temple, followed by a distant roar that seemed to shake the very foundation of the mountain. Elian's heart pounded in his chest as he realized that the true test was about to begin—and it would be a fight for control not just over his own power, but over the fate of everything around him.