Chapter 25 — Descent Into the Abyss (Part 1)
Chapter 25 — Descent Into the Abyss (Part 1)
The group advanced deeper into the ancient dungeon, their steps echoing across uneven stone pathways. The deeper they ventured, the colder it became — not from temperature, but from something far more unnatural.
Strange symbols etched into the walls pulsed faintly with a sickly green hue, casting eerie reflections across their faces. The flickering lights made the shadows dance unnaturally along the twisting corridors. Occasionally, distant mechanical groans echoed as if the entire dungeon was breathing.
The group exchanged silent glances, their instincts sharpening with each passing step.
Selene (soft, wary tone):
"The further we go, the more... unstable this place feels."
Faint whispers — or perhaps illusions — brushed against their minds.
A low hum vibrated through the stone beneath their boots, like distant drums calling something ancient awake.
Suddenly, Ren halted and narrowed his eyes at the ground ahead.
Ren (low voice, tense):
"Something's off."
The floor beneath them was subtly trembling now — not violently, but unnervingly consistent.
And then—
It started.
A distant cry.
At first faint.
Almost like a wounded creature moaning somewhere far below.
But within seconds, the sound swelled.
A gut-wrenching scream of something ancient — filled with endless pain, rage, and madness — slammed into them like a tidal wave.
The noise pierced into their bones, bypassing physical resistance and attacking their very minds.
The scream tore through the dungeon like the wail of something ancient and damned.
It wasn't just loud — it invaded them.
The sound slammed into their bodies like waves of pure agony.
Selene's knees buckled as she clutched her ears, her breathing turning sharp and ragged.
Vera stumbled backward, blood dripping from her nose.
Liora's psychic shields barely held, but even her eyes glistened with tears.
Ren gritted his teeth, trying to stabilize his stance — veins bulging under the strain.
Daiki's hands trembled as blood seeped from his ears.
Aurora narrowed her eyes, forcing a barrier around herself and a few others, but the scream still gnawed at their insides.
Kaito fell to one knee, struggling to maintain consciousness.
Even Adrien… slightly flinched — but his grin remained.
Adrien (low whisper, amused tone):
"There it is."
---
Suddenly—
CLICK.
The faint mechanical sound of a trap triggered beneath their feet.
Everyone's eyes snapped to the source.
Selene (panicked shout):
"CYRUS!"
Cyrus had stepped onto a hidden plate — his sharp instincts just a fraction too late this time.
The floor beneath him vanished instantly, revealing a swirling black abyss that radiated emptiness.
His body plummeted downward.
Time seemed to freeze for a brief second.
As he fell, his eyes locked onto Adrien.
And in that instant — Adrien's grin widened.
Adrien (silent, sadistic smile):
"Just as planned."
Cyrus didn't shout.
Didn't panic.
Only narrowed his eyes as if recording every micro-detail.
---
Liora (screaming):
"NO!!"
Ren (rage-filled tone):
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO, ADRIEN?!"
Aurora (furious, cold tone):
"Explain. Now."
---
The rest of the group moved quickly, surrounding Adrien, whose playful smile didn't fade.
Adrien (casual tone):
"Relax, relax. He isn't dead. Not yet."
Daiki (stepping forward, voice like thunder):
"You're playing with forces you don't understand!"
Vera (whispering, shaken):
"That wasn't part of the dungeon… was it?"
Kaito (narrowing eyes):
"No ordinary dungeon has this kind of layer..."
---
Adrien (mocking tone, hands raised):
"You act as if this wasn't inevitable. Do you really think someone like him would survive alongside us forever? No… this dungeon merely accelerated what was already destined."
The tension skyrocketed. The air grew thick — almost suffocating.
Liora's hands trembled as psychic waves surged around her.
Liora (voice cracking, furious):
"If he dies down there... I'll bury you here myself."
Aurora (stepping forward, deadly calm):
"You're dangerously close to crossing the line, Adrien."
Adrien simply shrugged.
Adrien (calm, arrogant tone):
"Perhaps. But if he survives… he'll be even more useful."
---
The dungeon rumbled again.
The platform they stood on began shifting — forcing them to keep moving, whether they wanted to or not.
---
Ren (gritting his teeth):
"Cyrus wouldn't fall that easily."
Daiki (calmly nodding):
"We keep moving. We survive. We find him."
---
And so, even with rage burning behind their eyes and fear churning in their stomachs, the group pressed forward.
But none of them could shake the image of Cyrus — vanishing into that endless black void.
---
Deep inside the abyss…
Cyrus was falling.
Falling endlessly.
Yet his mind was perfectly clear.
> "So... this was your move, Adrien."
Chapter 25 (part1) ended