Chapter 5 : Into the Abyss

The night was still dark when the divine flash of light returned Zeo to Blue Star—the same land where his love was born... and cruelly stolen.

Zeo stood alone at the edge of the valley, gazing at the distant Kurua village. His eyes—once full of hope—now blazed blood-red. The energy inside him pulsed wildly, like an unchained dragon.

"Grent...," he whispered. "I'm coming."

Step by step, Zeo crossed sand and stone at unnatural speed. Each step struck the earth, each breath carried heat. His spiritual and physical power merged in a blinding fury.

He didn't care if the entire village blocked his path. Tonight… he had only one goal.

In Kurua Village

Grent's home stood tall at the eastern edge, built of black stone and surrounded by thick wooden fencing. Unlike other houses, it was eerily quiet. But Zeo knew... the monster was inside.

"GRENT!" he shouted, his voice tearing through the night. "COME OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

The door creaked open. Grent appeared lazily, dressed in thin sleepwear, hair a mess. His eyes squinted.

"Zeo?" he murmured, then chuckled. "Feeling better?"

Zeo didn't answer. Crimson light cloaked his body. The air around him trembled, plants wilted, and small stones lifted under the pressure of his aura.

Grent smirked. "I guess you know, huh? Hahaha."

Zeo lunged without warning.

The first blow—packed with raw Energy and shockwaves—cracked Grent's wall. Grent was flung back but retaliated with a heavy, full-powered punch.

Their clash sent a thunderous boom, dust and debris flying everywhere. But Grent quickly realized: Zeo had changed. Faster. Wilder. Deadlier.

"H-How... How are you this strong?" Grent groaned.

"YOU KILLED MY WIFE!" Zeo roared.

Blow after blow came from Zeo's fists and magic. Shockwaves, wind slashes, and erupting ground devastated Grent's home.

Grent leapt away, trying to escape through the back fence.

Zeo chased—but a long whistle halted him.

From all directions, armed guards appeared, led by Grent's father—Eldrin, a senior village elder.

Zeo stared, confused.

"He's insane!" Grent panted. "A murderer! He destroyed my home! Arrest him! He's trying to kill me!"

Soldiers charged. Dozens of feet pounded the ground, weapons raised, war cries echoed.

Zeo didn't back down. His breath was heavy, eyes glowing red, fury radiating like a heatwave from his soul.

With one roar, raw energy exploded from him—a shockwave blasted the air around. Five soldiers flew back, crashing into rocks, cracking stone and stirring clouds of dust.

Zeo stepped forward. A single stomp shattered the earth, creating a massive pit that swallowed half the front yard. The quake cracked nearby windows. Shouts and orders rang from the remaining guards.

But beneath that brute power, Zeo's body began to falter.

His chest heaved. Old wounds throbbed again. Cold sweat trickled down his face. His starved body weakened with each breath.

His vision blurred. Each movement felt like dragging iron through his bones.

His hand trembled as he tried to cast again—only a weak spell sparked at his fingertip. But it was enough to make two guards hesitate.

Zeo knew… he wouldn't last much longer.

Yet amid the burning marks of magic along his body, his spirit had not dimmed.

"None of you... understand what I've lost," he whispered, voice shaking the air.

Seeing his staggering form, several guards attacked. A blade slashed his shoulder. A spear pierced his thigh. Zeo screamed, legs faltering. He fell. This time... too many hands pulled and bound him.

---

The Next Morning

The Village Hall buzzed with heated voices. Kurua's villagers argued fiercely. Some demanded Zeo's execution—crucifixion even. But two elder councilors stepped up.

"He was a good boy," Elder Levan said. "He helped many. But now... he's lost everything. And loss can turn any man into a beast."

A decision was reached: Zeo would not be killed—but exiled.

To a place no one dared enter.

---

To the West

Past the dry desert and dead woods lay a cursed zone: the Black Mist. Magical toxins filled its air—melting bones, eating away energy, poisoning all who entered.

Zeo—chained in heavy iron—was dragged to its edge.

He stood before the writhing fog, which pulsed and swirled like a living entity—waiting to devour.

Around him, the faces that once smiled now looked cold, even disgusted. Some villagers threw stones. One struck his shoulder.

"You brought ruin here!"

"You should've died with your wife!"

Zeo lowered his head. In his heart, he asked—when did love and sacrifice become reasons to be cursed?

He looked to the sky, seeking light. But heavy clouds blocked everything. Even the stars turned away.

Grent's father, Elder Eldrin, approached. "Think of this as mercy. We're not killing you out of pity. If you're strong, you'll survive. Then again… no one ever has."

Zeo gave a bitter smile. "Heh. You want me to die slowly."

His gaze locked on Grent, who stood smirking amid the crowd, masking his unease.

Zeo memorized that expression.

"I'll come back," he whispered, barely audible. "Even if I have to crawl from hell."

The guards shoved him—and he plunged into the seething magical mist.

Grent's father glared coldly. "Farewell, curse-bringer."

Zeo looked back one last time. "You challenged the wrong man... One day, you'll see."

And then he vanished into the mist.

---

Inside the Mist

His skin burned. Zeo screamed. Breathing was agony. The fog bit and clawed like a living thing. But his body... began to adapt.

The symbol on his back glowed. Ancient power stirred within. Wounds closed. Blood clotted. His lungs formed a spiritual membrane.

He endured.

He walked until the ground beneath collapsed.

Zeo fell—slamming into a vast, hidden cavern below the mist.

He landed hard in a damp, dark tunnel. But faintly glowing stones lit the path. The air smelled of magic and rot. Distant growls echoed.

Zeo stood. Breathing hard. Bleeding. But eyes shining.

"Grent..." he whispered. "You're not done with me yet."

From deep within the earth's wound, Zeo began to walk.

No guide. No map. Just hatred and an undying flame.

But he knew one thing:

To complete this mission... he would become someone even demons feared to touch.