Chapter 18: THE AWAKENING OF THE ABYSS I
A pulse of raw, ancient energy surged through Kaito's veins, sending violent shudders through his body. His breath hitched as an unseen force crushed him to his knees, pressing down with the weight of an entire world.
The air itself vibrated, humming with an intensity that sent chills through his bones.
Above him, the Heart of the Realms pulsed, a slow, deliberate thrum that seemed to sync with his very heartbeat. Every pulse sent ripples of power across the vast obsidian platform, making the glowing symbols engraved into the stone flicker and twist like living things.
The masked figure, who had been silent for so long, stepped forward. His silver-lined robes flowed unnaturally, almost as if they were moving outside the boundaries of time itself. His mask—smooth, featureless, and carved from black stone—remained fixed on Kaito. But despite the lack of expression, his presence alone was suffocating.
And behind the masked figure, the warriors who had fought Kaito only moments before now stood perfectly still. Their weapons were lowered, their obsidian armor reflecting the eerie glow of the platform. They did not speak. They did not move. They simply... waited.
Kaito gritted his teeth, forcing himself to rise despite the crushing pressure. His body screamed in protest, his muscles trembling from the sheer force pressing against him.
"You have been chosen."
The words echoed unnaturally, as though they came from every direction at once.
Kaito's fingers instinctively clenched around the Shard of Eternity, feeling its warmth against his palm. He had fought through monsters, illusions, and impossible trials, but nothing had prepared him for this moment. The feeling in his chest—the way his soul resonated with the Heart—it was unnatural.
"What do you mean, 'chosen'?" he asked, his voice rough.
The masked figure took another step forward. The air around him seemed to bend, as if space itself struggled to contain his presence.