Chapter 43: THE GATEKEEPER’S TRIAL
Kaito’s heart thudded into his chest as the gatekeeper’s voice echoed through the oppressive stillness.
The creature’s presence was suffocating, an enormous weight pressing down on him from every side. Its eyes, with that unsettling violet fire burning within them, locked onto Kaito with an unflinching focus that appeared to pierce through him.
"I am the Gatekeeper of the Abyss," the creature repeated, its voice a scrape of ancient stones, echoing from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"None go through this gateway without suffering the consequences. You are not the first to go in search of what is beyond. But none have ever returned.".
Kaito’s fist tightened on his sword, his knuckles whitening. His arms ached and his legs trembled, muscles exhausted from the endless battle that had brought him thus far.
The scent of ozone and brimstone burned his nostrils, and the air itself was thick and unnatural, like breathing through a mist of grief.
But there was no turning back now—not after coming so far, not after hearing Nyra’s voice calling to him from the depths. Her voice had been faint, distorted, but unmistakable. That fragile thread of hope was the only thing holding him together.
"None have ever returned?" Kaito’s voice rang out, a mixture of defiance and disbelief. "Then I’ll be the first."
The Gatekeeper tilted its head, a strange, almost amused glint playing in its eye sockets.
"You are courageous, human. But courage will not save you. To go further into the Abyss, you will need to prove yourself."
"I don’t need your permission," Kaito shot back, his voice cold and steeled. "I’m not asking for permission. I’m asking for her."