Chapter 12: Whispers of the Abyss

The next morning, Lahsiv awoke early. The Academy was already bustling with activity, the steady rhythm of training drills and weapons clashing in the distance. He had slept little, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the previous day’s events. Elira’s unexpected offer still lingered in his mind, though he had put it aside for now. She was useful, and that was all that mattered. Trust, after all, was for the weak.

Dressing quickly, Lahsiv strapped the Sword of Ruin to his side. The dark blade felt heavier than usual today, humming with a subtle, unsettling energy. It was a reminder of the path he had chosen, the dark power he had embraced. The Academy’s tests were merely stepping stones toward his true goal—uncovering the deeper secrets hidden within these walls.

As he stepped outside, the morning air was cool and crisp, a stark contrast to the tension that seemed to hang over the Academy. Students milled about, each focused on their own objectives, whether it be training, forming alliances, or simply surviving. Lahsiv moved through the crowd like a ghost, unnoticed by most. His presence was still an enigma to many of them, but that suited him fine. Fear and distance gave him room to operate.

Today’s training session for the Apex class would take place in a different part of the Academy—a place known as the Abyssal Hall. Lahsiv had heard rumors about it from older students, but none had been clear about what it entailed. The Hall was said to be a place of dark energy, a training ground unlike any other. Some claimed it was a remnant of an ancient battle between the Academy and the creatures from the dark realms, while others whispered that it was a place where the Academy’s darkest secrets were kept.

Whatever the truth, Lahsiv knew that this place might hold the key to the power he sought.

As he approached the Abyssal Hall, he found the rest of the Apex class gathered near the entrance. The building was different from the rest of the Academy—its stone walls were blackened, as though scorched by fire, and dark runes were carved into the archway above the doors. The air here was thick with a strange energy, a mix of Light and Dark Karma that made Lahsiv’s skin tingle.

Instructor Kaelor stood at the entrance, his face unreadable as always, though his presence seemed heavier today, as if the Abyssal Hall itself demanded more from him.

“Welcome to the Abyssal Hall,” Kaelor said, his voice low but resonating with authority. “This is a place few students ever reach, and fewer still return unchanged. The Hall was built long before the Academy, during a time when our world was at war with the creatures of the dark realms. Here, you will be tested not only on your strength, but on your ability to control the forces of Light and Dark Karma. Those who cannot balance the two will not survive.”

Lahsiv’s eyes flickered with interest. This was exactly what he had been waiting for—a place where the boundaries between Light and Dark Karma blurred, a place where he could push his abilities further than ever before.

Kaelor continued, “The Hall is vast, but today, your objective is simple. You will enter, and within, you must retrieve a Mark of the Abyss. These marks are scattered throughout the Hall, hidden deep within its chambers. Some of you will find them easily. Others… may not. But remember this—each mark is guarded by creatures born of the Abyss. They are not like the beasts you faced in the forest. These creatures are relentless, and they hunger for your life force.”

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The students shifted uncomfortably at Kaelor’s words, but Lahsiv remained still, his focus sharpening. Creatures of the Abyss. This would be no ordinary challenge. But Lahsiv wasn’t worried. He had faced darkness before, and he had emerged stronger each time.

Kaelor motioned to the large doors of the Hall, and with a deep rumble, they swung open, revealing a dark corridor that seemed to stretch on forever. “Enter at your own risk,” he said. “And remember—there are no second chances in the Abyssal Hall.”

One by one, the students began to move toward the entrance, their faces tense with anticipation. Lahsiv waited, watching as the others entered before him. Valen, Reya, Lira, and the others—each one driven by their own ambitions, their own fears. Lahsiv knew that they were all skilled, but none of them understood what it truly meant to wield both Light and Dark Karma. None of them had the power of Soul Reaper at their disposal.

When the last of the students had entered, Lahsiv stepped forward, his heart steady as he crossed the threshold into the Abyssal Hall.

The moment he entered, the temperature dropped sharply. The air was thick with darkness, and the walls seemed to pulse with an ancient, malevolent energy. The corridor stretched on for what felt like miles, the path illuminated only by faint, flickering torches that cast long shadows across the stone floor.

Lahsiv’s senses were on high alert. He could feel the presence of something… watching. Something that lurked just beyond the edge of the light, waiting for him to let his guard down.

He continued walking, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. The Abyssal Hall was quiet, too quiet, and Lahsiv knew that the real danger was yet to come.

After what felt like an eternity, the corridor opened up into a vast chamber. The walls here were lined with more of the strange runes he had seen at the entrance, and in the center of the room was an altar, upon which sat a glowing mark—a Mark of the Abyss.

But Lahsiv didn’t move toward it. He knew it wouldn’t be that easy.

He circled the room, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. His instincts screamed at him to be cautious. And then, he felt it—a shift in the air, a low growl that echoed from the depths of the room.

A figure emerged from the darkness. It was massive, towering over Lahsiv by several feet. Its skin was blackened and cracked, as if it had been burned by some ancient fire. Its eyes glowed with an eerie red light, and its mouth was filled with rows of sharp, jagged teeth. This was no ordinary beast—it was a creature of the Abyss, born from the darkest realms of existence.

Lahsiv drew his sword, the Sword of Ruin gleaming darkly in the dim light. The creature let out a roar that shook the chamber, and without warning, it charged at him.

Lahsiv moved quickly, activating Shadow Veil to vanish from sight just as the creature’s claws raked the ground where he had stood. The beast snarled in frustration, its glowing eyes searching for him, but Lahsiv was already behind it.

He struck with Shadow Blade, his sword cutting deep into the creature’s side. The Dark Karma flowed through the blade, corroding the beast’s flesh as it howled in pain. But the creature wasn’t finished. It spun around, its massive arm swinging toward Lahsiv with terrifying speed.

Lahsiv barely dodged the blow, feeling the wind from the creature’s swing brush past him. This thing was faster than it looked, and stronger too. But Lahsiv had fought stronger enemies before. He wouldn’t be beaten here.

He struck again, this time aiming for the creature’s legs. His blade cut deep, but the creature barely flinched. It let out another roar, its massive claws swiping at him again and again, each blow coming closer to landing.

Lahsiv gritted his teeth. This wasn’t working. The creature was too durable, too relentless. He needed to find another way.

Then, an idea came to him.

‘It’s a creature of the Abyss,’ he thought. ‘It feeds on darkness… but what if I overwhelm it?’

Lahsiv took a step back, raising his sword as he channeled both Light and Dark Karma into the blade. The two opposing forces clashed within the sword, creating a surge of energy that crackled through the air. The creature hesitated, its glowing eyes narrowing as it sensed the shift in power.

With a sharp cry, Lahsiv unleashed the energy in a single, devastating strike. Karma Slash combined with Shadow Blade, light and darkness merging into a single, overwhelming force. The blade connected with the creature’s chest, and the resulting explosion of energy sent it crashing to the ground.

The creature let out one final, agonized howl before dissolving into ash, the dark energy that had sustained it dissipating into the air.

Lahsiv lowered his sword, breathing heavily. The battle had been more intense than he’d expected, but he had won. And now, the Mark of the Abyss was his.

He walked toward the altar, his hand outstretched as he reached for the glowing mark. The moment his fingers touched it, the mark flared with a brilliant light, and Lahsiv felt a surge of power flow through him. It was unlike anything he had felt before—a raw, primal force that resonated with both his Light and Dark Karma.

[Mark of the Abyss acquired]

[Effect: Increases control over Dark Karma. Unlocks hidden potential.]

A cold smile spread across Lahsiv’s face as the power settled within him. This was just the beginning. The Abyssal Hall held many more secrets, and Lahsiv intended to claim them all