Chapter 13: Abyssal Awakening

The surge of power from the Mark of the Abyss coursed through Lahsiv’s body like a river of molten energy. The sensation was overwhelming, raw and primal, yet familiar. The Dark Karma within him pulsed in response, almost as if it recognized the force that now resonated within him. For a moment, he stood still, absorbing the energy, letting it settle into the deepest recesses of his soul.

As the glow from the mark faded, Lahsiv lowered his hand, his mind sharper than ever. He had expected power from the Abyssal Hall, but this… this was something different. The Mark of the Abyss wasn’t just a token—it was a key, a tool that unlocked a deeper level of control over Dark Karma. He could feel it now, the way the dark energy obeyed his will with more precision, more fluidity. The dark power felt more natural to him, as if it had always been a part of him.

But this wasn’t the end. He could sense it—there were more layers to this place, more secrets hidden within the depths of the Abyssal Hall. The power he had gained was merely a taste of what lay further in.

Lahsiv turned his gaze toward the far end of the chamber, where a dark corridor extended into the unknown. His instincts told him that the other students were likely still searching for their own marks in different chambers, each of them battling their own demons. He had time—time to delve deeper.

He sheathed the Sword of Ruin and began to walk, his footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone floor. The air grew heavier with each step, the dark energy of the Abyss growing stronger as he ventured further into the depths. The runes along the walls pulsed faintly, their glow dimming as he moved, as if the very fabric of the Abyss was reacting to his presence.

‘What else is hidden here?’ he thought, his mind racing with possibilities.

After what felt like an eternity, the corridor opened up into another chamber—this one larger and far more foreboding. The walls here were covered in thick vines of dark energy, writhing and shifting as if they were alive. In the center of the room stood an ancient stone pedestal, atop which rested a dark, pulsating crystal. The crystal exuded a malevolent force, its dark glow filling the room with an oppressive energy.

Lahsiv approached cautiously, his senses on high alert. The crystal wasn’t like the Mark of the Abyss. This was something else, something far more dangerous.

The moment he stepped closer, the air around him grew cold, and a voice—deep, ancient, and full of malice—echoed through the chamber.

“You seek power, child of darkness.”

Lahsiv froze, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword. The voice didn’t belong to anything he could see, but it seemed to emanate from the crystal itself, as though the object were alive.

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“I know what you desire,” the voice continued, its tone slow and deliberate. “You seek the forbidden, the power that lies beyond the reach of mortals.”

Lahsiv’s eyes narrowed. He had heard tales of ancient spirits trapped in relics, their voices calling out to those who dared to listen. But this felt different. This voice wasn’t just an echo of the past—it was aware of him, watching him.

“Who are you?” Lahsiv asked, his voice calm but firm.

“I am but a remnant of the Abyss,” the voice replied, a hint of amusement in its tone. “A fragment of the darkness that once ruled these halls. Long ago, this place was a sanctuary for those who embraced the shadows, those who sought to unlock the deepest secrets of the dark realms.”

Lahsiv stepped closer to the pedestal, his curiosity piqued. “And what do you want from me?”

The crystal pulsed, and the voice deepened. “I want nothing from you. But I can offer you something. Power beyond your wildest dreams. Control over the Abyss itself. You are strong, but you have yet to realize your full potential. Take the crystal, and I will unlock the true depths of your Dark Karma.”

Lahsiv’s grip on his sword tightened, his mind racing. He had always been driven by a desire for power, but he wasn’t a fool. He knew that every gift, every promise of strength, came with a cost. This voice, whatever it was, wasn’t offering power out of kindness. It wanted something in return.

“And what’s the price?” Lahsiv asked coldly.

The voice chuckled darkly. “You are cautious. Good. You will need to be, for the path you walk is treacherous. The price is simple—you will become a vessel for the Abyss. A conduit for its power. But fear not, you will remain yourself. You will simply… ascend.”

Lahsiv considered the offer carefully. The idea of becoming a conduit for the Abyss wasn’t exactly appealing, but the power it promised… that was something he couldn’t ignore. If the crystal could truly unlock the full potential of his Dark Karma, it would give him an edge over every student in the Academy, perhaps even over the instructors.

And yet, he wasn’t one to be manipulated.

“I’ll take the crystal,” Lahsiv said, his voice firm, “but I won’t be your puppet.”

There was a long pause, the air in the chamber growing thick with tension. For a moment, Lahsiv wondered if the voice would lash out, angry that he hadn’t accepted the terms fully. But instead, the voice let out a low, rumbling laugh.

“You are bold, child. Very well. Take the crystal, and we shall see if you are worthy of its power.”

Without hesitation, Lahsiv reached out and grasped the dark crystal in his hand. The moment his fingers closed around it, a surge of energy shot through him, far more intense than anything he had felt before. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he was engulfed in darkness—an endless void where only the faint glow of the crystal remained.

[Dark Crystal of the Abyss acquired]

[Effect: Unlocks advanced Dark Karma abilities. Warning: Use sparingly to avoid permanent corruption.]

Lahsiv’s breath hitched as the crystal’s power flowed through him. He could feel it—new abilities, new techniques, all just waiting to be unleashed. But the warning from the system echoed in his mind. Permanent corruption. The power came with a risk, one that could consume him if he wasn’t careful.

But that didn’t matter. Lahsiv had always known that power had a cost. And he was more than willing to pay it.

As the energy of the crystal settled within him, the voice spoke once more, quieter now, almost a whisper. “We will meet again, child of darkness. The Abyss is watching.”

Lahsiv didn’t respond. He had no interest in being watched, no interest in whatever ancient force lurked within the Abyss. He had gained what he came for—power. And now, it was time to use it.

He turned and left the chamber, the dark crystal still pulsing faintly in his hand. As he walked, he could feel the power settling within him, intertwining with his own Dark Karma. His control over the darkness had grown exponentially, and he could already sense new abilities waiting to be unlocked.

But there was one ability that intrigued him more than the rest—an advanced form of Shadow Blade, one that allowed him not only to corrode his enemies but to manipulate the shadows themselves, bending them to his will.

As he stepped back into the corridors of the Abyssal Hall, Lahsiv smiled darkly.

The other students would never see him coming.