Where Voices Go to Die
The Abyss grew quieter the deeper Kael walked.
Not peaceful.
Not calm.
Just silent—
the kind of silence that felt like something had swallowed the sound itself.
The cavern walls narrowed around him, turning into a jagged corridor of black stone.
Faint silver etchings pulsed along the rocks, like veins guiding him deeper.
Eryon drifted behind Kael, weakened, barely holding form.
> "The Door of Silence lies ahead,"
he murmured.
"Beyond it… your thoughts will no longer be your own."
Kael didn't slow.
"The Eclipse already tried taking my mind."
His voice was steady.
"It failed."
Eryon didn't answer.
Kael noticed.
"Why do you look worried?"
Eryon's wings flickered—
a sign of fear.
> "Because this time… it won't need to try."
---
I — THE SILENCE BEGINS
The temperature dropped.
Kael's breath fogged.
Frost began forming on the Divine Spear.
The corruption under his skin pulsed harder, as if recognizing this place.
A cold whisper slid through Kael's thoughts:
"Almost home."
Kael shuddered.
He tightened his grip on the spear.
"Shut up."
But the whisper only grew more affectionate, like a hand brushing his mind:
"Don't pretend you don't feel it too…
the pull…
the belonging."
Kael slammed the butt of the spear against the rock.
The whisper dissolved.
But the corruption pulsed again, stronger.
Eryon's expression tightened.
> "Kael.
Do not let it touch the Door."
Kael frowned.
"What happens if it does?"
Eryon floated closer, eyes dimming.
> "Then the Door opens on its terms, not yours."
---
II — THE DOOR
They reached a dead end.
A massive slab of obsidian stood before them—
featureless
smooth
flawless
yet somehow breathing.
No handle.
No hinge.
No symbol.
Just a silent, impossible wall.
Kael stepped closer.
A chill crawled down his spine.
The closer he came, the quieter his heartbeat grew—
until he could barely hear it.
Eryon whispered:
> "This is where the Abyss first learned hunger."
"A prison. A birthplace. A grave."
Kael lifted his hand to touch it—
Eryon's voice cracked sharply:
> "STOP!"
Kael froze inches from the door.
"What—"
Eryon's flickering form surged between Kael's hand and the door.
> "You cannot touch it without focusing your will.
It feeds on any stray thought."
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"So I need clarity."
> "No."
Eryon's voice shook.
"You need absolute certainty."
Kael inhaled deeply.
He closed his eyes…
…but the moment he did, the corruption struck.
---
III — THE ECLIPSE'S ATTACK
Darkness exploded behind his eyelids.
A clawed hand wrapped around his mind.
"Let me touch it, Kael."
The Eclipse's voice purred.
"Let me open it for you."
Kael staggered forward, knees buckling.
"No—!"
"You're tired."
"You're afraid."
"Let me carry the burden."
Kael gritted his teeth.
"I don't need you!"
Chains of shadow wrapped around his thoughts, trying to pull his hand forward—
closer to the door.
Eryon shouted:
> "FIGHT IT!
If the Eclipse opens the Door, you will NEVER return!"
The corruption flared, responding to Eryon's panic.
Kael's arm rose against his will.
His fingertips trembled inches from the obsidian surface.
"Yes…"
the Eclipse whispered.
"Just one touch."
Kael's mind split between two worlds:
The cold reality of the cavern—
and the burning vision inside his skull.
He saw Arhaan trapped in chains of starlight.
Screaming silently.
Reaching for him.
Kael roared:
"NO!"
Light erupted from his chest—
pure, violent, golden.
The corruption recoiled.
Chains shattered.
The Eclipse screamed with rage.
Kael fell to one knee, gasping.
Eryon steadied him.
> "Kael… are you—"
"I'm fine," Kael growled.
His voice was ragged.
"But I'm opening that door my way."
---
IV — OPENING THE DOOR
Kael stood before the obsidian slab.
He didn't push.
He didn't force.
He simply breathed and whispered:
"I choose this path."
The door trembled.
A single golden crack appeared down its center—
spreading
splitting
shattering
with a soundless flash.
Light burned through the fissures like molten dawn.
Eryon whispered:
> "You… opened it by will alone."
Kael stepped forward as the Door of Silence parted.
"What's inside?"
Eryon's answer sent a shiver through the cavern.
> "The place where Arhaan's chain begins."
"And the place where you may end."
Kael nodded once.
"Good."
He crossed the threshold—
—and the Door slammed shut behind him with a ringing silence that swallowed the world.