----Page 31----
Far above the blackened halls and shadowed corridors of the newly risen tower, a dark chamber awaited.
Only a single torch flickered, casting a pale purple glow that barely pierced the darkness. Shadows clung to the corners, restless and silent.
At the edge of the spire, a mysterious figure stood, gazing down at the plains below. Its presence pressed against the soul, making the very air heavy.
From deeper within the chamber, five more figures emerged, their forms cloaked in darkness and moving with unnatural grace.
An undead war lich drifted forward in tattered regalia, its bones humming with forbidden magic.
Beside it, a towering golem-like cryptid trudged forward, its stone skin etched with living runes.
A death-gaze succubus glided behind them, her eyes shimmering with a lethal allure.
A shape-shifting demon Valkyrie lingered close, her form shifting subtly with each step.
Last came a humanoid acid slime, its body rippling and reforming in slow, deliberate motions.
They paused, glancing toward the figure at the spire's edge, acknowledging a master, a predator, a force beyond reckoning.
The figure's central eye opened fully, glowing crimson and black, and it exhaled a soundless breath that rippled through the chamber like a wave of power.
"I am neither God nor demons," it whispered, voice woven from eternity.
"I am the Abyss itself."
Its gaze swept the world below, fixing on the mortals crawling across the plains like helpless insects, struggling desperately to contain the miasma.
A cruel smile curved its lips, or what passed for lips.
"I have gazed upon this world for ages. Greedy mortals run wild within it, brash, fearless, and breakable. Their struggles amuse me, but such distractions fade quickly. What I seek is the one who can awaken her."
The figure turned slightly, eyes narrowing as it peered into the heart of the tower. Within the deepest spire, atop a throne carved from black obsidian, a lifeless form rested.
Long dark hair spilled over her shoulders, crimson horns curved from her brow, and a dark gown pooled across the throne's steps. She was sealed, suspended between life and death, a shadow of power waiting to be awakened.
"My queen," the entity whispered, its voice soft and reverent, yet edged with hunger.
"She lies dormant, bound by ancient seals. Yet with a compatible vessel, one with a body capable of holding her soul, she may rise again. She may walk this world once more."
Its gaze swept over the plains, then returned to the adventurers preparing below.
"Perhaps among them, there is one suited to be her vessel."
A low hum filled the chamber, resonating from the stones themselves, weaving through the spire like a living heartbeat.
"They call themselves heroes, champions of the weak. No matter how they struggle, their deaths are inevitable."
The entity stepped closer to the edge of the spire, tendrils of shadow curling from its fingers. Its eyes, both mortal and otherworldly, scanned every movement below.
It exhaled again, contemplatively.
"Listen well, mortals. You speak of fate as though you could escape judgment, yet you are merely pawns in a game far beyond your grasp. When she finds her vessel, this world will kneel in terror. The rest will crumble, and the Abyss will rise anew."
The chamber fell silent for a heartbeat. Then, in a whisper threading with menace and curiosity, it spoke.
"Now come. Step onto the path of your own demise, and let this tower drink of your blood, foolish mortals."
°°°°
Meanwhile...
On the plains below, the runes beneath Nivara's feet pulsed brighter, threads of energy weaving upward as the teleportation circle stabilized.
A pale blue light spread across the clearing, humming in rhythm with the tower's dark pulse.
Nivara took a deep breath.
"Master, everything is ready. You may all step through anytime."
Kinon's voice came almost immediately, calm but cautious.
"Understood. We'll be there shortly. Keep the barrier stable."
"Rynveil, maintain the barrier at full strength."
Nivara said, scanning the clearing.
"If the corruption pushes outward, it will kill everything in its path."
Rynveil's fingers glowed as he traced the final runes.
"Don't worry. The barrier is stable for now, but the tower's pulse is strong. Any sudden surge could destabilize it. I'll ensure everyone is protected once they arrive safely."
Arin muttered, tightening his grip on his bow.
"That's good to hear, old man. Let's just hope Master and Lysera reach the tower before those arrogant fools suffer a terrible fate."
Nivara's jaw set.
"Yes, their arrogance brings tragedy upon them. But what worries me most is that when Master arrives, he will risk everything to save them."
The blue-white glow of the circle shimmered like liquid, threads of magic linking the two points. Nivara projected her thoughts again, more urgently.
"Master, can you guide Rynveil in forming the teleportation overlay? It's urgent."
Kinon's calm voice answered.
"I can hear you, Nivara. Describe the runes exactly. I'll let Lumina know how to overlay the pattern."
"Yes, thank you, Master. It's very important. Any misalignment and the circle fails."
Rynveil's hands moved faster, strands of light weaving between the barrier and the portal. Minutes passed like hours.
Finally, he exhaled.
"I'll share consciousness with Rynveil to connect with yours, Master, then pass it down to her."
"Alright."
Kinon held Lumina's hand, sharing every detail inside Rynveil's mind about the rune overlay of the portal. The codex glowed, burning gold as it recorded Lumina on one of its pages.
"What's happening to me?" Lumina asked.
"The Chronicles have recorded you as one of its contents. It acknowledges you Lumina."
Lumina didn't have time to react, when a sudden burst of mana surged into her body, enhancing the teleportation circle.
"It's linked," Lumina confirmed.
"The portal is stable. Once you all step through, you will all be immediately transported" she added.
Nivara felt a surge of relief.
"Master, you can all arrive at any moment without worry."
Kraust and Rubal decided to stay behind with Lumina, saying they would investigate Princess Verline's disappearance and return to the palace later.
°°°°
Elsewhere
From the far side of the plains, Kinon, Lysera, and the others arrived safely, landing precisely near the portal.
Kaien's black-and-gold hair shimmered with static as he gripped his spear. Kinon's eyes scanned the corrupted tower and the clearing.
"We're here now," Kinon said.
Kaien grinned, electricity crackling along his spear.
"Finally. Let's see what this tower is hiding."
Nivara exhaled, eyes sweeping over the creeping black mist around the tower.
"I'm glad to see you well, Master," Nivara greeted.
"Hmmm. No one seems to have missed me," Tauren said, arms crossed, floating midair with a sulking expression.
"Enough of your tantrums, Tauren. We have more important things to deal with," Lysera said coldly.
Kinon nodded.
"We've faced worse than this. Focus. The corruption is alive. It watches, learns, and kills without hesitation."
Rynveil's hands glowed as he reinforced the barrier.
"Then let's give them something to remember. If anything breaks through, I'll hold it as long as I can. You focus on the tower's interior."
The clearing fell silent. The portal's blue glow hummed softly, the black mist coiling like a living thing around the base of the tower.
Nivara glanced at the portal one last time.
"Then we move. Keep the circle stable. The tower awaits, and we're not here to be mocked."
°°°°
The blue glow of the teleportation circle faded, leaving Nivara, Arin, Rynveil, Kinon, and Kaien standing on the outer perimeter of the tower's clearing.
The black mist writhed lazily around the tower's base, coiling around roots and stones.
Every pulse seemed to echo in their chests.
"Don't let your guard down" Nivara whispered.
"The adventurers may have gone in first, but we can't assume they've reached the top safely or at all."
Arin's arrow was nocked and ready.
"I don't like this. This mist… it feels alive."
Rynveil's hands glowed faintly.
"The barrier is barely holding. I need to be here, or it will collapse at any moment."
"Very well. But I want someone to stay with you here. You can't move far from this spot," Kinon said, eyes scanning the area.
"Arin, can you stay here with Rynveil? I need you to watch his back. The barrier is our top priority."
"Yes, Master. I'll stay here as you command."
Kaien flexed his fingers around the shaft of his spear.
"Then let's move. The tower doesn't care who arrives first. I can sense too many strong foes inside. My hands are shaking from excitement the moment we arrived here."
Kinon scanned the base.
"Keep formation. Kaien and Lysera will be the vanguard, while Nivara and I support from the rear using magic. We don't know what's inside, so let's be extra careful."
"How about me, Master? What should I do?" Tauren asked, pointing to himself.
"I want you as our frontliner. I will allow you this one time to change back to your original form if needed."
"Really? Wow! Finally I can show this gloomy tower who's boss!"
"You really know how to lighten the mood, huh Tauren," Arin said sarcastically.
With everyone set, Kinon and the rest walked toward the tower, unaware of the dangers lying in wait behind those doors.