Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: Descent into the Patala Abyss

Arjun Vikramaditya gathered with the surviving prodigies at the Himalayan Divine Peaks' southern cliff, where a yawning chasm pulsed with netherworld energies. The Abyss Descent trial loomed—a vertical plunge into Patala's fringe gates, unearthing lost relics amid rakshasa hordes and chaotic prana storms. Headmaster Parashurama's axe carved runes into the air: "Three layers deep: claim a Devil Relic or feed the abyss. Only the destined return." Garuda-vahans screeched farewell as chains of void iron lowered the brave. Arjun leaped first, Vel lance gleaming, Kubera Cube shielding his soul from the devouring dark. �The first layer swallowed light—Layer of Endless Night. Icy winds birthed shadow nagas, coiling with soul-freezing venom. Arjun invoked High Chaos Devil Arts, ethereal tattoos blooming across his bronze skin. Six phantom arms extended from his back, weaving Myriad Demon Karmic Wheel—an ash-black vortex grinding serpents to essence dust. Prodigies behind faltered; one vanished in screams. Arjun pressed on, meridians drinking purified chaos, Jatayu flames illuminating jagged obsidian paths.Second layer: Layer of Blood Rivers. Crimson floods teemed with abyssal leeches, siphoning prana. Illusions taunted—Duryodhan's laughter echoing, village scorched by Kaurav fire. Rage tempted, but Arjun's heart of sanatana dharma steadied him. God and Devil Fusion activated: Garuda light clashed with nascent abyss dark, birthing dual prana. Vel danced Storm of Vel Petals, lotus-thunder blooms parting rivers like Moses' staff. A hidden trove yielded the Abhaya Rakshasa Fang—a bone dagger humming demon power. It fused into his palm, spikes ghosting from knuckles, sharpening strikes tenfold.Pinnacle: Layer of Asura Sovereign. A colossal three-headed rakshasa lord erupted from molten core, eyes like dying suns, claws rending space. "Cube thief! Feed my realm!" it bellowed, hurling Abyss Palm waves that warped reality. Arjun's body tore—blood spraying as spatial rifts clawed flesh. Visions surged: full Asura Metamorphosis. Red curse seals masked his face; hair bled crimson; height surged half a foot. A six-armed, three-eyed phantom overlaid him, savage aura flooding the chasm. "Navagraha Annihilation!" Vel, now wreathed in black-mist bone armor, thrust forth—a galaxy vortex imploding the sovereign's hearts.The beast wailed, crumbling to relic shards. Arjun claimed the Devil Relic Core, a pulsating orb merging with the cube, unlocking Abyss Devil Fusion. Bone spikes fully manifested, demonic mist cloaking him like a death god. He ascended, bloodied triumph radiating majesty.Surfacing to gasps, Parashurama nodded. "Chakravarti blood awakens. The Peaks' Grand Tournament nears—Kaurav reinforcements muster." Duryodhan's spies watched from peaks; Patala whispers promised escalation. In his grotto, Arjun tested new form: strikes shattering boulders effortlessly. Cube unveiled Three Lives Pupils—eyes piercing fate's veil. Enemies multiplied, but so did his edge. From valleys to abyss, each descent forged the eternal emperor. The 33 Lokas stirred; Trimurti glory beckoned through blood and will.