blood of the abyss

Hours later

ready."

Kaien's eyes narrowed, his tone sharp. "Then get ready. The Abyss doesn't wait for anyone to catch up. You either adapt or die. That's the only truth out here."

His words hung heavy in the air, leaving Mike, Rin, and Kenji silent. The reality of their situation was beginning to settle in—a world on the brink of collapse, and they were being asked to shoulder a burden far greater than themselves.

---

Shadows of the Guild

When they finally reached the towering gates of the Hunters' Guild, the fortress seemed more imposing than ever. Its black stone walls loomed against the dark sky, the torches casting flickering shadows that danced like ghosts. Inside, the air buzzed with tension. Hunters—veterans and rookies alike—milled about, their faces grim as they exchanged news of new Rifts and rising casualties.

Kaien led them through the main hall to a secluded chamber lit by a single crystal that emitted a soft blue glow. Commander Ayaka Sato waited for them, her expression unreadable as she assessed the group.

"You've returned," she said, her voice cold. "And it seems you're all in one piece. That's a start."

Kenji stepped forward, his frustration spilling over. "You call sending us into a Rift with no support a 'start'? We barely made it out alive!"

Ayaka's icy gaze pinned him in place. "And yet, you did make it out. This isn't a game, Nakamura. Every mission will test you, and there's no guarantee you'll come back. If you're looking for someone to hold your hand, you're in the wrong line of work."

Kenji opened his mouth to argue, but Rin placed a hand on his arm, silently urging him to stand down.

Ayaka turned her attention to Mike. "Obafemi. What did you learn out there?"

Mike hesitated, the memory of the Rift's oppressive energy still fresh in his mind. "The Abyss… it's not just about fighting creatures. It's alive. It changes everything it touches."

Ayaka nodded, her expression grim. "Good. You're starting to understand. The Abyss isn't just an enemy—it's a force of nature, one that feeds on fear, chaos, and despair. If you're going to survive, you'll need to face it head-on, no matter what it shows you."

---

A New Bond

After the debriefing, Kaien escorted them to their quarters—a small, shared room with three simple beds and a single lantern casting a dim glow.

Kenji threw himself onto one of the beds, groaning. "This is insane. We're not ready for this. How are we supposed to fight something like the Abyss when we don't even understand it?"

Rin sat on the edge of her bed, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. "We don't have a choice, Kenji. If we don't fight, who will?"

Mike remained silent, staring at his hands. The faint traces of the abyssal flames still lingered on his fingertips, a reminder of the power he had unleashed. He clenched his fists, his mind racing.

Kaien leaned against the doorway, watching them with a faint smile. "You're not alone in this, you know."

Mike looked up, his brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Kaien stepped into the room, his golden eyes gleaming. "I've seen rookies like you before—angry, scared, trying to make sense of a world that's falling apart. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the bonds you forge out there, in the shadows, will be the only thing keeping you alive. Trust each other, rely on each other. That's the only way you'll make it."

Kenji scoffed. "Easy for you to say. You're a Mythril-ranked Hunter. You don't know what it's like to be thrown into this with nothing."

Kaien's smile faded, replaced by a distant look. "You think I started at Mythril? Everyone starts somewhere, Kenji. I've lost friends, comrades… people I cared about. And every time, I wondered if I was next. But I'm still here because I didn't give up. Neither should you."

The room fell silent, Kaien's words cutting through their doubts.

---

A New Mission

The next morning, they were summoned to the mission hall, where Ayaka waited with a new assignment.

"A Rift has appeared near the outskirts of Elthera," she said, handing Kaien a scroll. "It's smaller than the one in Kasai, but reports suggest it's spreading quickly. You'll take the rookies with you and investigate."

Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Another Rift already? The Abyss doesn't waste time."

Ayaka's expression darkened. "It never does."

Mike, Rin, and Kenji exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of their new mission settling over them.

Kaien turned to them, his usual grin returning. "Well, looks like we're heading back into the fray. Don't worry—I'll make sure you don't die. Probably."

Kenji groaned. "Not exactly comforting."

Mike took a deep breath, his resolve hardening. "We'll handle it."

Kaien clapped him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Now, let's see if you're ready to fight the Abyss for real."

As they left the guild and began their journey, the weight of the world pressed down on them. But in the midst of the shadows, a small spark of hope flickered.

For the first time, they weren't fighting alone.