Cronicals of the Abyss

The forest surrounding the clearing was unnervingly quiet. Even with the sun breaking through the trees, the air felt heavy, as though the mist from earlier still lingered in some unseen way. Revan, Kael, and Lyra moved cautiously, the memory of the Abyssal constructs fresh in their minds.

Revan walked ahead, his hand never straying far from the hilt of his dagger. The Veil Shard in his cloak pulsed faintly against his chest, like a second heartbeat. He couldn't ignore its whispers anymore, though their meaning remained elusive. He focused instead on the path, worn by travelers long gone, hoping it would lead them to safety.

---

Kael broke the silence first, his voice hushed but insistent. "You haven't told us everything, have you?"

Revan didn't turn around. "About what?"

"The shard," Kael pressed. "Back there, it didn't just repel those constructs. It felt like it was... alive. And not in a good way."

Lyra nodded, her grip on her staff tightening. "He's right. That shard isn't just a tool. It's tied to something much bigger. If we're going to keep going, we need to know what we're dealing with."

Revan slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder at them. Their faces were drawn with exhaustion, but their eyes were sharp, demanding answers. He sighed and stepped off the path into a small clearing, gesturing for them to sit.

"You're not wrong," he admitted, pulling the shard from his cloak. It shimmered faintly, the dark energy within swirling like a captured storm. "This isn't just a fragment of some ancient relic. It's a piece of the Primordial Abyss itself."

Kael's eyes widened. "The Abyss? You mean that thing you said was the source of all these creatures and curses?"

"Exactly," Revan said, his voice low. "The Abyss isn't just some place or force—it's alive, in its own way. And this shard is like... a piece of its soul."

Lyra shivered. "Then why carry it? Isn't it dangerous to even touch something like that?"

Revan nodded. "It's dangerous, yes. But it's also powerful. The shard isn't just a weapon—it's a key. It holds knowledge, pieces of the Veil's secrets, and it's the only way to sever the Elders' hold on this world."

Kael rubbed the back of his neck, his expression conflicted. "So we're carrying a ticking time bomb that's also our only shot at saving the world. Fantastic."

Revan managed a faint smile. "Pretty much."

---

The conversation ended there, and they resumed their journey. The path grew narrower, the trees closer together, until it felt as though the forest itself was watching them. Revan's mind raced, his thoughts divided between the Veil Shard's whispers and the warning the constructs had delivered: The Abyss sees you.

He knew they couldn't outrun the Abyss forever. The shard had drawn the constructs, and it would continue to attract other dangers, both Abyssal and mortal. The Eclipse Covenant wouldn't stop hunting them either. They needed a plan, but for now, survival was the priority.

As the day wore on, the group came across the ruins of an old village. Crumbling stone walls and charred wooden beams told a story of abandonment and destruction. Vines and moss covered everything, reclaiming the land for nature.

Kael scanned the ruins warily. "This place doesn't look friendly."

"It's a good place to rest," Lyra said, her voice tinged with sympathy as she took in the remnants of the village. "Whatever happened here, it's long past."

Revan hesitated. He felt something—an unease that went beyond the sorrow of a ruined home. But they were all exhausted, and pushing further without rest would be a mistake. "Alright," he said. "But we stay alert."

---

They chose a relatively intact building near the center of the village, its stone walls providing some shelter from the elements. Kael started a small fire while Lyra tended to their injuries, her healing magic soothing the aches and bruises they'd accumulated. Revan sat apart from them, the shard resting in his lap as he stared into its swirling depths.

The whispers had grown louder, almost coherent. Images flashed in his mind—of endless black skies, shifting landscapes, and shadowed figures with glowing eyes. He saw glimpses of himself, his own shadow stretching unnaturally, devouring everything it touched.

He shook his head, breaking the shard's hold on him. He couldn't afford to lose himself, not now.

"Hey," Kael said, breaking into his thoughts. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"More like a nightmare," Revan muttered, slipping the shard back into his cloak.

Kael frowned but didn't press the issue. "Get some rest. You'll need your strength."

Revan nodded, though he doubted he'd sleep. The shard's whispers would follow him even into his dreams.

---

Night fell quickly, the ruined village plunged into darkness. The fire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Revan stood watch, his eyes scanning the surrounding ruins. The unease he'd felt earlier hadn't faded. If anything, it had grown stronger.

A faint sound caught his attention—a whisper, barely audible over the fire. He turned, his hand on his dagger, but saw nothing. The village was silent, save for the soft breathing of his companions.

And then he saw it: a figure standing at the edge of the firelight, cloaked in shadows. Its eyes glowed faintly, like embers in the dark.

Revan's heart raced. He drew his dagger, the blade gleaming with shadow energy. "Who's there?"

The figure didn't respond. It stepped closer, its form shifting and flickering like the constructs they'd faced earlier. But this one was different—more solid, more purposeful.

Revan's grip tightened on his weapon. "Stay back."

The figure stopped, tilting its head as if studying him. When it spoke, its voice was a hollow echo, layered with multiple tones. "Bearer of the shard, you tread a path of ruin."

Revan didn't lower his guard. "Who are you?"

"A sentinel," the figure replied. "A watcher of the Abyss. You have taken what does not belong to you."

Revan's mind raced. The shard's whispers had warned of this, but he hadn't expected a direct confrontation so soon. "It belongs to the world," he said firmly. "Not the Abyss."

The figure laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down his spine. "The world belongs to the Abyss. As do all who dwell within it. You cannot escape its grasp."

Revan stepped forward, his shadow coiling around him like a living thing. "We'll see about that."

The figure raised a hand, and the shadows around it surged forward, forming claws that swiped at Revan. He dodged, countering with a blast of shadow energy that forced the figure back.

The clash woke Kael and Lyra, who scrambled to their feet, weapons ready.

"What's going on?" Kael demanded.

Revan didn't take his eyes off the figure. "A messenger from the Abyss."

The figure's glowing eyes narrowed. "You cannot win. The Abyss is eternal."

With that, it dissolved into the shadows, its presence fading like smoke in the wind.

---

The group stood in silence for a moment, the tension lingering even after the figure was gone.

"What was that thing?" Kael asked, his voice shaky.

"A warning," Revan said grimly. "The Abyss knows we have the shard. And it's not going to stop until it takes it back."

Lyra's expression was grave. "Then we'll have to be ready."

Revan nodded, his resolve hardening. The road ahead was dark and fraught with danger, but he wouldn't back down. The shard was more than just a weapon—it was a chance to change everything. And he would see it through, no matter the cost.