Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The weight of finality lingered in the air as Rui left the training chamber, his boots barely making a sound against the polished stone floor. The faint glow of mana conduits reflected softly in his silver eyes, their etched runes pulsing faintly with every steady breath he took. Behind him, the echoes of Squad Alpha's fractured morale faded into silence, leaving only the distant hum of the Sovereign Spire's core in his ears.

The decision was made—Rui would descend into the Abyss alone.

---

The Grand Council Chamber was quiet—a rare occurrence in a hall where decisions shaped the fate of entire continents. Towering obsidian pillars lined the vast space, and floating crystalline projections displayed endless streams of data about the Abyssal Ravine, the failed expedition, and the chaotic mana signatures detected deep within.

At the head of the chamber sat High Sovereign Kaelith Drayen, his silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his sharp gaze locked on Rui as he approached the central platform. Beside him sat Lady Elyra Valeheart, her azure robes shimmering faintly in the dim light, and Kovar, whose glass brain dome flickered with cascading data streams.

Fenrir stood slightly behind them, his arms crossed, his wolf-like gaze locked on Rui with an intensity that could bend steel.

Rui walked to the center of the chamber, his glowing silver eyes locking onto Kaelith's without hesitation. His steps were measured, purposeful, carrying the weight of his decision.

Kaelith's voice, calm and commanding, echoed through the chamber.

"Rui Kirean. You have requested an audience with the Council. State your purpose."

Rui's voice was steady, his silver eyes unwavering.

"I will descend into the Abyss alone."

Silence.

It stretched out like an unbroken thread, the weight of Rui's words hanging heavily in the vast chamber. Elyra's sharp eyes studied him, searching for weakness. Kovar's glass dome flickered erratically, his pale eyes narrowing slightly as streams of data adjusted in real-time. Fenrir remained motionless, his sharp gaze unblinking.

Kaelith finally spoke, his voice low but edged with authority.

"You believe the squad will hold you back."

Rui didn't hesitate.

"Yes."

A faint murmur rippled through the chamber as the council members exchanged glances. Elyra's voice cut through the tension, sharp and clear.

"Rui, Squad Alpha is composed of some of the most capable warriors this continent has to offer. Are you suggesting their presence would hinder rather than assist you?"

Rui met her gaze directly.

"The Abyss doesn't care about strength, Lady Valeheart. It doesn't care about skill or talent. It devours everything. Down there, hesitation is death, and strength without precision is meaningless."

Kovar's voice crackled softly through the crystalline speakers.

"And you believe you are prepared to face it… alone?"

Rui nodded slowly.

"I don't believe—they can't survive it. I can't afford to split my focus protecting them. I have to be enough. Alone."

Fenrir stepped forward then, his gravelly voice cutting through the silence.

"And if you're wrong, boy? If the Abyss swallows you whole, what then?"

Rui's silver eyes locked onto Fenrir's sharp gaze.

"Then at least no one else will have died trying to follow me."

The silence that followed was absolute. No one spoke. No one moved. Rui's words cut deeper than any blade, leaving the weight of truth hanging heavily over the Council.

Kaelith broke the silence, his voice carrying finality.

"Your request is… granted."

Elyra's brow furrowed, her lips tightening into a thin line, but she said nothing. Kovar turned away slightly, his pale face partially obscured by cascading streams of data. Fenrir let out a slow exhale, his sharp gaze softening—just barely.

"You will descend alone, Rui Kirean. Three days from now. The preparations will be made."

Kaelith leaned slightly forward, his silver eyes sharp and unyielding.

"But understand this—you are not just one boy walking into darkness. You are a symbol now. Do not let that light go out."

Rui bowed his head slightly.

"I won't."

---

The three days leading up to Rui's departure passed in a strange blur. The Sovereign Spire felt quieter somehow, as though the weight of his decision had settled over every corridor, every hall.

Rui spent much of his time alone, deep in thought or silent meditation. The nights stretched long and restless, and the faint glow of the mana threads became his only companion as he stared out over the city from his chamber balcony.

In the training chamber, Rui refined his movements—his strikes, his counters, his breathing. Every motion was honed to mechanical precision, each step calculated and exact. He moved through the empty training ground like a phantom, his silver eyes glowing faintly in the sterile light.

In Kovar's laboratory, Rui underwent a final series of physical and mana stability tests. Kovar fine-tuned the Mana Wells along Rui's spine, adjusting their capacity and flow to ensure Rui's body wouldn't tear itself apart under pressure.

"You're walking into an environment that wants to kill you at every turn," Kovar said softly as he adjusted one of the stabilizing runes etched into Rui's back. "Don't make it easy for it."

In the quiet moments between training and preparation, Rui returned to the observation balconies. The wind carried the scent of rain, and the lights of the Central Capital stretched out beneath him like scattered stars.

The weight of it pressed against his chest, heavy and sharp. But Rui didn't falter. His silver eyes remained steady, his breath calm.

---

On the final night before his departure, Rui stood on the Sovereign Spire's highest balcony. The wind howled around him, cold and sharp, carrying with it the faint scent of ozone from distant storms.

Fenrir approached him from behind, his heavy boots echoing faintly against the stone floor.

"You're really doing this," Fenrir said gruffly, his voice low against the wind.

Rui didn't turn to face him. His silver eyes remained fixed on the horizon, where the stars met the endless dark.

"I have to."

Fenrir stepped beside him, his sharp gaze scanning the distant skyline.

"Bravery and foolishness are cousins, boy. But… I think you already know that."

Rui exhaled slowly, his breath misting faintly in the cold air.

"I'm not brave, Fenrir. I'm just… necessary."

The two stood in silence for a long while, the wind carrying their unspoken words into the void.

Eventually, Fenrir spoke again, his voice quieter this time.

"Come back alive, Rui."

Rui turned his head slightly, his glowing silver eyes meeting Fenrir's sharp gaze.

"I will."