Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The Grand Council Chamber was silent—an oppressive silence that weighed heavy on every breath, every glance, every flicker of light reflecting off the crystalline mana projections hovering above the grand obsidian table. The chamber's immense walls, etched with countless runes of protection and stability, seemed to press inward under the gravity of what was being discussed.

At the head of the chamber, High Sovereign Kaelith Drayen sat with his silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his sharp features locked in an expression of profound contemplation. His piercing silver eyes scanned the floating data before him—streams of information detailing Rui's power, his combat proficiency, and, most importantly, the probability of success in the Abyssal Ravine.

To his left, Lady Elyra Valeheart was poised with the grace of a noble predator. Her azure robes pooled elegantly around her chair, but her sharp gaze was anything but calm. She tapped one slender finger against the edge of the table, her expression a mixture of concern and disbelief.

Across from her, Kovar hovered near his seat, his glass brain dome flickering with cascading streams of holographic data. His skeletal fingers danced over a floating crystalline control panel, his pale face drawn tight with worry as he analyzed endless mana signatures and survival probability charts.

Fenrir leaned casually against one of the obsidian pillars behind Kaelith, his predatory aura subdued but palpable. His wolfish eyes remained fixed on the center of the table, sharp and focused.

Other council members filled the crescent arrangement of thrones, each cloaked in an aura of authority and power. Their voices, though now hushed, had previously filled the hall with heated debate.

Kaelith raised his hand slightly, signaling for attention.

"Enough," he said, his voice cutting through the air like a blade of tempered steel. "This debate will not continue in circles. Rui Kirean has made his decision. He will descend into the Abyss alone."

Lady Elyra's sharp voice sliced through the air almost immediately.

"With all due respect, High Sovereign, that is insanity. He is powerful, yes, but he is not invincible. Sending him into the Abyss—alone—might as well be signing his death warrant."

Kovar's glass dome flickered as his voice followed, analytical but laced with frustration.

"Every survival model I've run concludes the same thing. Solo expeditions into an unstable mana environment like the Abyss carry a near-absolute mortality rate. Even with Rui's current enhancements—his Mana Wells, his physical fortitude, his ocular runes—the environment is beyond unpredictable."

Fenrir's voice rumbled softly from his corner, carrying the weight of experience.

"And yet, we all saw it. When he stood against Squad Alpha, he wasn't trying. Their mana, their aura—it might as well have been a summer breeze to him. That boy isn't just strong—he's something else entirely."

The council members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, their murmurs barely audible but filled with unease.

Kaelith leaned forward slightly, his silver eyes locking onto Elyra.

"Lady Valeheart, you are not wrong. Sending Rui alone into the Abyss carries unimaginable risk. But tell me, if we send Squad Alpha alongside him, what happens when they become a liability? What happens when Rui has to choose between facing the threat ahead and saving those behind him?"

The chamber fell silent again, the weight of Kaelith's words sinking into every mind present.

Elyra's voice softened slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"So you're saying we have no choice."

Kovar interjected, his voice quieter now, tinged with something approaching resignation.

"At his current state, Rui represents a singular variable—a variable we cannot replicate, predict, or replace. Sending him alone maximizes his odds of success. But… if he fails…"

Kaelith completed the thought, his voice steady but grim.

"If he fails, we lose not only Rui Kirean but our last, best chance at understanding what lies within the Abyss."

---

The council chambers buzzed with subtle tension as lesser members exchanged furtive glances. A younger councilor, Lord Serik Alron, leaned forward slightly. His crimson robes contrasted sharply with the golden sigils of his house.

"If I may, High Sovereign," Serik said cautiously, his voice clear but edged with hesitation. "We are placing far too much faith in a single boy, no matter how impressive his power may seem. Is this not an irresponsible gamble?"

Lady Elyra's sharp voice followed immediately, her patience wearing thin.

"A gamble, Serik? Are you implying we have another option? Are you volunteering yourself to march into the Abyss? Or perhaps you'd prefer we send another squad to their deaths?"

Serik flinched slightly but said nothing, his lips pressing into a thin line as he looked away.

Fenrir pushed off the pillar, walking slowly toward the table, his heavy boots echoing in the vast chamber. His gravelly voice filled the silence.

"We all know the truth, even if we're too proud to admit it. There's no one else. No one even close to Rui. Whatever he's become… whatever those runes in his eyes mean… it's enough to shake even us. That boy isn't just carrying power—he's carrying purpose."

The chamber settled again, Fenrir's words hanging heavily in the air.

Kaelith finally stood, his silver robes cascading around him like flowing water. His sharp eyes swept across the room, catching every gaze, every breath.

"We must accept that there is no path forward without risk. Rui is not merely our strongest weapon; he is our only weapon against whatever lies in the Abyss. We will prepare him as best we can, equip him with every tool available, and when the time comes, we will send him forward."

He paused, his voice dropping slightly, yet carrying even more weight.

"And we will hope."

Lady Elyra leaned back in her chair, her expression unreadable. Kovar exhaled softly, his pale eyes flickering behind streams of holographic data. Fenrir crossed his arms again, his sharp gaze lowering slightly.

Kaelith turned to Kovar.

"You will oversee Rui's final preparations. Ensure his body and mana systems are operating flawlessly. If even one stabilization rune falters, it could mean failure."

Kovar nodded sharply.

"It will be done."

Kaelith's gaze shifted to Elyra.

"Ensure public morale remains steady. Rui's departure will not be hidden from the world—it will be seen as a symbol of hope, not a funeral procession."

Elyra inclined her head, her azure eyes glinting faintly.

"As you command, High Sovereign."

Finally, Kaelith turned to Fenrir.

"Keep him grounded. You understand the weight he carries better than most. Remind him that even in solitude, he carries the hopes of millions."

Fenrir grunted softly, his wolfish eyes gleaming.

"He already knows, Kaelith. But I'll make sure he doesn't forget."

---

The council began to disperse, their shadows stretching long across the marble floor. Kovar lingered for a moment, staring at the projection of the Abyssal Ravine hovering above the center of the table.

Fenrir approached Kaelith one final time.

"Do you think he'll come back?"

Kaelith's gaze remained fixed on the dark projection of the Abyss.

"I don't know, Fenrir. But if anyone can… it's him."

Far below the spire, Rui stood at the edge of his balcony, staring out over the endless horizon, the faint glow of mana threads dancing softly in his silver eyes.

"I'll walk into the darkness."

The wind carried his whispered words away into the night.

"And I'll return."

Somewhere deep within the earth, the Abyss stirred.