Chapter 60: Abyssal Reckoning

The abyss was alive. The Nexus's brilliance intensified, painting the murky waters in hues of shimmering gold and malevolent black. The towering entity of light, the manifestation of the Nexus itself, stood motionless for a moment, its flickering form pulsating with unreadable intent. Yet its presence was anything but passive. A suffocating pressure bore down on Daniel and Mira, the weight of its gaze freezing them in place.

Daniel's shard trembled violently in his grip, its once-steady glow now erratic.

[Warning: Nexus Synchronization at Critical Threshold. Immediate action required.]

"Daniel, what *is* that thing?" Mira's voice cut through the oppressive silence, sharp with urgency.

Daniel forced himself to speak, though his throat felt constricted. "I think… it's the Nexus. Or part of it."