Chapter 49: The Call of the Abyss

The silence within the narrow crevice was suffocating, broken only by the faint pulsing of the Abyssal Nexus Shard in Daniel's grasp. Mira remained on edge, her blade resting against a rock, her eyes scanning the surrounding waters.

The oppressive aura of the Abyss seemed to ebb and flow, as if it were alive, breathing in anticipation of their next move.

"That vision," Mira finally said, breaking the silence. "What did you see?"

Daniel hesitated. The image of the towering obsidian structure and the vortex of energy still lingered in his mind, vivid and unnerving. "It looked like some kind of fortress—or maybe a shrine," he said slowly. "But there was something else. A figure. It was... watching."

"Watching us?"

"More like waiting," Daniel replied. "And it felt like it knew we were coming."

Mira didn't respond immediately. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and her fingers tightened around the hilt of her blade.