บท 18: Fractured Loyalties
The aftermath of the battle left an eerie stillness in the chamber. Daniel floated next to Mira, his gaze fixed on the newly acquired fragment. Its glow was faint, but it pulsed in a rhythm that matched the residual hum of the Nexus Core.
"This thing," Daniel murmured, holding up the fragment, "it feels... alive."
"It is," Mira said, her voice low. "Each fragment carries a piece of the Abyss's essence. That's why they're so powerful—and so dangerous."
Daniel frowned. "Dangerous how?"
Mira hesitated, her tail flicking nervously. "Not everyone seeks fragments for noble reasons. Some see them as tools to dominate the Abyss. Others..." Her words trailed off, her expression darkening.
"Others what?" Daniel pressed.
She shook her head. "We need to move. The Nexus has more guardians, and we've already drawn enough attention."
As they left the Nexus chamber, Daniel couldn't shake the unease growing in his chest. Mira was hiding something, and the more they ventured into the Abyss, the clearer it became that not all their allies shared the same goals.
The Whisper returned as they swam deeper into the trench, softer now but more insidious. It felt less like a voice and more like a presence—a shadow clinging to his thoughts.
[System Notice: Lingering Abyssal Influence Detected. Mental Fortitude Recommended.]
"Mira," Daniel said, breaking the silence, "are we really the only ones looking for these fragments?"
Mira's hesitation was answer enough.
"Who else is out here?" he asked, his voice firm.
She sighed. "There are others. Clans, rogue hunters, even ancient beings who've long since abandoned any semblance of humanity. And then..." She stopped, glancing at him.
"Then what?" Daniel prompted.
"Then there are the betrayers," she said, her voice barely audible. "Those who pretend to be allies, only to strike when you least expect it."
Daniel's mind raced as her words settled over him. He thought of their brief encounters with others in the Abyss, of the shadowy figures he had dismissed as irrelevant. Could someone among them already be working against him?
He didn't have time to dwell on the thought. Ahead of them, the water grew murky, dark tendrils twisting like smoke through the gloom. A faint light flickered in the distance, drawing them forward.
The light led to a clearing surrounded by jagged rock formations. At its center was a figure—a sleek, shark-like creature with gleaming silver scales and piercing yellow eyes. The creature's stance was relaxed, almost casual, but there was a menace in its gaze that set Daniel's nerves on edge.
"Well, well," the figure said, its voice smooth and mocking. "The rumors were true. The Abyss has a new contender."
"Vorrik," Mira spat, her posture immediately defensive.
"An old friend of yours?" Daniel asked, keeping his voice steady.
"Hardly," Mira replied, her eyes locked on the newcomer.
Vorrik grinned, showing rows of sharp teeth. "Now, Mira, is that any way to greet an old comrade? After all, we were quite the team once."
Daniel's system chimed:
[New Entity Identified: Vorrik.]
[Threat Level: High.]
[Affiliation: Rogue Abyssal Hunter.]
"What do you want, Vorrik?" Mira demanded.
"Oh, nothing much," Vorrik said, circling them slowly. "Just that fragment you're holding. Hand it over, and I'll let you both swim away unharmed."
"Not happening," Daniel said firmly, positioning himself between Vorrik and Mira.
Vorrik chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "Brave, aren't you? But bravery won't save you here."
[Combat Engaged: Vorrik.]
Vorrik moved like a blur, closing the distance in an instant. Daniel barely had time to react, activating Hydro Dash to evade the predator's strike. Mira countered with a swift attack, her tail lashing out, but Vorrik dodged effortlessly.
"You'll have to do better than that," Vorrik taunted, his movements fluid and precise.
Daniel activated Ripple Shockwave, sending a pulse of energy toward Vorrik. The rogue hunter twisted away, but the shockwave disrupted his balance long enough for Mira to land a glancing blow.
"Nice trick," Vorrik said, his grin widening. "But let's see how you handle this."
Vorrik's scales shimmered, and the water around him darkened. A wave of pressure radiated outward, disorienting Daniel and Mira.
[Warning: Abyssal Field Detected. Vision and Mobility Reduced.]
Daniel struggled to focus as Vorrik's form blurred in the gloom. He felt a sharp impact against his side, followed by a searing pain.
[Damage Sustained: Moderate.]
"Daniel!" Mira shouted, her voice strained as she fended off another attack.
"I'm fine!" he called back, though his movements were sluggish. "We need to disable that field!"
Mira nodded, her gaze narrowing. "Keep him busy. I'll handle it."
As Mira darted toward Vorrik, Daniel activated Abyssal Perception, scanning for weaknesses. His system highlighted faint energy lines running through Vorrik's scales—traces of the field's source.
"There!" Daniel muttered, surging forward with Piercing Surge. He aimed for one of the glowing lines, his blade striking true.
Vorrik roared in pain, the field flickering before fading entirely.
[Abyssal Field Neutralized.]
"You little—" Vorrik snarled, turning his full attention to Daniel.
The rogue hunter lashed out with a series of rapid strikes, forcing Daniel to rely on every ounce of his agility to dodge. Mira seized the opportunity, landing a devastating blow to Vorrik's side.
Vorrik staggered, his breathing labored. "This isn't over," he growled, retreating into the shadows. "Enjoy your victory while it lasts."
[Combat Concluded: Vorrik Retreated.]
As the water stilled, Daniel and Mira floated in silence, their breaths heavy.
"Who was that?" Daniel asked finally.
"Someone I trusted once," Mira said, her voice bitter. "And someone who proved why trust is a weakness in the Abyss."
Daniel glanced at the fragment in his hand, its glow steady but subdued. "If there are more like him out there…"
"There are," Mira said, her tone grim. "And they won't stop until they have what they want."
Daniel nodded, his resolve hardening. The Abyss was a world of shadows, and if he was going to survive, he'd need to be ready for anything—even betrayal.
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