Shadows of Ascension

The cold bit at Kael’s skin as he ventured deeper into the Abyssal Maw, the air growing denser and more oppressive with every step. The passageway he followed was narrow and winding, its walls slick with moisture that dripped down in irregular rivulets. Each drop that splattered against the floor echoed unnervingly, the sound amplified by the silence that seemed to stretch endlessly in the darkness.

Kael kept his breathing steady, his senses sharp. The further he went, the more the atmosphere seemed to change—like the Maw itself was aware of his presence, watching him, testing him. The Dreitailen’s presence stirred within him, a steady pulse of cold energy that reminded him he wasn’t alone. His soulbound creature had grown stronger, just as Kael had, and though its influence came with a cost, he couldn’t deny the power it provided.

The flickering bioluminescent glow from the fungi lining the walls was dim, casting strange, twisted shadows that shifted with every movement. Kael kept his dagger drawn, his muscles tense as he scanned the passage ahead. He had survived the first floor and its creatures, but he knew the deeper levels of the Maw would be more perilous.

“Analyzing… new floor detected: Abyssal Maw, Level 3.”

The System’s voice echoed in his mind, calm and emotionless. The knowledge that he was descending further into the heart of the dungeon brought a sense of grim determination. He was stronger now, and each step forward brought him closer to his goal—escaping this place, growing in power, and confronting those who had thrown him into the Maw in the first place.

The memory of Reyla’s betrayal still lingered, a bitter taste in his mouth. She had played him, manipulated him into trusting her, and when he had refused to give up his secrets, she had stood aside and let the Council throw him into the Abyss. He couldn’t forget that. He wouldn’t forget that. Revenge was a fire that burned quietly in his chest, waiting for the right moment to be unleashed.

But for now, survival was his priority.

The passageway opened into a wider cavern, the walls lined with jagged stalagmites and patches of bioluminescent growths. The ground beneath his feet was uneven, strewn with debris and loose stones. Kael moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.

And then, he heard it—a faint, rhythmic sound, like the beating of wings.

Kael froze, his instincts screaming at him to stay alert. The sound grew louder, and soon, a shadowy figure descended from the ceiling, its leathery wings flapping in the still air. The creature was unlike anything he had seen before—its body was twisted and gaunt, with dark, membranous wings that stretched wide, and eyes that glowed with a faint, eerie light.

“Hostile detected. Analyzing… Species: Abyssal Harpy. Threat Level: High.”

The Harpy let out a piercing shriek as it circled overhead, its sharp talons gleaming in the dim light. Kael gritted his teeth, his heart pounding in his chest. The creature was fast—far faster than anything he had encountered so far. He needed to be smart, to time his strikes perfectly.

“Shadow Meld.”

The shadows coiled around Kael, shrouding him in darkness. He moved silently, positioning himself behind one of the larger stalagmites, using the natural formations of the cave to his advantage. The Harpy’s glowing eyes scanned the area, its wings flapping slowly as it hovered in the air, searching for its prey.

Kael waited, his muscles coiled like springs. He could feel the Dreitailen’s presence urging him to strike, to unleash its power and end the fight swiftly. But he needed to be patient. The Harpy was dangerous, and one wrong move could mean the difference between life and death.

The creature let out another shriek and swooped low, its talons outstretched as it flew toward the area where Kael had been standing moments before. It was fast—faster than Kael had anticipated—but he was already moving, his body blending seamlessly with the shadows.

When the Harpy flew past, Kael lunged.

“Shadow Strike.”

The shadows surged into Kael’s fist as he drove it into the creature’s side, aiming for the exposed gap between its wing and its ribcage. The impact sent a shockwave through the Harpy’s body, and it screeched in pain, its wings flapping erratically as it struggled to stay airborne.

But the creature was far from defeated. It whirled around, its eyes blazing with fury, and lashed out with its talons. Kael barely had time to react—he raised his dagger to block the attack, the blade clashing against the creature’s claws with a sharp, metallic sound.

The force of the blow sent Kael staggering backward, his arms trembling from the impact. The Harpy was relentless, its movements quick and savage as it pressed the attack. Kael ducked and dodged, his every step calculated as he tried to stay out of the creature’s reach.

But the Harpy was too fast. It lunged at him again, its talons aiming for his chest. Kael’s instincts screamed at him to move, and he twisted his body to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack.

The creature’s claws raked against the stone floor, sending sparks flying. Kael saw his opening—just a split second, but it was enough.

“Cloak of Dread.”

The shadows thickened around Kael, coiling and twisting like living things. The air grew colder, and the Harpy hesitated, its movements faltering as the aura of fear radiating from Kael washed over it. The creature’s eyes widened, its wings twitching nervously as it tried to comprehend the source of its growing dread.

Kael didn’t give it time to recover. He surged forward, his dagger flashing in the dim light as he delivered a swift, brutal strike to the creature’s neck. The blade bit deep, and the Harpy let out a final, gurgling screech before collapsing to the ground, its wings crumpling beneath it.

“Enemy defeated. Awarding experience points.”

Kael stood over the Harpy’s body, breathing heavily. His muscles ached, and his wounds throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t afford to rest. The Abyssal Maw was unforgiving, and there would be more creatures like the Harpy lurking in the darkness.

Status Screen

Attribute Value

Name Kael

Soulbound Creature Dreitailen

Rarity Tier Unique Rarity

Level 6

Evolution Stage 1

Health Points (HP) 90/140

Mana Points (MP) 60/120

Stamina 70/120

Strength 16

Agility 18

Intelligence 10 (-1 Corruption)

Endurance 16

Perception 14

Luck 9

Shadow Corruption (SC) 11%

Synergy Bonus Veil of Shadows

Kael grimaced as he saw his Shadow Corruption tick higher. Every battle, every moment in the Maw seemed to push him closer to something he didn’t fully understand. The Dreitailen’s influence was growing, slowly but surely, and though the power it granted him was undeniable, the cost was becoming more apparent.

But Kael had no choice. The Abyssal Maw demanded strength, and the Dreitailen was the only reason he was still alive. He couldn’t afford to hesitate—not now, not when he had come so far.

Kael took a deep breath and continued forward, the passageway narrowing once more as he ventured deeper into the Maw. The air grew colder, and the shadows seemed to press in closer, as if the darkness itself was alive, watching his every move.

He wasn’t alone.

After what felt like hours of navigating the twisting tunnels of the Maw, Kael arrived at a large, circular chamber. The air was thick with an oppressive energy, and Kael’s skin prickled with the sensation of being watched.

The chamber was different from the others—more ancient, more deliberately constructed. The walls were lined with strange, glowing runes, their meaning lost to time, but the energy they radiated was palpable.

At the center of the chamber stood a massive stone pedestal, and atop it rested a single, dark orb. The orb pulsed with a faint, eerie light, casting long shadows across the floor.

Kael’s heart raced as he approached the pedestal, his instincts screaming at him to be cautious. The orb felt… wrong, like it didn’t belong in this world, like it was something far older, far darker than anything he had encountered so far.

“Artifact detected. Analyzing…”

The System’s voice cut through the silence, and Kael’s eyes narrowed as he waited for the analysis to complete.

“Artifact: Abyssal Core. Function: Unknown. Warning: High Shadow Affinity detected. Caution advised.”

Kael frowned, his gaze fixed on the orb. The warning didn’t surprise him—he could feel the dark energy radiating from the core, its power coiling through the air like a serpent. The Dreitailen stirred within him, its presence thrumming with excitement, as if it recognized the artifact and wanted it.

Kael hesitated. The artifact could be valuable—perhaps even powerful enough to help him survive the deeper floors of the Maw. But the System’s warning echoed in his mind. The Abyssal Core was dangerous, steeped in shadow magic that could corrupt him even further.

His Shadow Corruption was already at 11%, and he could feel the Dreitailen’s influence growing with each battle. If he took the Core, if he allowed the shadows to consume him further… what would he become?

Kael gritted his teeth, his hands clenched into fists. He couldn’t afford to walk away from power, not when his survival depended on it.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold surface of the orb.

The moment Kael touched the Abyssal Core, a surge of energy coursed through his body. The shadows around him twisted and writhed, their whispers growing louder, more insistent. Kael staggered back, his vision swimming as the dark magic flooded his senses.

The Dreitailen’s presence surged within him, coiling tighter, its influence spreading like wildfire.

“Warning: Shadow Corruption increased to 15%. New Trait Unlocked: Abyssal Grasp.”

Kael gasped, his breath ragged as he felt the new trait settle within him. The Abyssal Grasp was unlike anything he had felt before—darker, more primal, a manifestation of the shadows’ hunger for control. He could feel the power it granted him, the ability to manipulate the shadows with even greater precision and force.

But the cost was undeniable. The corruption was spreading, seeping into every corner of his being, and with each passing moment, the line between himself and the Dreitailen grew thinner.

Kael shook his head, forcing the thoughts away. He couldn’t afford to dwell on the consequences—not now. He had to keep moving, to survive the Maw, and to use whatever power he could find to escape this place.

He stood, his legs trembling slightly from the surge of energy, and turned his attention back to the passageway leading deeper into the Maw.

The darkness awaited him, and Kael was ready.

With renewed determination, Kael pressed forward into the unknown. The Abyssal Maw held more secrets, more dangers, and more opportunities for power. But Kael had no illusions—he was walking a razor’s edge, balancing survival and corruption with every step.

And one day, that balance would break.

But for now, he would push forward.

Whatever it took.