The Nexus chamber crumbled into nothingness as Daniel and Mira ascended. The shards of the Nexus pulsed faintly, embedding themselves into their forms—a physical reminder of the trials they had endured and the power they now carried. The abyssal waters around them shimmered, no longer oppressively dark but alive with ethereal streaks of luminescence.
"This place feels different," Mira said, her voice echoing through the currents. "It's like the abyss itself is watching us."
Daniel nodded, gripping his trident tightly. "The Nexus has changed us, and it's changed this place. But I can't shake the feeling we're still being tested."
Their ascent brought them to the edge of a colossal, open expanse—an underwater canyon rimmed with jagged cliffs. The walls were inscribed with glowing symbols that pulsed in unison, as if channeling the energy of the Nexus itself. Schools of abyssal creatures darted through the canyon, their forms sleek and alien, yet none approached the duo.
