Chapter 6: Forging the Abyss
The Soul Academy's training grounds were quiet in the early morning light, the dew still clinging to the tall grass like silver dust. Karen stood in the center of the open field, her scythe—the Abyss—resting lightly against her shoulder. Her breath was steady, but her mind raced with echoes from the Hollowreach mission.
The weight of her awakening power was no longer just a secret thrill—it was a burden she had to learn to carry.
"Focus," a calm voice called.
Karen turned to see Joshua Ikemba approaching. His presence always carried an unshakable confidence, the quiet strength of a Master Soulborne. Today, he wore a simple training gi embroidered with the Ikemba family crest, and his eyes gleamed with a hint of something sharp and wise.
"We've little time," Joshua said. "The Abyss is unlike any Soul-Bound Weapon I've seen. It's a living shadow, hungry for control. You need to learn not just how to wield it—but how to become one with it."
Karen nodded. "I want to learn. I want to get stronger… so I never feel powerless again."
Joshua smiled faintly. "Good. Power without control is chaos. Let's begin."
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Soul Technique Training
Joshua's hands moved with fluid grace, demonstrating the flow of Soul Energy through his body. "Soul Techniques aren't just about brute force—they're the language of your spirit, your essence. You speak to the energy, shape it, bind it. The Proto-Domain you possess is a rare gift—like a seed with untapped roots."
Karen closed her eyes, drawing in a slow breath. She reached inward, summoning the dark pulse within.
"Feel the flow," Joshua instructed. "Not just inside you, but around you. Soul Energy reacts to intent and emotion. Let your will guide it, not your fear."
Her Proto-Domain shimmered faintly at first—a thin veil of darkness flickering like a candle flame.
"Good," Joshua said. "Now, channel that into a focused technique. Let's start with Energy Constructs."
Karen extended her hands, imagining the darkness solidifying into a blade of shadow. Slowly, the form took shape—a sleek, curved dagger made of pure Soul Energy, humming softly.
"Excellent," Joshua nodded. "Now, try to maintain it while moving."
She practiced weaving the dagger through the air, cutting invisible threads, shaping it into different forms. Leslie and Marie watched from a distance, whispering encouragements.
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Harnessing the Abyss
"Your Soul-Bound Weapon is an extension of your Proto-Domain," Joshua said, guiding her stance. "It isn't a tool—you are its core. The Abyss feeds on your spirit, but it can also consume you if left unchecked."
Karen gripped the scythe, feeling its cold pulse synchronize with her heartbeat.
"Let's try a binding exercise," Joshua instructed. "Call the Abyss, but this time, control its flow instead of letting it command you."
She focused, summoning the scythe. It materialized with a whisper of cold night air.
"Now," Joshua said, "reduce its size, make it more precise."
The giant crescent began to shrink, becoming a compact, razor-sharp hook. Karen's eyes widened—her control deepened.
"Perfect. This will help you adapt in combat—small movements, rapid strikes."
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Soul Domain Expansion
Joshua then introduced her to an advanced concept.
"The Proto-Domain is your nascent Soul Domain. High Soulborne can project a full Domain, reshaping the battlefield with their essence. You must build yours gradually—starting with minor effects."
Karen summoned her dark energy, attempting to form a subtle dome of shadow around her.
"It's unstable," she admitted, the edges flickering.
"Good," Joshua said with a rare smile. "That means it's alive. Now, steady your will and reinforce the boundaries."
Her Proto-Domain pulsed, growing thicker, the darkness coalescing into a nearly opaque veil.
"Control the ebb and flow," he added. "Like tides—push and pull, never let the Domain overwhelm you."
After minutes of concentrated effort, Karen held the shimmering dark dome steady.
Leslie clapped softly from the sidelines. "You're amazing."
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Reflections
That evening, Karen sat alone beneath the academy's soulmoon-lit garden. The Abyss hovered near her, its crescent shape folding and unfolding like a living shadow.
She thought about the Hollowreach Forest—the creatures, Voth's warning, the strange connection she felt with the Abyss.
"I'm not just a girl who can sense Soul Energy," she whispered to the night. "I'm part of something deeper. Something… ancient."
Joshua's words echoed in her mind:
The Abyss is its soil, and you, little Lockwood, are its chosen bloom.
She clenched her fists, determination burning in her veins.
"I will master this. For my family. For my friends. For myself."
The darkness around her shimmered in quiet agreement.
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