Thunder rumbled like an ancient heartbeat across the northern skies. The air was heavy, each breath thick with mana and the scent of rain that never came. The storm above Eryndor's Abyss hadn't moved in years—until today.
And now, buried in those endless clouds, something stirred.
A silhouette took form within the rolling thunder—a being not entirely of flesh or spirit. His eyes burned like molten silver, his hair a river of pale gold flowing in the violent wind. Lightning didn't strike him—it bent around him, as though the storm itself refused to harm its master.
He rested one arm on his knee, watching the tiny figure below carving through the divine wasteland like it was his birthright.
"…So that's the human who carries the mark of the nameless one," he murmured, his voice deep and cold, rolling through the clouds like a distant echo of thunder. "How amusing. A mortal walking beneath a storm meant for gods."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips as Ashura cut through another pack of beasts far below—his blade glowing with amethyst light, eyes sharp, movements deliberate. The creature in the clouds leaned forward slightly, his gaze narrowing.
"He noticed me."
Indeed, down below, Ashura had stopped moving. His sword was half-drawn, lightning quietly dancing around his fingers. His sharp gaze tilted upward into the swirling clouds, not with fear—but with a half-smile.
"So, you're finally showing interest," Ashura said under his breath. "Can't say I'm surprised."
Kai blinked, confused. "Captain? Who are you talking to?"
Ashura sheathed his sword, his tone casual but laced with that dangerous confidence. "Just the storm watching us. Don't worry about it."
The lightning above cracked violently, as if reacting to his words.
The being in the clouds chuckled, his laughter shaking the sky. "He sees me? No mortal should be able to pierce the storm veil… unless—"
His expression darkened, thoughtful. "So, the nameless one left behind a true heir."
Below, Ashura rolled his shoulders, glancing at the darkening sky. "He's not attacking. Guess he just wants to watch," he muttered. "Fine by me."
He turned back to his team, smirking faintly. "Stay sharp. There's something up ahead."
They followed his lead, moving deeper into the Ruin. The terrain began to change—the ground cracked and shimmered with faint energy, like walking on a frozen thunderbolt. Strange symbols carved into the rocks began to glow as they passed, responding to Ashura's presence.
Riku muttered, "Captain, this place gives me the creeps. Even the air feels like it's listening."
Ashura chuckled softly. "Then let it listen."
He crouched and touched one of the glowing symbols. The moment his fingers made contact, the entire area pulsed—lines of ancient energy connecting and forming what looked like a massive circular seal stretching for hundreds of meters.
Mira's voice trembled. "That's… divine script. I can't read it, but it's old. Very old."
Ashura studied it, eyes narrowing. "It's not just divine," he said quietly. "It's familiar."
Up in the clouds, the golden-haired being tilted his head. "He feels the language of gods?"
For the first time in centuries, the watcher's expression changed—from amusement to intrigue.
Below, Ashura stood, dusting off his hands. "Whoever—or whatever—was here before… didn't want mortals finding this place."
The air suddenly thickened. The seal beneath them started to glow brighter, reacting to Ashura's presence.
Kai panicked. "Uh, Captain, I think we triggered something!"
"Relax," Ashura said calmly, though lightning was already flickering at his fingertips. "If it's dangerous, it'll come for me first."
As if on cue, the seal erupted—columns of blue flame and ancient runes spiraling into the air. A massive shadow began to form, its outline jagged and growing until it blocked out the faint light filtering through the storm.
Ashura's expression didn't change. His sword slid from its sheath with a soft hum, violet lightning crawling along its edge. "Looks like we've got company."
The watcher above leaned back, amused. "He doesn't even flinch… splendid."
He stood, his aura making the storm itself bow. "Very well, heir of the nameless god… show me how far you can go before your body breaks."
Down below, the shadow finally took form—an enormous guardian of stone and flame, its voice shaking the earth.
"WHO DARES TRESPASS UPON THE DOMAIN OF GODS?"
Ashura grinned. "Oh, me? I'm just a traveler who got curious." He rested his sword on his shoulder. "But if you really wanna test me…"
He raised his blade to the sky, lightning storming from his body. "Then don't hold back."
The creature roared, the watcher in the clouds smiled, and the Ruin itself began to quake.
As lightning and divine fire clashed, the storm above whispered his name softly through the thunder.
"Ashura Bellet… heir of ruin and lightning… we shall meet soon."
Ashura caught the whisper, eyes narrowing as he drove his sword forward.
"Yeah, we will."