The cavern smelled of blood and shadow.
Kael's chest burned where the Abyssal Brand throbbed, pulsing like a drumbeat in his veins. Every heartbeat carried a whisper: "Obey… obey… obey…"
Lira moved ahead, spear ready, scanning the darkness. "We have to find the exit. There's a faint light ahead—maybe it's the surface."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Or another trap."
She glanced back at him, worry etched into her features. "I… trust you. But we need to move fast."
Kael nodded, though he could feel the Abyss stirring. It wanted more than survival—it wanted dominance.
As they approached a narrow passage, a shadow detached itself from the cavern wall.
A boy. Around Kael's age, with a sly grin and glowing amber eyes.
"You two?" the boy said, bowing mockingly. "Funny running into survivors in a place like this."
Kael tensed. "Who are you?"
"Name's Renn," the boy said, voice dripping with false charm. "And I think we could… help each other."
Lira stepped forward, spear raised. "We don't need help. Stay back."
Renn laughed, low and dangerous. "You're so confident. So naïve. You don't even know what's hunting you."
Kael felt it immediately—the Abyss reacting. "Kill him… kill him… test his loyalty…"
"What's wrong?" Lira asked, noticing the twitch in his hands.
Kael's jaw tightened. "Nothing. Keep moving."
But Renn was already moving faster, circling them, eyes flicking to Kael's chest. The mark burned under their gaze.
"You've got the Abyss," Renn said softly, almost amused. "Didn't expect someone like you to survive this long."
Kael's hands clenched instinctively. "What do you want?"
"Just a little fun," Renn said, grinning. Then, without warning, he struck.
Lira screamed as Renn lunged forward—not at her, but at Kael. A dagger appeared in his hand, shimmering with dark energy.
Kael reacted, the Abyss surging violently in response. Tendrils erupted, wrapping around Renn's arms and legs. But Renn was fast—dodging, weaving, using every trick he knew.
[Synchronization increased: 38%]
Warning: Host autonomy critically compromised.
Kael realized the truth—Renn had been testing him, manipulating the Abyss through some unknown means. And for the first time, Kael felt fear—not of death, but of what the Abyss could make him do.
Lira's voice cut through the chaos. "Kael! Stop him!"
Kael lunged, tendrils lashing out, catching Renn mid-step. The boy laughed again, twisting out of the hold with impossible agility.
"Not bad," Renn said, wiping a smear of blood from his lips. "But the real test? Trust. That's where most people fail."
He vanished into the shadows before Kael could react.
Kael dropped to his knees, chest heaving, as the Abyss pulsed hungrily inside him.
[Synchronization increased: 45%]
Warning: Host loyalty compromised. Obedience required.]
Lira knelt beside him, gripping his arm. "Kael… are you okay?"
Kael shook his head slowly. "No… I'm not okay. And it's only getting worse."
He looked at his hands, still glowing faintly with Abyssal energy. The power had saved him—but it had also made him a weapon he couldn't fully control.
One thing was certain: in the Nightmare Realm, betrayal didn't just come from enemies.
Sometimes, it came from the people you thought you could trust.