The cavern was silent after the Shadow Titan's fall.
Kael sat against the jagged wall, chest heaving, the Abyss pulsing like a heartbeat beneath his skin. Every throb carried a whisper: "Obey… obey… obey…"—but this time, Kael didn't flinch.
[Synchronization: 62%]
Warning: Host autonomy at risk.
He clenched his fists, black veins crawling up his arms. He could feel the Abyss reacting to his will—hungry, impatient, but… listening.
"Focus," he whispered to himself. "Control it. Don't let it control me."
Slowly, he lifted his hands. Tendrils of shadow extended, but this time he directed them deliberately. They wrapped around a pile of broken stone, lifting it, then shattered it with precision. Not instinct. Control.
[Abyssal Borrowing: Controlled Activation]
The Abyss hissed, testing him, probing his limits. Kael let it surge through him, but this time, he guided it, shaping the raw power without letting it dictate his actions.
Lira watched from a few paces away, eyes wide. "Kael… you're… controlling it?"
He nodded slowly, exhaustion written across his face. "I think… I can. If I focus, I can use it without… losing myself."
The Abyss pulsed, almost resentfully, but Kael ignored it. He felt stronger, more alive, and yet painfully aware of the cost. Every use of the power left marks—not just on his body, but in his mind.
A distant rumble echoed through the cavern. This time, it wasn't a monster—it was deliberate. Calculated. Something bigger.
Kael and Lira exchanged a glance.
"That's no ordinary creature," Lira said.
From the shadows emerged a figure tall and imposing, cloaked in darkness that seemed to absorb the red light of the cavern veins. Its eyes glowed a cold, pale blue—sharp, intelligent, and predatory.
Kael's chest tightened. This wasn't a trial monster. This was… something else. Something in control.
[Entity Detected: Nightmare Sentinel]
Host: Kael Vire
Objective: Evaluate Abyssal Synchronization]
The Sentinel stepped forward, voice echoing like stone scraping against metal. "So… the new host awakens."
Kael tensed. "Who are you?"
The Sentinel tilted its head, studying him. "I am the Judge of this realm. The Abyss has chosen you… but we will see if you are worthy."
Lira's hand tightened on her spear. "Kael… be careful. This isn't like the other trials."
Kael nodded, feeling the Abyss pulse hungrily beneath his skin. But this time, he was ready. He had tasted its power—and resisted its control.
The Sentinel's eyes narrowed. "Show me your strength… or perish."
Kael rose to his feet, shadow tendrils coiling around him like living armor. He wasn't fully in control, but he was ready to fight. Not for obedience. Not for survival.
For himself.
One battle. One choice. One step closer to mastering the curse.
The Nightmare Realm had officially taken notice.