Chapter 80: Depths of the Abyss

As Maxus ventured deeper into the treacherous mountain range, a horde of twisted creatures lunged at him with savage intent. Their grotesque forms, born of nightmares and malice, attempted to assail him from all sides. However, Maxus, now fully attuned to the darkness within, unleashed his newfound power with precision and efficiency.

With a graceful yet deadly dance, his obsidian sword sliced through the air, severing the creatures into countless pieces. Limbs and fragments of shattered bodies scattered in every direction, painting the landscape with a macabre display of defeat. Maxus, standing amidst the carnage, looked upon the remnants of his adversaries with an air of contempt.

"You are even weaker than the bullies in the Azaria Order," Maxus sneered, his voice resonating with a mix of satisfaction and disdain. The creatures that had once threatened him now lay powerless at his feet, a testament to his burgeoning strength.

Undeterred by the defeated horde, Maxus pressed on, his determination unyielding. However, as he ventured further, the landscape underwent a sudden and bewildering transformation. The solid ground dissolved into liquid, and Maxus found himself submerged in a vast underwater expanse.

Panic gripped his chest as he struggled against the suffocating embrace of the water. Desperate for air, Maxus thrashed and fought against the weight of the ocean that threatened to claim him. But his struggles were futile; his lungs burned for oxygen, and darkness encroached upon his vision.

Amidst the disorienting depths, a colossal creature, its form both awe-inspiring and terrifying, slumbered in the abyss. Maxus's wide eyes caught sight of a single, gargantuan eyeball opening, its size dwarfing him in comparison. The eye fixated upon Maxus as he helplessly drifted past, its gaze penetrating his very soul.

Just as Maxus's consciousness faded and the crushing weight of the ocean threatened to claim him, he suddenly jolted awake. Beads of sweat clung to his brow, and his chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to catch his breath. It took a moment for him to realize that he was safe and back in the realm of reality.

The vividness of the dream lingered, its remnants etched deep within Maxus's mind. It was a harrowing glimpse into the forbidden realms, a warning of the perils that awaited him on his path. Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming odds, Maxus's resolve remained unbroken.