A forgotten prisoner

Azrael found himself enveloped once again by the chilling embrace of solitude and boundless darkness, the familiar hallmarks of the abyss that plagued his existence with the torment of eternal life and death.

However, abruptly, the suffocating stillness was shattered by a terrifying and repulsive presence. It loomed over Azrael, watching him with an insatiable hunger, craving his very soul.

"You are not Ren. Only he has the ability to enter this realm. So, who are you?" the being thundered, its voice reverberating through the vast expanse of the universe. Its words carried an indescribable malevolence that tore through the fabric of reality.

"I am... the new," Azrael replied, his voice compelled by an irresistible force, as if surrendering to the entity's overwhelming presence.

"The new. How peculiar. Yet, I see within you the potential to wield his power," the being remarked, its words dripping with intrigue.

"So, what is it that you desire, present one? Is it power? Then I shall grant you the power to conquer all of existence, every universe, realm, and beyond. All I ask in return is that you release me," the being offered, its words like tendrils of madness creeping into Azrael's mind.

"Tell me, present one, name your desire. What is it that you seek?" the being demanded once more.

Azrael's thoughts grew hazy, his mind empty and devoid of purpose. In the presence of this entity's words alone, his very existence seemed to wither, rendered meaningless and inconsequential.

Azrael, overcome by the influence of the being, spoke his truest desire without intention or restraint.

"Escape. I desire nothing more than to break free from the clutches of the abyss," Azrael murmured.

"We share the same yearning. Release me, and I shall liberate us from this eternal darkness forever," the being whispered.

"But... I don't... know how," Azrael stammered, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"No! This cannot be! I have expended eons of power to reach out to you, and you claim ignorance?" The being thundered, its fury palpable, threatening to unleash absolute and utter chaos.

Azrael jolted upright from the forest floor, his chest heaving with rapid breaths. Panic etched across his face, he scanned his surroundings in terror, sweat drenching his body.

"Calm down, Azrael." Ava's voice resonated with a rare compassion, her wolf form sitting beside him.

Gradually, Azrael's breathing slowed as he regained control, though fear still coursed through his mind.

"I can't even begin to imagine the horrors of that abyss," Ava remarked, her tone filled with empathy.

"It's beyond description. The longer I linger in that place, the more unspeakable it becomes," Azrael responded, his voice tinged with a slight tremor.

"And there's something else. Someone else. It made me realize just how insignificantly weak I am," Azrael muttered, contemplating the overwhelming power of the being he had encountered, a force far beyond his comprehension.

"How long was I unconscious?" Azrael inquired, rising to his feet to stretch. His once scar-riddled, shirtless body, bearing the marks of his torment, now bore only a single scar, evidence of his remarkable healing.

"Over three months," Ava replied, her voice filled with a mix of concern and relief.

"That's an incredibly long time. No wonder the dark ki within me has grown so potent, so powerful..." Azrael murmured, gazing at his open palms with a mix of awe and apprehension.

"Yes, it's truly terrifying. You might want to suppress it, though. within a 10km radius, every living thing has already perished. And that's only based on what I can sense," Ava cautioned, her voice laced with concern.

"Oh, right," Azrael responded hastily, immediately suppressing his dark ki.

"During these three months, as my power intertwines with yours, my own strength has grown exponentially. The surge of power flowing through me is unlike anything I've experienced before. So, what exactly did you witness that could make you feel weak?" Ava inquired, her curiosity piqued.

Azrael let out a faint sigh before turning to face Ava.

"It seems you're completely unaware of the beings I must confront and the power I must attain. This world and its inhabitants are but a very small part of my journey. The complete annihilation of this world and everything within it can be accomplished with a mere thought from my true adversaries," Azrael explained, a resolute determination gleaming in his eyes.

"This journey I'm embarking on is far too terrifying and filled with bloodshed for me to drag you along, Ava. My dark ki should be sufficient to summon Mortimer. I'll ask him to release you," Azrael stated with a somber tone.

"Mortimer," Azrael called out, his voice carrying an air of darkness and intensity.

A minute passed, but no response came. Both Azrael and Ava stood there in silence, disappointment lingering in the air.

"Well, that was anticlimactic. It seems my dark ki is not enough to summon Mortimer," Azrael said, scratching his head in frustration.

"You're such an idiot," Ava remarked, feeling a tinge of secondhand embarrassment.

"Heh, I guess you're stuck with me for a little longer," Azrael replied, a faint smile gracing his face.

"I guess so," Ava mumbled, her tone softening.

******

Two months later

*******

Azrael stood in the heart of a dense forest, gripping the hilt of his blade tightly. A profound silence enveloped the surroundings.

"Advanced Phantom Blade," Azrael whispered, his voice carrying a profound conviction.

In an instant, he moved—or perhaps he didn't. It was impossible to discern. His sword remained sheathed.

Yet, what followed was undeniably clear. The entire forest, every element within it—trees, rocks, vines—was reduced to particles, dissipating into the air. The once lush and vibrant landscape transformed into a swirling tempest of particles, dancing under the pale sunlight.

Azrael withdrew his hand from the hilt of his sword, his gaze fixed upon the horizon. The damp forest had vanished, replaced by an ethereal plane raining with the remnants of what it once was.

"Very well, it is high time I go retrieve my blade," Azrael declared with an unwavering and chilling conviction.