The Abyssal Sanctuary

The oppressive darkness of the Abyss grew heavier with each passing moment as Daniel and Mira pushed onward. Despite the temporary quiet, the tension was palpable, and the faint whispers continued to gnaw at the edges of their minds. The shards Daniel carried remained dormant but radiated a cold, unsettling presence.

"How much farther until we're out of this death trap?" Daniel asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

Mira shook her head, her expression grim. "I don't know. The Abyss doesn't play by normal rules. Distance, time, even direction—they all feel... warped here."

Daniel sighed, his fins twitching nervously. "That's comforting."

The system's voice broke through his thoughts:

[New Objective Detected: Reach the Abyssal Sanctuary.]

"Abyssal Sanctuary?" Daniel repeated aloud.

Mira froze mid-stroke, her eyes narrowing. "The Sanctuary? Are you sure?"

"That's what the system says," Daniel replied. "Why? What is it?"