Chapter 83: Echoes of the Abyss

The trio's journey after leaving the cursed village was fraught with an uneasy tension. The memory of the hooded figure's final words echoed in Kael's mind, gnawing at him. They hadn't encountered an enemy like this before, one so deeply tied to an unseen, relentless force.

As the sun set, casting long shadows across the forested path, Syra broke the silence. "We need to talk about what happened back there."

Kael slowed his pace, nodding. "That wasn't a random attack. They knew we were coming."

Elara tightened her grip on her sword. "Which means we're being watched, tracked. But by whom?"

Syra frowned, her mind racing. "It has to be the Abyss or at least its agents. They're moving faster than we anticipated, and if that figure was any indication, they've already begun corrupting key places."

Kael's expression darkened. "If they're targeting villages like that one, then it's only a matter of time before they expand. We need to find the source and stop this at the root."

A rustling noise in the distance interrupted their conversation, and all three tensed, hands ready on their weapons. The forest, which had been eerily still just moments ago, seemed to come alive with unseen threats.

"Someone's coming," Syra whispered, her eyes darting toward the thick underbrush.

A figure emerged from the trees, cloaked and hooded like the one from the village, but something about this one was different. The air didn't feel as oppressive, though a strange energy still radiated from them.

Kael stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you? Speak, or you'll face the same fate as your companion."

The figure raised both hands in a gesture of peace, their voice soft yet firm. "I mean no harm. I'm not one of them."

Syra narrowed her eyes, sensing no immediate danger but not fully convinced. "Then why follow us? You must know how suspicious that looks."

The figure removed their hood, revealing a woman with striking features—pale skin, sharp eyes, and long black hair. "My name is Selene. I've been tracking the Abyss for far longer than you know, and I believe we share a common enemy."

Kael exchanged a look with Elara and Syra, weighing their options. "Why should we trust you?"

Selene met his gaze evenly. "Because I can lead you to the source of the Abyss' corruption. But you need to act fast. Time is running out, and if we don't move now, the Abyss will gain a foothold in places far beyond your reach."

Elara stepped forward, her instincts telling her to be cautious. "What do you know about the Abyss? And how can you help us?"

Selene's expression turned serious, her voice low. "The Abyss is older than you realize. It feeds on the essence of despair, growing stronger with each life it consumes. The figure you killed was just one of many. They are conduits for something much darker, something buried deep in the forgotten places of the world."

Kael frowned, digesting her words. "And you know where this place is?"

Selene nodded. "I've been there. I barely escaped with my life. But I know the path, and I know the rituals they use to summon the Abyss' true power. I can guide you, but you must trust me."

Syra glanced at Kael, her expression unreadable. "This could be a trap."

Kael considered her words but ultimately shook his head. "We don't have many options. If she can take us to the source, we have to follow."

Elara, still wary, kept her hand on her sword. "One wrong move, and you'll regret ever crossing us."

Selene offered a slight smile, as if she expected the distrust. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

With the uneasy alliance formed, the group pressed on, Selene leading them deeper into the forest. As the night wore on, the air grew colder, and the trees around them began to thin, revealing jagged rocks and a landscape that felt more desolate with each step.

"Where are we headed?" Kael asked, his voice cutting through the stillness.

Selene pointed ahead to a distant mountain range, their peaks barely visible in the moonlight. "The Abyss' influence comes from a place hidden beneath those mountains. An ancient ruin, long forgotten by most. But the Abyss remembers."

Syra shivered, not from the cold but from the sense of foreboding that had settled over her. "How long until we reach it?"

Selene looked toward the horizon, her gaze distant. "We'll be there by dawn. But be warned—once we enter the ruins, there's no turning back. The Abyss will know we're coming, and it will fight to stop us."

Kael's grip tightened on his sword. "Let it come. We're ready."

But as they continued toward the mountains, a small part of Kael couldn't shake the feeling that they were heading into something far darker than they could imagine. The Abyss wasn't just a force—it was a living entity, and it was waiting for them.