Chapter 24: The Darkbound Is Here (part 2)

But over time, he learned to control it, to channel it through his body, making him stronger than he ever thought possible. His muscles feel like coiled steel, and his movements are faster, sharper. Every time he goes out to hunt, he notices it—how effortlessly his spear drives through the smaller beasts that roam the depths, how his senses have heightened to detect danger long before it arrives.

Kael opens his eyes, the glowing streaks of energy now faintly visible in his irises. He feels the power coursing through him, but it's not enough. Not yet. Not until he's sure he can return to the village—until he can protect them from whatever lies beyond the abyss.

The only thing stopping him is the creature. Not far from the cave where Kael has been hiding, a massive beast swims lazily, patrolling the area. Its eyes glow with an unnatural light, its thick, armored body making it a force to be reckoned with. And it always senses him whenever he tries to leave.

At first, Kael thought he could sneak past it, but every time, the beast would stir, its gaze locking onto him with deadly precision. The first few times, he barely escaped with his life. Now, he's stronger. But even now, he knows that facing it would be risky. It's not a fight he can take lightly.

"I could leave," Kael murmurs to himself, staring at the entrance of the cave. His voice echoes in the vast emptiness around him. "I could try again." But even as he says the words, he knows he's not ready. Not yet.

He stands, stretching his limbs, the tightness of his muscles a reminder of the years spent training and hunting. The beasts he hunts now are twenty times stronger compared to what he faced before, their bodies crumbling beneath his blows. He's confident that if he were to return to the village now, he could defeat the creature that nearly killed him during his last hunt. His strength has grown that much. But it's not just about power anymore. It's about survival—his, and the village's.

Kael sits cross-legged in the depths of the cave, eyes closed, as the familiar surge of energy floods through him. It's become a ritual, the steady hum of power vibrating in his veins, feeding his strength. But today, something is different. A tremor, a ripple in the water outside, breaks his concentration.

He opens his eyes, sharp and alert. The cave, once eerily quiet, is now filled with the distant sounds of movement. The vibrations grow stronger. He can feel it—the presence of something large, many things, in fact—stirring outside. He swims toward the mouth of the cave, cautiously at first, but as he gets closer, his chest tightens. The beasts... they're moving.

Kael watches in shock as creatures of all shapes and sizes swim upwards from the abyss, their dark, twisted forms cutting through the water like arrows. His heart races, and then it hits him like a cold wave.

"The Darkbound," he mutters under his breath, his face hardening. "It's starting already… How could I have forgotten?"

Panic surges through him, not for himself, but for the village. The faces of his mother, his father, and Korin flash before his eyes. He can't wait any longer. They need him. Now.

Without a second thought, Kael bursts from the cave, his body a blur as he propels himself upward. His speed is unmatched, the years of absorbing the energy making him faster than he ever thought possible. His muscles ripple with each stroke, cutting through the water like a blade.

Some of the smaller beasts, drawn by the commotion, turn to attack him as he passes. Kael doesn't slow down. With a single, powerful punch, he sends one of them flying back into the abyss, its body disintegrating into the darkness. Another lunges at him, but he twists mid-swim, slashing it in half with his spear.

"Out of my way," he growls, his voice echoing in the depths as he continues his ascent. He's moving fast, faster than any hunter could, but even now, he knows what waits ahead.

And then, it appears.

The massive beast that has kept him trapped in the abyss for years looms before him, its eyes glowing with the same malevolent light as always. Its body is covered in thick, jagged armor, and its serpentine form twists menacingly in the water. It's been waiting for him.

Kael narrows his eyes, clenching his spear tightly in his hand. "You really don't leave me alone, do you, you fucking beast?"

The creature lets out a deep, guttural growl, its massive tail swaying back and forth like a predator preparing to strike. For a moment, the two of them stare each other down, the tension thick in the water. But this time, Kael isn't afraid. This time, he's ready.

"You've been in my way for too long," he mutters, his grip tightening around his spear. His muscles coil, filled with energy, and the glow in his eyes intensifies. "But not today."

With a roar of defiance, Kael surges forward, his spear aimed directly at the beast's heart.