The entrance to the Abyssal dungeon pulsed like a living wound in reality. Dark mist rolled out in waves, and the ground itself seemed to shiver.
"This place…" Ariana whispered, clutching her staff tighter. "It feels… alive."
Ryujin stepped forward without hesitation.
"This is where the final shard is. Stay sharp."
As they descended deeper, the air became crushing. Shadows whispered, clawing at their minds. Suddenly, the ground split open, and an armored figure stepped out of the darkness. Its body was covered in blackened, chitinous armor, and it carried a blade that radiated pure malice.
"You reek of the Abyss," the creature growled. "The Emissary has commanded me to end you."
Kai gritted his teeth.
"Another one of those freaks…"
Ryujin's cold smile returned.
"Perfect. I was starting to get bored."
The minion moved faster than anything they'd faced. Its strikes were precise, ripping through Ryujin's guard and forcing him back. Ariana fired off magic barriers, but they shattered like glass. Kai tried to flank the enemy and was sent flying into a stone pillar.
Blood trickled down Ryujin's chin. He could feel the old broken katana on his back vibrating with hunger as if it knew what lay ahead.
"You won't stop me," he growled, activating Void Step.
He blurred forward, trading blows with the minion in a flurry of black steel. Every strike reverberated through the dungeon. The minion lunged for his throat, but Ryujin twisted mid-air and plunged his blade straight through its chest.
"Die!"
The minion's body exploded into a cloud of ash, and floating in its place was the final Abyssal shard. Ryujin caught it, the shards in his pouch pulsing violently, merging together with a deafening hum.
They returned to Kael Ironheart's forge. The blacksmith's eyes widened at the four shards' combined energy.
"Stand back," Kael barked.
He placed the shards and the broken katana on the anvil. The forge roared to life, a vortex of flame and shadow. Sparks shot into the air as Kael's hammer descended, each strike echoing like thunder. The shards melted, flowing into the blade's form.
The darkness thickened, as though the weapon was alive. Kael gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face. Finally, with one last strike, the shadows exploded outward, and a new katana floated above the anvil.
The blade was jet-black, lined with glowing violet veins. Its hilt was wrapped in crimson leather, the guard shaped like an eclipse. A faint, sinister mist bled from its edge.
"It's done," Kael whispered, awed. "The Abyssbreaker. A blade that can sever gods themselves."
Ryujin stepped forward and wrapped his hand around the hilt. The katana pulsed like it recognized him. A rush of power surged through his veins, his aura exploding with darkness.
Kai and Ariana stepped back instinctively.
"Bro… that thing's terrifying," Kai muttered.
Ryujin looked at the blade, his reflection glowing in its abyssal steel.
"Good," he said softly. "Because I intend to terrify every monster that crosses me."