The wind howled through the ruins of the old city as night returned.Far beneath the golden capital of Asterion, forgotten beneath centuries of lies, a gate pulsed faintly with red light — the Entrance to the Abyss Temple.
Hayate stood before it, his cloak torn, his left arm still wrapped in faint golden scars from the ritual.The others watched from behind, silent.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Selene asked."Yeah," Hayate replied. His voice was low, almost hollow. "The System marked it after I absorbed the core."
[Objective: Seek the Ancient Temple Beneath the Abyss.][Estimated Threat Level: Catastrophic.]
Lyria shivered, holding her staff close. "Then it's true… this place was sealed by the gods themselves."
Kael laughed darkly. "Then let's break their seal. Nothing sacred stays untouched forever."
Hayate placed his palm on the stone door.Instantly, symbols lit up — the same divine runes that once chained him, now glowing crimson under his touch.
"Open."
The temple responded, ancient gears groaning as the gate split open, releasing a gust of freezing air.
Inside the Abyss
They entered.
The temple stretched endlessly downward, carved from black stone and glowing veins of crystal.Columns of ancient statues lined the path — each depicting a figure in chains, their eyes hollow, their crowns shattered.
Lyria's voice trembled. "These… these aren't gods. They're kings. Mortal ones."
Selene nodded grimly. "And every one of them was erased from history. Whatever this place holds, it's older than the Holy Kingdom itself."
Hayate walked ahead, ignoring the whispers that echoed from the walls.They weren't just voices — they were memories.Fragments of despair, rage, and betrayal.
"You will kneel before the light.""All who defy the heavens are unworthy of existence.""Do you regret, mortal?"
He clenched his fists. The whispers faded into static.
[System Alert: Mental Resistance Engaged – Corruption Level: 4%.]
The Voice in the Deep
At the center of the abyss lay a mirror-like lake.The surface was still — too still.
As Hayate approached, his reflection shimmered and changed.A second version of himself looked back — cloaked in pure shadow, eyes blazing crimson.
"So… you finally came," the reflection said."Who are you?" Hayate demanded.
The figure smiled faintly.
"I am what you buried. The will of the Revenant Monarch."
[System Interference Detected.][Unknown Entity Requesting Sync: 'Fragment of the Void King.']
"System, deny request."
[Request Overridden.]
The world twisted. The lake burst into black fire as the reflection stepped out, solidifying into a living form.
Selene and Kael drew their weapons instantly, but the figure ignored them, walking straight toward Hayate.
"You think power comes without a price? You've taken divine essence into your body. You're no longer human — you're a vessel."
"Then I'll decide what I carry," Hayate growled.
They clashed — not in body, but in soul.Dark energy collided with divine light, shaking the temple to its core.
The Awakening
[System Error: Dual Cores Detected.][Initializing Emergency Protocol – Soul Synchronization 32%.]
The air exploded around Hayate. His armor reformed — now part divine, part demonic.Golden feathers burned into ash, replaced by black fire.His right eye turned pure gold, his left a void of red light.
The shadow laughed.
"Good. You've finally taken the first step. But the world won't accept what you are."
"Then the world will learn to fear me."
With one swing of his blade, Hayate cleaved through the phantom.The temple's lake stilled once more — and in the silence, the System's voice returned.
[Soul Dominion Upgraded: Rank B → Rank A.][New Sub-Skill Unlocked: Abyss Resonance.][Effect: Channel the power of lost souls to amplify damage by 300%.]
Lyria approached slowly, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Your aura… it's changed. It feels alive — and angry."
Selene smirked faintly, though her gaze was sharp.
"So… what now, 'Monarch'?"
Hayate turned to face them, his expression unreadable.
"Now? We go after the goddess herself."
He sheathed his blade, looking toward the tunnel that led deeper below.The faint sound of something vast — breathing — echoed from beyond.
"Because whatever's waiting below this temple… it's not just a god."
[Quest Updated: Awaken the Power of Soul Dominion – Completed.][New Quest Unlocked: Confront the Shadow of the Abyss.][Objective: Descend into the Lower Depths.]