The dark figure carried Lucas effortlessly.
Its body had no clear shape, as though it were carved from shadow itself. Features dissolved into a void of black, broken only by two jagged horns and a crooked grin that radiated malice.
"What a fascinating boy," it said, its voice echoing unnaturally, as if the abyss itself were speaking. "Such talent… and a stellar core? After ten thousand years, at last."
A clawed hand slid forward.
It passed straight through Lucas's chest, as though flesh and bone were nothing more than mist.
"Ohhh…" the creature hummed. "I can feel it. An extraordinary foundation. A future meant for greatness."
Its grin widened.
"But your future… now belongs to me."
The shadow dissolved, unraveling into black vapor that slipped into Lucas's ears and nostrils, sinking deep into his body.
---
Above the abyss, the jade pendant at Garran's waist suddenly flared with light.
A woman emerged from it, her form translucent and ghostlike, moving with urgency as she plunged straight into the chasm after Lucas.
"What the hell was that?" Rowan exclaimed, eyes wide.
"A spirit ally," Garran said quickly. "She's on our side. She may still be able to help the young master."
Rowan exhaled sharply. "Good. That's… very good."
---
Deep within the abyss, the shadow had fully merged with Lucas.
At that exact moment, Athena arrived.
Her expression grim, that black figure clearly a threat for Lucas.
She raised her hand, mental energy gathering—
Then stopped.
Lucas's eyes snapped open.
His pupils burned black-red.
She hesitated, instincts screaming, and chose to observe.
Lucas stood slowly, flexing his fingers, his expression distant, like someone waking after a thousand-year sleep.
"I feel…" he breathed. "…alive."
Dark energy surged.
A dense, abyssal current rushed into his body, drawn from the depths below. His magical power spiked violently.
A pillar of light erupted upward, piercing the abyss and reaching the surface.
Above, Garran, Rowan, and Darius all saw it clearly.
"That's… a breakthrough," Rowan said, stunned.
Garran nodded slowly. "Yes. He's advancing."
Relief washed through him. He had destroyed Lucas's mana core himself not long ago. Though Lucas had assured him it would recover, the guilt had never left.
Now, the truth was undeniable.
Lucas was rising.
The light surged again, stronger.
"That must be the Human realm," Rowan muttered. "He was already at the peak of the Origin realm before… he's breaking through."
Then the light surged a third time, far more violent.
"That's Origin Realm!" Garran said, unable to hide his excitement.
Rowan laughed in disbelief. "Incredible. The Drakebane bloodline truly is blessed."
Only Darius remained silent.
The legends spoke of boundless energy sealed within the abyss. If opened, it would flood the Dominion's territory with power.
But Lucas was absorbing it all.
That's not good.
They waited.
Then the light surged again.
This time, it was golden.
The world seemed to freeze.
"That light…" Garran whispered. "…Spirit Realm."
Rowan stared in disbelief. "Eighteen years old… Spirit Realm?"
Even Darius was shaken.
It had taken him forty years to reach that realm.
Lucas had done it in minutes.
Fear and excitement twisted together in his chest. Not long ago, he had nearly made an enemy of this boy.
A boy who would soon stand among the most dangerous figures of the era.
Worse still, Lucas carried demonic blood now. That bound him, whether he liked it or not, to the Abyssal Dominion.
From this moment on, Darius knew one thing for certain.
He would need to stay on Lucas's good side.
---
Far away, at the gates of the Creed Mountain Order, Sullen and Leon arrived.
They were stopped immediately by two guards.
"No entry," one said firmly.
"We need to see Elder Hanrick," Sullen replied. "This is urgent."
"Do you have authorization?"
"I don't," she said. "But I'm Sullen Crowford, and—"
Her words cut off.
Leon suddenly clutched his chest.
Pain exploded through him.
"My heart—!" he gasped. "It feels like it's tearing apart!"
He collapsed.
Sullen caught him too late.
This pain was familiar.
Lightning.
But this time, it centered on his heart.
She turned on the guards, fury blazing. "Get Elder Hanrick. Now!"
They hesitated.
Then—
A man in white robes descended from the sky.
Both guards bowed instantly. "Master Aurelius."
"Take him inside," Aurelius ordered calmly.
Without another word, Leon was carried through the gates.