Shadows of Ascension

The plunge into the Abyssal Maw was a fall that seemed to stretch on for eternity. Darkness swallowed Kael as he hurtled down, the chasm’s cold air biting at his skin and whipping his clothes. The last remnants of the Citadel’s cold lights vanished above, leaving him in a void so complete that he could barely tell which way was up or down.

He felt the faint pulse of the Dreitailen within him, a coiled presence waiting patiently in the shadows that clung to him like an old friend. But with the mana suppression cuffs still bound to his wrists, the connection was tenuous—a distant echo of what it had been before.

Kael braced himself for impact, knowing the darkness below was not endless. His body tensed, and just as the air seemed to grow thicker, the ground rose up to meet him.

He hit the floor hard, rolling to absorb the shock, but the impact still sent a jolt of pain shooting through his limbs. Kael gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his feet, his legs trembling as he adjusted to the darkness around him. The air was damp and heavy, filled with the faint scent of earth and decay.

Kael took a slow, steadying breath, trying to calm the racing of his heart. He couldn’t let fear paralyze him—not now, not here.

“System initializing…”

The voice in his head was a welcome intrusion, a brief anchor to reality amidst the oppressive weight of the Abyssal Maw. A moment later, the familiar status screen materialized in his mind, its soft, ghostly light cutting through the shadows.

Status Screen

Attribute Value

Name Kael

Soulbound Creature Dreitailen

Rarity Tier Unique Rarity

Level 2

Evolution Stage 1

Health Points (HP) 65/110

Mana Points (MP) 45/85

Stamina 50/95

Strength 13

Agility 15

Intelligence 9 (-1 Corruption)

Endurance 14

Perception 12

Luck 8

Shadow Corruption (SC) 9%

Synergy Bonus None

Kael blinked as the numbers settled into place, the familiar display almost comforting in its familiarity. But his Shadow Corruption had increased by another percentage since his last battle in the Citadel, a clear indication of the growing influence of the Dreitailen. He felt its presence stir slightly in response, as if testing the chains that held it.

Kael clenched his fists, the cold metal of the cuffs digging into his skin. He needed to find a way to break them—if he could just reconnect with the Dreitailen fully, he would have a fighting chance. But for now, he had to focus on surviving whatever lay ahead.

The darkness pressed in on all sides as Kael began to explore the first floor of the Abyssal Maw. The ground was uneven, and he could feel the faint vibrations of distant movement, like the heartbeat of the dungeon itself. The walls were rough and lined with unfamiliar symbols, faintly glowing with a sickly green light that provided just enough illumination to see by.

As Kael moved deeper into the Maw, he heard the distant echo of something slithering in the darkness. The sound sent a chill down his spine, but he forced himself to keep moving. He couldn’t afford to hesitate.

After a few minutes of cautious exploration, Kael’s ears picked up a different sound—footsteps, soft and rhythmic, coming from somewhere up ahead. He stopped, straining to listen. The footsteps were too light to belong to a human, and too precise to belong to a simple beast.

Kael pressed himself against the wall, waiting as the footsteps grew louder. The air seemed to grow colder, and the shadows around him deepened. He could feel the Dreitailen stirring, responding to the threat, its presence merging with the darkness around him.

“Creature approaching. Shadow Affinity detected.”

The System’s voice was calm, almost indifferent, as if it were announcing the arrival of an old acquaintance. Kael gritted his teeth, bracing himself for whatever was coming.

A figure emerged from the darkness—a twisted, humanoid creature with pale, mottled skin and eyes that glowed with a faint, sickly light. Its limbs were long and sinewy, its fingers ending in sharp, claw-like protrusions. The creature’s movements were unnervingly smooth, its body seeming to glide through the shadows as if it were part of them.

Kael’s heart pounded as the creature’s eyes fixed on him, its lips pulling back in a grotesque smile. It let out a low, guttural hiss, its claws twitching with anticipation.

“Hostile detected. Initiating combat.”

Kael didn’t wait for the creature to strike first. He lunged forward, using the weight of his body to throw a quick punch at the creature’s head. His fist connected, but the impact felt like hitting solid stone—the creature barely flinched, its eyes narrowing in anger.

It retaliated, its claws slashing through the air with unnatural speed. Kael barely had time to raise his arms in a defensive posture, and the creature’s claws scraped against the mana suppression cuffs with a loud, metallic clang.

The force of the blow jarred Kael’s arms, sending a shock of pain through his wrists, but he ignored it, focusing on keeping the creature at bay. He needed to find a way to fight back—something that would hurt this thing.

He raised his foot and aimed a quick kick at the creature’s knee, but it dodged with an almost casual grace, its body moving like liquid shadow. Kael felt a surge of frustration—without his abilities, he was at a severe disadvantage.

But then, something unexpected happened. The creature lunged again, its claws aimed at his chest, and Kael instinctively raised his arms to block. The creature’s claws connected with the cuffs once more, and there was a loud, grinding sound as metal scraped against metal.

Kael felt a sharp pain in his wrists, followed by a sudden, violent surge of energy. The cuffs sparked and hissed, and for a brief moment, he felt the connection to the Dreitailen flare to life, like a spark catching fire in the darkness.

The creature recoiled, its eyes narrowing in confusion. Kael’s mind raced as he realized what had happened—the impact had damaged the cuffs. He just needed one more hit to break them completely.

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. The creature was circling him, its eyes filled with a predatory hunger. Kael tightened his grip on the shadows around him, willing the Dreitailen to hold its ground.

The creature lunged, and Kael moved to meet it, raising his arms in a desperate attempt to block. The creature’s claws struck the cuffs with a deafening clang, and this time, the metal gave way with a sharp crack.

The suppression cuffs shattered, and Kael felt a rush of cold energy flood through him, the connection to the Dreitailen snapping into place like a missing piece of a puzzle. The shadows around him seemed to come alive, coiling and shifting like living things.

“Mana suppression lifted. Soulbound connection restored.”

The creature hesitated, its eyes widening in surprise. Kael felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, the Dreitailen’s presence wrapping around him like a protective shroud.

He didn’t waste any time.

“Shadow Meld,” Kael whispered, his voice barely more than a breath.

The shadows responded, enveloping him in darkness and rendering him nearly invisible. The creature let out a low, frustrated hiss, its eyes darting around in search of its prey.

Kael circled around the creature, moving silently through the shadows. He could feel the Dreitailen’s power coiling within him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his breathing steady, his focus sharp.

When he was directly behind the creature, he struck.

“Shadow Strike.”

The shadows wrapped around his fist as he drove it into the creature’s back with all the force he could muster. The impact sent a shockwave through the creature’s body, and it let out a strangled cry, its limbs spasming as the darkness tore through it.

The creature collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of shadowy mist. Kael stood there, breathing heavily, his entire body trembling with adrenaline.

“Enemy defeated. Awarding experience points.”

“Level up! Level 2 → Level 3.”

Kael felt a rush of energy as the System’s voice announced his victory. His muscles ached, and his wounds still throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t help feeling a surge of satisfaction. He had survived his first encounter in the Abyssal Maw, and he had broken free from the suppression cuffs.

But there was no time to celebrate. He needed to keep moving.

The walls of the Abyssal Maw seemed to close in around Kael as he pressed onward, his senses heightened by the darkness. He had broken free from the mana suppression cuffs, but he wasn’t out of danger yet. The first floor of the dungeon was still vast, filled with threats he had yet to encounter, and the Dreitailen’s presence thrummed within him, like a coiled serpent waiting to strike.

The air grew colder the deeper he went, and the distant echoes of unseen creatures reverberated through the stone. Kael’s eyes adjusted to the limited light, the faint bioluminescent markings on the walls providing just enough illumination to navigate by. Every shadow felt alive, every flicker of movement a potential threat.

But Kael was ready. The Dreitailen was awake, its awareness melding with his own, and the connection made him feel… whole. He moved with purpose, his body tense and his mind sharp, every instinct screaming for him to stay alert.

Kael came to a narrow passageway that led into a larger chamber. He paused at the entrance, listening. There was a low, rumbling sound coming from within, like the breathing of some great beast. Kael crouched low, pressing himself against the wall as he peered inside.

The chamber was massive, its ceiling lost in darkness. Bioluminescent growths lined the walls, casting an eerie greenish light that illuminated the space. In the center of the room, a hulking creature lay coiled—a massive, scaled beast with eyes that glowed like embers. Its tail was long and whip-like, ending in a barbed stinger that glistened with venom.

“Hostile creature detected. Analyzing… Species: Abyssal Stalker. Threat Level: Moderate.”

The System’s voice echoed in Kael’s mind, calm and analytical. He felt a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck as he considered his options. The creature was blocking the only exit from the chamber, and there was no way to slip past it without being noticed.

Kael’s pulse quickened. He needed a plan—something to give him the upper hand. He focused inward, feeling the Dreitailen’s presence stir, and whispered a command.

“Shadow Meld.”

The shadows around Kael deepened, wrapping around him like a cloak. His body seemed to fade into the darkness, rendering him nearly invisible to the naked eye. He moved slowly, carefully, inching his way toward the creature, his breathing shallow.

The Abyssal Stalker’s eyes flickered, its head turning slightly as it sniffed the air. Kael froze, every muscle tensed. He could feel the Dreitailen’s anticipation, its readiness to strike, and he waited for the perfect moment.

The creature relaxed, its head lowering once more. Kael released a slow breath, continuing his approach. He was close now—close enough to see the individual scales on the creature’s hide, to smell the faint scent of decay that clung to it.

“Shadow Strike.”

Kael lunged, the shadows coiling around his arm as he drove his fist toward the creature’s exposed side. The impact was swift and brutal, the darkness surging into the creature’s flesh like a wave of cold fire.

The Abyssal Stalker let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing as the shadows tore through it. Kael didn’t give it a chance to recover. He pressed the attack, his movements swift and precise, every strike guided by the Dreitailen’s instincts.

The creature lashed out with its barbed tail, but Kael was ready. He dodged to the side, the stinger narrowly missing his head, and countered with a kick to the creature’s knee. The force of the blow sent the creature staggering, and Kael followed up with a punch to its jaw.

The Dreitailen’s power surged through him, his strikes infused with shadowy energy that seemed to sap the creature’s strength. The Abyssal Stalker roared in pain and fury, its tail thrashing wildly as it tried to shake him off.

Kael felt a surge of adrenaline, his heart pounding in his chest. He could do this. He could win.

“Shadow Meld.”

The shadows wrapped around Kael once more, and he slipped away from the creature’s reach, vanishing into the darkness. The Abyssal Stalker let out a frustrated growl, its head whipping back and forth as it searched for its unseen attacker.

Kael circled the creature, his eyes narrowing as he studied its movements. It was wounded, its breathing labored, but it was still dangerous. He needed to finish this quickly, before it could regain its footing.

He waited for the creature to turn away, then lunged once more.

“Shadow Strike.”

His fist connected with the creature’s side, the shadows tearing into its flesh with ruthless efficiency. The Abyssal Stalker let out one final, anguished roar before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of shadowy mist.

“Enemy defeated. Awarding experience points.”

“Level up! Level 3 → Level 4.”

Kael stood over the creature’s remains, breathing heavily. His arms ached, and his wounds still throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t help feeling a surge of satisfaction. He had defeated the creature on his own, without the suppression cuffs holding him back.

But as the adrenaline began to fade, Kael felt something else—a familiar, creeping sensation.

“Shadow Corruption increased to 10%.”

Kael’s breath caught in his throat as the System’s voice echoed in his mind. He could feel the corruption spreading through him, a cold, insidious presence that coiled around his thoughts like a serpent. The Dreitailen’s power was growing stronger, its influence seeping into every corner of his being.

“New Trait Unlocked: Veil of Shadows.”

The words flashed before his eyes, and Kael felt a strange, cold energy settle over him. It was different from the Dreitailen’s usual power—darker, more insidious. The Veil of Shadows felt like a second skin, a protective shroud that made him even harder to detect, even more elusive.

But there was a price to pay. He could feel the Dreitailen’s presence growing stronger, its influence creeping into his thoughts, its whispers becoming harder to ignore.

Kael shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He couldn’t afford to lose himself—not here, not now.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself. He needed to keep moving, to find a way out of this dungeon before the corruption consumed him completely.

Kael continued his journey through the first floor of the Abyssal Maw, his senses on high alert. He could feel the Veil of Shadows clinging to him, its presence a constant reminder of the Dreitailen’s growing influence. But it was also a tool—a weapon he could use to survive this place.

He encountered more creatures as he pressed on—twisted, shadowy beasts that seemed to be drawn to the darkness within him. But with each battle, Kael felt himself growing stronger, more attuned to the Dreitailen’s power. The shadows responded to his every command, coiling and striking with deadly precision.

But the deeper he went, the more the shadows seemed to press in around him, their whispers growing louder and more insistent. Kael couldn’t tell if it was the Dreitailen’s voice or his own thoughts, but the message was clear.

Embrace the darkness. Become one with it.

Kael fought to keep his thoughts focused, to stay in control. He couldn’t afford to let the corruption consume him, not when he was so close to escaping.

But then he reached the final chamber of the first floor, and all thoughts of escape were driven from his mind.

The chamber was massive, its walls lined with ancient symbols that glowed with a faint, sickly light. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and the floor was littered with the bones of those who had come before him.

At the center of the chamber stood a massive, armored figure—a hulking knight clad in rusted, blackened steel, its eyes glowing with an unholy light. The knight’s armor was adorned with jagged spikes and twisted runes, and in its hand, it held a massive, double-bladed axe.

“Boss-level entity detected. Analyzing… Species: Abyssal Warden. Threat Level: High.”

The System’s voice was calm, almost indifferent, as if it were announcing the arrival of an old acquaintance. Kael felt a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck as he stared at the Abyssal Warden.

This was it. The final challenge of the first floor.

The Warden let out a low, guttural growl, its eyes narrowing as it fixed its gaze on Kael. It raised its axe, and the air seemed to tremble with the force of its presence.

Kael took a deep breath, steeling himself. He couldn’t afford to hesitate—not now.

“Shadow Meld.”

The shadows wrapped around Kael, and he vanished from sight. The Warden let out a frustrated snarl, its eyes scanning the chamber for any sign of its prey. Kael moved silently through the darkness, circling around the Warden, his mind racing as he searched for an opening.

The Warden was heavily armored, its movements slow and deliberate. But Kael knew that its strength was immense, and a single blow from that axe could end him in an instant. He needed to find a way to exploit the Warden’s weaknesses without exposing himself to its crushing blows. Kael stayed in the cover of shadows, his breaths slow and controlled, his mind sharpening as he assessed the situation.

The Warden’s eyes glowed dimly in the darkness, its breathing heavy and echoing off the chamber walls. Its axe scraped the floor as it shifted, searching for its elusive target. Kael could feel the Dreitailen’s instincts whispering to him, urging him to strike from behind, to wait for the perfect moment.

He circled the Warden, watching its movements carefully. The Warden’s armor was thick and heavily plated, but there were weak points—gaps between the plates, especially around its joints. If Kael could land a decisive strike in one of those gaps, he could do some real damage.

He took a deep breath, feeling the shadows coiling around him, and then whispered his command.

“Shadow Strike.”

The shadows gathered around Kael’s arm, dark energy surging through his veins. He lunged forward, aiming for the gap between the Warden’s backplate and shoulder armor. His fist connected, and the shadows exploded into the Warden’s body, sending a shockwave through its armor.

The Warden let out a deep, guttural roar, its entire body shuddering from the impact. Kael pulled back quickly, vanishing into the shadows once more. The Warden staggered, its movements jerky and disoriented as it tried to locate its attacker.

Kael circled the Warden, his eyes narrowing as he searched for another opening. He needed to keep moving, to stay one step ahead of the Warden’s crushing blows.

The Warden roared again, raising its axe and swinging it in a wide arc. The force of the blow sent a gust of wind rushing through the chamber, and Kael barely managed to dodge in time. The axe cleaved through the stone floor, sending shards of rock flying in all directions.

Kael winced as a piece of debris grazed his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. He couldn’t afford to take too many risks—not when the Warden was capable of such devastating power.

He needed to end this quickly.

“Shadow Meld.”

The shadows enveloped Kael once more, rendering him nearly invisible. He moved silently, his eyes locked on the Warden’s exposed back. He could feel the Dreitailen’s power coiling within him, ready to strike.

Kael approached the Warden cautiously, his movements slow and deliberate. He could feel the tension building, the anticipation of the final blow. The Warden was still disoriented, its head turning back and forth as it searched for its unseen foe.

When he was close enough, Kael whispered his command once more.

“Shadow Strike.”

He lunged forward, his fist aimed at the gap between the Warden’s backplate and neck guard. The shadows surged into the Warden’s body, and Kael felt a brief, fierce resistance before the armor gave way.

The Warden let out a final, deafening roar, its body convulsing as the shadows tore through it. Kael pulled back, his heart pounding in his chest, and watched as the Warden’s armor began to crumble, its form disintegrating into a cloud of shadowy mist.

“Boss defeated. Awarding experience points.”

“Level up! Level 4 → Level 5.”

Kael felt a rush of energy as the System’s voice announced his victory. His wounds throbbed with pain, but he couldn’t help feeling a surge of satisfaction. He had defeated the Abyssal Warden, the final challenge of the first floor.

But there was no time to rest. He could feel the Dreitailen’s presence stirring within him, its power growing stronger with each battle. The shadows clung to him like a second skin, their whispers growing louder and more insistent.

“Skill Points (SP) and Ability Points (AP) awarded. Choose your next skill or ability.”

Kael blinked as the System’s prompt appeared before his eyes. He had reached a significant milestone—Level 5—and with it came the opportunity to expand his arsenal. He needed to choose carefully, to select something that would help him survive the deeper floors of the Abyssal Maw.

Kael took a deep breath, steeling his mind against the Dreitailen’s influence. He couldn’t let the creature’s whispers guide his decisions—not when the price of its power was so steep. He needed to stay in control.

He focused inward, feeling the presence of the Dreitailen coiling within him, and reviewed his options. There were new skills and abilities available—some that would enhance his connection to the shadows, others that would grant him new offensive or defensive capabilities.

After a moment of deliberation, Kael made his choice.

Skills and Abilities Table

Skill/Ability Description

Shadow Meld Merge with the shadows, becoming nearly invisible.

Shadow Strike Channel shadow energy into an attack, dealing extra damage.

Veil of Shadows A trait that enhances stealth, making detection harder.

New Ability: Cloak of Dread Manipulate shadows to project an aura of fear, unsettling nearby foes and lowering their combat effectiveness.

Kael felt the new ability settle within him, its power coiling alongside the Dreitailen’s. Cloak of Dread was different from his other abilities—more subtle, more psychological. It wasn’t just about hiding or attacking; it was about instilling fear, sowing doubt in the hearts of his enemies.

It was a fitting addition to his arsenal, given the Dreitailen’s nature. Kael couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the choice, even as the shadows seemed to press in around him, their whispers promising more power if he would only embrace them fully.

Kael shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He couldn’t afford to lose himself—not when there was still so much left to do.

He took a deep breath and turned his attention to the chamber’s far wall, where a massive stone door stood partially ajar. The door was engraved with ancient runes, their meaning lost to time, but Kael could feel the cold air seeping through the cracks—a sign that this was the way forward.

Kael approached the door cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of his dagger. He could feel the weight of his exhaustion settling over him, the pain of his wounds a constant reminder of the dangers he had faced. But he couldn’t afford to stop—not now.

He pushed the door open, revealing a dark passageway that led even deeper into the Abyssal Maw. The air was colder here, the shadows thicker and more oppressive. Kael could feel the darkness pressing in on him, its weight heavy and suffocating.

But he couldn’t turn back. There was no going back to the Citadel, no escaping the path he had chosen.

Kael took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. He couldn’t let fear hold him back—not when he had come so far.

The shadows seemed to shift around him as he stepped into the passageway, their whispers growing louder with each step. Kael ignored them, focusing on the path ahead. He would survive this place, he would grow stronger, and when he emerged from the Abyssal Maw, he would be ready to face whatever awaited him outside.

The darkness swallowed him whole, and Kael pressed onward, his heart steady and his mind sharp.

He was ready for whatever came next.