Shadows of Ascension

The man’s body lay still, his blood pooling on the stone floor, dark and thick in the dim light. Kael didn’t spare him a second glance. The kill had left him feeling strangely detached—an echo of satisfaction, hollow and fleeting. He had won, yes, but the thrill of the fight was already fading, replaced by a quiet emptiness that gnawed at him. It was as if the Maw itself had absorbed the man’s life, leaving behind nothing but silence.

The Dreitailen materialized at Kael’s side, its pale eyes glinting in the darkness as it observed him with a cold, almost approving gaze. Kael met its eyes, feeling the creature’s presence more acutely than ever. There was no warmth, no camaraderie in its gaze—just a shared understanding of violence and survival. They were bound together, their fates intertwined in this dark labyrinth, and Kael couldn’t deny the change that was happening within him.

He could feel it with every fight, every kill. The Abyssal Maw wasn’t just testing him; it was reshaping him, honing him into something more ruthless, more attuned to the darkness. The Dreitailen’s whispers were clearer now, its influence slipping into his thoughts with ease, guiding his instincts, fueling his hunger for power.

Kael took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs, cold and sharp. There was no going back now. He would embrace this change, let it sharpen him, harden him. He had a new purpose in the Maw: to hunt, to grow stronger, to survive and dominate.

The Maw’s corridors twisted and turned, and Kael moved through them with a newfound confidence, his senses sharper, his every movement calculated. The Dreitailen slipped through the shadows beside him, a silent companion, an extension of his will. Kael could feel its presence pulsing within him, a dark energy coiled and waiting, ready to strike at his command.

As he descended further into the Maw, Kael noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere. The air grew colder, thicker, and the shadows seemed to deepen, clinging to the walls like ink. The sounds of dripping water and distant, faint echoes were all that broke the silence, and the oppressive weight of the darkness pressed down on him like a shroud.

Kael knew he was getting closer to something—something powerful. The Maw’s challenges were escalating, and he could feel the danger lurking ahead.

But he was ready.

After what felt like hours of traversing the winding corridors, Kael came to a large, open chamber. The walls were covered in strange, twisting symbols that glowed with a faint, sickly light, casting long shadows across the floor. In the center of the room stood a pedestal, and atop it was a dark, crystalline object that pulsed with a faint, eerie glow.

Kael’s instincts flared as he approached the pedestal, his gaze fixed on the crystal. The energy radiating from it was palpable, a cold, biting force that made the air feel electric. But this wasn’t just any ordinary artifact. Kael could feel its power resonating with the shadows within him, a dark echo that called to the Dreitailen’s influence.

“Analyzing artifact… Crystal of the Abyss detected. Function: Mana and Health Amplifier. Warning: High Shadow Affinity. Proceed with caution.”

Kael felt a shiver run down his spine as the System’s analysis flashed before his eyes. The crystal was powerful, yes, but it came with a risk. Its shadow affinity was high, which meant it would likely increase his Shadow Corruption if he used it. But the allure of more power was impossible to ignore.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cold, smooth surface of the crystal. The moment he made contact, a surge of energy flooded his body, filling him with a dark, exhilarating power. The Dreitailen’s presence surged within him, its influence becoming sharper, more intense.

“Warning: Shadow Corruption increased to 20%. New Trait Unlocked: Abyssal Instincts.”

Kael took a deep breath, steadying himself as he felt the new trait settle into his mind. The Abyssal Instincts were different from anything he had experienced before—sharper, more visceral. He could feel his senses heightening, his reflexes becoming faster, his awareness of the shadows around him more acute.

The corruption was growing, but Kael didn’t care. The power was worth it.

He felt invincible.

Status Screen

Attribute Value

Name Kael

Soulbound Creature Dreitailen

Rarity Tier Unique Rarity

Level 7

Evolution Stage 1

Health Points (HP) 150/150

Mana Points (MP) 135/135

Stamina 120/120

Strength 18

Agility 19

Intelligence 10 (-2 Corruption)

Endurance 17

Perception 16

Luck 9

Shadow Corruption (SC) 20%

Synergy Bonus Veil of Shadows, Abyssal Instincts

Kael studied the screen with a cold satisfaction. His power had increased significantly, and with the new trait, he felt more attuned to the shadows than ever before. The corruption was growing, yes, but he could feel the benefits as clearly as the cost. His senses were sharper, his reflexes quicker, his movements more fluid.

The Dreitailen was no longer just a creature bound to his soul. It was a part of him, its instincts and hunger guiding him, driving him forward. He could feel its influence in his thoughts, subtle but persistent, whispering of strength and survival, of the power that lay in embracing the shadows.

Kael turned his gaze to the darkness beyond the chamber, a predatory gleam in his eyes. The Maw was vast, filled with creatures and secrets waiting to be uncovered. And he intended to claim them all.

With renewed determination, Kael moved deeper into the Maw, his every step purposeful, his every sense attuned to the darkness around him. The Abyssal Instincts guided him, a faint pulse in his mind that led him through the winding passages, urging him onward, deeper into the heart of the dungeon.

As he moved through the labyrinthine tunnels, Kael began to feel the subtle effects of the Abyssal Instincts taking hold. His awareness of his surroundings was heightened, each sound, each movement in the darkness clear and distinct. He could hear the faint skittering of distant creatures, smell the damp, metallic scent of the Maw, feel the cool, oppressive weight of the shadows pressing against his skin.

It was as if he had become part of the Maw itself, a predator lurking in its depths, waiting for the right moment to strike.

And then he sensed it—a faint, barely perceptible presence, hidden in the shadows ahead. Kael slowed, his body tense, his senses focused. It was another human, judging by the faint, irregular rhythm of their breathing. But this wasn’t someone stumbling through the Maw in desperation. This person was moving with caution, their steps deliberate, their presence controlled.

Another condemned, no doubt. But this one was different.

Kael’s grip on his dagger tightened as he crept forward, slipping into the cover of the shadows. He could feel the Dreitailen’s anticipation, a shared hunger for the hunt that made his blood race. He was no longer afraid of confrontation. He welcomed it.

The figure ahead came into view—a woman, slender but wiry, her body wrapped in dark, tattered clothing. She moved with the quiet grace of a predator, her gaze sharp and wary as she scanned the darkness around her. A blade glinted faintly at her side, its edge worn but deadly.

Kael watched her from the shadows, his body coiled like a spring. He could feel the Dreitailen’s presence urging him to strike, to assert his dominance, to prove his strength.

But he waited, biding his time. He wanted to see how she moved, how she reacted. She was skilled, no doubt, but Kael had learned to trust the instincts that guided him, the instincts that told him she was still vulnerable.

As she passed by, Kael slipped out of the shadows, his movements silent and precise. He aimed for her blind spot, his dagger raised, his every muscle tense with anticipation.

But at the last moment, she turned, her eyes widening as she caught sight of him. She reacted instantly, her blade flashing as she brought it up to block his strike.

Their weapons clashed, the sound sharp and echoing through the chamber.

Kael met her gaze, a cold, predatory smile curling his lips. She glared back at him, her eyes filled with defiance.

“So,” she murmured, her voice low and mocking, “another Council’s pet.”

Kael’s smile faded, his expression hardening. “Hardly,” he replied, his voice cold. “I’m here to survive, just like you.”

She laughed, a bitter, hollow sound. “Survive? Is that what you call it?” Her blade moved in a flash, her strikes quick and precise. “The Maw doesn’t let us survive. It devours us, piece by piece.”

Kael blocked her strikes, his own movements fluid and calculated. “Then maybe it’s time we devoured it instead.”

Her eyes narrowed, a faint smirk touching her lips. “Bold words. Let’s see if you can back them up.”

She lunged at him, her blade a blur as it cut through the air. Kael dodged to the side, slipping into the shadows as he circled around her. She was quick, but Kael was quicker, his body moving with the grace of a shadow.

He struck from behind, his dagger aimed at her shoulder. But she twisted, deflecting his blow with a swift motion, her blade flashing as she countered with a powerful strike.

Kael barely had time to react. He brought his dagger up, their weapons clashing once more. The impact sent a shockwave through his arm, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to give ground.

They circled each other, their movements mirroring one another as they fought. Each strike, each parry was a dance of precision and control, a test of skill and instinct. Kael could feel the Dreitailen’s influence guiding his every move, sharpening his reflexes, heightening his senses.

The woman was good—her strikes quick and deadly, her movements fluid and unpredictable. But Kael was relentless, his attacks unyielding, his gaze cold and focused.

And then, in a moment of overconfidence, she lunged forward, her blade aimed at his heart. Kael sidestepped the attack, his hand snapping out to catch her wrist, twisting it sharply.

She gasped, her grip on the blade loosening.

Kael didn’t hesitate. He drove his dagger into her side, his movements swift and brutal. She let out a strangled cry, her body going limp as he pulled the blade free.

She staggered back, her hand clutching her side as blood seeped through her fingers. Her gaze met his, a mixture of pain and defiance in her eyes.

“You… think you can conquer the Maw?” she rasped, her voice filled with bitterness. “It’s already devouring you. Piece by piece.”

Kael watched her, his expression cold and unfeeling. “Maybe,” he murmured. “But I’ll devour it first.”

She let out a bitter laugh, her body swaying as she struggled to stay on her feet. “Then… you’re already lost.”

With a final, shuddering breath, she collapsed to the ground, her body still.

Kael stared down at her, the words lingering in his mind. He felt a faint, fleeting sense of unease, but he pushed it aside. She was wrong. He wasn’t being devoured by the Maw. He was mastering it, claiming its power as his own.

He turned away, his gaze fixed on the darkness ahead. There was no time for doubt, no room for second thoughts.

He would continue deeper into the Maw, continue to hunt, continue to grow stronger.

And nothing would stand in his way.