The stranger woke screaming.
Kael stepped back as the man’s eyes opened.
“Where am I?” “The Abyss.” The stranger froze.
Then he laughed.
Not happily.
“Then I’m already dead.” Kael crouched beside him.
“Name.” “Riven.” “Why were you here?” Riven looked toward Shade.
“Because they sent me.” “Who?” “The Council.” Kael’s expression hardened.
“How did you survive?” “I didn’t.” Silence.
Riven pulled his shirt aside.
The split-circle mark covered his ribs.
“They sent twelve of us.” Kael looked at the wound.
“Where are the others?” Riven swallowed.
“Something hunted us.” The Abyss trembled.
Shade suddenly turned.
Kael followed its gaze.
A distant corridor had become completely black.
Riven whispered one word.
“Run.” Something moved.
Kael pushed Riven behind him.
The creature stepped into the light.
It looked almost human.
Almost.
Its limbs were too long, its face stretched into a smooth mask, and black smoke leaked from its joints.
Kael stared.
“What is that?” Shade answered.
“A Hound.” The creature vanished.
Kael barely moved in time.
Claws tore through the stone behind him.
He rolled, grabbed the creature’s arm and drove his elbow into its neck.
The impact did nothing.
The Hound turned.
Its mouth opened wider than a human jaw should allow.
Kael was thrown across the corridor.
He hit the ground hard.
Pain returned.
Good.
He could use pain.
Kael stood.
The mark on his palm burned.
A thin black line spread from his hand to his wrist.
The Hound charged.
Kael didn’t dodge.
He waited.
One step.
Two.
Three.
At the final moment, Kael caught its wrist.
The world went silent.
For an instant, everything around him slowed.
Kael saw the creature’s movement before it happened.
He twisted.
The Hound crashed into the ground.
Kael stared at his hand.
“What was that?” Shade answered.
“Your first Abyssal ability.” Kael looked at the creature.
“What is it called?” Shade paused.
“Weightless Step.” Kael smiled.
The Hound rose again.
“Then I guess I need a second ability.” The fight lasted less than a minute.
When it ended, the Hound dissolved into black dust.
Riven stared.
“You shouldn’t be able to do that.” Kael looked at him.
“Apparently I can.” Then a bell rang somewhere deep inside the Abyss.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Shade’s expression changed.
“What?” “The hunt has begun.” Kael looked into the darkness.
“How many are coming?” Shade answered: “All of them.” Kael smiled.
“Finally.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Okikiayo_Fadiji Time to let Kael actually FIGHT.
This chapter introduces his first named Abyssal ability, but don’t get comfortable—power in this world will always come with a price.