"Hello..." Ajax, who was only 14 years old, called out, his voice trembling as it echoed through the cold, dangerous depths of the Abyss. The darkness seemed to swallow his words, leaving an eerie silence in their wake. Every shadow seemed to move, every whisper of wind a potential threat. The Abyss was a place of nightmares, a realm where fear was a constant companion.
With only blunt swords and a bag of bread on his trembling hand, he took another step as he looked at the scary unordinary bat looking down at him, ready to shred his meat off. He hugged himself tightly, trying to stave off the chill that seeped into his bones. The weight of his decision to enter this forsaken place pressed heavily upon him, but he knew he had no choice.
He remembered the chaotic events that led him here. Chased by wolves and bears through the snow-covered forests, he had run for what felt like hours. The relentless pursuit had driven him deeper and deeper into the unknown, until he stumbled upon the edge of the Abyss. With no other options, he had plunged into its depths, down, down, down, into the darkness.
"Is anyone there?" he called out again, his voice barely more than a whisper. The silence was deafening, amplifying his fear. But he couldn't afford to be afraid. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.
Suddenly, he heard a rustling noise behind him. He spun around, heart pounding, but saw nothing. The darkness played tricks on his mind, twisting his senses until he could no longer trust what he saw or heard.
"Stay calm, Ajax," he whispered to himself, trying to steady his nerves. "You can do this. You have to do this."
As he continued to walk, his thoughts drifted to the future, to the man he would become. He would need to be strong, fearless, willing to do whatever it took to protect his loved ones. He couldn't afford to show weakness, not here, not ever.
The Abyss seemed to stretch on forever, a labyrinth of shadows and fear. But Ajax pressed on, driven by a determination that burned brighter than any fear. He would conquer the Abyss, he would face its horrors, and he would emerge stronger. For his family. For himself.
Time seemed to lose all meaning in the depths of the Abyss. Seconds, minutes, hours—he couldn't tell how long he had been wandering. But he refused to give up. His resolve was unwavering, his determination unyielding.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he stumbled upon a figure shrouded in darkness. The figure turned, and Ajax felt a shiver run down his spine as he met the cold, piercing gaze of Skirk.
"So, you've come," Skirk said, her voice a low, ominous murmur. "Are you ready to face your fears, to embrace the power of the Abyss?"
Ajax took a deep breath, summoning all his courage. "Wh- who are you," he replied, his voice steady despite the fear that gripped his heart. He felt a shiver run down his spine, his instincts screaming at him to flee, but he stood his ground, refusing to show weakness.
Skirk remained silent, her eyes piercing through the darkness like twin orbs of cold fire. The silence stretched on, the weight of her gaze pressing down on Ajax, making him feel small and insignificant. He almost lost control, the sheer intensity of her presence threatening to overwhelm him.
"I... I asked you a question," Ajax stammered, trying to muster a semblance of defiance. "Who are you?"
Skirk's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "I am Skirk, a guide in this forsaken realm. I am the one who will lead you the ways of the Abyss, should you prove yourself worthy."
Ajax swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. "Why... Why would you kidnap me?"
"Kidnap?" Skirk's smile widened, a chilling expression that sent a shiver down Ajax's spine. "I do not kidnap, weak. I test. I challenge. I push you to your limits and beyond. Only those who survive my trials can claim to have truly embraced the power of the Abyss."
