Into the Field
By the next morning, preparations were already underway.
A small strike team had been assembled—composed of elite students and several instructors. Their mission was simple:
Locate a nearby gate.
Enter it.
Destroy whatever was maintaining it.
Kael stood at the edge of the academy gates, adjusting the strap of his gear. The Abyss Ring glowed faintly on his finger, as if reacting to the growing tension in the air.
Leon approached from behind.
"Ready?" he asked.
Kael nodded.
"As I'll ever be."
Seraphine stood a few steps away, watching both of them.
"I'll be coming with you," she said.
Leon raised an eyebrow.
"Of course you are."
The group set out shortly after.
The journey took them through dense forests and abandoned roads. The closer they got to their target, the heavier the atmosphere became.
Eventually—
They saw it.
A gate.
It floated just above the ground, pulsing with unstable energy. Dark mist leaked out from the edges, and the surrounding area felt… corrupted.
Kael stopped.
"This one is stronger," he said.
Seraphine nodded.
"Yes."
Valen stepped forward.
"We proceed carefully."
But Kael's eyes were already focused on the gate.
The Abyss inside him reacted again.
Strongly.
Whatever was beyond that gate…
It was connected to him.