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Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 77
Miko moved through the public areas dressed in simple civilian clothes rather than his Academy uniform. His formal challenge against Elara wasn't scheduled until tomorrow, but he'd decided to explore the Cathedral proper today, hoping to gain insights that might help him understand the knights' devotion to their traditions."It's quite something, isn't it?" a soft voice observed from behind him.Miko turned to find an elderly priest watching him with kind eyes. Unlike the stern-faced Father Matthias or the imposing Knight-Commander, this man had a gentle demeanor that invited conversation."It's extraordinary," Miko agreed. "I've never seen anything like it.""Few have," the priest smiled. "The Grand Cathedral took over a century to complete, with each generation adding their own contributions." He extended his hand. "I am Father Dominic, chief archivist.""Miko," he replied, shaking the offered hand and deliberately omitting his last name. "Just visiting.""Are you?" Father Dominic's
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 78
"Welcome, everyone, to Advanced Theoretical Combat Applications," the instructor announced to the classroom of attentive knight-trainees. "Today, we have the honor of hosting an exchange student from the Anti-Abyssal Unit."All eyes turned to Miko, who stood at the front of the classroom beside the instructor. The challenge against Elara was scheduled for that afternoon, but Knight-Captain Elysia had insisted he participate in regular Academy classes until then—"to fully experience our training methods," she'd said, though Miko suspected it was more about keeping him under observation."This is Miko Asterion," the instructor continued. His name was Master Reynold, a retired ranked knight who now specialized in theoretical combat analysis. "He'll be joining us for this session and sharing perspectives from elemental combat methodologies."The class of third-year trainees regarded Miko with expressions ranging from curiosity to outright suspicion. Unlike the first-years, who possessed o
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 79
The bell's resonant tone had barely faded before Elara was in motion, covering the distance between them with startling speed. Her opening attack—a precise thrust aimed at Miko's shoulder—was a test rather than a serious attempt to wound, gauging his reactions and defensive capabilities.Miko sidestepped smoothly, recognizing the probe for what it was. He countered with a measured strike of his own, similarly testing rather than committing.They circled each other, exchanging exploratory blows that gradually increased in intensity and complexity. The crowd's initial excitement settled into focused observation as they realized this wasn't going to be a quick, one-sided demonstration but a genuine contest of skill."You move well for an Academy student," Elara remarked during a momentary respite, her voice pitched low enough that only Miko could hear. "Most rely too heavily on their elements.""Elemental combat and physical training aren't mutually exclusive," Miko replied, maintaining
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 80
The courtyard was a simple meditation space—a few stone benches arranged around a central fountain, enclosed by high walls that blocked both wind and prying eyes. Elara checked that they were truly alone before speaking. "Your Ash element—or Void slash abyss affinity, as the Church would term it—is unusually developed," she began without preamble. "Particularly the shadow displacement technique. That's not standard AAU training." "I've had specialized instruction," Miko replied carefully. "Clearly." She studied him with renewed interest. "You know, there are stories in the restricted Church archives about people with particular affinity with ash energies. People who could manipulate shadows in ways similar to what you demonstrated today."Miko kept his expression neutral despite the reference to his heritage. "The AAU studies all elemental expressions, even rare ones.""Of course," Elara nodded, clearly unconvinced. "Just as the Church maintains interest in all forms of Abyssal def
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 81
Miko woke before dawn, his mind already made up. The extended training offer from Elara, while valuable, would delay his return to Larok and the critical mission to the Abyss core."One month versus my plans," he muttered to himself as he dressed. "Not much of a choice."He penned a formal letter declining the extension, leaving it with an Academy page for delivery to Knight-Commander Thaddeus.At breakfast, he found Darin already at their usual table, somehow looking perfectly alert despite the early hour."You're leaving, aren't you?" Darin asked without preamble.Miko raised an eyebrow. "How did you—""Your face," Darin interrupted, gesturing with his spoon. "You've got that 'mission will soon be accomplished, time to move on' look. I've seen it before.""I..," Miko explained. "You don't need to justify it to me," Darin said with a shrug. "Though Elara will be disappointed. She was looking forward to more training sessions."Miko pushed his breakfast around his plate. "Before I go
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 82
"Relax your shoulders," Kiera instructed, circling Miko as he moved through the basic form. "You're too tense. This style relies on fluidity, not rigid positioning.""Old habits," Miko replied, consciously loosening his upper body while maintaining the stance. "I can tell," she said, making a small adjustment to his elbow position. "Your instincts are to create power through direct force. This blade requires redirection of momentum."They had been training for nearly an hour, focusing on fundamental movements designed specifically for his unusual sword. Kiera proved to be an excellent instructor—demanding but clear, breaking down complex techniques into manageable components."Better," she nodded as Miko completed the sequence with improved form. "Now try it at half-speed, focusing on the transitions between positions."As he moved through the sequence again, Miko noticed how the sword seemed to flow more naturally with these adjusted techniques. The blade's unique weight distributio
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 83
Morning light filtered through the narrow window of his quarters. His new sword rested on the bed, it's dark metal seeming to absorb the sunlight rather than reflect it.He found Darin in the records office, surrounded by stacks of meticulously organized parchment. As always, the administrative trainee appeared completely at ease in his environment, managing information with practiced efficiency."Ah, the departing champion," Darin greeted without looking up. "Come to say your final farewells? Or perhaps seeking more Academy gossip to take back to the capital?""Information," Miko corrected, closing the door behind him. "About the first-ranked student."Darin's hands paused over his documents, eyebrow raising slightly. "He held first rank. Has for nearly a decade." He studied Miko with sudden intensity. "Why the interest? Planning another challenge?""Just curious about the hierarchy," Miko replied casually. "Especially after learning Kiera is fifth-ranked despite her obvious skill."
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 84
The AAU headquarters bustled with its usual activity as Miko passed through the security checkpoints. After the rigid formality of the Knight Academy, the familiar organized chaos felt almost comforting—researchers hurrying between laboratories, combat teams prepping for missions, administrative staff managing the constant flow of information about Abyssal activity."Miko!"He turned to see Anna waving from across the main atrium, her face lighting up with genuine pleasure. She hurried toward him."You're back earlier than expected," she said, falling into step beside him. "We thought you'd be at the Academy for at least another week.""Change of plans," Miko replied with a slight smile. "Completed what I needed to, sooner than anticipated."Anna's observant eyes noted the sword at his hip—distinctly different from standard AAU equipment. "That’s new.”"A necessary upgrade," he confirmed. "How's everyone been?""Busy. The team's been running standard containment missions, but there's
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Chapter 121
“You can call me Veros. My brother Sylas speaks highly of you," Veros continued, taking a step forward for each one Miko took back. "Says you taste of the abyss and something else. Something... ancient.""I'm not food," Miko snarled, his hands clenching into fists as he tried again to summon his element.Veros laughed, the sound like shattering bones. "Everything is food to those who know how to feed. Your ash element is particularly... nutritious."Without warning, the wraith lunged, moving with impossible speed. Miko barely had time to dodge, the creature's clawed hand grazing his shoulder and tearing through his uniform.Pain flared, hot and immediate. Miko rolled, coming up in a defensive stance as blood soaked the torn fabric."Fast for a human," Veros observed, licking Miko's blood from his fingertips. "But not fast enough.""I don't need speed," Miko said, focusing on the pendant's heat spreading through his chest. "I just need to hit you once."The wraith tilted his head, curi
Chapter 120
"Miko," Akiya murmured, her fingers brushing the warm black dust where he had stood moments before. "Where did you go?"A shout broke the tense silence, making everyone turn. One of the junior cadets was running toward them from the treeline, panic etched across his face."Something's coming!" he yelled, stumbling as he reached the group. "Something big!"Gregor grabbed the cadet's shoulders, steadying him. "Catch your breath. What did you see?""A wraith," the cadet gasped, pointing back the way he'd come. "I was setting up perimeter markers and I saw it. Just standing there, watching me.""A wraith?" Gregor's expression hardened. "You're sure?""Positive," the cadet nodded frantically. "It... it smiled at me."Liam and Anna exchanged alarmed looks."Come to think of it," Liam said slowly, "we haven't seen any wraiths since we entered the Abyss. Not a single one.""How many?" Gregor demanded, turning back to the cadet. "How many did you see?""Just one," the cadet replied. "But it wa
Chapter 119
The silence after the ash shockwave was absolute. Trees that had groaned under the weight of mist now stood eerily still, leaves unmoving, the air cold with a kind of supernatural stillness.Akiya was the first to move."That light—" she began, already pushing through the trees. "That was Miko. I know it.""How do you know?" Liam asked, falling in beside her."Because I felt it," she said, eyes locked forward. "That pulse. It was him. I don’t know how, but it was him."The others hesitated only a second before following.Branches snapped beneath their boots. The forest was slowly returning to normal, but the air still held a heaviness—as if mourning something invisible that had passed. The path twisted, trees now parted in ways they hadn’t been before, and the ground showed signs of disruption: scorched patches, cracked stone, and a strange black residue that clung to roots and bark like soot.Then they saw him.Miko stood at the edge of a collapsed ridge, where the forest met a steep
Chapter 118
As he prepared to find a way back to the surface, Miko couldn't help wondering about the facility's original purpose. Who had built it? Why create weapons of such destructive potential? And most puzzling of all, why design them specifically for users with his exact elemental affinity—a combination so rare it had apparently vanished from the world until his own emergence?The questions would have to wait. His priority now was finding a way out of this underground vault and reuniting with his team. With the fog entity still active above, they were likely facing their own challenges, possibly in danger.Miko located what appeared to be a maintenance shaft in one corner of the facility, its ladder leading upward toward the surface. Before climbing, he took one last look at the activated lantern, its potential both fascinating and terrifying."I'll be back for you," he promised the device. "Once this mission is over."**While Miko explored the ancient facility below, the other groups cont
Chapter 117
Miko returned to the central chamber of the underground facility, still puzzling over the crumbling lanterns. The place was vast, stretching further than he'd managed to explore so far, but one section had caught his attention—a room that appeared to be an office or study, its walls lined with what might generously be called books, though they were unlike any he'd seen before."If I'm going to figure this place out, might as well start with the records," he decided, entering the study.The "books" were actually thin metal plates bound together with some kind of flexible alloy, their surfaces covered with the same symbols he'd seen throughout the facility. Most were incomprehensible to him, but some contained diagrams he could interpret—schematics for equipment, illustrations of elemental energy flows, and most interestingly, drawings of the lanterns he'd found."So these were important," he murmured, carefully turning the delicate metal pages of one volume.The diagrams showed the lan
Chapter 116
Miko didn't have time to scream as the ground collapsed beneath him. One moment he was standing in the fog-shrouded forest, the next he was plummeting through darkness, his stomach lurching from the sudden drop. His Ash element swirled around him instinctively, trying to slow his descent but finding nothing solid to grip.The fall lasted only seconds before he crashed through some kind of membrane—a sensation like breaking through thin ice—and then hit solid ground with bone-jarring force. He rolled automatically, distributing the impact as he'd been taught in Academy training."Ugh," he groaned, lying on his back and taking inventory of his body. Nothing seemed broken, though he'd definitely have bruises tomorrow. If there was a tomorrow.After a moment to catch his breath, Miko sat up and summoned his Ash element to provide illumination. The shadows gathered around his hand, creating a dim glow that pushed back the absolute darkness."What the hell...?" he muttered, looking around.
Chapter 115
"There it is again," Akiya whispered, her flame briefly flaring brighter. "Did you see it?"Liam and Lyra followed her gaze into the swirling fog, where a faint ripple of movement had disturbed the otherwise uniform mist."Probably just air currents," Lyra replied, though her tone lacked conviction. She'd been saying similar things for the past hour as they wandered through the endless fog, but even her professional skepticism was wearing thin."No," Akiya insisted, taking a step closer to the disturbance. "It's reacting to us. Watch."She extended her free hand toward the fog, not quite touching it. The mist immediately withdrew from her approach, creating a small pocket of clear air around her fingers."See? It's avoiding direct contact. That's not how normal fog behaves."Liam moved beside her, cautiously extending his own hand. The fog retreated from him as well, though less dramatically."She's right," he said, looking back at Lyra. "This isn't just some corruption manifestation.
Chapter 114
Shadows swirled around Miko's fingers as he navigated through the impenetrable fog. Without his Ash element, he would have been completely blind in the shifting mists that erased all sense of direction."Come on," he muttered to himself, extending his awareness through the shadows. "Give me something to work with."His Ash element responded, spreading outward like tendrils searching for solid references in the chaotic environment.Most of what the shadows found was just more fog, but occasionally they detected something solid—massive tree trunks, root structures, the occasional corrupted vegetation. Not enough to create a map, but sufficient to avoid walking into obstacles."Akiya!" he called out, more from habit than expectation. "Liam! Anna!"His voice seemed to travel only a few meters before the fog swallowed it completely. The neural link remained silent except for occasional bursts of static that made him wince.Miko closed his eyes, focusing on his connection to the void. If no
Chapter 113
"What is that?" Liam asked, pointing at the strange haze that had appeared on the horizon as they continued their journey through the massive forest.The fog wasn't like anything they'd seen before in the Abyss. it shimmered with an oily iridescence, neither solid nor gas, spreading across their path like a living curtain.Elena stepped forward, her expression grave as she studied the phenomenon. "It's an illusion barrier," she said. "A defense mechanism that typically appears near the core. The Church has documented these, but few who enter ever return to report what they experienced.""What exactly does it do?" Anna asked, moving closer to examine the strange fog from a safer distance."It distorts reality," Elena explained. "Makes you see things that aren't there, hide things that are. Some say it can even separate groups by making each person experience a different version of reality."Gregor snorted dismissively. "Church superstition. It's just another corruption manifestation."
