Godslayer's Legacy: THE PATH TO SUPREMACY

The oppressive silence of the Abyss stretched endlessly as Rui moved cautiously across uneven terrain. Every step felt heavier than the last, his boots grinding against fractured stone and loose gravel. The glow of molten mana veins deep below the earth provided faint illumination, but the light was weak—strained, like the final embers of a dying fire.

Time had become meaningless. Hours, perhaps days, had passed since Rui left the airship behind. The oppressive mana currents twisted his senses, making it impossible to gauge the passing of time or distance traveled. His silver eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, the etched runes within them vibrating softly as they analyzed the erratic mana flows in the air.

The Abyss had grown quieter.

Too quiet.

The faint whispers he had heard earlier had vanished, replaced by a stillness that felt… unnatural. The ground had stopped trembling. Even the distant howls of the wind through stone crevices had faded away.

Rui paused near a jagged rock outcrop, crouching low as he examined the terrain ahead. His eyes swept over the landscape, tracing the faint trails of mana currents twisting chaotically in the distance.

"Something's different here."

His gaze caught a glimmer—a faint, ethereal light reflecting off something partially buried in the stone. Rui narrowed his eyes, the runes within them flickering softly as he focused.

"What is that…?"

He rose to his feet and made his way toward the glimmer, each step slow and deliberate. The terrain shifted subtly beneath him, the cracks in the stone growing deeper and more irregular. The faint glimmer became clearer—a faint, bluish glow radiating from beneath a thin layer of rubble and dust.

Rui knelt, brushing away the loose stone with gloved fingers. Beneath the debris, etched into the stone floor, was a rune—a complex spiral of symbols and patterns that pulsed faintly with residual mana. The lines were intricate, ancient, and carved with a level of precision that suggested an almost divine hand.

"This… this isn't natural."

His fingers traced the edges of the rune. It was cold to the touch, but there was something beneath it—something alive. A faint vibration resonated through the rune, almost like a heartbeat.

The wind shifted slightly, carrying with it a faint scent of something old—like dust trapped in a tomb for centuries.

Rui rose to his feet, his gaze following the faint glow that stretched beyond the rune, leading toward a narrow crevice between two towering stone formations.

Without hesitation, he followed.

The passage between the towering stone pillars narrowed until Rui had to turn his body sideways to squeeze through. The darkness here was thicker, more absolute. His glowing silver eyes cut through the shadows, illuminating faint outlines of the stone walls around him.

The path eventually opened into a vast cavern.

Rui stepped forward, his boots echoing faintly against the stone floor. His breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him.

It was a ruin—a sprawling structure built into the walls of the cavern, partially collapsed and buried beneath layers of jagged stone. Towering pillars, etched with unfamiliar runes, reached upward toward the cavern ceiling. Broken archways framed collapsed corridors, and faint pools of liquid mana glowed softly in scattered recesses across the floor.

At the center of the cavern stood a massive doorway carved from dark obsidian, its surface covered in intricate runes glowing faintly with pale blue light. The door was impossibly large, its frame flanked by two towering statues—figures cloaked in long robes, their faces hidden beneath smooth, featureless hoods.

"This… this isn't just a ruin. This was a temple."

Rui stepped forward cautiously, his eyes scanning every detail. Despite the decay, despite the fractures and collapsed stone, there was a sense of presence here. The air felt heavy, charged with ancient energy—energy that hadn't stirred in untold centuries.

He approached one of the statues, tilting his head upward to take in its imposing presence. The craftsmanship was exquisite—the folds of the cloak, the faint cracks along the stone, the sense of… reverence that clung to the figure.

"What were they worshipping?"

Rui turned his attention back to the massive doorway at the center of the cavern. Its runes flickered faintly, like dying stars struggling to shine against an encroaching night.

He stepped closer, his hand outstretched.

The moment his fingertips brushed against the cold surface of the door, the runes flared to life. Pale blue light erupted across its surface, cascading outward in intricate patterns. The statues flanking the door responded in kind—their eyes flaring with matching light.

Rui staggered back as the vibrations beneath his feet grew stronger. The air trembled, mana currents whipping into chaotic patterns around him.

And then… silence.

The light faded. The vibrations ceased. But something had changed.

A faint crack echoed through the cavern, and the massive door shifted slightly—just enough to reveal a narrow opening, barely wide enough for a single person to slip through.

Rui hesitated, his silver eyes locked onto the thin gap. Beyond it was only darkness—impenetrable, absolute darkness.

"This feels… wrong. But I have to know."

Taking a deep breath, Rui stepped forward and slipped through the opening.

The passage beyond the door was narrow and suffocating. Rui had to crouch slightly as he navigated the uneven stone floor, his glowing eyes cutting through the darkness.

The faint hum of mana threads grew louder as he moved deeper, vibrating faintly against his senses. It wasn't chaotic like the mana outside—it was structured, deliberate. As though something—or someone—had crafted it with intent.

After what felt like an eternity, the passage opened into another chamber.

This one was smaller, more intimate. Faint blue light emanated from crystals embedded in the ceiling, casting a ghostly glow over the smooth stone walls. At the center of the chamber sat a pedestal, carved from the same dark obsidian as the door outside.

Upon the pedestal rested a crystal—a perfectly cut gemstone, about the size of Rui's fist, glowing with an intense pale blue light. The light wasn't harsh or blinding—it was gentle, inviting, almost… sad.

Rui approached cautiously, his footsteps echoing softly in the small chamber.

As he drew closer, faint whispers brushed against the edges of his hearing. Unlike the chaotic whispers outside, these were softer, clearer—almost melodic.

"Who… built this? Who left this behind?"

His hand trembled slightly as he reached out to touch the crystal. The moment his fingertips brushed against its surface, a pulse of energy shot through him. His eyes widened as visions flooded his mind—fleeting images, fragmented memories.

A city of light, built deep underground. Cloaked figures walking through grand halls carved from crystal and stone. A sense of reverence. A sense of fear.

And then… darkness. Collapse. Screams echoing in the void.

Rui staggered backward, gasping as the connection broke. His heart hammered in his chest, his breath ragged.

"They were… afraid. Whatever happened here… they couldn't stop it."

The crystal dimmed slightly, its glow flickering weakly.

Rui stood there for a long moment, his silver eyes staring down at the pedestal.

"This wasn't just a temple. It was a warning."

He turned back toward the passage, his mind racing with fragmented thoughts and unspoken questions.

Whatever happened here—whatever they were trying to stop—it had failed.

And Rui had the sinking feeling that whatever had destroyed this place… was still waiting in the Abyss.

As he stepped back into the suffocating passage, the faint whispers followed him, clinging to the air like dust caught in moonlight.

The Abyss had secrets.

And now, Rui carried one of them with him.