Abyssborn

The sun was setting, painting the sky in crimson and gold hues.

The evening chill settled lightly on the shoulders, while the warm glow of the last rays of sunlight reflected in the windows of houses. The city, usually bustling and noisy at this hour, felt strangely still. The streets were nearly empty—only the rare figure of a passerby could be seen, their footsteps quickly fading around the corner.

Nait was on his way home.

His school bag swung lazily over one shoulder, his thoughts wandering far from his steady steps echoing in the silence. The quiet unnerved him. It was too complete, too unnatural. Even the distant voices he might normally hear seemed to have dissolved into the air.

Ahead, the bridge came into view.

The old stone bridge, a part of his daily route, now looked different. Its arches were swallowed by the long shadows of the setting sun, and the water below shimmered as though silently watching every movement. Something intangible clung to the place. A heavy sense of unease.

Nait slowed his pace.

And then he saw a figure.

A man stood at the far end of the bridge.

His silhouette was sharply outlined against the backdrop of the sunset. Broad shoulders, heavy armor that reflected the faint glow of sunlight, and a massive warhammer resting lightly against the ground. Behind him, a cloak billowed in the breeze like a banner.

Konrad Stein.

Nait stopped.

His heart thundered in his chest as he recognized the figure. It was impossible to miss: the black armor bearing the golden crest of the Empire, the massive hammer that seemed too heavy even for a giant, and the cold, piercing gaze that made you want to retreat.

"You again…" Nait's voice wavered. He tried to steady himself, but the tightness in his throat betrayed his unease.

Konrad stepped forward. His heavy boots struck the stone bridge with a resounding thud, a sound that felt like a challenge in itself.

"Nait Elstain," he said, his voice deep and rumbling like distant thunder. "I hate liars. More than anything in this world."

Nait tensed, clenching his fists. A wave of dread washed over him. He remembered their last encounter—at school, when Konrad had pressed him with questions he didn't want to answer. He had managed to evade them back then. But now, it seemed Konrad wasn't finished.

"You're mistaken. I'm not…" Nait began, but Konrad cut him off with a sharp motion of his hand.

"I've learned the truth. About your power. Your Fractum. You thought I wouldn't notice? You think your pathetic tricks can hide it?" Konrad scoffed, as though the very idea of Nait trying to conceal it was an insult. "No, boy. Tonight, I'll test you. I'll find out what you're really worth."

Nait instinctively took a step back, glancing around. The streets were empty—too empty.

"Why is no one here?" he muttered, almost to himself.

Konrad smirked. His eyes seemed to burn with icy fire.

"I ordered them all to leave. Evacuation. The townsfolk are safe. Now, it's just you and me. No excuses." He stepped forward again. "You wanted to hide your power. You wanted a quiet life. But people like you are dangerous. And I have to ensure you're not a threat."

A mixture of anger and fear began to boil in Nait's chest. His power, the shadow Fractum, was something deeply personal—something he avoided using unless absolutely necessary. And now, Konrad was forcing him into a fight.

"I'm not going to fight you," Nait said firmly, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

Konrad stopped, tilting his head slightly as if examining something curious.

"Not going to fight? Ha. That's not up to you. You'll show me what you're capable of. Or I'll break you."

He lifted his hammer, and the air around him seemed to grow heavier.

"Show me the truth, Nait Elstain. Or I'll shake it out of you."

Konrad advanced.

His hammer hummed softly as it rose to shoulder height. Nait felt the air around him compress, as though the entire world was bracing for the strike.

"This is your last chance," Konrad said evenly, his voice carrying a quiet but unmistakable menace. "Will you show me your power, or will I have to drag it out of you?"

"I don't owe you anything!" Nait snapped, his voice cracking at the end, though he forced himself not to retreat. "I'm not the threat here. You are!"

Konrad smirked, his gaze growing colder.

"Interesting. Let's see how long you can lie to yourself."

He took the first step.

The stone beneath his boot cracked. A dull, bell-like sound echoed across the bridge. Reflexively, Nait shifted back half a step, the tension in his body coiling tighter.

"Move, Nait," his mind screamed. "Move!"

But his legs felt rooted to the ground. A deep, primal instinct roared within him, warning that running from an opponent like this was pointless.

Konrad's hammer arced through the air.

It came crashing down with such force that the stones shattered into dust. The impact, like an explosion, sent shards of the bridge flying in all directions. Nait managed to dive to the side, but the energy from the blow still caught him.

He landed on one knee, a burning pain flaring in his side.

Looking up, he saw Konrad straightening, casually lifting his hammer again. Disappointment flickered across his face.

"Too slow, boy. Even your shadows can't help you? How unfortunate."

Nait exhaled, forcing himself to calm the rising panic. He could feel his Fractum—the shadows—begin to stir. They slipped out from beneath his feet, spreading across the bridge like tendrils searching for something alive.

"Don't fail me. Not now."

As Konrad stepped forward again, Nait rose to his feet. The shadows surged, wrapping around Konrad's legs.

"Ha! Finally!" Konrad laughed, his muscles tensing as the shadows crackled, as if crushed by an invisible force.

"You're afraid. Good. Show me how you survive."

The shadows strained, crackling under pressure.

The shadows coiled around Konrad's legs as if alive, but with every movement he made, they tore apart and scattered. Nait could feel it—as though someone were breaking his arms, stretching and crushing them all at once.

"Why?" flashed through his mind. His chest tightened with fear, his breathing erratic, while Konrad advanced step by step, undeterred by the shadows.

"You're too weak, boy," Konrad growled, jerking suddenly. His movements shredded the shadows completely, leaving them trembling in tatters on the bridge.

Nait took a step back, his legs trembling. Panic clawed at the edges of his consciousness. The shadows, once so powerful, now swirled around him like fragile wisps, a reflection of his own crumbling state.

"It's because of me," he realized. "They're tied to me."

He took a deep breath.

Closing his eyes for a moment, Nait forced himself to focus. The panic retreated, just slightly, and he felt the shadows begin to stabilize. They no longer cracked or shuddered. Instead, they wrapped around him like a shield, trying to protect him.

"Stay calm. No fear. They're a part of me."

Konrad took another step forward.

"So, that's it? Are you giving up?" His voice was cold, laced with a taunting challenge.

Nait opened his eyes. His gaze was steady now. The panic was gone, replaced by a quiet determination. The shadows around him moved with purpose, flowing like waves ready to strike.

"No. I'm not giving up." His voice was even, almost calm.

Konrad stopped.

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Hm. Are you trying to show me something? Interesting. Then do it quickly before I change my mind."

The shadows shot forward.

This time, they didn't crack or break. They moved as one, wrapping around Konrad's legs and the hammer resting on his shoulder. Nait felt the energy within him pulse in sync with the shadows. He no longer forced them, no longer tried to command them. Instead, he let them move as they "wanted."

Konrad tried to move, but something was different. His hammer grew heavier, the shadows pulling it downward. He frowned.

"You've changed," he remarked. "Let's see how long you can hold on."

He flexed his muscles, and his sheer strength burst through, the shadows around his legs snapping with a sharp crack. But Nait didn't retreat. He sent new tendrils of shadow forward, again and again, holding Konrad in place.

"I can do this. I will do this."

Konrad surged forward.

With a deafening crash, his hammer slammed into the bridge, shattering the stones. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, scattering debris in every direction. Nait managed to leap aside, but the force still grazed him, chilling his spine.

"I'm too slow. He's going to destroy me."

The next strike was even closer. Konrad moved with surprising speed for someone his size, his hammer rising again. Nait couldn't react in time. His legs froze, his heart clenched with panic.

And then the shadows consumed him.

They wrapped around him completely, swallowing him in an instant. The world outside disappeared, muffled by an overwhelming darkness. For a moment, Nait was weightless, floating within the void of his own power.

And then the darkness whispered.

"Do not fear. We are you. Let us fight."

For a split second, Nait felt his body sink through the bridge, as though it didn't exist. The world around him turned black, dense, and heavy. The air vanished. All he could hear was the pounding of his heart, the distant echoes of faint sounds, and the dull roar of his own fear.

"What… is this? Where am I?!"

His hands groped desperately in the void, but there was nothing—no stones, no ground, just emptiness. Worst of all, he couldn't breathe. His chest tightened, screaming for air, but there was none in this darkness. He realized he wouldn't last long here.

"The shadows. I'm in the shadows…"

With all his effort, he focused on escaping. His instincts guided him upward, toward the light.

Nait emerged from the shadows.

He gasped sharply, his chest burning as if he had just finished a sprint. His feet touched solid ground, though he stumbled before regaining his balance. Around him, fragments of stone fell like rain—Konrad had shattered the bridge where Nait had stood only moments ago.

Konrad turned, his piercing gaze locking onto Nait.

"What was that? You fell… into the ground?" There was more surprise than anger in his voice. He smirked. "Didn't expect that. But it changes nothing."

Nait's breath came heavy and uneven, but something clicked in his mind. He had just saved his own life, instinctively activating his power. Now he knew it was possible. But he also realized the cost.

"I can slip into the shadows… but I can't breathe there. It's only for dodging blows."

Konrad stepped forward, the bridge groaning under the weight of his boots.

"Come on, boy, show me what you're capable of. Or are you just going to keep hiding while I tear everything apart?"

Nait didn't answer. He focused, forcing his breathing to steady. The shadows stirred around him, responding to his will. If he wanted to survive, he couldn't just dodge—he needed to act.

Nait dove into the shadows again.

The familiar pressure enveloped him as his body plunged into the void. The darkness wrapped around him, compressing him from every side, choking the air out of his lungs. His chest burned, and every moment in the void stretched into eternity.

"Don't linger. Move faster."

He reemerged behind Konrad, gasping for air, and immediately dove back into the shadows as the massive hammer swept past him like a hurricane. The stones of the bridge shattered like glass. Konrad spun, his eyes gleaming like a predator's.

"Well, you've gotten faster. But it's still useless, boy. I'll catch you eventually."

Nait didn't reply. He focused, feeling the shadows around him become an extension of his own body. They moved faster now, more fluidly, as if waiting for his direction. Another of Konrad's blows missed, and Nait appeared to the side, evading once more.

"This isn't enough. If I keep running, he'll catch me. I need… something more."

The shadows shifted.

Suddenly, Nait felt them—not just as a shield or a means of escape, but as a force capable of fighting back. His hands glowed faintly with cold energy, and the shadows responded. They coalesced, taking shape. Two long, curved blades formed in his grip. They were as black as the night, their edges razor-sharp.

Nait stared at the weapons, his heart pounding. He felt it—they were a part of him.

"Shadow blades. This is my power. I can fight."

He surged forward.

Konrad turned, his hammer swinging upward, but Nait was already too close. His blades slashed through the air, striking Konrad's armor. Sparks flew from the impact, but Nait didn't retreat. He struck again, this time aiming for Konrad's shoulder. The blade bit deeper, leaving a jagged scratch in the armor.

Konrad stepped back, his eyes narrowing. For the first time, there was a flicker of something different in his expression—not anger or disappointment, but acknowledgment.

"So, you can fight after all. Good. Let's see if you can keep up."

Konrad snorted, taking a step back.

"Now that's better, Nait. Hitting me? Not bad. But it's still not enough."

Nait wasn't giving up.

He spun like a whirlwind, his blades striking again and again, leaving marks on Konrad's armor. The shadows coiled around Konrad's legs, trying to hold him in place. But Konrad was too strong. With a sharp movement, he tore through the shadows, sending them scattering across the bridge.

"A good effort, but it's nowhere near enough to stop me."

Konrad moved into the offensive.

He stepped forward, his hammer arcing high into the air. Nait managed to slip into the shadows just as the hammer struck, shattering the stone where he had stood. But Konrad gave him no time to recover. The moment Nait reemerged, Konrad was already closing the distance.

A powerful hammer strike collided with Nait's shadow barrier.

The shadows surged forward, forming a dense shield around Nait, but it wasn't enough. Konrad's strength shattered the defense, sending Nait flying backward. His body slammed into a stone wall, the impact cracking the surface and sending debris tumbling around him.

He could barely breathe.

The shadows clinging to him had softened the blow, but pain still lanced through every part of his body. Konrad stepped forward, his hammer resting heavily against the ground.

"Enough games, Nait. You've proven you can fight. But this is as far as your strength will take you."

Nait lifted his gaze.

His blades still burned in his hands, but he could feel his energy draining. The shadows around him trembled, yet they didn't vanish. They still shielded him.

"I'm not done yet," he breathed, forcing himself to his feet.

Konrad paused, his eyes glinting with a trace of respect.

"You have willpower. That's commendable. But will without strength is just words."

He raised his hammer.

The air began to shudder.

Konrad's hammer rose high.

The air around him rippled with the energy building in the strike. Nait, trembling, could barely remain standing. His shadows wove themselves around him, trying to form a shield, but even they seemed fragile against the power looming over him.

"Goodbye, boy," Konrad said, his voice booming like thunder.

And then everything stopped.

A hand gently rested on Konrad's shoulder. So gentle, it felt more like mockery than a threat. Konrad turned sharply, his hammer frozen mid-swing.

"Hey, big guy, don't you think this is a little unfair?" came a calm, mocking voice.

Konrad turned, finding himself face-to-face with a boy. Short, with a cocky smirk and his hands stuffed casually in his pockets, the boy looked up at him as though he wasn't standing before a man capable of shattering walls with a single blow.

"Who are you?" Konrad growled, irritation flaring in his voice.

"Oh, that doesn't matter. But if you're looking for a name, you can call me 'the guy who's distracting you.' Works, right?"

Konrad scowled, his gaze darting to Nait, who was still struggling to rise behind him.

"If you're involved, then you die with him."

The boy frowned, feigning deep thought.

"Hmm, is that a threat? Not really convincing. If it's a promise, then it sounds even worse."

Konrad surged forward, his hammer swinging. But the boy vanished. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared beside Nait, easily helping him to his feet.

"Get up, hero," he said with a smirk. "You know I hate seeing you lying down like that. Totally ruins my cool rescuer image."

Nait, still gasping for breath, squinted at him.

"Zein… you're late again…"

"Oh, hush. Save the drama for later. You're not dead yet, so technically, I'm on time."

Konrad turned once more.

His steps echoed ominously against the ground, his gaze icy and sharp.

"Enough. You're only delaying the inevitable." He raised his hammer slowly. "First you, then him."

Zein grinned, turning slightly toward Konrad.

"You know what your problem is? Too much talk, not enough brains."

Konrad lunged, his hammer crashing into the ground where Zein had been standing, but Zein vanished again. His voice came from a different direction:

"You're so big and so slow. Where's that legendary strength of yours?"

Konrad turned, his face twisted with rage.

"Stop running, coward. If you're so bold, fight me head-on!"

Zein chuckled.

"Alright, let's play. But fair warning: I get bored quickly."

Konrad swung again.

The hammer hurtled toward Zein with devastating force, but Zein disappeared a fraction of a second before it struck. Konrad paused, only to notice movement—Zein was now standing on the shaft of his hammer.

"Honestly, you remind me of a statue. Big, heavy, and completely useless when it comes to speed."

Konrad yanked the hammer, but Zein didn't lose his balance, as though the weapon was his personal platform. Effortlessly, he ran along the length of the hammer, stopping directly in front of Konrad's face.

"Let's take a trip."

His fingers brushed against Konrad's armor.

And the world disappeared.

High in the Sky

The wind whipped against Konrad's armor, but he didn't close his eyes. He was plummeting at an incredible speed, like a projectile fired from a catapult. His expression remained calm, focused. The fall didn't faze him in the slightest.

"Falling? Is that all you've got?" the thought flickered in his mind.

Zein reappeared.

He teleported back beside Nait, who was barely standing. Nait's face was pale, and the shadows surrounding him trembled as though they were about to dissipate.

"You alright?" Zein asked curtly, grabbing Nait by the shoulder to steady him.

"What… was that?" Nait croaked, struggling to focus his gaze. His breathing was ragged.

"I sent him flying. I think he'll enjoy the trip down."

Zein glanced up at the sky but saw nothing. A thought briefly crossed his mind: "He fell pretty fast for someone that massive." But he brushed it off.

"Doesn't matter. No one's getting up after that."

"Right now, let's focus on you. Can you walk, or do I have to carry you again?" Zein smirked, trying to sound lighthearted.

Nait inhaled deeply, his eyes clouded with worry.

"Are you sure he won't come back? He was… too strong."

Zein grinned, keeping up his nonchalant demeanor.

"Relax. That big guy's probably face-down somewhere far from here. You need rest, not paranoia."

And then everything changed.

A low whistling sound sliced through the air behind them. Nait tensed instinctively, his heart stopping for a moment. He looked up just in time to see a massive figure with a hammer burst through a cloud of dust.

Konrad struck.

The hammer came down with such force that the air howled. Zein didn't even have time to turn around—the blow slammed into his side, sending him flying like a ragdoll into the nearest wall. Stone shattered on impact, fragments scattering in every direction, leaving a thick cloud of dust.

Nait froze.

"Zein!" he shouted, but his voice was hoarse, caught in his throat.

Konrad stepped through the dust.

His massive frame loomed, terrifyingly unyielding, and he looked as if nothing had happened to him. His hammer gleamed in the dim light, and his footsteps were slow and deliberate. His icy gaze fixed on Nait, who stood paralyzed, unable to move.

"This can't be happening…"

The dust began to settle.

Zein pushed himself up from the rubble, breathing heavily. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he wiped it away with the back of his hand. He glanced at the remains of the wall behind him, now reduced to nothing but crumbling debris.

"Damn. Didn't think it'd hit this hard… Should've chosen something sturdier. Too late now."

He rubbed his side, where sharp pain pulsed with every breath, but he quickly straightened up. His eyes locked onto Konrad, who stood unwavering, leaning slightly on his hammer. Zein noticed a faint trace of surprise on Konrad's face.

"You… survived?" Konrad said, irritation creeping into his voice.

Zein grinned, standing tall.

"Yeah. Don't I look alive? Though, I'll admit, you hit like a champion. The wall definitely didn't appreciate it."

Konrad narrowed his eyes, lifting his hammer slightly.

"How?"

Zein sighed, as if explaining something to a child.

"Momentum transfer. Most of it went into the wall. Sure, it stung, but hey, I'm still breathing. So, thanks for the training session."

He bent down slowly, picking up a small stone from the ground, turning it over in his hand as though appraising it.

"Alright, big guy, now it's my turn to show you a little trick."

Konrad frowned, his gaze sharpening.

"What?"

Zein smirked, tossing the stone lightly in his hand.

"Watch closely. Learn while I'm still feeling generous."

He flicked the stone with his finger.

The stone launched with a deafening whistle, tearing through the air as though it had been fired from a cannon. A split second later, it struck Konrad square in the chest. The impact was so powerful that his armor cracked, a deep fracture spidering across the metal, and Konrad staggered backward.

He dropped to one knee.

In an instant, Zein teleported directly in front of him. His eyes gleamed with amusement, but this time there was a ruthless confidence behind them.

"So, how'd you like my trick?" Zein said, staring down at Konrad.

Konrad tried to rise, but Zein didn't give him a chance. Energy flared around Zein's legs, the faint glow of his Fractum gathering in a concentrated burst.

"You love strength, right? Then catch mine!"

His kick smashed into Konrad's chest.

The force of the blow was immense, launching Konrad backward. He crashed into the nearest building, the walls splintering and collapsing around his massive frame, burying him beneath a mountain of rubble.

Silence.

The silence was broken by the sound of steady footsteps.

From the shadows of the destroyed building emerged a tall figure. His movements were calm and assured, his piercing gaze cold and analytical. He stopped next to Konrad, who was still leaning heavily on his hammer.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to restrain yourself," said Lukas, his cloak swaying gently in the faint breeze. He then turned his attention to Zein and Nait.

"Nait, your power is impressive. But you, Zein…" He paused, scrutinizing him intently. "You've exceeded all expectations."

Zein smirked, rubbing his sore side.

"Yeah, people are always impressed. What's next? A trophy? A medal?"

Lukas ignored the sarcasm, his voice remaining steady.

"So, the contract was for Nait. And you, Zein, eliminated everyone who was supposed to fulfill it."

Nait tensed.

"What? Who? Why?" His voice trembled, unable to piece together what was happening.

Lukas stepped forward, his gaze sharpening further.

"There are more questions now than answers. I believe it's time we had a proper discussion."