Miko stood at attention alongside his teammates, all of them freshly released from medical observation."Your readings have been cleared," Hayes said without preamble, scanning the medical report on his tablet. "Though I'm told there were some... anomalies." His gaze lingered on Miko for a moment before moving on. "Fortunately for you, we don't have the luxury of extended recovery periods."He activated the display on the wall. A three-dimensional map of an Abyssal region materialized, rotating slowly to reveal unusual topography."Three days ago, our deep scanners detected anomalous energy readings from a previously unmapped section of the Abyss. Sector 17-B." He expanded a portion of the map. "The energy signature doesn't match any documented Abyssal entity or phenomenon.""Why tell us?" Akiya asked, arms crossed. "This sounds like a job for the research division.""Because, Cadet Ren, the research team we sent hasn't reported back." Hayes's expression remained neutral, but the impl

The ancient codex slammed shut with a thunderous boom, nearly taking Miko's fingers with it."Well, that was dramatic," Liam observed, eyebrow raised. "Did it just reject you, or is this some weird Sovereign courtship ritual?"Miko stepped back, shaking his stinging hand. "I don't think it wants to be read just yet.""A book with attitude," Akiya muttered. "That's a new one."The Keeper's featureless face somehow managed to convey disappointment. "The Codex requires proper preparation. The battery must be awakened fully before its secrets can be revealed.""Could've mentioned that before I nearly lost my fingertips," Miko grumbled.“And why does he keep calling you a battery?” Liam asked quietly.Anna was already scanning the chamber with her instruments. "This entire structure is saturated with unusual energy patterns. Nothing like standard Abyssal corruption." She looked up, excitement breaking through her usual reserve. "This could completely rewrite our understanding of the Abyss.

“The church later realized that the more. Sovereigns they killed, the more destruction came about in the abyss,” the guardian said."So that’s what you mean by the sovereign were batteries," Miko whispered, recalling Elena's words about her father's research. "The abyss itself is alive because it uses Ash element sources to power its self or to power the corruption of the abyss. And the only source of Ash, is an Ash mage."“The barriers that they priests set up to supposedly protect your world from Abyssal incursions are powered by the extracted energy of Sovereign.""That's monstrous," Anna said softly."It's also unsustainable," the Keeper added. "Forced extraction corrupts the energy, requiring more and more Sovereigns to maintain the same protection. As their numbers dwindled, the Church became increasingly desperate."“Because the sovereigns were batteries, I think they are not able to defend themselves and keep the abyss powered up at the same, it’s making more sense now.”Miko

"Split up!" Miko shouted as Sylas launched toward them, his elongated limbs cutting through the air like whips.The team scattered in four directions just as the wraith's magic shattered the stone where they'd been standing. Chunks of rock exploded outward, forcing Liam to throw up a hasty wind barrier.“What’s that magic it’s shooting out?”“It looks like Miko’s Ash,” Liam said.“It’s not. It’s corruption from the Ab—“ Akiya said.“Corrupt mana,” Anna interrupted.“Yup! Corrupt mana!” Miko echoed."Anyone got a plan for fighting stretchy nightmare-fuel?" Liam called, sending a concentrated blast of wind that Sylas batted away like an annoying insect.Miko rolled to his feet, Ash element swirling darker around his hands. This wasn't like fighting standard Abyssal entities. Every instinct honed through years of AAU training screamed that they were outmatched."Anna, support!" he ordered, ducking under a corrupt fast blast from Sylas.“His energy signature is unlike anything! It's like

The journey back through the cavern system was painfully slow. Miko could barely walk, even with Liam and Akiya supporting him on either side. Anna took point, her light element providing both illumination and early warning of any remaining threats."Anyone else notice that our wraith friend didn't actually kill us when he had the chance?" Liam asked, adjusting his grip on Miko's arm. "Not that I'm complaining about being alive, but it seems like a weird choice for an all-powerful Abyss monster.""He wanted something from Miko," Anna said quietly, scanning the path ahead. "He called him 'Heir of Asterion' repeatedly.""And mentioned my bloodline," Miko added, wincing as pain shot through his leg. The modified Body Swap technique had left his entire nervous system hypersensitive. "Whatever Sylas was after, it wasn't just about killing AAU cadets."Akiya, who had been uncharacteristically quiet since the battle, suddenly stopped. "Listen."They all froze, straining to hear what had caug