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Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 25
The training dummy burst into flames as Akiya's fireball connected, leaving scorch marks across its surface."Ha! Third one today!" She pumped her fist in the air. "Did you see that, Miko? Perfect form!""Could you celebrate a little quieter?" Liam grumbled from his corner, arm draped over his eyes. "Some of us are trying to rest.""You mean slack off," Anna said softly, not breaking her concentration on her barrier practice. A faint blue shield shimmered in front of her."I prefer to call it energy conservation," Liam yawned. "Very important for mages.""Is that what they're calling laziness these days?" Miko asked, working on his own forms.A knock at the door made them all turn. Mrs. Rose stood in the doorway, watching them with an amused expression. She looked different today - more serious than her usual warm demeanor."Good morning, Clan Dusk." Her eyes swept over the room, taking in the burning dummy, Liam's relaxed pose, and Anna's barrier work. "Mind if I borrow your leader f
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 26
The magic tower stood apart from the rest of the academy, its pale stone walls stretching toward the clouds. Miko stared up at it, wondering how many students actually bothered to come here.The entrance hall was empty except for a bored-looking clerk who barely glanced up from his book."Science section's on the third floor," he mumbled. "Try not to break anything."The stairs wound upward in a tight spiral. Each floor he passed had different magical formulas floating in the air, glowing softly in the dim light. The third floor was darker than the others, lit only by the glow of magical diagrams."Hello?" Miko called out.No answer. Just rows of dusty books and floating diagrams. He was about to leave when he heard scratching sounds coming from behind a bookshelf.A girl sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by open books and floating circles of light. Her dark hair was tied back messily, and she was muttering to herself as she scribbled in a notebook.mn"Wrong... that's wrong to
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 27
"Focus on the flow," Sara said, sitting cross-legged across from Miko in the tower's study room. "Magic isn't just power - it's a current running through you."Three days had passed since their first meeting. Books and diagrams surrounded them, some floating, others scattered across the floor."I am focusing," Miko muttered, eyes closed."No, you're trying to force it. Magic circles aren't formed through strength." She adjusted her position. "Think of it like your ash element. How does that feel when it flows?"Miko concentrated on the familiar sensation. "Like smoke curling through air.""Good. Now imagine that flow taking shape. Not just dispersing, but following a pattern."He'd been skeptical at first about meditation, but Sara's excitement about every tiny discovery made it hard not to get invested. Yesterday, she'd practically jumped with joy when he described how his magic felt different from standard fire users."Your acceleration technique," she said suddenly. "Show me again
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 28
Sara paced the tower room, her notes scattered across three different tables. Morning light streamed through the high windows, catching dust motes in its beams."Try it again," she said, pencil poised over her notebook. "But this time, focus on the outer edge of the circle."Miko closed his eyes, letting his magic flow naturally. The circle appeared around him, stronger than yesterday, its edges rippling like smoke in wind."Now the acceleration technique."He vanished. The books on the nearest table fluttered as he reappeared across the room."Sweet mother of magic..." Sara's pencil dropped. "That was... you just... the speed...""Was it faster?""Faster? Miko, you moved so fast I couldn't track the displacement pattern!" She scrambled to pick up her pencil. "Your circle isn't just channeling the magic more efficiently - it's actively adapting to each technique!"She rushed to one of her diagrams. "Normal circles are static. They help channel magic but the pattern stays fixed. Yours.
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 29
"You've been disappearing a lot lately," Akiya said, lounging on the dorm's common room couch. "Secret training?""Something like that." Miko stretched, his muscles sore from hours of practice with Sara."Well, I'm bored." She sat up suddenly. "Let's go get some of those spiced dumplings from the lower ring.""The ones with enhancement magic mixed in the sauce?" Liam perked up from his usual corner."Those are illegal," Anna reminded them softly."Which is why they're so good." Akiya grinned. "Come on, Miko. You've been cooped up in that tower for days."Miko considered it. He had been pushing himself hard with the circle training..."Fine. But just for food."The lower ring was different at night. Magic lights flickered irregularly, creating shadows that seemed to move on their own. Street vendors called out their wares in hushed voices, offering everything from enhanced snacks to questionable potions."There!" Akiya pointed to a small cart wreathed in fragrant steam. "Old Man Chen's
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 30
Ice shards flew through the air like deadly stars. Miko's circle pulsed as he moved, his new speed making him almost invisible to the crowd."Better," the Cat said, sounding pleased. "Much better than before."Another barrage of ice, but this time Miko didn't just dodge. His flames adapted, smoke-like patterns shifting as he countered with his own attack. Fire swirled, meeting the ice head-on.The crowd roared."Look at those flames!""Never seen one move like that!""The ash user's gotten stronger!"The Cat stepped back, head tilting. "You've learned to utilize your natural flow. Smart. Most mages try to force traditional patterns.""Had a good teacher.""Indeed." Ice crystals began forming in the air. "But theory can only take you so far. Show me what else you've learned."The temperature plummeted as the Cat launched their next attack. Walls of ice erupted from the ground, trying to trap Miko in a deadly maze.But Miko's flames flared brighter. He accelerated through gaps that shou
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 31
Frost crept across the arena floor as the Cat masked man raised their power. The temperature dropped so low that water vapor in the air began crystallizing, creating a glittering mist around them."Twenty percent," the Cat said softly. "Let's see how well you've grown."Their first attack came without warning. Ice erupted in a wave that would have frozen a lesser mage solid. Miko's circle flared as he accelerated away, but the cold still bit at his heels."Better reaction time," the Cat noted. "But still too slow."They appeared behind Miko, ice forming mid-strike. He barely managed to throw up a barrier of ash and fire, but the force still sent him skidding back."That circle of yours..." The Cat gestured, creating spears of ice. "It adapts well. But can it keep up?"The ice spears shot forward. Miko's circle pulsed, its patterns shifting as he wove between them. Each dodge was precise, calculated - just as Sara had taught him about efficient movement."Good." Another wave of attacks
Sovereign of The Abyss Chapter 32
The Cat moved with that impossible speed, appearing directly in front of Miko. Their ice magic flared, stronger than before, cold enough to make him pulse in warning."Careful with those accusations," they said softly. "Some mysteries are better left unsolved.""Brother." The voice from above had an edge of warning now. "We're leaving."Brother?The Cat stepped back, their mask catching what little light remained through the gas. "You've grown stronger,“"Truth about what?"More canisters hit the ground, filling the arena with fresh waves of gas. Through the thickening smoke, Miko saw a figure drop down beside the Cat - another masked person, but wearing black instead of white."Always so dramatic," the newcomer sighed. "Let's go.""Remember this feeling," the Cat said to Miko. "Remember what twenty percent of real power feels like. You'll need that memory in the capital.""How do you know about—"But they were already moving. The Cat's ice magic flared one last time, creating a beaut
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Chapter 61
Morning arrived with the antiseptic smell of the medical ward and the soft beeping of monitoring equipment. Miko woke with a jolt, momentarily disoriented before remembering where he was. Across the room, Liam snored softly, one arm flung dramatically across his face. Akiya sat cross-legged on her bed, already awake and flipping through a data tablet. Anna was nowhere to be seen."Morning, sunshine," Akiya said without looking up. "Anna's already been cleared. She's getting us breakfast."Miko stretched, wincing at the stiffness in his muscles. "Any updates on the incident?""Nothing official. But the ward's been buzzing with rumors." She finally looked up, her expression serious. "Apparently, what we faced wasn't an isolated incident. There were two other breaches reported last night—different sectors, same pattern.""Searching," Miko murmured."That's what they're saying."The door slid open, and Anna entered carrying a tray of food. Her usual quiet demeanor seemed intensified, like
Chapter 60
Miko sprinted through the evacuated streets, his lungs burning with each breath. The air tasted wrong—metallic and sharp with that unmistakable hint of Ash. He rounded the corner and froze.Three figures stood against impossible odds, holding back what should have been an overwhelming incursion. Liam's wind cut precise paths through the air, each gust a deadly blade. Akiya's flames painted complex barriers of fire, forcing back entities that shouldn't exist in this world. And at the center, Anna's light pulsed in intricate patterns, somehow maintaining order in the midst of chaos.An AAU tactical unit had finally arrived, officers deploying containment protocols with practiced efficiency. But their expressions betrayed their shock. This wasn't supposed to be possible—three students holding an incursion at bay."Miko?" Liam called out when he spotted Miko, somehow maintaining that insufferable grin despite everything."What happened?" Miko demanded, rushing to join their formation."Ro
Chapter 59
Liam had claimed a corner table—the one with the slightly wobbly leg that he insisted gave the space "character." A half-eaten slice of cheesecake sat before him, more decoration than actual dessert. A spoon balanced precariously on the bridge of his nose, defying gravity with the same casual ease that he seemed to approach most of life."I'm telling you," he announced to his teammates, the spoon wobbling with each word, "this is a legitimate stress-management technique."Akiya rolled her eyes, flames dancing between her fingers—a nervous habit she'd never quite managed to control. "Balancing cutlery is your idea of stress management?""Some people meditate," Liam replied, not breaking his concentration. "I balance spoons."Across the table, Anna hunched over a stack of research papers, her dark hair falling forward to create a curtain between her and the world. Mumbled calculations escaped her lips—something about artifact resonance and magical frequency patterns."Did you say someth
Chapter 58
A group of four approached quickly, their expressions filled with irritation. Their leader, a tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp features, was the first to speak.“What the hell happened to you lot?” His tone was demanding, accusatory. “We were supposed to stick together, but your team disappeared. You abandoned the plan.”Anna, still nursing a bruise on her temple, raised a hand as if to calm him. “We didn’t—”“Don’t.” The man cut her off, his voice low but firm. “We found a clue. A direct lead to the relic. And instead of following procedure, your team vanished into thin air. We spent hours trying to figure out where you went.”“We had a lead of our own,” Anna tried again, her voice even. “We had no choice but to follow—”A sharp whistle cut through the tension.Hayes,The senior officer stood near the entrance of the makeshift command post, arms crossed, his face unreadable. But there was an unmistakable weight behind his stare as he looked directly at Miko and Keisha.“Is that
Chapter 57
Time seemed to slow as Miko faced his impossible choice. The wraith loomed over him, obsidian face mere inches away, reflecting his own distorted image back at him."Your decision time has expired," the wraith said, its voice laced with cruel amusement. "The relic. Now."Miko didn't move."Very well," the wraith's form seemed to expand, darkening the tunnel further. "Then you leave me no choice but to demonstrate the consequences of defiance." It gestured toward Akiya who was still struggling to her feet. "Perhaps I'll start with the fire girl. Her flames were... delicious.""No!" Anna tried to throw up another barrier, but her magic fizzled weakly, her reserves nearly depleted."How touching," the wraith mocked. "Such loyalty. Such devotion. Completely wasted, of course." It turned back to Miko. "Final opportunity, boy. Surrender the relic, or watch your friends suffer before they die."The tension in the tunnel was suffocating. Keisha clutched the relic container to her chest, her k
Chapter 56
"Wise advice from the Stormweaver," the wraith conceded. "But unnecessary. I don't need to create division when the truth will do it for me." It drifted closer. "Why do you think you were assigned to this mission, ash-wielder? Why you specifically?""Enough talking," Miko's fire burned brighter. "We're leaving.""Are you?" Another artifact in the wraith's shoulder began glowing, and suddenly the tunnel behind them collapsed, cutting off their retreat. "I think not.""Anna!" Miko called.She understood immediately, throwing up her strongest barrier between them and the wraith. But instead of attacking, the creature simply placed one elongated hand against the magical shield. The barrier didn't break—it dissolved, the magic seemingly absorbed into one of the artifacts embedded in the wraith's palm."Magic nullification," Anna gasped, stumbling backward. "That's not possible.""All things are possible with the right tools," the wraith replied. "Your human magic is just crude manipulation
Chapter 55
Miko didn't answer, but he had a feeling Keisha Stormweaver wasn't someone who gave up easily once her curiosity was aroused.The relic pulsed in its container, its blue light seemingly synchronized with Miko's heartbeat for just a moment before returning to its own rhythm. Whatever connection existed between them, Miko knew instinctively that it was only beginning.Someone had brought this team together specifically to find this relic. And he was increasingly certain that someone was playing a much longer game than any of them realized.Then suddenly,"That's the third time we've passed that support beam," Liam said, coming to a stop. His usual lazy demeanor had given way to sharp alertness, eyes darting between familiar markings on the tunnel wall. "The one with the red mining symbol, this is the third time we’ve passed it.""That's the third time we've passed that support beam," Liam said, coming to a stop. His usual lazy demeanor had given way to sharp alertness, eyes darting bet
Chapter 54
The guardian was now moving agitatedly around the clearing's perimeter, its wooden body creaking with tension. The forest itself seemed to respond to its distress—the not-sunlight dimming, the plants curling inward, the glowing insects scattering.Keisha made a quick decision, pulling a specially lined container from her pack. "This should contain it temporarily." She lifted the relic carefully, and as it left the pedestal, several things happened simultaneously.The forest darkened completely, plunging them into momentary blackness before Akiya's fire provided light. The guardian let out a sound like splintering wood and collapsed to the ground, its body suddenly lifeless. And from the direction they had entered, came a chittering noise that raised the hair on the back of their necks."Move!" Miko ordered as fire erupted around his hands. "Back to the entrance, now!"They ran, Keisha clutching the containment box, Akiya lighting their way with controlled flames. The forest that had s
Chapter 53
The branches parted slowly, deliberately. Squad Seven formed a defensive line instinctively—Miko and Keisha at the center, Akiya and Liam flanking, Anna providing barrier support from behind, with Trent and Devra protected in the rear, their detection equipment humming with activity.First came the sound—a clicking unlike any natural creature. Then movement—smooth, yet somehow mechanical. Finally, the figure emerged fully into the dappled not-quite-sunlight.It stood roughly the height of a tall human, but the resemblance ended there. Its body appeared to be made of interlocking wooden segments, like armor crafted from living trees. Where a face should have been, there was only a smooth wooden mask with intricate carvings instead of features. Tiny plants grew from crevices in its form, and glowing insects similar to those in the forest drifted lazily around it."Holy shit," Akiya whispered, flames dancing nervously between her fingers.The creature tilted its empty and featureless hea
