Chapter 35: Awakening Within the Abyss
The air thickened, charged with oppressive energy as Cirth's Soul Domain engulfed the surroundings. Shadows twisted into grotesque forms, clawing at the edges of Karen's vision. The darkness was suffocating, threatening to consume her spirit.
But amidst the chaos, a calm spark flickered within Karen's heart.
She tightened her grip on The Abyss, feeling its cold weight solidify her resolve. The proto-domain Shadow Bloom responded, petals unfurling like ethereal wings, casting a soft yet defiant glow against the consuming night.
"Not today," Karen whispered, her voice steady.
The shadows reaching toward her faltered, recoiling from the light of her awakening power.
Joshua, battling Cirth with fierce determination, glanced toward her. "Focus, Karen! Use your domain. Trust yourself."
Drawing a deep breath, Karen reached inside herself and called forth the core of her proto-domain. Slowly, the swirling darkness in her palms began to organize — shaping into delicate but razor-sharp blossoms of shadow energy that floated around her like a protective storm.
She extended her soul-bound weapon, and The Abyss responded, shifting from a spectral blade into a shimmering scythe wrapped in shadow petals.
With a decisive slash, she cut through the tendrils of Cirth's domain, a sharp arc of dark energy blooming outward, disrupting the oppressive field.
The shadows hissed and writhed, their hold weakening as Karen pushed forward, her confidence growing with each pulse of energy.
Beside her, Marie, Leslie, and Jim renewed their assaults, empowered by Karen's surge, carving through the Veil operatives who faltered under the unexpected counterattack.
Cirth's sneer deepened, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"You're stronger than I thought, child."
Joshua's clash with Cirth grew more fierce, but now bolstered by Karen's rising strength, the tide was slowly turning.
The battle was far from over — but Karen had stepped through a threshold. From the abyss of darkness, she was beginning to rise.