The throne pulsed, its power quaking as the force behind the presence seemed to shift. The ground trembled beneath me, the very foundation of the dungeon shaking as the throne reacted, sensing the change.
Suddenly, there was a brilliant flash of shadow, and from the depths of the throne's aura, a massive, knightly figure materialized.
The figure was tall, clad in armor made of shadows and ethereal mist, its form solidifying with each passing second. Its visor gleamed with an ominous, golden glow, and its sword was drawn, pointing downward in a position of respect.
"My liege," the figure intoned, its voice deep and reverent. "The throne has recognized your supremacy. You are the true ruler of the Abyss. I bow before you, my sovereign."
The voice from the throne had all but disappeared, leaving only the hum of the dark power that surrounded us. The presence, once so imposing, now felt… uncertain. The very being that had mocked and threatened us seemed to shrink in the face of the power I wielded.
I looked down at the kneeling figure, my gaze unwavering. The abyssal power inside me surged, but I remained in control, the shadows around me undulating with my will.
"Rise," I commanded, my voice cold and imperious.
The knightly figure stood, its helmeted gaze never leaving mine. Its sword, still held firmly in its grasp, remained pointed downward—a symbol of both its respect and submission.
"I am not your enemy," I continued, my tone softening slightly, though still filled with authority. "But understand this. The Abyss answers to me now. And you, as its servant, will follow."
The figure's posture shifted slightly, as if processing my words, but then it nodded slowly. "As you command, my sovereign."
I nodded, though my attention remained on the kneeling figure, whose presence now exuded a quiet submission. "Good. This is just the beginning. The Abyss is vast, and its power is limitless. But with it under my command, we will reshape everything."
The knightly figure, still standing tall and unwavering before me, tilted its head slightly as if pondering the weight of its next words.
The shadows that had once enveloped it now seemed to stir, as if in anticipation of what was to come.
"My sovereign," the figure intoned once more, its voice deep and respectful. "I am but a manifestation of the Abyss, a servant to its will. Yet, now that I am bound to you, I ask... What name shall I bear?"
I studied the figure, the ethereal mist swirling around it as if it was part of its very essence. The golden gleam of its visor remained steady, its posture perfect—almost like a warrior awaiting command, a knight eager for purpose.
"Names carry power," I said, my voice echoing with the weight of the abyssal energy within me. "A name can shape your destiny, mold your existence. You are no longer just a servant of the Abyss; you are something more. You are my shadow, my protector. You will stand at my side as I wield this power."
The figure remained silent, awaiting my decision, its form steadfast, the energy around it vibrating with anticipation. I could feel the Abyss itself hum in resonance with the moment.
"You will be called Vorathos," I declared, my voice ringing out with finality. "You are the embodiment of the abyssal will. You shall be my first and mightiest knight—my shadow, my sword."
The figure bowed its head once more, its posture even more resolute than before.
"Vorathos, my liege," it said, its voice tinged with reverence. "I accept the name you have given me. I shall serve you with unwavering loyalty, as the blade of your will."
A deep surge of power radiated from Vorathos, the shadows around him now swirling in harmony with the new name. It felt as though the dungeon itself had acknowledged the transformation, the air shifting slightly as if in recognition of the knight's rebirth.
I stepped forward, my gaze unwavering as I met the knight's solemn stance.
"Then rise, Vorathos. Together, we will bring forth the true power of the Abyss," I said, my words carrying the weight of both command and promise.
With a final, powerful motion, Vorathos straightened, his sword now held firmly in his right hand. The energy around him settled into a quieter, but still palpable, force.
"Yes, my liege," Vorathos replied, his voice now full of certainty. "I will serve you again until the end of time itself."
I nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Thank you, Vorathos."
With Vorathos standing by my side, a formidable presence, I took a deep breath, feeling the power of the Abyss coursing through my veins. The shadows that had once wrapped around me slowly receded, as if acknowledging my command.
The transformation I had undergone, the surge of abyssal energy that had reshaped me, began to unravel as I willed it to fade.
Raiden, Gabriel, and the others watched in silence as I returned to my normal form, the shift subtle but significant.
The tension in the air lessened, but the weight of what had transpired still hung over us all. Vorathos, now standing at ease, had returned to his silent, stoic presence beside me, the faintest shimmer of his armor still visible in the dim light.
Raiden broke the silence first, his voice rough but filled with relief. "We… we did it," he said, almost to himself, as if still trying to come to terms with the enormity of what had just occurred.
Gabriel's wings twitched slightly, his eyes scanning the area. "And no one… no one is seriously hurt," he added, looking toward the others. "We're all still standing."
Leon gave a relieved chuckle, his face lighting up with a grin. "That's the best part. No one died, no one's on the verge of collapse. For once, it feels like we actually managed to pull this off."
Ji Seong-Ho and Alexander nodded in agreement, his usual stoic expression softened with a rare smile. "I expected the worst, but it seems we had more than just strength on our side this time."
I glanced around at the group, taking in their reactions. There was a sense of shared relief in the air. The battle had been fierce, but we had emerged victorious.
With the group standing together in solidarity, the tension fully melted away. Even as Vorathos remained vigilant beside me, there was a sense of finality in the air. The raid was over. The threat that had once felt all-encompassing had been quelled—at least for now.
The dungeon had been conquered, the Abyss had been subdued, and we had emerged victorious without the loss of a single life. It was a rare, precious outcome.
And for that, we could all take a moment to savor our hard-earned victory. We had faced the unimaginable and walked out not just alive—but stronger.