Awakening of the Abyss
— Him…?
Caligem ignored him.
— I can give you power.
— Enough power…
— To bring all your enemies to ruin.
Silence.
Daichi bowed his head.
Or what was left of it.
— I refuse.
The darkness… reacted.
— My suffering…
His voice faltered.
— It’s greater than anything.
— I can't bear to live anymore.
— Just… let me disappear.
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
A laugh.
Quieter.
Closer.
— Hmm…
— Your pain…
— It’s delicious.
The whole room seemed to close in.
— You’re arrogant even about that.
— Leave me alone…!
Daichi shouted.
— So… look.
Something has changed.
The darkness parted.
Images appeared.
The mansion.
The nobleman.
Guards.
Orders being given.
Cold.
Direct.
— Raid the village.
— Kill the men.
— Bring the girls.
Daichi’s world has fallen apart.
— No…
— That…
— That’s not…
Erza's face.
Kaito.
Liora.
Here.
Everyone is in danger.
His chest tightened.
Anger.
A burning rage.
— I…
His fists clenched.
— I want to go back.
Silence.
— But…
He breathed heavily.
— I don’t have the strength.
— Ahh…
Caligem’s voice returned.
Satisfied.
Almost… happy.
— That was all you needed to say.
Something was approaching.
Very close.
— I’m going to give you…
— A little taste.
— Of the power that already exists within you.
The presence became overwhelming.
— But listen carefully…
The voice grew cold.
Sharp.
— Just five minutes.
— If you go beyond that…
— Your body will break.
Silence.
— And of course…
A soft chuckle.
— That’s not even close to your true potential.
Daichi looked up.
This time…
With something different.
— That's enough.
Silence.
So—
— Go.
The darkness began to fade.
— And bring them all…
The voice echoed.
Deeper.
More hungry.
— To me.
— GO, DAICHI.
The night was silent.
Until the sky changed.
Dark clouds began to form.
Swirl.
Piling up.
Heavy.
The air grew thick.
Suffocating.
Then—
CRAAASH!!
A black bolt of lightning struck.
Right into the hole.
Where Daichi’s body lay.
The ground shook.
An explosion of energy spread out.
Purple electricity crackling through the air.
Dancing across the floor.
Up the walls.
The whole mansion shook.
— What is that…?!
Guards looked outside.
Frightened.
CRAAASH!!
Another bolt of lightning.
Loud.
The sky seemed to… react.
As if something were being awakened.
The ground cracked.
The energy began to rise.
From the hole.
Slowly.
Heavy.
And then—
A hand appeared.
Holding the edge.
Silence.
Daichi.
He stood up.
Slowly.
His body was trembling.
A dark energy enveloped everything.
Like living smoke.
His eyes opened.
Red.
Deep.
Like burning embers.
Emotionless.
The third bolt struck.
CRAAASH!!!
The torn robe was destroyed.
Leaving only his scarred body.
Covered in dried blood.
He spread his arms.
The energy exploded.
— AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!
The scream tore through the air.
Shockwaves spread out.
Pushing everything around.
Earth.
Wood.
Dust.
Everything vibrated.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Until—
Silence.
The energy began to subside.
Slowly.
Daichi stood still.
Bent over.
Breathing heavily.
— Haa…
— Haa…
His body seemed unsteady.
As if he weren’t fully… there.
He took a step.
Unsteady.
Another.
Shuffling.
Head down.
His eyes still shining in the dark.
Something about him…
Was no longer human.
CRAAASH!!
A black bolt of lightning struck in front of the mansion.
The ground exploded.
When the light faded…
He was there.
Daichi.
Standing.
The dark energy was still flowing through his body.
Like living shadows.
The guards froze.
— W-what is that…?
One of them stepped forward.
Trembling.
— Hey… you—
Daichi raised his hand.
Without rushing.
He pointed.
Silence.
And then—
The soldier’s body froze.
For a moment…
Nothing happened.
Until—
The head separated.
Falling.
The body followed shortly after.
Complete silence.
— MONSTER!!
The others advanced.
All at once.
Swords.
Spears.
Screams.
Daichi didn’t move.
The first blow came.
He dodged it.
By inches.
The second—
He blocked it with his hand.
The blade stopped.
As if it had hit a rock.
— …?!
Daichi spun around.
A blow.
Another guard fell.
But this time…
They didn’t back down.
They surrounded him.
They attacked together.
Daichi was hit.
One cut.
Then another.
— Tsk…
His body… reacted slowly.
Unsteady.
But the energy…
Exploded.
He moved forward.
Faster.
Much faster.
He vanished.
And appeared behind one of them.
Strike.
Another one fell.
— Is he moving…?!
Confusion.
Fear.
Daichi wasn’t thinking.
