Dusk draped its veil across the ruined horizon, the last light of the sun smearing the sky in blood-red and gold. The march of Kaelen's company slowed, their shadows stretching long and weary against the cracked earth. For hours they had walked in silence, and then, at last, the land itself seemed to give way.

Before them lay the threshold of what had once been the Outlands—now the domain of Endless, twisted into the Land of the Labyrinth and Abyss.

It was quieter than anything they had passed before. Too quiet. The air itself felt heavier, suffocating, yet no sound broke it. Not a whisper of wind, not the groan of trees, not even the faint tremor of hidden creatures. It was as though the very world held its breath, awaiting something unspeakable.

The land stretched vast and barren, an ashen desert streaked with jagged stone, broken in places where chasms yawned like the mouths of the dead. Far in the distance, they could see the faint silhouette of towering labyrinth walls, black as obsidian, reaching so high they seemed to touch the dying light of the sky.

Morris narrowed his eyes, scanning the desolation. His voice was low, uneasy.

"It's… empty. Too empty. Even Endless' kingdom should show some sign of life. A guard post. A beast. Something."

Guinevere's flames flickered faintly at her fingertips, her instincts prickling. "It feels wrong. As though the land itself has been hollowed out."

Drake stepped forward, his hand on the hilt of his greatsword, his voice carrying to all. "Stay sharp. If it is this silent, it means something waits. And silence is more dangerous than a war cry."

The elves shared uneasy glances, Maeralyn clutching her sword tightly. Even the Nullcarvers, resilient and proud, held their breaths, the forest-trained Eirana pressing her hand against the ground as if seeking to feel qi beneath it—only to recoil at the nothingness that answered.

Kaelen alone remained steady. He had been watching the horizon, his light blue eyes reflecting the dimming light. Though the unease stirred within him, he forced his voice calm, grounding the others.

"Do not think too much on it. If Endless wanted to strike us here, he would have. This silence is his game, nothing more. We will not waste our strength chasing ghosts."

Kelvin exhaled slowly, nodding once. "So we wait?"

Kaelen turned, surveying the company. His gaze lingered on each of them—his friends, his allies, the remnants of races and families who had all lost something to the abyss. His tone softened, though it held the firmness of command.

"The borders are before us. Beyond lies the Labyrinth, and within it, Endless himself. We go forward at dawn."

He raised a hand, pointing toward a stretch of level ground that rested just before the jagged border. A hollow plain, barren but wide enough to hold their host.

"Set up camp here. Rest while we can. When the sun rises, we march into the Abyss."

There was no argument. Weariness already weighed on them heavier than their weapons, and though unease gnawed at their hearts, the thought of reprieve, however brief, was welcome.

Tents were raised quickly, lines of fires sparked against the growing dark. The Grey family's warriors moved in disciplined formation, while the elves wove faint wards of light to shield the camp. The Nullcarvers, quiet and efficient, arranged their formation in silence, ever ready.

As the fires burned, the company gathered close, their faces dim in the glow. The flames crackled, yet even here the silence pressed, so thick that their voices felt swallowed by it. They ate little, they spoke less. Some prayed. Others sharpened their blades as though steel alone could anchor them against the fear of what tomorrow would bring.

Kaelen sat apart, his blade across his knees, his eyes fixed on the distant silhouette of the labyrinth walls. The Blade of Eternity pulsed faintly, blue light flickering against the encroaching dark, as though it too awaited the dawn.

Lila quietly sat beside him, her Seer's eyes watching the same horizon. For a time, neither spoke. And then she whispered, so soft only he could hear:

"It feels like the world itself mourns, Kaelen. Like tomorrow will decide if it ends… or begins again."

Kaelen's fingers tightened around his blade. His gaze did not waver. "Then tomorrow, we write its fate."

Behind them, the fires burned, and the camp settled into uneasy silence. Ahead, the abyss waited—an open mouth of shadow and ruin. And above, the first stars flickered into view, pale and faint, as though afraid to shine too brightly over Endless' domain.

At that moment, the night was still. The stars glimmered faintly above, scattered jewels against the dark canvas of the sky. Kaelen and Lila continued to sit on the outskirts of the camp, the fires behind them casting an orange glow while the silence stretched between them like an old companion. Neither needed words—Lila's presence was a quiet balm, and Kaelen's thoughts were too heavy to shape into speech.

Then—

A sudden commotion broke the stillness.

"Who are you!?"

"Where did you come from!?"

Raised voices cut through the camp, sharp and tense, like the snapping of taut strings. The clamor drew Kaelen and Lila's attention at once. They turned, their gazes narrowing toward the heart of the camp where warriors of the Grey family, elves, and Nullcarvers had gathered in a tight ring. The sound of steel sliding free carried across the cold air.

'Whats going on?'

Kaelen thought as he rose instantly, his hand instinctively brushing the hilt of the Blade of Eternity. Lila followed close behind as the two of them moved swiftly into the camp.

The crowd parted just enough for Kaelen to see what caused the uproar.

At the center of the ring stood a foxkin girl, her furred ears twitching nervously beneath the weight of countless hostile glares. Her garments were torn and dust-stained, her breath labored as though she had run leagues without stopping. Despite her ragged state, her amber eyes burned with fierce determination as she stood her ground.

And shielding her from the tightening circle of soldiers was Kelvin. His stance was protective, his aura faintly pulsing with the dangerous edge of Chaos that made even hardened veterans hesitate to move closer. His voice carried sharply over the murmurs.

"She is not our enemy. Stand down."

The warriors hesitated, but the suspicion in their eyes did not fade.

Kaelen pushed through the crowd, his tall frame and cold presence parting men and elves alike. When the foxkin's gaze landed on him, recognition sparked in her eyes—and for Kaelen, memory flooded back with a sudden pang.

Crescent Paw Town.

That quaint settlement of beastkin, hidden beyond the borders, where he and Kelvin had stumbled upon respite in the past. And more vividly, he remembered the day this very foxkin girl sold them the ever-changing map, her sly grin hiding sharp wit as she bargained boldly with them.

But now there was no grin. No spark of mischief. Only exhaustion and a haunting grief that clung to her aura like smoke after fire.

Kaelen's eyes narrowed, his voice low yet cutting through the murmurs.

"…You."

The foxkin's ears lowered slightly, but she straightened her posture, forcing strength into her trembling frame.

"I had no choice but to come here." Her voice was raw, hoarse from travel and strain, but it did not waver. "Crescent Paw… it's gone."

The weight of her words sank into the camp like a stone thrown into still water. Conversations faltered, the clamor of suspicion turned into a hushed silence. The Grey family soldiers glanced at one another uneasily. The elves stilled, their expressions darkening. Even the Nullcarvers, stoic and battle-hardened, furrowed their brows at the gravity in her tone.

Kaelen's heart tightened as fragments of intuition fell into place. He had already suspected. The silence of the lands they crossed. The absence of life. And now, standing before him was the proof.

The foxkin swallowed hard, amber eyes flickering as though seeing again the horror she had fled. Her voice cracked as she forced the words out.

"Endless came. He descended upon the town himself. With… with just a snap of his fingers, he erased everything. Everyone. Even the elders. The Crescent Paw no longer exists. Only I…" Her voice trembled, but she lifted her chin defiantly. "…Only I remain."

The silence deepened. Grief and anger swept like an unseen wave through the gathered warriors. Many lowered their heads, fists tightening. A few muttered prayers under their breath.

Kaelen stepped closer, the moonlight tracing the edge of his profile. He studied her quietly, his voice quiet but firm.

"You survived. Why come here?"

Her gaze met his, and for the first time, the mask of composure cracked—revealing fear beneath. But not fear of him. Fear of what still lingered in her memory.

"Because… Endless is stronger than you think. I saw him with my own eyes, his very being can't be understood with logic. I noticed you guys were matching towards that dreadful place that seems to be his domain so I decided to tag along to warn you of how dreadful he is" She shook her head, fists trembling. "If you truly mean to face him, you cannot underestimate him. Not even for a heartbeat."

Behind Kaelen, the company shifted uneasily. Even the most battle-hardened warriors faltered at the weight of her words. Guinevere's flames burned hotter, reflecting her frustration. Morris stood rigid, his hand clenching until veins stood out in his wrist.

Kelvin's expression, however, was grim but unsurprised. He glanced at Kaelen, his tone steady but low.

"She's telling the truth. When he awakened… I felt it. His power. If he wished, he could unmake this world piece by piece."

Kaelen let out a slow breath, the chill of it curling in the night air. His gaze lingered on the foxkin girl, then lifted to the horizon, where the labyrinth walls loomed faintly in the distance.

"…Then tomorrow's dawn cannot wait any longer."

His words were quiet, but they carried like steel through the camp. Every ear caught them, every heart stiffened. He turned back to his people, his allies, his friends.

"Rest tonight. At first light, we march. No more detours. No more hesitation. We face the abyss—and we end this."

The foxkin girl bowed her head, relief flickering in her amber eyes. And as the camp slowly began to settle, letting the Foxkin girl to stay, Kaelen remained standing in silence, his hand brushing the Blade of Eternity. His gaze drifted upward once more to the stars.

Yet beneath his calm resolve, the shadow of Endless loomed heavier than ever.