The Hollow Court was behind them.
And yet… it wasn't.
Kael could still feel the warmth of that illusion burning beneath his skin. Not just the lust—though that had been there—but something deeper. A strange intimacy, a vulnerability, a clarity of what he wanted and what others might see in him.
But that had to wait.
A crimson corridor stretched before them, pulsing faintly like the spine of a living beast. The Hive architecture was more elegant now—less bone and slime, more carved obsidian and whispering runes.
Mina let out a low whistle. "Well, this place definitely screams 'evil queen throne room' vibes."
Kael raised a brow, his eyes scanning the walls. "You say that like it's a bad thing."
Seraya rolled her eyes. "Please don't encourage him."
---
> [System Alert – Zone Entry: The Crimson Spine]
Environmental Effect: Psychic Disruption Field – Moderate
Multiversal Anchor Stability: Slightly Weakened
Quest Progress Updated – Internal Only
Kael mentally dismissed the text. The system never stopped feeding him data now. Objectives, optional missions, warnings… even affection meters. But he'd learned by now not to speak it aloud.
His companions weren't meant to know. Not yet.
He casually adjusted his posture, feigning a stretch. "This place has weird energy flow. Keep your heads on a swivel."
---
[POV – Mina]
Weird energy flow, huh?
Mina didn't miss the subtle way Kael tensed when they crossed thresholds. Or the way his eyes sometimes flicked upward like he was reading something that wasn't there.
And the way he always seemed to know what was coming.
He was hiding something. Something big.
But she also couldn't deny that every time shit hit the fan, he was the one standing firm. The one charging in, taking the hit, saving their asses.
He was reckless. Arrogant. A little too smooth sometimes.
But he was also becoming the person she couldn't stop watching.
"Hey," she said, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "Try not to get us mind-melted this time."
Kael flashed a crooked smile. "No promises."
---
They pushed deeper into the Hive construct, reaching a narrow bridge suspended over a chasm of swirling red mist. Faint whispers echoed below.
Seraya halted mid-step. "Something's scanning us."
"Psionics?" Kael asked.
"Not just that. It's… watching. Learning. Feeding on our thoughts."
"Great," Mina muttered. "Creepy hallway number seven."
Kael's HUD flared briefly.
> [System Objective: Trace Hive Resonance Source]
Optional Subquests:
– Collect Hive Data Relics (0/3)
– Avoid Alerting the Crimson Warden
Rewards: EXP | Equipment Upgrade | Catalyst Fragment
Failure: Increased Enemy Difficulty in Future Areas
He filed it away mentally, masking it with a long exhale.
"Let's move," he said. "Fast."
---
They found the first Data Relic nestled into a broken Hive altar. Kael pried it free with the edge of his boot, slipping it into his inventory.
> [Data Relic 1/3 Acquired]
---
The path split ahead.
A deep chamber opened like a hungry mouth, rimmed with cracked Hive statues and covered in faintly glowing runes. A mist crept along the ground, curling around their boots.
A low rumble echoed. Then silence.
Then—
Roar.
The mist exploded outward as Hive poured from the walls. These weren't standard Thrall. They flickered like broken projections—half-formed thoughts given shape. Mind-Warped Echoes.
> [Combat Encounter Initiated – Mini-Trial: Defend the Relic Core]
---
Kael blinked to the center, dropping a Healing + Empowering Rift.
Seraya activated a psi-barrier across their flank, repelling incoming Echoes. "Mina, suppress the eastern flank!"
Mina pulled out her grenade launcher, dialed in a target, and fired. A concussive pulse blasted three Echoes into the pit below. "Suppressed. With style."
Kael was already switching weapons.
> [Quick Inventory Access – Gacha Slot Roll: Confirmed]
Rolling...
Item Acquired: The Last Word (Exotic Hand Cannon)
He caught it as it materialized mid-spin, flipped the chamber, and fired. The echo of gunfire mixed with the hum of Hive screeches.
"Always wanted to try this one."
> [Kael Super Ready – Arcstrider Activated]
Electric energy arced down his arms. Kael surged forward in a streak of light, slicing through enemies in a wild spin.
Mina watched him, awe and irritation mingling on her face.
"Showoff," she muttered.
---
[POV – Seraya]
Seraya's breathing was slow. Controlled.
But even she couldn't ignore the tension creeping into her thoughts.
This place wanted her to feel. To unravel.
Kael was dangerous. Not because he was unstable—but because he was controlled. Charming. Magnetic. Like a black hole wrapped in humor and heroism.
She shook herself from the thought and launched a psi-lance through two Hive mid-charge.
"Focus," she whispered.
---
> [Wave Cleared – Core Secured]
[Data Relic 2/3 Acquired]
---
They regrouped near a Hive spine wall where Kael had knelt to inspect glyph patterns.
Mina leaned against the wall, breathing hard. "Alright. Two relics. A thousand more creeps to go."
"Two relics, one mystery stalker, and a psychic whispering pit," Kael corrected. "We're doing great."
"You're lucky you're hot," Mina muttered.
Seraya snorted softly.
Kael blinked, mock offended. "Was that a compliment or a cry for help?"
Mina threw a light punch at his arm.
---
Further down the corridor, Kael spotted a Hive door sealed with three rune locks.
> [System Update – Final Gate: Sealed by Memory Locks]
His eyes narrowed. There were faint cracks of reality around the door—flickers, like static in the air.
This place wasn't just Hive anymore.
It was something older. Something bleeding through the seams of reality.
---
"Alright," Kael said casually, wiping sweat from his brow. "Something's behind that door. Something we don't want to surprise us later."
Mina crossed her arms. "So what do we do?"
"We go in first."
---
They gathered before the final entrance—Kael at the center, hands resting loosely on his new revolver.
Mina stood to his left, checking her ammo and muttering about her last grenade.
Seraya stood silently on his right, energy faintly shimmering around her fingertips.
Kael looked at them both. His system pulsed with a half-dozen notices. Timers. Danger assessments. Potential future quests.
He ignored them all for now.
Instead, he looked at his team.
"You two ready?"
Seraya nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be."
Mina cracked her knuckles. "Let's find out what's waiting behind door number ten."
---
Kael reached forward.
The runes flared to life, recognizing something in his touch. The door creaked open, revealing a staircase spiraling downward into red-gold light.
And at the bottom… something breathed.
---
To Be Continued Chapter 11 – Consort of the Deep
---