In this world of eternal medieval atmosphere, magic and powers are not just tales, but the foundation of existence. Here, destiny is written under the constant conflict between three worlds: humans, the abyss, and the celestial world.

  The beginning of this great clash occurred three thousand years ago. Everything erupted because of the "Prophecy of the Two Beings," an omen that increased the militaristic fervor in all kingdoms, forcing enemies and allies to prepare for the worst. Amid this tension, the true trigger emerges: a brilliant sorcerer driven by curiosity and ambition that bordered on madness. His goal was to know the abyss, an earthly space that, after the "Great War," had been erased from history and dismissed simply as a myth.

  Despite the sorcerer's struggle against the "big fish" to prove the existence of that place, his efforts hit a wall of ignorance. No matter how much he researched, all books repeated the same word: "Myth." Frustration consumed him, until one day his fingers touched the truth in the pages of an ancient tome. The book mentioned that the abyss was located in the "dead lands." When he checked his map, a smile of satisfaction crossed his face; the dead lands were real.

  Without wasting time, he began to equip himself. His wife, with tears streaming down her face, begged him to abandon that suicidal idea, but he refused. After saying goodbye to his newborn son, his wife, and his servant, he departed toward the unknown. As he advanced through a gigantic crowd, an old man hidden under a hood emerged from nowhere and firmly grabbed the sorcerer's hand. His voice was piercing, charged with dark wisdom.

  "There are things you don't know about this world, young one, but I will give you the answer," said the old man.

  "And how will you do that?" asked the sorcerer, defiantly.

  "I don't have much time, so I give you this. Take it and ask no questions."

  "A book?"

  "It's not just a book, there you'll find the truth. So run, now!"

  "There he is! Catch him!" shouted the guards who suddenly appeared.

  I don't know what that old man is plotting, but I'm getting out of here. |jhia|

  "Where do you think you're going, old man?" a guard shouted at the elder. "Return the book or you'll be condemned to torture!"

  "Hahaha! Bastards, I don't have what you're looking for," the old man laughed with malice.

  "What?! Of course, the boy on the horse! Don't let him escape, close the gates!"

  |Trumpet sounds|

  "Eh? The closing trumpets... I'm near the gate. Come on, horse, run!" |jhia|

  "Stop there! You can't leave at the trumpet call..." shouted a guard, but it was too late.

  "Good, I managed to cross the gates."

  The sorcerer turned his head and observed how the cavalry reached the city limits.

  "Damn, I think they're following me."

  "Open the gate quickly! Can't you see the fugitive is escaping?" roared the guards from behind.

  Then began a long chase. Despite the sorcerer's advantage, the riders didn't lose sight of him. The guards warned him to stop, but faced with his refusal, arrows began to rain down. Fear seized him, but his spurs didn't stop punishing the horse's flanks. After hours of running, an unexpected arrow sank into the animal's back, causing a violent fall. The sorcerer got up dazed, his body battered by the impact. With no other option, he decided to attack.

  In an instant, he finished off each of the guards effortlessly thanks to his mastery, but before ending the fight, he felt a burning sting: an arrow had lodged between his ribs. Furious, he used his power to make the responsible guard explode.

  |BOOM!|

  "Damn... if I were someone normal I would have died, luckily I know a lot about magic and can heal this wound easily."

  While tending to his wounds, one of the surviving guards watched silently from the shadows, recognizing the man's identity. But before withdrawing, he witnessed a terrifying phenomenon.

  "Ready, I'm healed now... Eh? Why did it suddenly get dark?"

  The sky turned completely black, as if light had been devoured. From that void emerged a lightning bolt that struck directly on the sorcerer's shoulder.

  "But what is that?! AHHHH!!!"

  "It can't be..." whispered the hidden guard. "The sorcerer has been marked. That's the 'Sacred Mark of Sin.'"

  "Damn it..." growled the sorcerer, feeling the weight of the stigma.

  Even so, he continued his path, but his heart was shattered. He silently asked forgiveness from his family; he knew he could never return. Now he was condemned, and his presence would only bring them misfortune. While he lamented, the guard returned to the castle and informed the King. The monarch's response was implacable: he condemned the sorcerer's family to death.

  The soldiers carried out the order mercilessly, murdering all the servants in the mansion. The Lady managed to escape to the stable with her son and her servant, Carla, but there was only one horse left. She made a decision.

  "Carla, flee with my son."

  "But my lady, we can fit on the horse..."

  "No!"

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  "Eh?"

  "Even if I fled with you, they would catch us."

  "Then you flee with your son, I'll stay!" Carla begged.

  "Carla, you don't know how much I'd like to do that, but you don't know how to fight."

  "But my lady, I have no one and you do..."

  "Don't say that, Carla. You were like a sister to me. Take good care of my son, yes?"

  "Alright..."

  "Go!"

  With tears burning her cheeks, Carla fled hastily with the baby.

  "Look, there she is!" shouted the pursuers. "Let's finish her!"

  "Ha... here we go."

  The Lady fought with everything she had against hundreds of warriors, buying each second with her own blood. Thanks to her sacrifice, Carla managed to escape. Finally, exhausted and surrounded, she succumbed to dozens of swords that pierced her body.

  After several days fleeing from death, Carla found refuge in a new kingdom called Yahel. Meanwhile, the sorcerer, now alone and on foot, headed toward the dead lands. On the way he found warning signs about releasing the abyss. Blinded by his ambition, he swore he wouldn't release it, but that he had to observe it with his own eyes. As time passed, he sank deeper into the book's pages.

  "This is the book of my dreams... I was right, the abyss did exist... Eh?"

  The book not only confirmed the myth, but narrated events that no one knew, facts that official history had erased.

  "What? They never told me any of this... So, the high command hides all this? Why would they do that?"

  When he was about to turn the page, a ghostly entity appeared out of nowhere. The sorcerer jumped back and prepared his energy.

  "But what the hell?! Who are you?"

  "..."

  "*I won't wait for it to attack first*. 'Sacred Ritual: Exorcism...'"

  "Calm down, I'm not your enemy."

  The entity had been watching him since he received the "Sacred Mark of Sin," analyzing every step. It had even entered his mind while he slept, discovering his objective. A terrifying happiness invaded the entity, who began to plot a plan to deceive him. It reviewed the mage's belongings and found the old man's book; it couldn't destroy it without raising suspicion, so it decided to leave it and take precautions.

  "So, who are you?" asked the sorcerer.

  "I am your mentor."

  "Ha, don't deceive me. You're a ghostly entity, you can't be my mentor."

  "*Damn*... You're right. I'm not your mentor. I'm someone who wants to help you."

  "Help me?"

  "I've been watching you. It seems you want to go to the dead lands. Why?"

  "That's none of your business."

  "Really? The only reason I see for your visit is the abyss, or am I wrong?"

  "What? How do you know that?"

  "You see, you're not the only one who has come to these lands."

  "So... there were more people who wanted to see the abyss?"

  "Of course. And I'm going to help you with this."

  In an incredible way, the entity materializes a book in its hand.

  "Eh? A book?"

  "That's right. A book that gives you all the necessary information to see the abyss."

  "And why do you want to help me?"

  "Well, if you don't want it, I'll take it away."

  "Nooo, wait! Alright, I'll accept your help."

  The entity achieved its goal. It gave him the book and withdrew to a distance to watch him. It waited for the sorcerer to become fascinated by the new information so he would forget the old man's book. While the mage slept, the entity took the original book to prevent him from continuing to investigate on his own. The plan was working.

  "Incredible... this book has valuable information. It seems the abyss was destroyed and sealed out of envy. Its technology and economy were incredible."

  The entity, from the shadows, smiled: Ha, it always works. Humans are easy to deceive when they don't know the truth. Ignorance is their worst enemy.

  "Now I understand why they're afraid," the sorcerer said to himself. "They couldn't stand to see how that race progressed better than them. I'd rather free them than continue living in this world full of lies. Luckily, here I have the instructions and magical attacks to achieve it. I'll start now... Eh? It's you again."

  "That's right," said the entity appearing. "I see you're anxious, what's the reason?"

  "I've read the book and obtained valuable information. Those damn big fish destroyed what didn't suit them. I'll free this world and show them I was right!"

  "Well, I think I deserve recognition," said the entity with sarcasm.

  "Tell me... are you an inhabitant of that world?"

  "What makes you think that?"

  "You gave me the information and the way to free them."

  "Ha, you're astute. That place was a paradise, but your race's ego turned it into destruction. They couldn't stand a better race."

  "So, what do you think if we begin?"

  The deception was perfect. Five years of failed attempts passed.

  The abyss was sealed by an uricalco rock full of magical power, which only yielded to powerful magical attacks. Almost without hope, the sorcerer decided to practice one last attack: a "spell," the maximum level of magic. After years of practice, he cast it.

  "'Neutral Spell: Divine Elevation.'"

  |Crack|

  "It worked!"

  A crack opened. For an instant, the sorcerer saw something through the fissure, but it was so fast he couldn't process it. However, the seed of doubt was planted.

  "What... *what did I see? It happened so fast I can't process it*"

  "What's happening?" asked the entity.

  "|aea| Nothing's wrong... I was just surprised. It's the first time I've performed a 'Spell.'"

  "Ah, that was it."

  "Yes, haha. You know I'm tired, so I'll continue tomorrow."

  *It seems he's already realized*... thought the entity as the mage walked away.

  That night, the sorcerer couldn't sleep:

  I don't know what I saw, but... why would a peaceful world be sealed with so much energy that no magical attack can damage it?

  Despite the doubt, he continued.

  Days passed and each attempt was a failure, until one day, full of determination, he achieved a perfect attack. This time the cracks spread violently and the truth came to light.

  What he saw was not a paradise: it was molten rock, burning lava, and infernal desolation. Among all this panorama of terror, a voice began to question him—it was the rock.

  "Is this what you want?" resonated an unknown voice.

  "No, I never desired this."

  "Then why are you doing it?"

  "They deceived me... they made me believe something that wasn't true."

  "Now you know."

  Suddenly, everything returned to normal. The moment was very tense; he didn't know what to say or do, but the voice he least wanted to hear entered his ears.

  "What's happening?" asked the entity.

  With fear in his eyes, he began to confront it.

  "I won't continue your game anymore. That's what's happening."

  "Why? Don't you want to destroy those who hide the truth anymore?"

  "Of course I do, but you don't want that."

  "And what is it that I want?"

  "You know, and I won't let you get it."

  "And what will you do? Kill me?"

  "You said it. 'Mortal Spell: Banishment.'"

  An attack that melts. The attack begins with the accumulation of "Shen" and then is channeled into a single shot with destructive power, but... it passed through the entity without causing a scratch.

  "What? How did it dodge it?"

  "I didn't dodge it. The attack simply continued its course. Hahaha I'm not a physical being, I'm made of pure 'Shen' so you won't be able to cause me damage."

  *It can't be... Then, I have no chance*.

  "Shen" is spiritual energy; if it's depleted, the body becomes immobilized but alive. Here something strange happens—you don't feel tired or fatigued, yet you can't move, and this is because Shen is the engine and physical energy is the fuel. These two concepts are not proportional.

  The entity, seeing that the mage would no longer cooperate, decided to take his body by force.

  "If I don't free my world with your help, then your body will be mine!" shouted the entity.

  "And you think I'll let you?!"

  "Of course not, that's why I'll kill you first."

  |thud|

  A physical blow sent the sorcerer against the rocks.

  He was surprised to receive the blow, wondering how this was possible.

  "How can you harm me if you're pure 'Shen'?"

  "There are things you still don't learn, friend."

  The entity moved at blinding speed, striking the sorcerer again and again. The mage's magical attacks passed through his enemy, but the entity's blows fractured his bones.

  *Damn, for my bad luck there's no magical attack capable of damaging the spirit...*

  "Well, you seem resistant," the entity mocked after a barrage of blows. "But I'm a kind guy so I'll give you a chance: give me your body and I'll stop this torture."

  The entity extended its hand to receive the sorcerer's approval, who refused outright.

  "I'd rather be decapitated than commit something like that."

  "In that case, let's continue."

  Seeing his situation, he thought.

  *Damn, I must escape...*

  The sorcerer was at his limit.

  Still bleeding and with labored breathing, he attempted one last movement, dodging a blow from the entity to perform an escape Ritual.

  "This is my chance! 'Sacred Ritual: Divine Salvation...'"

  |CRACK!|

  Before achieving his escape, he felt unbearable pain in his leg—the entity was faster. A heart-rending scream came from his throat.

  "AHHHH!!!"

  "Hahaha! You thought I'd let you go, idiot. Now this is truly your end."

  The entity launched a barrage of attacks that ended up destroying every bone in his body.

  The sorcerer lay on the ground, dying.

  *I thought of escaping to see my son... my wife... but now I'm condemned. I'm sorry, forgive me for being someone pathetic.*

  "Well, after so many blows you're still alive," said the entity approaching for the possession.

  Getting up on his knees, he smiled mockingly.

  "*Despite your situation, you mock me?* How dare you, damn ape."

  "Hahaha stupid... I've decided I don't want to live anymore, and I'll give you what you deserve. You'll see how I destroy your only opportunity."

  "What?... *I know what this human is planning* Nooo, stop!"

  *Goodbye, son... forgive me, my love. I will always love you*.

  Through tears, he let out a defiant scream before committing a crime against himself.

  "AHHHHH!!! 'Malignant Spell: Burning Flame.'"

  An intense fire surrounded the sorcerer's dying body, carbonizing him instantly before the entity's furious gaze.

  |grrr|

  "Damn!" roared the entity. "He cast the spell on himself... now I won't be able to use his body—my entire plan is ruined. Damn!!!"

  The entity let out a scream of pure rage and frustration. Its centuries-old plan had crumbled before the will of a man who preferred to die rather than be the herald of the end of the world.

  To be continued!