Chapter Title: The Third Trial
The descent was slow.
Deliberate.
Unavoidable.
Azrael stood still as the platform beneath him lowered deeper into the Origin Layer. The glowing pillars above faded gradually, their light swallowed by the growing darkness below. The air changed as he descended, becoming colder, heavier, like each breath carried weight.
The system flickered faintly at the edge of his vision.
Depth Level Increasing
Environmental Stability: Unknown
Azrael exhaled quietly.
“Of course it is.”
Quinn remained silent for a moment, then spoke.
“This layer feels different.”
Azrael nodded slightly.
“Yeah.”
A pause.
“Like it’s not just watching anymore.”
The platform continued downward until—
It stopped.
Softly.
No impact.
No sound.
Just stillness.
Azrael stepped off
