Kyle opened his eyes to a faint light, real air filling his lungs for the first time in ages.
The weight of the Abyss no longer pressed on his chest, yet his body remained alert, as if the danger hadn't vanished… but had changed form.
Beside him sat Umbrax, in his new form as a black cat, still, watching the world with intelligent eyes that did not belong to this place.
Minutes had barely passed when they approached him.
Three warriors, their steps steady, their eyes fixed on the massive sword on his back.
They were not skilled killers… just opportunistic hunters.
"Your sword… impressive," said the first, his voice more confident than it should have been.
The second smiled, and the third remained silent, watching.
"We suggest a simple deal," the first continued. "Give us the sword… and keep your life."
Kyle did not look at them.
"No." The word alone was enough.
The attack came without counting.
The first charged forward, and Kyle stepped aside just slightly.
Gravebound came out of its sheath with its familiar weight.
A sideways strike, non-lethal, dropped the man to the ground, screaming.
The second tried to stab from behind.
Kyle turned his body, not fast… but with timing.
The blade struck his chest and knocked him unconscious.
The third hesitated.
Hesitation was not enough.
Two steps. One strike. Down he went.
Blood ran over the street stones.
Gravebound absorbed the blood, then released it.
The blood vanished… but the sword did not change.
No pulse. No reaction. No response.
Kyle looked at the blade for a moment, then understood:
Not all blood feeds the Abyss.
This world was different.
---
He walked calmly toward the three fallen warriors.
They did not move, but they would not rise anytime soon.
Kyle bent down and searched the first: a small leather pouch, heavy.
Silver coins, some gold pieces.
He moved to the second and third, finding money hidden carefully as well.
He gathered the three pouches and tied them to his belt.
Not a fortune… but enough.
He wiped Gravebound with a cloth he took from one of them.
The sword remained silent, as if saying:
This is not what I was made for.
Umbrax sent a faint feeling to him:
"Money is only the beginning… knowledge is more valuable."
---
Kyle continued walking through the city.
People scattered. Some pretended indifference, others lowered their eyes.
The narrow stone streets, tall buildings, and busy markets were all signs of a new world, more complex than the Abyss.
He stopped at a small square, watching the faces and listening to the sounds.
He gripped Gravebound firmly.
He had come out of the Abyss alive…
But surviving here would require a different kind of strength.
Umbrax sat beside him, a calm black cat, continuing to observe the world around them.
Kyle was no longer a penniless stranger…
He was a warrior carrying a mysterious sword, enough money for the day, and an awareness of when to strike… and when to watch.
And the city?
It had begun to notice his presence.